274 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 
figures as on the Pacific coast, accounts for the difference that appears 
in the relative values per ton. It will be seen that the vessels of Wash- 
ington carry large crews in proportion to their tonnage. Most of these 
engage in the pelagic seal fishery, and their crews (chiefly Indians) go 
out from the vessels to hunt in boats. 
Table 9, showing the relative rank of the coast States in 1888, based 
on the value of products in 1 he more important branches of the fisheries, 
is very suggestive, and brings out certain facts that otherwise might be 
unsuspected. The most striking of these, perhaps, are the following : 
Maryland, which for so many years held unquestioned supremacy 
in the shellfish fisheries, including the oyster, now takes second place, 
being surpassed by New Jersey. The material advance which has taken 
place in the shellfish fisheries of the latter State in recent years has been 
due to the activity manifested in the artificial planting of oysters and 
to the large output of clams. 
Another notable change is found in the whale fishery. Massachu- 
setts, which has led in this industry since its establishments America, 
now drops to second place, and California takes precedence. This is 
due to the fact that, since the Pacific railroads were built, it has been 
found most convenient and profitable for the Arctic and Pacific whal- 
ing fleets to rendezvous in San Francisco, and vessels belonging to the 
Atlantic ports have generally shipped their products home by rail 
instead of sending them by the long and tedious passage “ around the 
Horn.” This naturally led to the transfer of vessels and business from 
New Bedford and other Massachusetts ports to San Francisco, until, in 
1888, the result shown in the table has been reached. It may be ex- 
plained that the trade in California resulting from the landing of cargoes 
by Massachusetts vessels in San Francisco has not been considered in 
preparing this statement ; the table shows only the relative standing 
of the two States as based upon the actual value of whale products 
taken by its vessels or in its shore fisheries. 
California also takes a prominent position in thd crustacean fishery, 
while Massachusetts, succeeded by Maryland in rank, has dropped 
from the second to the fourth place ; the loss of position is due entirely 
to the decline in the lobster fishery. 
Among the most striking exhibits of this table may be included the 
advanced positions taken by the States of Louisiana, Mississippi, and 
Texas in recent years, particularly in the oyster fishery; Louisiana also 
holds high rank in the crustacean fishery, ranking fifth on the list, and 
standing first among the reptile-producing States. 
The advance which has been made by Connecticut in the oyster fishery 
since 1880 deserves to be classed among the most remarkable events 
connected with our coast fisheries. This State now ranks next to Vir- 
ginia in the value of the shellfish fisheries, and stands fifth in position. 
(See Notes on the Oyster Fishery of Connecticut, by J, W, Collins, vol, 
ix, Bulletin U. S. Fish Commission.) 
