HISTORY OF THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



137 



Number of Mackerel caught in 1 847. 



By small mackerel in the table is meant those about half the size of the largest ; they 

 are culled out by the fishermen, and sold for about half the price of the largest. The 

 salted mackerel are generally contracted for by some purchaser for a certain price (in 

 Captain Atwood's case, for $ 5 per barrel), to be delivered at his wharf within a month 

 or two from the time they are taken. 



This species revisits our shores again in the autumn, but is not taken in such quantities 

 as in the spring of the year. Thus in the months of October and November, 1 847, there 

 were taken, by thirty-five fishermen who followed this business, 1,076 barrels full, which 

 were packed'; and % 783.73 worth, which were sold fresh. 



These mackerel are inspected at the wharf, before they are barrelled, and are of four 

 distinct qualities. 



The first must be 13 inches long, from the tip of the snout to the notch of the caudal 

 fin. The second is under 13 inches in length, but fat. The third comprises those which 



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