66 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 
prepared for market. The larger part of the catch goes to San Fran- 
cisco, but considerable quantities are disposed of in the interior towns 
along the line of the railroad. Soquel is the favorite shipping point, 
138,068 pounds of fish having been sent from there by express in 1888, 
against 22,179 pounds from Santa Cruz. The local demand at the 
latter place is considerable in the summer season, and sufficient to util- 
ize most of the fish landed at that point. In 1888 75,000 pounds were 
disposed of there. 
The business of supplying Santa Cruz with fish is controlled by the 
owners of the fishing boats. Peddlers are sent out to hawk the fish 
about town, but the contents of their coverless wagons (exposed to the 
sun, dust, and flies) soon become unattractive, if not repulsive. Fish 
carts also go to San Jose and a few suburban towns. A well-conducted 
fish market is much needed at Santa Cruz. The retail price of fish 
averages about 6 cents in summer and 10 cents in winter. There is con- 
siderable complaint of the high price of fish among the residents of 
Santa Cruz and contiguous places, but the profits derived from fishing 
have not yet been sufficient to induce much competition. 
Following is a tabulated statement showing the monthly shipments 
of fish from Santa Cruz and Soquel, as obtained from the records of the 
Wells, Fargo & Co. Express, which transports all products of this 
kind sent by rail. 
Monthly shipments of fresh fish from Santa Cruz and Soquel during 1888/ 
Month. 
Santa 
Cruz. 
Soquel. 
January 
Lbs. 
1, 089 
1, 196 
1, 733 
2, 027 
2, 416 
558 
1, 339 
4, 179 
5, 500 
3, 709 
1,069 
364 
Lbs. 
1,440 
February 
March 
670 
5,230 
18, 335 
11, 260 
15, 433 
33, 360 
48, 070 
8, 240 
7, 455 
6, 970 
A pril 1 
May 
June.. 
July ..... 
August 
Keptem her 
October 
November 
December 
Total 
1 25, 179 
+156. 463 
‘Nearly all shipped to San Francisco ; a small amount was sent to towns on the railroad, 
t Includes 3,020 pounds for weight of 208 boxes ; weight of fish was 22,179. 
I Includes 18,395 pounds for weight of 1,293 boxes ; net weight of fish, 138,068 pounds. 
The statistics of the fisheries of this county are shown in the follow- 
ing tabulated statements : 
Persons employed. 
Country. 
Nativity. 
Nationality. 
United States 
15 
7 
3 
25 
Portugal 
Italy 
Total 
25 
25 
