FOREST AND STREAM 
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729 
FISHING INDUSTRIES OF THE GULF 
COAST. 
Sarasota, Fla., Sept. 19th. 
HE salt flailing industry on this coast has opened 
earlier and under better auspices this season than 
usual. The fish sought (mullet,) are plentier and much 
fatter than we usually find them before the month of Oct¬ 
ober, Perhaps there are not as many fisheries started as 
some years, buttbo3e who are engaged are the largest and 
best fitted out forbusiness, and consequently a success. 
Last season there were some dozen in the vicinity of Char¬ 
lotte's Harbor against three this year : but these each 
work from twenty-five to forty men. Those next to the 
northward are at Big Sarasota Pass. Here is the first 
ranche, ran for the country trade, only some eight or ten 
hands, but to balance it, is the ranche of Capt. Joe Pretty, 
some thirty hands, well fitted up, and in the Cuban trade, 
like those of Charlotte’s Harbor. They arrived during 
what may pass for the “Line Storm," so it is hoped a 
rough beginning will make a smooth ending. The next 
to the north and the last in the export trade is that of 
Messrs. Sweetzer & Thompson at Hunter’s Point, on the 
main hind some two miles from Long Boat Inlet. They 
work some twenty hands, but as the arrangements both 
for catching and curing of the fish are superior to any 
other ranche on the coast, they can cure as many as thirty 
are able to handle under the ordinary and old style of fit 
up. The method of preparing mullet for market, espec¬ 
ially the Cuban market, is so different to that pursued 
with mackerel or any other fish put up in Northern 
waters, that-1 must reserve a description of it for some fu¬ 
ture letter. 
Fish have been so plentiful at Hunter’s Point, that 
Capt. Sweetzer has his first load ready and waiting the 
arrival of the vessel for shipment. ' While noting the 
large numbers of mullet which pass this point, coming 
both from Long Boat Inlet and from the entrance of 
Tampa Bay, I cannot help oalling attention to the qtian- 
ties of pompano and Spanish mackerel, which might be 
taken here very early in the year, were there the only di¬ 
rect means of shipment on ice to New York. There is 
probably not a month in the year when Spanish mackerel 
cannot be found. The outside beach from Long Boat In¬ 
let to Edmont Light is alive with the brightly colored lit¬ 
tle bivalve, known locally as the pompano shell, and the 
pompano themselves begin to come in schools early in 
February, which is fully two months and a half earlier 
than they are now placed on the market from other points. 
To those’of your readera who have eaten pompano it is 
unnecessary for me to say a word as to its merits, while 
to those who have not, I must say they have a rich treat 
et to experience, for the pompano is admitted to be the 
est flavored fish found in salt water. Indeed many 
would decide it to be better worth its dollar or more per 
pound than the salmon or brook trout, and all that is 
wanting to place this excellent fish early and abundantly 
in all the Northern cities, is a few miles of railroad. The 
mrfn and the means for catching the fish are ready and 
on the spot. 
The Hunter’s Point fishery is the last of any importance. 
There are a number of small affairs scattered along the 
coast to the northward, all of which fish for the country 
trade. Some have small seines, but many depend upon 
the cast net for a supply of fish. Even when conducted 
on such a small scale as this, the business would pay if 
those who put up the fish would take more care in cur¬ 
ing them: that is, would put them up neatly and so they 
will keep. The majority of fisherman have been satisfied 
if the fish kept long enough to be sold and off their hands, 
not caring how soon they might spoil in possession of the 
consumer ; but the result has been to nearly break up the 
country trade until you reach Apalachicola, where a 
higher standard has been kept up, and as a natural con¬ 
sequence there is a good demand for fish from that point 
all through southern Georgia and Alabama. 
_Major Sarasota, 
$ur§ mid §rxppin$. 
