[21] PLAN OF INQUIRY FOR FISHERY CENSUS. 93 
The Eastern Fresh-water Fishery. 
The Western Fresh-water Fishery. 
The Great Lakes General Fishery. 
The Green Turtle Fishery. 
The Lobster Fishery. 
The Crab Fishery. 
The Prawn and Shrimp Fishery. 
The Oyster Fishery and Oyster Culture. 
The Long Neck Clam Fishery. 
The Little Neck Clam Fishery. 
The Bait Clam Fishery. 
The Scollop Fishery. 
The Squid Fishery. 
The Sponge Fishery. 
The Irish Moss Trade. 
The Sea-Sand Trade. 
V.—PRODUCT OF THE FISHERIES. 
METHOD OF DISCUSSION IN REPORT. 
Annual yield to be specified by separate articles and in total, with 
estimated values for the year 1880. 
To be specified also by districts, with estimated values. 
Yield in past years, returns to be made as complete as possible, and 
also to be supplemented by authentic accounts of productiveness of 
particular localities in past years. 
(Here might be considered the question of decrease or increase of 
abundance of individual species.) 
(In this chapter may be included much historical matter.) 
Comparisons of yield of fisheries of the United States with those of 
other countries. 
METHOD OF INVESTIGATION. 
These returns are already provided for in the case of New York, Bos- 
ton, and Washington. In every other settlement the study of the markets 
is the most important thing, especially if there be any shipments of fish to 
other points. The New York market blanks (20) or the New England 
market blanks (31) should be used in making up estimates of the annual 
produgt, and the opinions and estimates of several capable men should 
be obtained. Intelligent estimates may be safely founded upon (1) the 
study of the number of men or boats employed in each fishery ; (2) the 
number of months the fishing continues; and (3) the estimated average 
daily catch. No point should be left until this estimate of the annual pro- 
duct of the local fisheries has been obtained. In some instances the fol- 
lowing table may be more convenient. 
