NATIONAL FISHERY CONGRESS. 351 



Shrimp. Shrimp are very common in Florida, but very little attention is given to 

 their sale in other than the practically fresh state, and in many coast towns the 

 fishermen throw them back into the water when found in the nets. A shrimp-canning 

 factory at some good locality would undoubtedly be a paying investment if in the 

 hands of experienced persons. 



Green turtle. An excellent opportunity exists for the development of the business 

 of preparing green-turtle soup. One person is now engaged in this business at Key 

 West, but he is so overrun with orders that he has restricted himself entirely to 

 supplying tlie foreign demand. There is at present a considerable domestic demand, 

 and this could easily be enlarged should the business be taken up by experienced and 

 energetic persons. There is no apparent sign of a decrease in thef number of green 

 turtles landed at Key West, and if the factory were located there a supply could 

 easily be secured during the season. A factory, possibly at or near Miami, might be 

 successful if the turtle fishermen, who work on the east coast and sell their catch at 

 Key West, could be induced to land their fare at the factory. There is hardly a doubt 

 of this, as it would save them the long journey to Key West. Turtle meat can be 

 canned in the same way as other food products, arid this would be a good method of 

 disposing of green turtles too large for shipment to northern markets in the shell. 



Clams. In the North clams are frequently put up in cans the same as oysters, 

 and this would be an excellent method of utilizing those that could not be sold fresh. 



MISCELLANEOUS PRODUCTS. 



Porpoise oil and leather. The securing of oil and leather from this mammal is a 

 profitable business in several sections of this country. As porpoises are very common 

 along the Florida coast a remunerative fishery might be established. 



Crab. The horseshoe or king crab is said to be very common in Tampa Bay. 

 While not an edible product it makes a fine fertilizer. Thousands of pounds of these 

 crabs are used each year by the farmers along the Delaware Bay and other waters. 

 As fertilizers are especially valuable in Florida, the utilization of this crustacean for 

 the purpose mentioned is suggested. 



Seaweed. This common substance makes excellent and cheap manure, and owing 

 to the very large extent of coast possessed by the State is easily within the reach of 

 all. When buried in the earth around the roots of plants and trees it acts very 

 rapidly, softening and decomposing in the soil so quickly that the effect is confined 

 altogether to the special crop to which it is applied. 



Shells. Numerous and beautiful shells are constantly thrown up on the beaches 

 in Florida by the storms, and if these were more generally gathered and shipped to 

 northern points they would find a ready sale, and thus add a considerable amount to 

 the yearly income of the fisherman without much inconvenience or trouble to himself, 

 as the season when they are generally found is the time when he is compelled to remain 

 at home on account of the storms. New York City and the various seaside summer 

 resorts of the North are the best markets for these shells. 



In conclusion I would state that, owing to the necessarily restricted length of 

 this paper, I have not taken up the details of the processes necessary in preparing 

 the various fishery products mentioned, but any information in the possession of the 

 United States Commission of Fish and Fisheries will be placed at the disposal of 

 anyone who may be moved to proceed on the lines suggested. 



WASHINGTON, D. 0. 