The Fuji-Bearing Animals of Florida.— Titusville, 
Brevard Co.. Fla. —The opportunities of the trapper in 
Florida are not, it seems to me, appreciated. The dense 
hummocks, the prairies and the salt marshes swarm with 
large and small to-bearing animals. Of these the most 
numerous are the oppossum and raccoon, next the otter, 
then comes the wild cat or bay lynx ; next the black bear, 
and then the much dreaded panther (Fells concolor), 
called here the tiger, which often grows to a length of 
twelve or thirteen feet, tail, and all. These are the prin¬ 
cipal fur animals. 
The trapper will also get a small sprinkling of red and 
grey foxes, skunks, and down round Lake Okechobee and 
the great Kissimmee prairie he will find quite a number 
of the great grey wolf, which ends the list of fur. 
The immense number of some of these animals is truly 
astonishing. One hundred and fifty raccoons have been 
poisoned in a month by a single planter, and of oppossums 
there are no end. One well-known gentleman on Mer- 
ritt’B Island killed eight otters at one discharge of a large 
duck gun. Their slides in the sand on banks of creeks 1 
frequently come across when surveying. Black bears are 
equally numerous. One hunter killed nine in six weeks 
on the east shore of Banana River. 
The number of all these different animals that the 
Bkilled trapper could collect would astonish any one. One 
may almost say they are never trapped. Occasionally a 
boy or darkey will set a few dead-falls, but no system¬ 
atic trapping by an experienced trapper has ever come to 
my knowledge. The planters poison large numbers to 
ge’t rid of them, but never save the skins, deeming it be-. 
neath their dignity to bother with “ varmint;” niggers’ 
work, they call it, and leave it to them, I am speaking 
of the native Southron. 
Of course it is well known that Southern skins are very 
poor in comparison with Northern skins of the same 
species, but they make up in quantity what is lacking in 
quality. There was a fur dealer in Titusville all last win¬ 
ter and spring, buying what Bkins he could get and pay¬ 
ing cash. He advertised extensively, but found it almost 
impossible to get up any enthusiasm. The fact was. there 
was no experienced trapper in the country, and what few 
skins he was able to obtain were furnished mostly by 
boys and niggers, and were nearly all shot, 
I have obtained his permission to copy the prices he 
paid, which are as follows :— 
Bears . . 
.50 a $8.00 1 
| Mink... 
. .15ft 
.80 
Cubs.. 
•25 a 
A, 
Otter. 
.. .75 a 32.00 
Cat—Wild..... 
. .10 a 
.25 
Opossum-- 
... .03 a 
.06 
Black house. 
.20 
Panther..... 
1.5U 
Common house. 
.05 a 
.08 
1 Raccoon. 
.12 a 
.24 
Deer skins, per lb. 
! Skunk—Black ... 
... .60a 
.70 
Winter. 
.10 a 
.13 
| Half striped. 
.. ,30 a 
.40 
Summer. 
.12 :i 
.15 
ped. 
. 
.12 a 
.20 
Buck, Indian dressed. 
.35 a 
.601 
... .08 a 
.10 
Fox-Red. 
.50 a 
.75 
Woll’. .. 
.30 a 
.80 
Gray.. .. 
■30 a 
.60 
Above prices were for prime No. 1 cased skins. Open 
skins, excepting beam, raccoons and wolf, 10 to 25 per 
cent. less. 
Of course these prices will seem very low to the North¬ 
ern trapper, but ease of capture and the abundance will 
make up. The raccoons, foxes and lynx are smaller than 
their cogeners at the North. The dealer informed me 
that no fox, mink or wolf were received. It is probable 
that the mink is only an occasional visitant to this State. 
The beaver is said to have occurred, but is now never 
seen. It may be found in the northern part of the State, 
as it is known to occur in Georgia. 
Deer skins came in quite freely. Of skunks there are 
two species, the common skunk ( Mephitis mephiliea .) and 
the little striped skunk ( Mephitis bieolar), the last only 
found on the east coast between Indian River and the 
ocean. This locality is the only place west of the Missis¬ 
sippi River where this species is found. The Indians in 
the Great Cypress Swamps —the remnant of the Semi- 
noles — tan the deer skins in a very fine manner. They 
are also tanned by a tanner in Titusville, who also tan's 
the otter (summer skins) into a very durable and water¬ 
proof shoe leather. 
