FISHEEIES OF THE MIDDLE ATLANTIC STATES. 



267 



THE MENHADEN INDUSTRY. 



The menhaden factories in Delaware are located at Lewes, in Sussex 

 County. After the season of 1897 had closed they were purchased by 

 the American Fisheries Company. In 1897 there were three factories 

 in operation, valued at $150,000, in which 105 persons were engaged. 

 The amount of cash capital employed was $50,000. The vessels supply- 

 ing the factories with fish were owned in other States, and have 

 therefore not been included in the following table showing the extent 

 of the industry in Delaware: 



Items. 



Factories 



Cash capital 



Persons in factories 



Menhaden utilized 



Tons of dry and acidulated scrap. 

 Gallons of oil made 



No. 



105 



100,000,000 



7,700 



316,800 



Value. 



$150,000 

 50,000 



125, 000 

 92,850 

 69,300 



THE KING-CRAB INDUSTRY. 



The preparation of fertilizer from king-crabs in Delaware is carried 

 on in Kent County. The property used in the business is valued at 

 13,000, and six persons only ariB employed. Six hundred and seventy- 

 five thousand king crabs, costing $4,050, were utilized to make 225 

 tons of fertilizer, worth $6,975. 



THE WHOLESALE FISHERY TRADE. 



The wholesale trade in fishery products in Delaware is centered 

 chiefly at Wilmington and Seaford. At the former place the trade is 

 principally in fresh fish, shad being the most important species, and 

 at the latter oysters are the most important product. There are a 

 number of shucking houses at Seaford where the greater part of the 

 oysters are opened before shipment to market. At various other 

 localities in the State shad, sturgeon, and other species are handled in 

 small quantities. The following table shows the extent of the wholesale 

 trade at Wilmington and Seaford in 1897: 



Items. 



Wilmington. 



Seaford. 



Total. 



No. 



Value. 



No. 



Value. 



No. 



Value. 



Establishments 



6 



«15,300 

 4,200 



6 



811,000 

 32,500 



12 



826,300 

 36,700 



Cash capital 



Persons engaged ' 



18 



226 



244 







-gallons.. 









Products handled. 

 Oysters opened 







178,500 



145,556 



178,500 



12, 120 



384,000 



165,000 



1,033,680 



145, 556 



Ovsters in shell 



.bushels.. 



12, 120 

 384,000 

 165,000 

 859, 930 



10,296 

 1,283 

 1,650 



32,718 



10,296 



Clams 







1,283 



Crabs, hard 







1,650 



Pish, fresh 



.pounds,. 



173, 750 



6,320 



39,038 



Value of products 





45, 947 





161,876 





197, 823 













