142 EEPOET OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [26] 



E. Kelsey, situated at Branford, Conn. He made the following state- 

 ment viz : 



" This factory has been in operation for fifteen years. We catch fish 

 in pounds, and do not use purse-seines. We do not use steam like the 

 other factories, but cook the fish by dry heat in large iron tanks set 

 over coal fires. We fish 3 pounds, and have caught up to date this 

 season 2,000,000 fish. Last year's catch amounted to 1,500,000. We 

 received the first fish on May 14. We closed last year on September 

 20. I do not know where menhaden winter nor what they eat ; have 

 no idea what effect change of temperature of water or air has upon 

 them. Their arrival and departure is very much affected by the tem- 

 perature of the water. I cannot suggest any improvement over the 

 present method of taking menhaden If I knew of one, I should adopt 

 it." 



The next factory visited was that of George W. Miles, located at Mil- 

 ford, Conn. He made the following statement, viz : 



" This factory has been in operation for nineteen years. We employ at 

 present three steamers, carrying four gangs and two sailing gangs. We 

 have caught this season up to date 10,000,000; last years catch was 

 20,000,000. Received the first fish on May 15 ; last fish last season 

 on November 15. The average of oil to the thousand fish is 3 gallons. 

 We press the fish three times. The best months for fishing are July 

 and August. The greatest amount of fish we have taken is one sea- 

 son was 38,000,000. We make complete fertilizers for all farm crops, 

 and have large quantities of rock phosphate on hand. I do not know 

 where menhaden winter nor what they eat. The temperature of 54P 

 Fahr. is considered best for fish to show in. Their arrival and depart- 

 ure is affected by the temperature of the water. If we knew of any 

 better way of taking fish we should adopt it. The purse-seine is at 

 present the best contrivance we know of for caching all fish that come 

 to the surface in schools." 



On July 13, off Cedar Point, Connecticut, Captain Almy boarded a 

 fishing steamer, and asking the same questions as before, received the 

 following replies, viz : 



1. Steamer Montauk. 



2. Geenport, Long Island. 



3. John W. Burns. 



4. Yes. 



5. Small menhaden. 



6. 10th of May ; off the coast of New Jersey. 



7. Four miles per hour. 



10. Three millions. 



11. Three millions. 



15. Length, 160 fathoms ; mesh, 2^ inches. 



18. Twenty-five men ; two gangs. 



19. Southerly and westerly winds. 