Besides these animals there is found iu Florida the 
manatee, with a skin an inch thick. It was made by the 
Indians into shields. Two species of rabbit occur—their 
skins are used for felt and bring fifteen to twenty-five 
cents per dozen. There are three species of squirrel. 
The pelts are used for linings, but have not much com¬ 
mercial value. The dealer can get up quite a trade in 
dry flint cow hides, and the hunter will find some of 
these cattle wild and unmarked, and such he can shoot 
with impunity. Wild hogs also abound in certain local¬ 
ities, and the old boars are the most dangerous animals 
in the State. 
The naturalist may be interested to know that there 
are seven species of bats found in the State, and 
moles, shrews, salamanders, or] gophers, and numerous 
rats and mice. 
There is a very remarkable difference in the bears’ skins 
from Florida. Some have thick, long fur, while others 
have no more fur on them than a hog. The young bears 
and cubs have the best fur. Occasionally an old one is 
found, probably a traveler from the mountains of Nortb.- 
ern Georgia, with a very valuable pelt, but the majority 
of old large hears have scratched off all their fur going 
through the sour palmetto and scratching fleas. The 
hides of such are made into leather and used by harness 
makers and saddlers. Al. I, Gator. 
The Fur Trade. —Reports of the Leipsio to* sales now 
in progress have been received in this city, and are very 
disappointing. For muskrat, there is no demand, and 
what stock was offered was promptly withdrawn, as 
holders would not accept anything like the slaughter 
prices bid. Skunk declined fully 30 per cent.— Montreal 
Gazette, Sept. 21th. 
gwmp to ffiomspuflfuto. 
No Notice Taken of Anonymous Communications. 
53sF“ We mahe net charge for answering inquiries in this column, 
H. 0. Dry Jo II., Troy, Mo.—Sco an article on wild rieo else¬ 
where. 
H. R., Mobile, Ala.—We must refer you to the advertising col¬ 
umns of this paper. 
Pelican Club, San Francisco. -Wo publish elsewhere directions 
for wild rice growing. 
T. M. B., Mount Airy, N. C.— The remedies you used (milk, etc.), 
were the proper ones for the case. 
Buckeye Boy, Youngstown, 0— You will find that glass ball 
shooting materially helps you for Held work, 
Glencoe, Morston.— You can buy ferrets and ferret muzzles of 
C. Tan Veohten, Victor, Ontario county N. Y. 
II. S. H., Highland, Mich.—Your wild rice may appear next 
spring, but we are afraid net. Write to Valentine. 
TAXinEBMisr, Norwalk, Conn.-Mr. Batty’s new book on Taxi¬ 
dermy is now in press. We were iu error iu stating that it had 
yet been published. 
E. G. and Several Youno Men.— For good shooting go to the 
Bay View House, Mr. Wilb'ams, proprietor. Good Ground. L. r, 
Take Long Island R. R. 
Dead Shot, Applelmckyille, Pa. -If you will send us your 
name and state more specifically what kind of game you are seek¬ 
ing information about, we shall be glad to help you. 
A. P. L., Donnellen. N. J.—To have your gun altered take it to 
H, 0, Squires, No. 1, Oortlaudt street, this city, or to any of the 
other gunsmiths who are to be lound by reference to our adver¬ 
tising columns. 
F. F„ Augusta, Ga.—Will the grease from pink-edge wads put 
over powder, injure the powder, when shells are loaded without 
the grease proof wails, and laid by for nine or ten months ? Ans. 
Not to any extent. 
W. E. A., Morris, Minn.—What con I give my bitch to make her 
shed her coat? It is last year’s ; she looks very rough. Ans. Two 
capsules of tar every day for three or four days, or a raw agg 
night and morning for a week. 
