[25] WORK OF F1«H CMJMMISiSlON STEAMER ALBATROSS. 141 



seeu for the past lour ytars. The principal food-fish in this locality 

 are weak-lish, butterfish, scup, and bluelish, the latter species being 

 very numerous this year. Menhaden have gone farther east this year 

 than for the past four years." 



There are five factories now in operation in this vicinity, which is a 

 veiy central location for fishing. 



On the same date the factory of the Montauk Oil Company, located 

 at Promised Laud, Napeague Bay, Long Island, was visited. The super- 

 intendent made the following statement, viz : 



" We have been ruu niug for four years, employing tliree steamers carry- 

 ing four gangs. Caught this season up to date 7,000,000 fish. Last 

 year's catch was 13,500,000, working three gangs. The first hsh this sea- 

 son were taken on the 18th of May. These works were closed last year 

 ou the 5th of November, The present yield is less than a gallon of oil 

 to the 1,000. Fish are more plentiful this season than they have been 

 for the past four years." 



The next one visited was the Falcon Oil Works, located at Promised 

 Land, Xapeague Bay, Long Island, George E. Tuthill & Co., proprietors. 

 Mr, Tuthill made the following statement, viz: 



" These works have been in operation for twenty years, employing li 

 steamers with four gangs and one sailing gang. We have caught up to 

 date 6,000,600 fish in purse-seines and 5,400 in pounds. Last year's 

 catch was 11,500,000. Our first fish this season were taken on the 29th 

 of May. These works were closed last season on the 10th of Novem- 

 ber. At preseut tlie yield of oil to the thousand is li gallons." 



The next one visited was the Dixon Oil and Guano Campany's Works, 

 in the same locality. Mr. Hiram E,. Dixon, owner and operator, made 

 the following statement, viz : 



" I have been in business for four years, employing three steamers 

 carrying four gangs. Have received this season up to date 1,509,390 fish 

 (equal to 5,135 barrels). Last year's catch was 1,451,184 fish (equal to 

 4,936 barrels). The first fish this season were received at the factory 

 on the 25th of May. This factory was closed last year on the 7th of 

 November. The yield of oil is 2 quarts to the barrel of fish." 



The next one visited was that of the Eanger Oil Company, in the same 

 locality, Thomas T. Price, David G. Floyd, and John L. Lawrence, pro- 

 prietors. The superintendent made the following statement, viz : 



" These works have beeu in operation for fifteen years, employing 

 three steamers carrying four seines and one sailing gang. We have 

 caught up to date this season 5,000,000 fish. Last year's catch was 

 9,700,000. The first fish were received on the 12th of last May. These 

 works were closed last year on the 17th of November. At preseut the 

 average yield of oil is two gallons to the thousand. The yield of oil last 

 season was 1,857 barrels." 



The first factory visited on the morning of July 12 Avas that of E. 



