REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 197 
I have indicated, to make the work complete, which is not only an important auxil- 
iary in our statistical inquiry, but has the additional merit of being inexpensive. 
Yours, very respectfully, 
M. McDona.p, 
Commissioner. 
[The Secretary of the Treasury to the Commissioner of Fish and Fisheries. ] 
WASHINGTON, D. C., October 6, 1890. 
Sir: Your letter.of the 18th of August last, relating to the statistics of the 
fisheries, was brought to my attention on my return recently to the Department. 
It appears that collectors of customs in certain customs districts are disinclined to 
obtain the statistics you desire. The Department understands that when the subject 
of obtaining statistics through the offices of collectors of customs was first considered 
there was an intention of obtaining Congressional action in regard to the matter, 
and that the work to be performed by the customs ofticers in ascertaining and for- 
warding the information was to be temporary only. This was in the year 1886. It 
now appears from your communication that the statistics obtained are defective, 
owing to neglect on the part of the customs officers, and it has been stated to the 
Department that statistics somewhat similar are being gathered by the Census 
Bureau. 
In the absence of any special appropriation for the purpose, or authority of law, it 
seems to me inexpedient to attempt further to collect the statistics through the 
- officers of the customs. 
The supply of blanks prepared by this Department is exhausted. 
Respectfully, yours, 
{ W. WINDoM, 
| Secretary. 
Special information and statistics furnished.—The division is called 
upon to furnish to private parties, State officials, Congress, and the 
Executive Departments descriptive and tabular matter on various 
special subjects connected with the fisheries, which in the course of a 
year often constitutes a prominent feature of the work. While much 
of the information requested is already available and is readily fur- 
-nished, some of the inquiries occasion protracted research, and may 
occupy the attention of the office force for a considerable time. An 
idea of the nature of the calls made on the division may be gained 
from the following partial list of data prepared for Government and 
State officials in the years 1890 and 1891: 
An opinion relative to the effect on the abundance of fish in this country of the 
unrestricted use of pound nets, traps, purse seines, and gill nets. 
Statistical and descriptive data covering the sponge fishery of Florida. 
7 Statistics and observations regarding the salt-clam bait used by British pro- 
4 vincial fishermen. 
* Summary statement of persons employed in the fisheries of Barnstable County, 
v Mass., in 1889. 
: Detailed table giving the capital invested in vessels, boats, apparatus, etc., in 
= Barnstable County, Mass., in 1889. 
_ Statement of the quantities and values of each fishery product taken in the fish- 
* eries of Barnstable County, Mass., in 1889. 
