138 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OP FISH AND FISHERIES. [22] 



appearance earlier in the spring after a warm winter. Within a radius 

 of 1 mile of this place are four factories in operation. No steamers are 

 employed, sailing gangs being used altogether. I consider westerly 

 winds most favorable for taking fish." 



The next one visited was that of Mr. D. P. Yail, whose foreman made 

 the following statement, viz : 



"This factory has run continuously for the last sixteen years, employ- 

 ing at present three gangs. We have caught up to date this season 

 about 2,000,000. The total catch last season was 3,000,000. On the 

 29th of April the first menhaden was caught in traps. On the 17th of 

 May the first one was caught in a purse-seine. The average this year 

 is IJ gallons of oil to the thousand. We closed last year ou the 1st of 

 October. The best fishing is during the months of June and July. 

 The greatest amount of fish ever received was 7,000,000 in a season. 

 Five years ago, fishing was much better than it was last year." 



The next one visited was thatof Osborn & Sons, whose foreman made 

 the following statement, viz : " This factory has been in operation con- 

 tinuously for four years, employing three sailing gangs, who have 

 caught np to date, this season, one and a half millions of menhaden. 

 The total catch last year was 5,000,000. The first fish this season, 

 caught in a purse-seine, were received at the factory on the 25th of May. 

 The average yield of oil is 1} gallons to the thousand. Last year we 

 closed on the 10th of November. IsTo fish were caught in this bay after 

 that date. There are more fish of all kinds here this year than have 

 been seen in the last seven years. This statement applies also to the 

 local food-fishes. Southerly and westerly winds are most favorable for 

 catching fish. Northeast winds drive them to sea. After a northeast 

 blow, fish are not caught again until westerly weather prevails. I have 

 noticed three separate runs of fish, viz, one in May, another the latter 

 part of June, and another in September. After a severe winter, shad 

 are not so plenty. Bluefish are more numerous off the Hook this year 

 than for several years past ; weakfish are also very numerous. 



On the same date, off Fire Island, the following answers were re- 

 ceived upon boarding a fisherman, viz : 



1. Schooner Mary Woods. 



2. New York. 



3. Charles Yarington. 



4. Yes. 



5. Large menhaden. 



6. 15th of May • off Jersey beach. 



7. Sometimes 2 miles, sometimes 10. 



8. About 7 fathoms. 



9. These answers apply to menhaden ; know nothing of mackerel. 



10. Five hundred thousand. 



11. Twenty-four hundred thousand. 

 12 Five hundred thousand. 



