510 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



of the State with New York and Philadelphia, these two cities receive 

 large shipments of fish, the demand being greater and the prices higher 

 in many cases than in Baltimore. 



The burning of oyster shells for lime is an industry of some impor- 

 tance in Baltimore, the product being used largely as a fertilizer. 

 The use of crushed and ground shells as a food for fowls is also grow- 

 ing. Owing to the lessening quantity and higher prices of oysters 

 the canning industry of this city is decreasing in value, several large 

 firms having moved to other States. Next to Baltimore the largest 

 tiutmtities of oysters are handled at Cambridge, Crisfield, and Oxford, 

 many shucking houses being located at these places. Crisfield still 

 continues to be the most important crab-shipping point in the United 

 States and. together with Deal Island, handles practically the entire 

 soft-crab catch of the State. On account of the small capital necessary, 

 the number of crab firms at C'risfield is increasing ^'earl}- and is no 

 doubt responsible for the low prices received by the fishermen, as 

 these firms, in their endeavors to get contracts with conmiission houses 

 in the larger cities, are compelled to underbid competitors in fixing 

 prices for the following season. 



Hard crabs are handled principally at Oxford, St. Michaels and 

 vicinity, Tilghman Island, and Cambridge. With the exception of 

 the latter, these places handle the crab meat almost entirely. 



The following table shows by localities the number and value of 

 establishments, cash capital employed, and number of persons engaged 

 in the wholesale fishery trade of Maryland in 1901: 



Table showing the wholesale fishery trade of Maryland in 1901. 



Localities. 



Establishments. 



No. 



Value. 



Cash 

 capital. 



Number 

 of persons 

 engaged. 



Annapolis 



Baltimore 



SI. Micliaols, Claiborne, and Royal Oak 



Tilsliinaii Island 



Oxfonl and Bellevue 



Cristicld, Lawsonia, and Ewell 



Dial Island and Chance 



Fairnioiiiit and Oriole 



Mariiin and Hopewell 



Tulls Corurr and Sholltown 



Cambridge an<l Secretary 



Holland Island and Elliott 



Wingale and Vienna 



Havre de Grace and Perryville 



Bivalve and Tyaskin 



Whitehaven and Nantieoke 



Solomons and Benedict 



Total 



6 



104 



8 



6 



16 



43 



13 



9 



6 



2 



30 



•2 



'2 



3 



4 



2 



2 



826, 735 



1,795,940 



12, 605 



«, 685 



31,048 



80, 793 



6,940 



11,300 



9,780 



3, 825 



60, 527 



905 



865 



4,900 



3,970 



2, 250 



878 



$19, 800 



1,968,350 



10,800 



9.100 



20,875 



114,600 



4,550 



14,700 



13,400 



3,500 



91,340 



1,000 



1,000 



3,000 



14,500 



5,500 



900 



376 



7, 972 



241 



218 



.591 



814 



126 



243 



205 



104 



1,003 



20 



20 



28 



287 



94 



17 



268 2,061,946 



2, 2%, 915 



12,358 



