TWELFTH ANNUAL MEETING. 19 
iE mR EEE CNC NI ee ea 
escape, and that a funnel hoop shall be used of not less than five 
and one-half or six inches in diameter. The adoption of this 
principle, which is used in many kinds of net fishing, to the 
lobster industry, would be perfectly just to all, and the chances 
for replenishing the grounds would be greatly augmented. I 
hope that whenever and wherever the subject of protection for 
lobsters is brought under consideration, this plan may receive 
the attention its importance demands. 
The disposal of the spawn-bearing lobster is important and 
worthy of consideration also. My individual opinion, however, 
is that if the limit fixed is large enough, a sufficient quantity 
would be included in the number returned to the grounds to 
provide for breeding necessities. This isa matter of no small 
consequence, and should be carefully looked up. The plan of 
having a close time is frequently advanced, and I do not wish to 
be understood as altogether opposed to it, but I am unable to 
find a good and sufficient reason for adopting it. I will briefly 
consider some of the difficulties that appear in selecting the time. 
Suppose we take April, May and June, the months when lob- 
Sters are most numerous, there seems to be no necessity for a close 
time then, because at this season the supply is equal to the de- 
mand, and any reasonable limit could be applied without hard- 
ship to either fishermen or consumers. We find then no reason 
for a close time during these months. Now suppose we select 
the other extreme, January, February and March, the months 
when fewest lobsters are caught. Here they are a law unto 
themselves, and enough cannot be captured under the most 
favorable conditions to interfere with or in any way endanger 
the future supply. The correctness of this statement seems to 
be confirmed by the fact that although the time mentioned is 
when the consumption is least from lack of supply, the price 
advances. So I fail to find a reason for a close time during 
these months also. 
In the cases alluded to, the economic and commercial aspect 
appears prominent. We may seek for a scientific or natural 
reason, and find ourselves still undecided, being unable to say 
when the lobster spawns or when the eggs are hatched. In fact, 
it is very generally conceded that these events—which are 
