044 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES. 



trays and vend them through the streets of Charlestou. Up to a recent date soft crabs were thrown 

 away as worthless, but they are now better appreciated, although they are not yet as favorably 

 regarded as they are farther north. 



Mr. R. E. Earll states that about two-thirds of the catch during his visit to Charleston in 

 March, 1880, were females, with large bunches of eggs attached. These eggs were still quite im- 

 mature, indicating that they would not probably hatch before April or May. Hundreds of thou- 

 sands of eggs were destroyed with every dozen crabs brought to market. 



The crabs caught about Charleston are mostly sold in that city, but some are also sent to 

 interior cities, the principal inland markets being Columbia, S. C., and Augusta and Atlanta, 

 Ga. For shipment to these places they are packed in boxes and small barrels. The demand for 

 crabs on this coast is not equal to the supply, and there are at present no inducements to increase 

 the fishery. The quantity and value of crabs disposed of for food on the South Carolina coast 

 during 18SO is estimated as follows : Hard crabs, 9,000 ; soft crabs, 1,500; value, $775. 



The sea-crab is used as bait for the drumfish (Pogonias chromis) and for all other species of fish 

 for which shrimps are employed, when the latter are not obtainable. 



GEORGIA. The sea-crab is very abundant on the Georgia coast, where it enters the river 

 mouths during the summer. The season extends from March to November. The fishing appliances 

 consist of scoop-nets, hooks and lines, and baited hoop-nets. The latter is a twine net, fastened 

 to a barrel hoop, with a weight in the center, and to the upper side of which is tied a piece of bait, 

 generally consisting of fresh beef. This net is lowered to the bottom, and the crab, attracted by 

 the bait, crawls on it and is quickly hauled to the surface. Fish lines with hooks are also com- 

 monly used, and a man in a boat or on a wharf can handle several of them. While the soft shell 

 crabs are generally preferred for food, the hard crabs are much more extensively used on account 

 of their greater abundance. In some localities, however, hard crabs are given the preference. 



Georgia is too far distant from New York City to compete with the more northern States in 

 sending crabs to that market, and most of the catch is consumed in the former State and in Ala- 

 bama. Large quantities are used along the coast and in Savannah, and thousands are sent to the 

 inland towns. They are packed in ice for shipment to some extent. As a bait this crab is used 

 for the drumfish, bass, and other species. 



The business of catching and selling crabs gives employment to several hundred men. Crab 

 bing is also indulged in as a pastime by summer visitors on the sea-shore. The yearly catch is 

 stated to be very large. In Savannah crabs are mostly hawked through the streets by negroes. 



EASTERN FLORIDA. Blue crabs abound upon the Atlantic coast of Florida from Georgia to 

 the Keys. In the summer they are found in the shallow waters near shore and in the bays, rivers, 

 and creeks. In the winter they mainly retire to deeper water, where they are sometimes captured 

 in the early spring. During mild winters, however, they remain in nearly the same places which 

 they frequent in the summer. The crab season is mainly from March to December. Although 

 very large quantities of crabs can be easily procured, they have as yet given rise to no regular 

 industry, and are merely taken for home consumption in the towns along the coast. A few dozen, 

 however, are occasionally sent away on special orders. These are boiled in brine and then packed 

 in crates or boxes. Soft crabs are rare and are regarded as a luxury ; the hard crabs are there- 

 fore almost the only ones used for food. They are captured by means of scoop-nets, hoop-nets, and 

 trot-lines. The blue crabs are sometimes used as bait for the drumfish, bass, and other species of 

 fish. 



THE GULF COAST. The blue crab is very common along the entire Gulf coast, being much 

 more abundant than the stone crab (Menippe mcrcenarim). In the summer these crabs are found 



