328 FISHING IN AMEEICAN WATEES. 



duced to forage in the waters of the United States, instead 

 of settling beyond their limits. 



MENHADEN FOR BAIT. 



The largest fleet engaged at catching menhaden bait along 

 the coast is at Gloucester, Mass., where twenty fast-sailing 

 fishing-smacks are engaged six months of the year at netting 

 menhaden, and their annual sales of bait average in amount 

 $75,000. Of the pilchard, No. 2, and anchovy, No. 3, they are 

 European fishes ; but the herring, No. 5, swarms along all the 

 shores and inlets of the Atlantic during the spring and sum- 

 mer months ; and whether it is the want of duly appreciating 

 the fish, or because American fishermen have better employ- 

 ment during the season which the herring visits our shores, 

 I know not, but it does not claim its proportionate share of 

 interest and attention among the numerous families of Ameri- 

 can food-fishes. 



FROZEN HERRINGS. 



Late in autumn about fifty vessels sail annually from Mas- 

 sachusetts to Newfoundland for frozen herrings. Their aver- 

 age catch is one hundred tons each, and their wholesale price 

 in the New York markets is three cents a pound, or $300,000. 



SECTION FOURTH. 



THE CODFISH CATCHING AND CURING IT. 



Far off by stormy Labrador 



Far off the Banks of Newfoundland, 

 Where angry seas incessant roar, 



And foggy mists their wings expand, 

 The fishing-schooners, black and low, 

 For weary months sail to and fro ; 

 Seeking no home, no rest the while, 

 Till each is freighted full with spoil. 



While visiting the mouth of the St. John River, on the 

 north shore of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, I spent some time in 

 examining the modus operandi of taking and dry-curing cod. 



