556 GEOGRAPHICAL REVIEW OF THE FISHERIES. 



sumo as those used iu gill-net fishing, except that they are a little larger and are provided with 

 a sail. The tongs are the only peculiar piece of apparatus used by the oystermen. Two pairs 

 iu use at this place in 1879 were wooden imitations of the iron ones usually seen in the market. 

 The handles were, of course, made of wood and were perfectly straight. On the larger and 

 heavier end of these was bolted, at right angles, a piece of oak or other hard wood, about 2 feet 

 long and 2 inches in width and thickness. These pieces formed the back, or jaw, and through 

 them iron spikes were obliquely driven to form teeth. Between October 1, 1878, and April 1, 1879, 

 1,000 bushels of oysters, valued at 50 cents a bushel, were shipped from this place. 



DISPOSITION OF PRODUCTS. Nearly all the fish shipped from Saint Mark's in a fresh condition 

 are put on ice. The dealers at Savannah agree to pay so much per pound for the fish and furnish 

 ice in which to pack them before shipment. This ice is shipped by rail in hogsheads and tierces, 

 holding from 300 to 500 pounds each. The ice is shipped three times a week, that being as often 

 as the train runs between Saint Mark's and Tallahassee. When the train arrives at Saint Mark's 

 it finds the fishermen and oystermen assembled with their products, which need only to be iced in 

 order to be ready for shipment. The fresh fish, from boats either with or without wells are weighed 

 or counted and are then packed in old flour barrels with several layers of broken ice between and 

 a quantity of ice on the top. The packages are finally covered with a gunny-bag which is nailed 

 down securely. If, as is often the case, the ice does not arrive, the fish are split and salted on the 

 spot, reserving a few, if the weather is cool, to be sent to Tallahassee without ice. All responsibility 

 on the part of the fishermen ceases as soon as the fish are on board the train. 



At any time when there is likely to be a call for salted fish, men are hired and the process of 

 splitting and salting is quickly performed. In this shape they are allowed to remain until sold, 

 when they are counted, packed in boxes 2 or 3 feet square, and shipped off. These fish, being the 

 largest ones and carefully salted, present a very inviting appearance. The shed in which the fish 

 are packed is the property of the railroad company and is used by the fishermen free of charge. 

 There is but little expense attending this branch of the fish trade and it is estimated that $200 a 

 year will cover the expense of salt, and of hiring men to do the splitting and salting. 



The principal markets for the fish caught at Saint Mark's are Tallahassee, Ancilla, and Monti- 

 cello, Fla., and Savannah, Ga. The greater portion of the fish goes to Savannah. 



The prices obtained by the fishermen for their fish during the last three years were: For fresh 

 fish, 3 to 4 cents a pound; and for salt fish, 5 cents a pound. Before that time the prices were as 

 follows : Fresh fish, 2 to 2 cents a pound ; and salt fish, 3 cents a pound. The skipper aims to 

 clear 2 cents a pound on all fish, fresh or salt. Mullet are never weighed but are counted, each 

 fish being considered as 1 pound. In this way the purchaser in buying a large quantity gains an 

 immense advantage. Sometimes many of the mullet thus sold in a lot weigh 4 pounds each. All 

 other kinds are weighed and sold by the pound. The present price of oysters to the oystermen 

 is 50 cents a barrel. The shippers receive 75 cents a barrel. 



In the deep shoal bays enumerated above as lying to the west of the mouth of Saint Mark's 

 lliver, the mullet fishery is the only one worthy of special consideration. 



THE FISHERIES OF OCKXOOKONEE BAY Ocklockonee Bay is everywhere cut up with large 



reefs of "coon" oysters which are worthless and are an obstruction to navigation. The other bays 

 are avoided on account of the mud flats. Fish of all kinds seem to be abundant and the section 

 generally is believed to be a splendid one for all fish which go into fresh water to spawn, such as 

 redfish, menhaden, cavalli, and trout. At those points where small fresh water streams enter into 

 the bays the bottom is covered with weeds and grass and occasionally a coarse sponge may be 

 seen. There are not a great many people living on the shores of these bays, but they are found up 



