FISHERIES OF PORTO RICO. 



11 



Freight rates from San Juan to ports north of Hatteras have during 

 the past years averaged as follows : On molasses, $2.25 per hogshead, 

 gross gauge; sugar in bags of 250 pounds, 15 cents per 100 pounds. 



Vessel property is not in demand at this or other ports. In the past 

 the few sailing vessels of the island were of small size and were only 

 used in the freight and passenger business near home. Recently small- 

 sized steamers have largely taken this business, and at present there 

 are more sailing vessels than are needed. 



MATAGUEZ. 



This city, with some 15,000 inhabitants, ranks third in population 

 and also in its fishery imi)orts and its general business. It is near 

 the center of the western end of the island, and resembles Ponce in 

 being located a short distance inland, having its custom-house and its 

 large fish, coffee, sugar, and other interests at the landing. The city 

 is well laid out and handsome and has the only street-car line on the 

 island, between the city and landing. The harbor is much exposed, with 

 good depth of water except near the shore, necessitating the lighterage 

 of cargoes. 



The climatic conditions vary somewhat from those of the north side 

 of the island. The usual wet months are May, June, July, August, 

 September, October, and November. During December northerly 

 winds prevail, accompanied by frequent showers. Months that are 

 reported free liom any rain are January, February, March, and Ai^ril. 

 August and September, mentioned among the wet months, are some- 

 times free from rain a part of the time. 



Shipments of dry fish by sailing vessel can be best made during the 

 winter months, while in summer shipments can be made more quickly 

 by steamer. The best months for meeting with a good demand are 

 January, February, March, and April. Shipments by the New York and 

 Porto Eico Steamship Line can be made three times a month. These 

 steamers do a freight and i^assenger business, making regular calls at 

 Mayaguez, San Juan, and Ponce, and if there is sufiticient inducement 

 landings are made at Arecibo, Aguadilla, and Arroyo. 



For a long time Mayaguez has been a receiving and distributing port 

 for a large amount of imported fishery products. The receipts of dry 

 and pickled fish in 1897 were as follows: 



The imports of canned fish were comparatively unimportant, being- 

 valued at only $19,732, of which $19,517 worth came from Spain. 



