REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 63 
INQUIRIES AT GLOUCESTER AND BOSTON, MASS. 
_ The services of the local agents at these important fishing ports have 
‘been continued. At Gloucester, the most prominent fishing port in the 
United States, Capt. S. J. Martin has, as heretofore, rendered eminently 
‘satisfactory service, notwithstanding the arduous duties and long hours 
of work necessitated by the character of the fisheries and the nature of 
‘the information obtained. The local agent at Boston, Mr. Frederick F. 
‘Dimick, is better qualified than anyone else, by virtue of long experience 
in the work, to represent the office at Boston, and his connection with 
the Boston Fish Bureau enables the Commission to obtain his services at 
;@ Salary not more than one-fourth that which would have to be paid 
‘under other circumstances. ° Reference has elsewhere been made to the 
furlough of these agents during August, September, and October, on 
vaccount of a deficient appropriation. The loss of data for those months, 
“while serious, has in part been made up through the voluntary efforts 
jof the agents. 
i -In the previous report of the division an outline of the character of 
‘its work at Gloucester and Boston was given and its practical value 
wwas shown. It need only be stated that the inquiries have continued 
valong the same general lines, and that the information gathered is 
ithe most complete, accurate, and valuable ever obtained regarding the 
‘resources and productiveness of the various fishing-grounds resorted 
ito by New England vessels. 
at 
t MINOR FIELD INQUIRIES. 
* In August Mr. Edward E. Race, who was then in Maine on leave 
of absence, was ordered to make an investigation of the menhaden 
‘industry of that State. He visited all the factories in the eastern part 
‘of the State engaged in making oil and fertilizer from the menhaden 
‘and obtained detailed statistical information for the years 1890 and 
‘k891. Few fisheries have attracted more attention in Maine than the 
menhaden fishery; and the recent return of the fish to the waters of 
Ithe State has caused a revival of the discussion which was suspended 
‘during the period of ten years when menhaden were practically absent 
‘from that coast. 
‘In 1890 menhaden were very abundant on the Maine coast, and four 
‘factories, located at Round Pond, Linnekin, and Boothbay Harbor, in 
‘Lincoln County, were operated. These were valued at $21,000. The 
number of shore employees was 306, to whom $38,640 was paid in wages 
during the fishing season, extending from June to September. The cash 
‘capital required to carry on the business was $95,000. The fish were 
‘caught and supplied to factories by 9 fishing steamers carrying about 
1200 men. The menhaden taken and utilized at the factories amounted 
‘to 302,700 barrels, equivalent to about 89,550,700 fish. From these the 
‘following products were made: 1,059,000 gallons of oil, with a market 
value of $264,750, and 10,930 tons of wet serap, or “chum,” valued at 
