PRESENT CONDITION OF THE FISHERIES. 55 



70. No. 



71. With the hook; mostly by nets and pounds. Clam and squid are 

 the best bait for the hook. 



73. Taken in nets most in the month of June ; with the hook through 

 the summer. 



74. A man may now catch four, or he may catch a dozen in a day ; 

 but at any rate, so few that no estimate can be made. 



76. They are caught two or three weeks earlier in nets than with the 

 hook. 



77. The flood-tide is best for fishing. 



78. Sent to Kew York and Philadelphia. 



79. Good ; best when newly caught. 



81. Yery extensively. 



82. Probably- none are now salted, since so scarce. 



83. Not used for manure now. It was formerly; but is now too 

 scarce. 



BLUE-FISH. 



They come about the 1st of June and remain till the middle of Octo- 

 ber : most abundant in June. 



4. There are more pounds of blue-fish caught now than of any other 

 kind. 



5. Diminished. 



6. I think they have extended their cruising- ground to the east, as 

 they do not find the bait that they used to. 



7. Diminished more than half; probably three-fourths, so that there is 

 not more than one-fourth as many. 



8. Sixteen pounds ; the average of the first run, which is the largest, 

 seven pounds; the later runs will not average over two and a half 

 pounds. 



10. I think not. 



11. They seem to come more directly from the sea, and from the east- 

 ward. They are caught at AYatch Hill before they are found here. 

 Thousands of them go outside of Nantucket, following the mackerel and 

 menhaden. 



12. No particular route. 



14. They follow along one after another, the largest coming first, 

 generally following near the shore, and come in from all directions. Most 

 plenty about the middle of June. 



15. At different times, never breaking up the schools. 



16. Eather regular ; but constantly decreasing in numbers. 



17. The largest come first and leave last. 



18. They have no spawn when here. 



19. They always will take the hook if they have the right kind of bait — 

 any kind of fish — a good piece of fresh herring or menhaden is good 

 enough for them. 



21, Swim both high and low ; they show themselves at the surface, 

 and aitacl, birds. 



23. No. 



24. No. 



30. In currents; generally on sandy bottom where the water is not 

 deep, on what are called " rips." 



31. From two to five fathoms. 



32. Not very warm. 



33. They keep together in this vicinity. 



