3 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [6] 
B.—CANVASSING. 
In many instances, especially in out-of the-way inland towns, or where 
a capable, willing correspondent is found, it will not be necessary to 
send a canvasser. All needful information may be gained by corre- 
spondence. The process of elimination, already referred to, will probably 
throw out three-fourths of the towns named in the directory. This will 
save much time and expense in the work of canvassing, it being quite 
unnecessary to send a canvasser to places where there are known to be 
no fisheries. 
There are, however, certain stretches of coast which will require much 
careful investigation by men acquainted with fishermen and the natural 
history of fishes. These are— 
1. The coast of Maine, with its peculiar system of semi-professional 
fishing, and its varied river and harbor fisheries. 
2. The coast of Massachusetts, with its extensive commercial fisheries. 
3. The coast of Southern New England and New York, with its pounds 
and weirs, and its New York market fishery. 
4, The coast of the Middle States, to Cape May. 
5. The Gulf Coast. 
6. The Great Lakes. 
7. The salmon fisheries of the Pacific Coast. 
Much has already been accomplished with 2, 3, and 6; the most press- 
ing needs are with 1 and 5. It is strongly recommended that work in 
these districts be begun at once. 
The cheapest and most satisfactory manner of traversing these dis- 
tricts is by small vessels, which can be chartered at very reasonable 
rates. 
The other districts may be undertaken in the progress of the work. 
C.—REPORTS OF LARGE MARKETS. 
Daily reports of the fresh-fish trade of New York are obtained from 
the bookkeepers of the eighteen firms represented in the New York 
Fishmongers’ Association, and similar reports are received from Boston 
and Washington. This system of gathering information, which is prov- 
ing so satisfactory in these cities, should be extended. Reporters should 
be secured in other centers of distribution, and particularly in— 
Boston (salt-fish trade), 
Portland, Me., 
New London, Conn., 
Providence, R. L., 
New York (oyster trade), 
Philadelphia (oyster trade), 
Baltimore (oyster trade), 
Norfolk and vicinity (oyster trade), 
Charleston, 8. C., 
