‘Ave, 28, 1884] 
FOREST AND STREAM. 
89 
Larae Trovut.—stanley, N. J., Aug. 24.—Mditor Forest 
and Stream: 1 notice in your issue of the 2ist, an item by 
“Knickerbocker,” in which he mentions some trout of re- 
markable size, ranging from eleyen and a half to twenty- 
four pounds; the veracity of which statement he has taken 
pains to verify. There is one trout on record, the weight of 
which was eléven and a half pounds, of which there is a cast 
in the Smithsonian Institution; another, which weighed ten 
pounds three weeks after capture, having been taken from 
the Rangeley Lakes to New Jersey, and was considered by 
both Profs. Baird and Agassiz to have lost two pounds in 
captivity, If 1am not much mistaken, trout of this size are 
stated to have reached a great age, Now, probably all inter- 
ested in such matters would be very much gratified if 
“Knickerbocker” would kindly inform us of the source from 
which he obtained his statements, and give them here, forif 
they are correct they will be of great interest. In the mean- 
time, perhaps, we will be justified in considering that some 
age has been “stuffing” “‘Knickerbocker.”—Harry DB. 
AGE, 
Carrisr with A Fry.—San Antonio, Texas, Aug. 9.— 
‘We are always glad to hear from our friend, Rey, Myron W. 
Reed. From Denver, Col., to San Antonio, Texas, via New 
York City is a roundabout way of sending information, but 
the Forms? AND SrRHAM made the connection without any 
mishap. By the way, we have not missed a copy during the 
past two years, and should be grivously disappointed to 
lose our regular Tuesday evening entertainment. The paste 
of Linburger cheese and flour is O. K, Catfish do like it; 
but our last capture was made with a yellow fly, The fish 
weighed four pounds and seven ounces, and it took thirty- 
five minutes to land him with our five-ounce rod, By the 
way, Mr. Reed’s four-ounce rod is a split bamboo, but it is 
to our certain knowledge machine made. Werise toinquire 
if he still uses that rod fishing for pickerel and continues to 
use # liye éel for bait?—Grinco. 
Hisheulture. 
NOTES ON THE DECREASE OF LOBSTERS. 
{A paper read before the Fishcultural Association. ] 
BY RICHARD RATHBUN. 
WE of the most important of our seacoast fisheries is that 
aitorded by the American lobster, the Homarus ameri- 
conus of naturalists. This interesting crustacean, the largest 
of its Kind in North Americau waters, ranges from Labrador 
in the North to Delaware in the South; but is most abundant 
and most sought for along New Hneland and the southernmost 
of the British coast provinces. 
Its great abundance and rare flavor are not unfrequently 
mentioned in the early annals of New England, and it prob- 
ably formed an important element in the food supply of the 
seacoast inbabitants of colonial times. As aseparate and dis- 
tinet industry, however, the lobster fishery does not date back 
much, if any, beyond the beginning of the present century, 
and it appears to have been first developed on the Massachu- 
setts coast, in the region of Cape Cod and Boston, although 
some fishing was done as early as 1810 among the Elizabeth 
Islands and on the coast of Connecticut. Strangely enough, 
this industry was not extended to the coast of Maine, where 
it subsequently attained its greatest proportions, until about 
1840. Concerning the history of this unique fishery but few 
authentic records of any kind exist, nor was any attempt 
ever made to estimate its extent and value prior to the census 
investigations of 1880. We are, therefore, left without much 
reliable data for comparing its past and present conditions, 
and for solying the many problems which now, in the minds 
of many, seem to threaten its continued prosperity. 
The great question at issue, and one which demands the 
earnest attention of eyery lobster fisherman and dealer, is 
whether lobsters are decreasing in abundance and will eventu- 
ally become rare and difficult to obtain, or whether they are 
still as plentiful as ever and show no indications of approach- 
ing extinction, While we hope for the latter, we are forced to 
acknowledge that a careful study of all the materials at our 
command inclines us tothe belief that the abundance of lob- 
sters has yery perceptibly diminished within comparatively 
recent times, and that, unless some active measures are insti- 
tuted to prevent continued decrease in the future, a great and 
irreparable injury to the fishery will ensue. 
though, as we haye just said, the lobster fishery is with- 
out a caretully recorded history, we have been enabled, 
through the assistance of many intellizent fishermen and 
dealers, some of whom have shown themselves to be very 
capable observers, to trace back the conditions of the fishery 
through a number of years. Theresults so obtained haye been 
embodied in a report prepared for publication by the U. 8. 
