36 AMERICAN CATFISHES. 



56 large Schuylkill catlisli {Ameiurus catus) from the Raritan River, 

 New Jersey, and 70 hornpouts or bullheads {A. nebulosus) from Lake 

 Champlain, Vermont. The first were deposited in the San Joaquin 

 River, near Stockton, Cal., and the bullheads were placed in ponds 

 and sloughs near Sutterville, Sacramento County, Cal. Other con- 

 signments of a few spotted catfish have since been sent to California, 

 amounting in all to 510. From the waters thus stocked by the United 

 States Fish Commission the California Fish Commission distributed 

 the various catfishes widely in that state. . . 



In 1877 the State Fish Commissioner of Nevada transferred from 

 the Sacramento River a large number of the ''Schuylkill cat" 

 {Ameiurus catus) , and with these and their progeny as a basis of sup- 

 ply, the fish were widely distributed in Nevada waters. 



Up to 1908, 710 catfish had been sent to Oregon and 2,175 to 

 Washington. It is evident that they found these new waters pecu- 

 liarly suited to them, as they multiplied prodigiously and grew rap- 

 idly. It was not long after the first plants were made that a catfish 

 fishery was inaugurated. Smith says: 



The practice of taking these fish for market from public waters has probably increased 

 from year to year, although no statistics are available for any early years. At present 

 it is probable that more catfish are caught for local and home consumption than for 

 sale in the large marketing centers, but no accurate idea of the extent of the desultory 

 and semi professional fishing can be formed. 



The catfish fishery is not of large proportions in either California or Oregon. Only a 

 small amount of capital is invested in it, but few persons are regularly engaged, and the 

 catch is insignificant compared with the yield of many other fish taken in the same 

 waters. The industry is more extensive in California than in Oregon. 



The commercial fishery, in California at least, has probably reached its height, if it 

 is not already on the decline. The receipts of catfish by the San Francisco dealers in 

 1894 were nearly 30 per cent less than in 1893; the decrease was due wholly to the 

 lack of demand, the fish being more abundant. 



The estimated amount of catfish caught in California in 1893 

 totaled 200,000 pounds, making a gross value of the fish to the state 

 of $8,500. (Smith, p. 391.) 



Regarding the catfish trade, Smith goes on to say : 



The principal marketing centers for catfish are San Francisco, Sacramento, Stock- 

 ton, and Portland. The last-named place has the most extensive trade. In propor- 

 tion to its population, San Francisco receives much fewer catfish than any of the other 

 cities mentioned. 



Catfish can not be said to be common in the San Francisco markets. The demand 

 is usually very limited. At times, however, when other fish are scarce, they meet 

 with ready sale at good prices. In 1893 the average daily receipts were less than 150 

 pounds, and in 1894 under 100 pounds. In no month during those two years did the 

 daily receipts run over 250 pounds on an average, and in July and August, 1894, they 

 were under 30 pounds a day. 



The total quantity handled by San Francisco dealers in 1893 was 

 43,974 pounds; in 1894 it dropped to 31,055 pounds. Smith further 