T. J. F„ Jamestown, N. A'.—For information about Clay, Kana¬ 
wha and McDowell counties, West Virginia, write to John Haw¬ 
kins, or Thos. Beoltloy, Kanawha Falls, W.Va. There is good deer 
and wild turkey shooting generally in the counties you speak of. 
Chilled Shot, Cambridge, Mass.—Colorado is an excellent 
oountryfor stock-raising. The climate is fine and bracing. Ill 
different parts of the State you will find all kinds of large and 
small game, from pinnated grouse to elk. Read the letters in our 
current numbers. 
Subscriber, Buffalo.—What constitutes an 11 svy " cooker span¬ 
iel V Also please give a brief general description ef ono, and how 
they .rank with other oookers ? Ans. Have never heard of the 
breed. For an exhaustive article on spaniels we must refer you 
to our issue No. 23 of Vol. 11. 
W J. P., Hagerevllle.—Please tell me where I can get a book 
treating on rifles and rifle shooting? Ans. Hints to Rifleman, by 
H. W.S. Cleveland; Wingate’s Rifle Manual; The Rifle, its Theory 
and Practice, by A. Walker; How to Become an Expert Shot. 
All the above for sale by the Orange Judd 0o., 345 Broadway. 
C. S. S., Cincinnati.—Would a seven-pound gun be perfectly safe, 
say twelve-gauge laminated stool barrels, twenty-eight-inohes? 
Would such a gun bo suitable for chickens, ducks, squirrels and 
grouse? Wouldsuoh gun shoot ns strong as a good rn uzze-loader ? 
Could Tgot such a gun of Coitmake for $75 or $80? Ans. To all 
your questions, yes. 
F. S., Oonnorsville, Xnd.— My pup's eyes have commenced run¬ 
ning more or less every day ; at times a skin seems to be drawn 
almost over one half of the eye ball, otherwise the pup is in per¬ 
fect health; very lively.and in aparently good condition? Ans. 
Bathe tho eye with cold water and if the film continues blow on 
it a little powdered burnt alum. 
John W„ New York.—Ploase advise me as to caliber, weight, 
length of barrel, etc., of a sporting rifle suitable for use during a 
trip to the North Woods for deer? I use a 71 pounds shot gun 
and desire as light a rifle that will be effective for game from doer 
to smaller game ? Ans. A rifle weighing 8 to 81 lbs., 28-inch bbl. 
and 44 calibre would answer your purpose. 
F. F. M., Brooklyn, L. I.—Robins, goldens, woodpeckers, hlgh- 
bolders and other Inseotlvorous birds are not to be shot. The 
open season for game In New York State is as follows: Deer, Ang. 
1st, to Nov-30th ; wildfowl, Sept. 1st to May 1st; quail, Nov. 1st 
to Jan 1st; hares, Nov. 1st to Jan. 1st; woodcock. Sept. 1st to Jan, 
1st; ruffed and pinnated grouse, Sept. 1st to Jan. 1st. 
Young Sportsman, Washington. —Directly in face of this stand¬ 
ing notice, at head of Correspondents' Column, you send us ten 
varied questions! Do you expect us to answer them, under the 
circumstances ? We do not hesitate at any painstaking to inform 
correspondents who respect our reasonable request, but will not 
put ourselves to the trouble to answer anonymous queries. 
W. T. B., Baltimore.— Is there uot a method of loading shells 
that will prevent a gun from scattering shot? I use 1 oz. shot 
and 21 drachms powder, 8‘s, and load the same for 6’s and use lj oz. 
shot; 8 drachms powder for No. 4 shot? Ans. You can make your 
gunBhoot slightly closer by using a little more shot, but your 
best plan would be to have it moderately choked, which can be 
done at a slight expense. 
J.D.D., Richmond, Va— A party here has a setter, black and 
white; they are trying to pass’liim asllrish. I think he is of the 
Llewellyn stook. We have a small bet. Did you ever bear of an 
Irish setter other than red, or a red and white ? How are the 
Sootchones? Ans. The recognized color of the Irish setterisred : 
the Scotch or Gordon setter, black and tan. The dog is probably 
an English setter, certainly not an Irish one. 
