FISHERIES OF THE GULF STATES. 



141 



Tabic sho^cing by counties, apparatus, and species the yield of the shore fisheries of 

 Mississippi in 1897 — Continued. 



THE WHOLESALE FISHERY TRADE. 



The principal shore industries connected with the fisheries of Missis- 

 sippi are the canning of oysters, shrimp, and crabs, and the trade in 

 opened oysters, whole shrimp, live crabs, terrapin, and fresh fish. 



The oyster-canuing business was established at Biloxi in 1881. In 

 that year one cannery was built and jjut in operation and others were 

 added a few years later. Since that time the industry has grown to 

 considerable proportions and has contributed materially to the pros- 

 perity of the communities in which it is carried on. In 1897 there were 

 4 canneries in operation — 3 at Biloxi and 1 at Bay St. Louis. The 

 aggregate value of these, including land, buildings, wharves, machinery, 

 and fixtures, was $88,000, the amount of cash capital utilized was 

 $203,000, and of wages paid $55,552. The number of persons employed 

 was 942. The total value of the output was $346,751. Of this amount 

 $256,664 represents the value of the canned-oyster packj the remain- 



