78 EEPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



aprons, Laiiclie the fish and deliver them at fixed prices. The fish-mer- 

 chant to whom we were introduced, Mr. Eugene G. Blackford, was not 

 only a capable business man but also a highly accomplished gentleman. 

 He was able to give us not only information on all things concerning 

 the fish-traffic, but also scientifically-founded communications on the 

 natural history of fishes. As president of that great society, the Amer- 

 ican Fish Culturists' Association, he was identified with all the i^romi- 

 nent scientific men in that branch, and with the large staff of fishery 

 commissioners in all parts of the United States. We could not have 

 been introduced to any one who was better fitted to be our cicerone and 

 our living lexicon. A great portion of the information which I acquired 

 on the fresh-fish trade I owe to his favor and intelligence. 



II. 

 KINDS AND PEICES* OF FISH. 



As I remarked before, the kinds of fishes in the market are numerous, 

 and the prices, naturally, difierent in different seasons. I shaU name 

 such fishes as are generally used for domestic purposes, and the prices 

 of some. 



Haddock (similar to our hyse) is one of the commonest and best fish. 

 It is taken on the coast as well as on the Great Banks. They are sold 

 fresh in small quantities from 6 to 8 ore* per pound j they are employed 

 also as stock-fish. 



Fogies or menhaden {Alosa menliaden of the herring family) are like- 

 wise a good small fish; they are taken in great masses with steamers 

 and purse-seines along the coast and some distance out to sea. A great 

 portion is made into oil and guano, the manufacturing of which is done 

 in large factories on the coast. By the barrel, which average 300 to 500 

 each, they are sold from 44 cents to 88 cents. In the fish-market they 

 are sold fresh, and retail for 6 to 8 and 10 ore per pound. 



Thin herring are found in the fish-markets, especially in winter, and 

 then frozen and fresh. These come from the Newfoundland and New 

 Brunswick coasts, where they are either caught or purchased for $1.09 

 per barrel. They seU them fresh at retail for 6 to 8 and 10 ore per 

 pound. They are also salted, and then principally whole. Another 

 fat kind of herring, most like the Norwegian great herring, which is 

 found in the fall on the coasts named, and off Labrador, they generally 

 work up into a very choice salted article for the Westj lastly they salt 

 the thin herrings for export to Europe. 



Some more esteemed and higher-priced kinds of fish are : butterfish 

 {Poronotus triacanthus), catfish (species of Amiuru-'i), flounders, sheeps- 

 head {Archosargus probaioceplialus, a sea-carp), sturgeon, swordfish, rock- 

 fish {Roccus Uneatus, a sort of sea-perch). Cod I did not see; they are 



* Foot-note. — The ore equals -^ or about J of a, cent. — Tuanslator. 