Fish Commission. It has been suggested that a short state- 
ment of some of the facts bearing upon the supposed decrease 
might be of interest to the members of this Association, and it 
is forthat purpose that the following brief notes have been 
prepared: 
Concerning the distribution of lobsters it may be stated that 
a few stray individuals have been occasionally recorded from 
the extreme northeastern corner of Virginia, but the Dela- 
ware Breakwater may more properly be regarded as the. south- 
ern limit of theirrange. On the New Jersey coast they are 
somewhat more abuncant, and give rise to a limited fishery in 
the neighborhood of Atlantic City and Long Branch. Though 
formerly quite plentiful and extensively fished for in New 
York Bay and Hell Gate, they are now nearly exterminated 
from that region, due to overtishing combined with the pol- 
lution of the waters by the refuse from large factories, Alone 
the Connecticut shores they are moderately common, while at 
the eastern end of Long Island and in the region of Block 
Island, the outer Elizabeth Islands and Martha’s Vineyard 
they aiford a very profitable industry. , 
The entire coast line of Massachusetts abounds in lobsters, 
wherever the character of the bottom is suited to them; but 
overfishing has nearly depleted some of the shallow-water 
areas which were once prolific, as at Provincetown, ‘The 
sandy shores of New Hampshire furnish only a moderate sup- 
ply, but on the Maine coast they are much more abundant 
than anywhere to the southward, and the yearly fishery 
greatly exceeds in quantity aud value those of all the other 
States combined, This State is in fact the main source of sup- 
ply for all the principal markets of the United States, Con- 
trary to the Helief of many persons the lobster is not a migra- 
tory animal in the common acceptation of that term as applied 
to fishes. On the approach of cold weather it leaves the shal- 
low areas near shore and 1¢etreatsinto somewhat deeper water, 
where the temperature remains milder and more uniform 
during the winter. As the spring advances it returns to its 
summer haunts, These spring and fall migrations vary as to 
time and extent on different portions of the coast, oceurring 
earlier in the spring and later in the fall at the South than at 
the North, During the summer they often approach very 
close to the beaches, and in some favorable localities, espe- 
cially on the coast.of Maine, the traps set for their capture 
become partially uncovered at low water. The more usual 
depths for the summer fishery are, however, those of a few 
fathoms, The winter grounds are in depths of twenty to fifty 
or sixty fathoms, and generally not far from those of the sur- 
“mer, especially in regions where the water deepens rapidly. 
i 
Tn so far as it has been possible to make the observations, it 
is supposed that the dilferent schools of lobsters, if we can so* 
define them, return to about the same shallow places every 
spring, and do not journey northward or southward along the 
coast to any very greab extent, although there may be a 
gradual interchange of ground in the course of time. If this 
supposition be correct, as appears most natural, and there are 
many facts to substantiate it, each geographical region is 
more or less independent of all others, and not influenced by 
large and frequent migrations from them. This division into 
distinct schools, and defined geographical regions, while an 
arbitrary one, not strictly existing in nature, serves to sim- 
plify the argument which we desire to make, and which is to 
this effect; That continued overfishing in any one region will 
tend to eventually reduce the stock of lobsters in that region, 
without the hope of its being replenished by early accessions 
from neighboring regions, and that the almost total depletion 
of that region is, therefore, quite within the bounds of possi- 
bility, This isnot the case with such truly migratory fishes 
asthe mackerel, menhaden and herring, and the laws which 
govern the moyemenits of the latter cannot be applied to the 
lobster. In support of this proposition there are several well- 
authenticated instances of the almost entire extinction of lob- 
stersin what wereformerly revarded as exceedingly rich regions, 
and since lobster fishing has been more or less abandoned in 
those regions, the abundance of lobsters has never perceptibly 
increased, 
Another strong proof of the continued decrease in abundance 
of lobsters has been the gradual decrease in the averare size 
of those brought to market. Tt is not rational to suppose that 
lobsters grow less rapidly now than in former years, or haye 
in ahy way become dwarfed in size. On the contrary, it has 
been overfishing, restricted by legislation wlrich protects the 
young, and influenced by the higher prices paid for the larger 
individuals in the fish markets which has caused the preater 
diminution in the supply of large lobsters, A strict observance 
of existing laws may prevent the total extinction of the 
species, but it cannot maintain the average size of those taken 
for market much, if any above the limit prescribed by those 
laws. This limit in nearly every instance is, moreoyer, about 
thé size of the young female just beginning to spawn, and, 
therefore, with absolutely no protection for the spawning fe- 
male, excepting in the close season, during which there is but 
hittle spawning, it is doubtfui whether existing legislation is of 
much avail. <A careful consideration of all the facts ayailable 
certainly indicates that a marked decrease in the size of 
lobsters is proof of an equally greas, if not a greater diminution 
in the supply. 