E. K„ Leon, N, Y.— We cannot express opinions regarding the 
merits of guns made by different manufacturers. Those you 
mention are equal in merit of similar grades. There are a largo 
number of issues of tills paper containing articles on choke-bored 
guns. Your best plan would be to buy Mr. Greener's book, 
“Choke-Bore Guns and How to Load for all .Kinds of Game." 
We can send it on receipt of price, $3.50. 
W. n. R. Du B., Hoboken.—Will you inform mo in your next 
issue where is a good place forshooting near by in Now Jersey ? 
what game is in season in October, and what nro tho laws 
regarding shooting? Ans. New Jersey is especially noted for its 
beach birds, ducks, snipe, quail and woodcock, aU of which are in 
season in October. There are some ruffed grouse, and a very few 
deer. The law requires every resident and non-resident to pay a 
small annual license fee. 
E. D., Salt Lake City .—As a subscriber I take the liberty of ask¬ 
ing a question. Where can X find illustrated plates, colored, if 
they are to be had, of all kinds of flies, artificial, for fishing I mean; 
such that a novice can get some idea of the difference between a 
ooacbman and a palmer, or a Nicholson and a blue bottle? Ans. 
There are no colored plates of American files. Hallook’s " Sports¬ 
man's Gazetteer” describes the color, material and pattern of 
several dozen of the most common. 
Subscriber, Austin, Nev.— In a game shooting match, eight 
men each side, one man was absent, making eight to seven. The 
Judges, therefore, decided to throw out the score of tho eighth 
man on the .other side. Was that right? Ans. No,it does not 
seem fair, as'the one thrown out might he the best or the worst 
shot. We should suggest as a solution that, the side which was 
one man short be allowed a oount equal to tho average made, or 
else that the match be shot again. 
E. R. W., City.—Your speolmen is the common puffer or balloon 
fish, winch belongs to the family GgDinodonfMre, distinguished not 
only for the faculty of blowing themselves up into a globular 
ball, but by horny healc like the snapping turtle. The skin is oov- 
ered with slender prtoldes or Etout spines, which serve admirably 
for defence. There are some sixty species in this family. Those 
with spines are usually found in tropical waters. The scientific 
name of your fishisTciraodon twgidm. 
Isaacs, Shelter Island—Be kind enough to give me the correct 
name for the bony fisb caught here in such numbers; is it moss- 
bunker or mass-b anker? To what family does it belong ? Ana. 
Family Clupoidm. Brccoortlia Menhaden. (Mitch. Gill.) Called 
menhaden in Vineyard Sound; munnawhatteaug byNarragonsett 
Indians; pogy pogbaden, on east coast of New England; moss- 
bunkeriu New York; panbaden ponhagen to New England; hard 
head and bony fish iu Massachusetts Bay ; skippaug, or bunker, on 
east cud of Long Island; bony fish at Saybrook; whitefishfrom 
Saybreolt to Milford, Conn.; fat back and yellow tail On coast of 
North Carolina; bug fish iu the Carolines, See report United 
States Fish Commission. 
H. M. W., Hoosac Falls.—We have a Spanish poodle who seems 
in perfect health but whose breath is so offensive that it is impos¬ 
sible to have him near one. As ho is fed with great care, only 
bread ana milk, or potatoes, never meat, we are at a loss to as¬ 
certain the cause. Can you tell us? Also my Collie dogs (three 
of them) hnvo had a dry sore on the top of their ears which is 
entirely destitute of hair and which attracts the flies, who draw 
the blood. What can I wash it with? Ans. The poodle's bad 
breath is owing either to defective teeth or to worms. Examine 
tbe teeth and see if they ere decayed, and If so have the diseased 
ones extracted. If worms are suspected giv e areca nut. For the 
Collies’ cars, wash them well with Spratt's or Castile soap and then 
auotot frequently with carbolic salve, to be had at any drug store 
If this is uot effective, rub them frequently with crude pretro- 
leum. 
