540 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OP FISH AND FISHERIES. 

 WHOLESALE FISHERY TRADE. 



The wholesale trade in fishery products of the State was repre- 

 sented by 80 firms in 1901 and 56 in 1897, a gain of 24. Of the 80 

 firms, «)T were engaged in the oyster business, most of them, more or 

 less extensively, from the planting of seed oysters to the gathering, 

 opening, and distribution of the marketable crop to all sections of the 

 country. This branch of business shows many changes and improve- 

 ments and has increased considerabh' in importance. 



The wholesale trade in food-fish is carried on by a comparatively 

 small number of firms. The fresh fish are handled chiefly during the 

 early spring runs of migratory fish, the season being much earlier than 

 for the same species in northern waters. This early spring catch has 

 a wide range of distribution. The only cured fish marketed are salted 

 ale wives. 



The total iunnl)er of employees in the wholesale firms was 4,132, 

 the larger portion of whom were engaged in the opening of oysters. 

 The wholesale firms paid in 1901 $701,807 in wages, most of which 

 went to oystermen for their eight months' work. 



Reference has been made to an endless-chain scraper for removing 

 oyster shells from the shucking rooms. This device is employed by 

 Messrs. J. S. Darling & Son, of Hampton, one of the largest firms in 

 Virginia, and has resulted in saving much time, labor, and expense. 

 The old and expensive method of removing shells by shovels and 

 wheelbarrows is still practiced by all of the other firms. 



Table shoiving the persons and capital in the wholesale fishery trade of Virginia in 1901. 



\ Establishments. 



LiX'iilities. 



Lewisetta, Whealtoii, Kiiisale, and Mundays Point... 



West Point ." 



Hampton 



Suffolk 



Portsmouth and Berkley 



Norfolk 



Irvington and Wcems Wharf 



Cape Charles, Brighton, Cobbs Landing, and Browns- 

 ville 



Willis Wharf, Bridgetown, and Franktown 



Chesconessex, Dreka, Majipsville, Saxis, and Lemont. 



Watchaprtague, Mfssongo, and Wisharts Point 



Cliincoteague and Franklin City 



Tangier Island " 



Total 



No. 



Value. 



$21,000 



15,500 



65,000 



9,000 



62, 440 



229, 500 



3,100 



10,200 

 6, 350 

 8,000 

 3,600 



10,250 

 1,000 



443,940 



Cash 

 capital. 



$31,800 



46, 000 



61,000 



9,000 



38, 000 



156, 000 



8,000 



11,100 

 7,800 



20, 600 

 8,000 



20,500 

 2,760 



420, 550 



Number 

 of persons 

 engaged 



551 

 234 

 510 

 124 

 513 

 1,404 

 123 



130 

 184 

 148 



85 

 116 



10 



4,132 



Wages 

 paid. 



$86,650 

 45,600 

 66,575 

 9,900 

 105, 425 

 318, 100 

 20,000 



9. 980 

 7, 320 

 9, 447 

 6,210 

 14,8-50 

 1,750 



701,807 



