STURGEON FISHERY OP DELAWARE RIVER AND BAY. 377 



of "cow fish," while the remainiugf one-third is composed of "bucks," 

 "sluiikers," and "runners." The "bucks" will not average more than 

 one-tenth of the total catch. 



A few of the fishermen, with small capital, or little experience, sell 

 their fish to other fishermen or dealers in the round state, or just as 

 taken from the water, and the buyers prepare the caviar and flesh for 

 market. In 1897 the average prices paid for the round fish were as 

 follows: "Cow" fish, from $10 to $12 each; "bucks," "slunkers," and 

 "runners" $1.50 each. In 1898 "cow" fish sold for $25 each, while 

 "bucks," "slunkers," and "runners" sold for $2 each. In 1899 various 

 prices were paid for "cow" fish, as there was a general demand for 

 them, one fisherman receiving as high as $(55 for an extra large one. The 

 number of flsliermen who put up their own caviar increases each season, 

 as the possible profit is a great incentive to raise the capital needed. 



HANDLING THE FISH. 



The fisherman endeavors to land "cow" fishes alive. As soon as 

 they are landed on the wharf, or the butchering float, the tail is severed 

 with an ax, so that the blood may escape and the fish die quickly. 

 After a few minutes the operator makes eight short longitudinal slits 

 in the abdomen, four on each side of an imaginary line drawn down 

 the center of the fish. These are for "hand holds" later in the work of 

 skinning the fish. A long slit is then made down the center of the 

 abdomen, so that when the skin is thrown back the whole abdomen is 

 exposed to view. Should it be a "cow" fish, with the proper kind of 

 roe, the operator cuts the inclosing membrane, takes out the roe, and 

 places it in pails. The head is then cut ofl' with an ax or cleaver. In 

 preparing the carcass for shipment the skin is carefully separated from 

 the body on the sides and then along the back by means of knives, 

 after which the backbone is cut out, leaving the fish boneless. Some 

 sturgeon are shipped, however, without being skinned, these going to 

 the Philadelphia markets. The skinned carcasses are usually shipped 

 to iSTew York, packed in ice, while the undressed fish are merely tagged 

 and shipped without any further prei)aration. 



As taken from the water, the females usually average about 350 

 pounds each, while the males average about 05 pounds each. When 

 dtessed for shipment, the carcasses of the females will weigh about 100 

 pounds, while the carcasses of the males will average about 35 pounds. 



At Bayside a small business is carried on in the preparation of fer- 

 tilizer and oil from the refuse of the sturgeon. For this purpose a large 

 building is used, containing machinery for cutting uj) and extracting 

 the oil from the refuse, and the necessary drjnng floor for drying the 

 resulting scrap. The whole plant is worth about $10,200, and about 5 

 men are employed in the work during the fishing season. 



The scrap, after the oil has been extracted, is treated with acidulated 

 rock and potash, and makes a very good grade of fertilizer, which is sold 

 to farmers in the vicinity. In 1898 this fertilizer sold for about $18 a 



