366 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [78] 
61.— MARKETS. 
Mr. Thompson remarks: ‘ Previous to 1862 the market for fresh fish 
was limited to New Bedford, Fall River, Providence, and the adjoining 
towns, and a large proportion of the fish then taken was salted and 
shipped to the West Indies and the Southern States. This was espe- 
cially the case with those taken about Noman’s Land and Martha’s Vine- 
yard. Now nearly all are consumed fresh, and the average price is 
somewhat higher than formerly.” 
The Gloucester Telegraph of September 7, 1850, contained fhe fol- 
lowing item, which shows that Sword-fish were eaten in Boston at least 
thirty years ago, and, highly esteemed : 
“A Sword-fish weighing about 250 pounds was caught near our cape 
on Tuesday. It was taken to Boston and retailed out from Quincy 
Market, by Messrs. Covill, at 124 cents per pound. The sword, measur- 
ing on the eye to the AD. is 37 inches in length.”* 
Mr. John H. Thomson writes: ‘At present the great bulk of the catch 
is sold fresh. Most of the fish are brought to this port, and a few are 
carried to New London. Until within a very few years nearly all were 
disposed of in this vicinity. About 1864 a few were sent to Boston on 
trial, and the consumption of Sword-fish in that vicinity has since rap- 
idly increased. Still, the principal market for fresh Sword-fish may be 
said to lie between New London and the eastern end of Massachusetts. 
Providence, R. I., consumes a large quantity.” 
Mr. Earll writes: “About 2,000 Sword-fish, averaging in weight 300 
pounds dressed, have been landed yearly in Portland for several years. 
Most of them are sent to Boston fresh, and the remainder are cut up 
and salted here.” 
Mr. Eugene G. Blackford informs me that Sword-fish are not much 
esteemed in New York market, and that in 1874 not more than 2,000 
pounds in the aggregate were consumed. 
62.—PRICES. 
Regarding the price of fresh fish at New Bedford, Mr. Thomson re- 
marks: “ When the first fish arrives here it is eagerly sought at 20 
cents a pound, retail. In 1873, within forty-eight hours of the arrival 
of the first one, fifty-two were brought in, bringing the general retail 
price down to 8 and 10 cents. At this price, clear of bone, they are 
usually retailed throughout the season. The wholesale price is about 
12 cents for the first catch, falling rapidly to 2 or 3 cents. This is for 
‘clean fish’, without head, tail, and viscera. Tish from George’s Bank 
are sometimes brought ie from Boston. They then retail at 15 and 
20 cents.” 
According to the record of the “‘ Northern Eagle”, the price in June, 
* A Sword-fish weighing over 700 pounds was one of the sensations at Faneuil Hall 
Market last week.—Gloucester Telegraph, August 13, 1870. 