Ti is not possible within the scope of this short paper to 
strengthen our conclusions with a long array of facts, but the 
brief statement of some of our evyidenes must here suffice, 
One of the best illustrations of the great decrease in the 
abundance of lobsters is furnished by the once famous fish- 
ing grounds of Cape Cod. The lobster fishery was first started 
in this region about the year 1800, by Connecticut lobstermen, 
who carried nearly their entire catch to New York city. As 
early as 1812, the citizens of Provincetown began to entertain 
fears that unless some restrictions were placed upon the fish- 
ery, the extermination of the species would he speedily effected. 
Protective laws were at once passed by the Legislature of 
Massachusetts, and from that time to the present they have 
been continued in one form or another, but all without avail 
unless it may have been to somewhat prolong the fishery 
which might otherwise have been much earlier destroyed. 
The fishermen of Provincetown did not themselves engage in 
lobstering until about 1845, but between then and 1850 the 
fishery was greatly expanaced and a large trade started with 
New York city. In fact abowt this time the latter market re- 
ceived nearly its entire supplies from the vicinity of Province- 
town. A preat many men engagedin the fishery, using the 
old style of hoop-net pots and catching from 100 to 200 lob- 
sters each every night. These were prosperous times, and 
yielded the inhabitants of the town a profitable income, The 
carrying smacks obtained large fares and were kept busy. 
No marked diminutionin the supply was noticed until about 
1865, since which date there has been a rapid decrease in 
abundance from year to year, obliging the lobstermen to re- 
sort. to other occupations for a living. In 1880 there were only 
eight men engaged in Jobstering, and although they used the 
most improved appliances, their annual gross earnings were 
only about 560 each. 
On the coast of Maine, although the fishery is of much more 
recent date, it has already exhibited many unfortunate 
changes, and in numerous places there has been a marked de- 
crease in the average size of individuals caught. The shore 
fisheries have also, in some cases, been well nigh exhausted, 
and the fishermen forced to resort to more distant grounds. 
When the fishery first began, hoop-net traps were in general 
use, but soon after the introduction of lath traps conipetition 
caused them to be universally employed. From year to year 
the fishermen increased the number of traps they used, and 
custom of setting them trawl fashion rapidly came into vogue. 
These changes were due to the competitions of trade, the desire 
to obtain larger catches and for one man to perform the work 
oftwo. The fishing grounds were strained to their utmost, 
and there was no fear of an overstock, as the canneries were 
ready to buy all that were not taken by the market smacks. 
More recently the fishermen have begun to return to the old 
method of setting their traps singly, and why? Because they 
say the lobsters are more scattered over the bottom, and that 
by altering the position of the traps every time they are set, 
they fish better, But why should they be more seattered now 
than formerly unless they are more rare? In 1864 lobsters 
were so abundant at Muscle Ridges that three men tending 
forty to fifty traps each, caught all the count lobsters which 
one smack could carry to market, making a trip once in eight 
days, in 1879 the same smack was obliged to buy the entire 
catch of fifteen men in order to obtain full fares, and at times 
times required to visit other localities to complete the load, 
Regarding the Booth Bay region, very nearly the same may 
be said. As late as 1856, lobsters were very abundant about 
the islands of Booth Bay Harbor, and the fishery was carried 
on close to the shorein slight depths of water. The season 
lasted about six months, and each man setting lifty traps 
could make about $500 during the season, By 1869, the num- 
ber of fishermen having increased, however, the season’s stock 
was reduced to about S175 per man, and the average size of 
lobsters had greatly diminished. This caused the fishermen 
to try further owt from shore, and the fishery is now mainly 
carried on in depths of twenty-five to thirty-five fathoms, 
The facts of these changes were furnished from many places 
in this section, between Cape Small Point and Pemaquid 
Point, 
The canneries have undoubtedly largely influenced this re- 
sult on the coastot Maine, as all sizes of lobsters large enough 
to pay for the handling are consumed, and the ready market 
thus afforded has tempted the fishermen to save every speci- 
men that enters theirtraps. It is uiquestionably this exten- 
sive destruction of the young that has hastened the decrease; 
but that the decrease is not solely due to the presence of can- 
neries is evidenced by the statements we have already made 
regarding other sections of the coast. 
