262 REPOET OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



THE WHOLESALE FISHERY TRADE OF PHILADELPHIA AND CHESTER. 



The wholesale fish and oyster dealers of Philadelphia handle a great 

 part of the fishery products taken on the Delaware River and Bay , and 

 also considerable quantities from other sections of the country. Since 

 1897, the year covered by the present investigation, a large wholesale 

 fresh-fish market has been built, taking the place of the former small 

 market. The trade in oysters and fresh, salted, and smoked fish is 

 extensive. Among the fresh-water species there is a large quantity 

 of carp. There were 76 firms in the wholesale trade of Philadelphia, 

 in which 396 persons were employed, and the investment, including 

 cash capital, but exclusive of wages, amounted to $1,391,601. The 

 products were valued at $3,937,686. 



At Chester there were six wholesale firms, having 24 persons 

 engaged, and an investment of $11,050. The products, consisting 

 largely of shad, were valued at $60,046. 



The extent of the wholesale fishery trade of Philadelphia and Chester 

 in 1897 is presented in the following table: 



Table showing the extent of the wholesale trade in fishery products of Philadelphia and 



Chester, Pa.^ in 1897. 



Items. 



Philadelphia. 



No. 



Establishments . . 



Cash capital 



Wages paid 



Persons engaged. 



Products handled. 



Oysters opened gallons. . 



Oysters in shell bushels. . 



Clams number. . 



Lobsters pounds. . 



Crabs number. . 



Crab meat gallons. . 



Salmon, canned cases.. 



Terrapin number. . 



Fish, fresh pounds. . 



Fish, dried, salted, and smoked, 



pounds 



Caviar pounds. . 



Value of products. 



76 



396 



60,001 



938, 111 



36,232,000 



130,000 



701,090 



5,000 



22,000 



6,260 



35,095,901 



18,901,820 



Value. 



$762, 701 

 628,900 

 137,295 



51,500 



1, 084, 172 



90,580 



19,950 



7,517 



5,000 



99,000 



13,244 



1,418,248 



1,148,475 



Chester. 



Total. 



No. 



24 



12, 450 

 160,000 



1, 693, 993 



130 



3,937,686 



Value. 



No. 



87,850 

 3,200 

 1,478 



18,390 

 560 



41,046 



50 



60,046 



82 



420 



60,001 



950, 561 



36, 302, 000 



130,000 



701,090 



5,000 



22,000 



6,260 



36, 789, 894 



18,901,820 

 130 



Value. 



8770,551 

 632, 100 

 138,773 



51,500 



1,102,562 



91, 140 



19,950 



7,517 



5,000 



99,000 



13,244 



1,459,294 



1,148,475 

 50 



3,997,732 



