158 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 



row of shad; all the shad are packed in a similar way; then the top of the box is filled with fine ice 

 and tin- rover nailed securely on. These shad reach the New York market in a perfect condition, and 

 84> well known has thi- >hipper's mark or brand become that the buyers are always on the lookout for 

 this particular bran. 1, and these shad are the first that are sold and bring the highest prices. On 

 arriving in New York the fish have not moved from their position in the box, the ice is still intact, 

 and on opening the box we find all the fish to be in a perfect condition, each scale undisturbed, and 

 the whole presenting the appearance of a glistening jewel just taken from a casket. 



As I said before, these fish bring a very much greater price than other fish shipped from the same 

 l)c:ilit\ : the latter have been packed in a careless and slovenly way, and the packages when opened 

 in the New York market do not look inviting, and, as a result, are not sought for and can only be 

 sold by marking down the price. 



What I \\ Mi to impress upon the shippers and fishermen is that for every dollar invested in labor 

 and ii-e in packing the tish they will receive $10 in return. 



Mr. .1. M. Willson, jr., of Kissimmee, Fla., read a paper on "Florida fur-farming," 

 relating to the breeding of otters in captivity, which was briefly discussed by Mr. 

 BlackfonL 



A pair of live otters raised in captivity were exhibited. 



Col. F. C. Zarharie. of Louisiana, brought up the subject of crayfishes in the 

 ippi levees, showing the damage done by a certain species, which appeared 

 only (hiring high water. I )r. H. 0. Bunipus, Dr. H. F. Moore, and Mr. C. H. Towusend 

 made remarks on the subject. 



A recess was then taken until 6 p. m. 



On the reassembling of the Congress, the president called Vice-president Peabody 

 to tho rliair. 



The afternoon session was occupied in the reading of papers and discussions 

 thereon. 



Trot. 11. A. Smelt/, of Tarpon Springs, Fla., delivered a paper on the "Florida 

 oyster-bars, their depletion and restoration," and exhibited specimens of live oysters 

 attached to various objects, from the vicinity of Tarpon Springs. Mr. Blackford, 

 Dr. Moore, and Colonel /acharic spoke on the subject. 



In the discussion of the paper Mr. Blackford said : 



>ne point as to the oyster question brought forward so very interestingly by Professor Smelt/., in 



peaking of the efforts that should be made to obtain legislation: Ho seems to lay a great deal of 



force tipiiii th- fjii-t that a n-viMiiie might bo obtained from the leasing or selling of these grounds for 



oyster-culture. I think that is the wrong end of it. 1 think that the terms should bo such as to invite 



1'iote-t thi- industry by giving the man the right, by lease or selling the ground 



outright, mi suHi t. nun as would encourage him to go into the business. There is no reason why a 



mid b sought from the oyster-cultivator for the purpose of lowering the tax upon tho 



fanner who occupies the upland. I think this the wrong way to go at it. I think \\. should make 



t ion so as to encourage and promote oyster-farming, to obtain such an immense, product that 



it would bring a large business to the State, and consequently wealth, but not particularly for the 



purpose of raising a revenue for the State and thereby reducing tfie taxes of other people. 



Dr. Moore said : 



I have given the subject of oyster-culture some attention during tho last year or more. I have 

 been interested in it more or lew* for a number of years, and I have given particular attention to the 

 facts which Mr. Hlacktord has just brought up. I am inclined to agree with what he has said. I 

 think the main unfortunate feature of our oyster legislation heretofore has been the effort to get a 