Tm the Saco district, although thereare no canneries located 
nearer than Portland, a smack trade between the fishing 
grounds and the canneries to the eastward has recently been 
started, and several witnesses haye testified to a marked fall- 
ing off Im the proportionate catch since if began. The average 
catch per man is now about one-third whatit was twenty 
years ago, and while, in 1876, a barrel of lobsters ayeraged fa 
by count. an average of 80 lobsters is now required to fill a 
barrel. 
On the New Hampshire coast the decrease for twenty years 
is stated to have been from 50 to 75 per cent, 
From Rhode Island and Connecticut we haye complainta re- 
- 
garding a decrease in abundance and size of lobsters similar 
to those already noted fromthe more Northern States; but 
the statements we have given constitute but a small propor- 
tion of the evidence we have obtained. 
That this evidence is unimpeachable as to a general and 
lasting decrease, we would not now affirm, but to our minds 
it has been conclusive. To press a definite and unfavorable 
opinion, however, regarding so extensive and valuable a fish- 
ery after the meager returns of 4 single investigation extend- 
ing through only one or two years would scarcely be justifi- 
able, but it has seemed to us that public attention should be 
now attracted to the subject, as it appears in the light of the 
tenth census. 
The fishery has had such a rapid growth, and the demands 
upon it have so exceeded ils capacity, thatthe problem of 
weighing evidence has been somewhat difficult. The total 
catch of lobsters has increased from year to year, but so has 
the number of fishermen, and the number of traps used, even 
in greater proportion; and the grounds haye been enlarged 
until they now cover an exceedingly broad area, and extend 
into deeper water than was ever dreamed of formerly in con- 
nection with this fishery. The decrease in the ayerage catch 
per trap and man, in the yearly earnings, and in the average 
size of Jobsters has kept pace with the increase in the fishery; 
the inshore grounds in many places haye been nearly depleted, 
and in some of the deeper areas the lobsters are so much 
scattered thabitis no longer profitable to set the traps in 
trawis. If a continuous and rapid decrease should be proved,’ 
what can be done to stop ib and insure the future prosperity 
of the fishery? The task of remedying the evil will be much 
more difficult than the proof of its existence, and the question 
is one regarding which we have as yet no definite ideas, 
Past legislation has certainly not been very effective, nor can 
any laws avail much until the true character and extent of the 
evil has been determined, Neither are laws beneficial unless 
they can be enforced, an exceedingly difficult task in the casa 
of any fishery. , 
The question of artificial propagation has-been raised, and 
a few unsuccessful attempts have already been made to carry 
iton. But the failures have not been without cause, as wedo 
not yet even know the rate of growth of lobsters, or whether 
they require six or a dozen years to attain the adult size, 
which is about ten or twelve inches. Immetliately after hatch- 
ing they swim freely about at the surface of the water, and 
continue their erratic ways of life during most of the first séa- 
son, after which they settle down upon the bottom and assume 
their future habits, 
The first task, therefore, which we suggest for the would-be 
benefactor of the lobster fishery, is a most thorough investiga- 
tion of all points bearing wpon the natural history of the 
Species, upon the changes which haye occurred in the fishery 
grounds, and upon the relations of the total catch for eachsec- 
tion to the number of fishermen and tiaps set, and the awer- 
age size of the lobsters taken. 
