REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [272] 



About 100 sail of baymen have arrived the past week, and our streets 

 have presented a lively appearance. Clothing dealers doing a good 

 business. There are now some 50 or 60 sail to arrive. Some do poorly. 

 One arrived with 20 barrels, another with only 8 barrels. The catch 

 will fall greatly below last season. The shore fleet have mostly given 

 up. Mackerel season is about over, and the fleet will soon haul up. 

 Prices of mackerel : $14.50 and $14.75 for l's, $12.50 and $12.75 for 2's.— 

 (Cape Ann Advertiser, November 18, 1859.) 



1859. — A LATE SCHOOL IN MASSACHUSETTS BAY AND AT CAPE COD. 



Mackerel again made tlieir appearance in our waters last week, and 

 the few vessels who were fortunate enough to be out succeeded in doing 

 a pretty good business, some of them taking as high as 60 barrels. 

 Some vessels which Lad been hauled up fitted out again, and will be 

 ready to try them as soon as the weather is suitable. It is rather late 

 in the season, however, to expect any great number of mackerel will be 

 taken, but if there be any catch the Gloucester boys will be on hand to 

 get their share of them. Mackerel quiet the past week. Prices $14.50 

 for l's, $12.50 for 2's. — (Cape Ann Advertiser, November 25, 1859.) 



1859. — Mackerel market for 1859. 



Boston, January 4, 1860. — Mackerel have sustained very full prices 

 throughout the year, and have been quite steady, in January last 

 prices ranged from $15 to $16 for No. l's, $14 to $14.50 for No. 2's, and 

 $9.75 to $10 for No. 3's, and they were the current rates for the first 

 four months of the year. In May prices ad vanned for No. l's and No. 

 2's, and ruled at $16.75 to $17 for No. l's, $15 to $15.50 for No. 2's, while 

 No. 3's were sold at $9.50 to $9.75 a barrel. The first arrival of new 

 No. 3's sold at $10.25 to $11, but prices soon declined to $8 and $9. 

 The principal sales for some months past have been $14.50 to $15.50 for 

 No. Ps, $12 to $14 for No. 2's, and $9.50 to $10 for No. 3's, closing firm 

 for all kinds. Mild weather prolonged the fishing season later than 

 usual, but it is believed that the catch this year will fall short of the 

 last. 



The highest and lowest prices for some years past have been as 

 follows : 