With the census returns, soon fo be published, as a starting | 
point, 4 plan of the work can be easily sketched out, and the 
tgures thete given may serve asa basis for future calculations, 
THE NEW YORK OYSTER COMMISSION.—Mr. Bugene 
G. Blackford, State Fish Commissioner in charge of the oyster 
investigation, has prepared a series of 156 questions, addressed 
to those interested in the production of oysters. The circular 
may be had on application to him at No. 80 Fulton Market, 
New York. Hxperiments in artificial propagation have begun 
at Cold Spring Harbor, Long Island, and the work of inyesti- 
pation into the needs of the oyster industry will proceed with 
vigor. A circular, which accompanies the questions referred 
to, says; “‘You will herewith find imclosed a series of ques- 
tions relating to the oyster work in the waters of this State, 
which you are very earnestly requested to read over carefully, 
and then answer with as much fullness as you are able to do 
and your time will allow.. The questions have been prepared 
as preliminary data in an investigation which was authorized 
by the last Legislature of the State, regarding the present 
condition of the oyster traffic and oyster heds in our waters. 
The information obtained trom the auswers to the questions 
will be summarized in a report to be made to the next Legis- 
lature, and such legislation will be recommended as will best 
protect the interests of all concerned in this important in- 
dustry, The results of the investigation will therefore accrue 
entirely to the advantage of the oystermen of the State, and 
itis to he hoped that each one will accordingly see that it is 
for his interest to assist in, so far as he can, expediting the 
work and making the results as complete as possible. It is 
not expected that you will answer all of the questions, but 
only those that you can, and evenif you find that there is only 
one or two, you will kindly answer those and forward the 
same tome. Trusting that you will give the subject your im- 
mediate and considerate attention, I remain, respectfully 
yours, HuGenn G, BLACKFORD (Commissioner of Fisheries in 
aay of oyster investigation, Fulton Market, New York 
city). 
answers ta Correspondents. 
k=" No Notice Taken of Anonymous Correspondenta, 
H. L,, Brooklyn, N. ¥Y,—Feb. 5, 1883. We can furnish it. 
Hi, G. B., Hartford, Conn.—We have tried the merino wads and like 
them, but have not noticed the diminishing of recoil. 
J.R,.H,, Watsontown, Pa—Rose is by Leicester and out of Vic- 
tess The correction will appear in American Kennel Register next 
month, 
R. B,, New Haven.—There is no mit of age for members of the 
A.O. A. Cedaris worth $45 to $80 per thousand, according Lo quality, 
The amount of ballast depends on the model and amount of sail car- 
ried; 14530 canoes carry from 100 pounds or more for racing, down 
to no ballast at all in light winds with cruising rig. 
Pappiye, New York.—You can cruise up the Hudson; down the 
Passaic, if masmall cance—see NWoRESTAND STREAM Dee. 27, 1883; 
down the Connecticuti—see Fores? AND STREAM Dec. 18,1583. Ora 
pleasant trip would be from New York to Perth Amboy via Kills and 
Staten Island Sound; thence to Sandy Hook, Atlantic Highlands 
Navesink and Shrewsbury rivers, and home yia Lower Bay and 
Narrows. 
Signor, Springfield, Mass.—The ‘‘dobson” is the larva or pupa of 
the helgramite ily, Corydalis cornutius. Itis an excellent bait for 
black bass either in the larval or pupa state, The larva has many fan- 
ciful names in different parts, such as ‘kill devil,” “conniption bug,"’ 
ete. They are found under stones in swift brooks where the water 
tumbles over the stones. A netis placed below the stone before it is 
lifted. Noone keeps them for gale. They are difficult to keep for 
any length of time. If you know of a locality where they can be 
found you can usually geb boys to capture them at a fair price, say 
from fifty cents to a dollar per hundred. 
WE DON’T NIBBLE. 
CORRESPONDENT sends us this little incident: 
‘7 hayen’t had a single bite since I’ve been here,’ 
pleaded a chap who was caught tishing on a posted stream. 
x rae you'll get one now,’ replied the irate farmer, ‘here, 
ige—Tige— 
“The angler broke a two-dollar gate getting away.” 
Very good. But this is the way it has already been printed 
inthe Sun: ‘ 
“7 haven't had a bite for two days,” pleaded a tramp. 
“Ts if possible?” answered the woman with sympathy, “I'll 
see what I can do for you in the way ofa bite. Here, Tize— 
Tige—” : 
The tramp broke a two-dollar gate getting away, 
Miniions of DoLUARS WERE Lost by men who were accidentally in- 
jured in 1885, aid not insured inthe Travelers, of Hartford, Conn. 
The wise ones insured and, drew 5964,000 in cash benefits, —Adv: 
