158 
BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 
row of shad; all the shad are packed in a similar way; then the top of the box is filled with fine ice 
and the cover nailed securely on. These shad reach the New York market in a perfect condition, and 
so well known has this shipper’s mark or brand become that the buyers are always on the lookout for 
this particular brand, and these shad are the first that are sold and bring the highest prices. On 
arriving in New York the fish have not moved from their position in the box, the ice is still intact, 
and on opening the box we find all the fish to be in a perfect condition, each scale undisturbed, and 
the whole presenting the appearance of a glistening jewel just taken from a casket. 
As I said before, these fish bring a very much greater price than other fish shipped from the same 
locality ; the latter have been packed in a careless and slovenly way, and the packages when opened 
in the New York market do not look inviting, and, as a result, are not sought for and can only be 
sold by marking down the price. 
What I wish to impress upon the shippers and fishermen is that for every dollar invested in labor 
and ice in packing the fish they will receive $10 in return. 
Mr. J. M. Willson, jr., of Kissimmee, Fla., read a paper on u Florida fur-farming,” 
relating to the breeding of otters in captivity, which was briefly discussed by Mr. 
Blackford. 
A pair of live otters raised in captivity were exhibited. 
Col. F. C. Zacharie, of Louisiana, brought up the subject of crayfishes in the 
Mississippi levees, showing the damage done by a certain species, which appeared 
only during high water. Dr. H. C. Bumpus, Dr. H. F. Moore, and Mr. C. H. Townsend 
made remarks on the subject. 
A recess was then taken until 3 p. m. 
On the reassembling of the Congress, the president called Vice-president Peabody 
to the chair. 
The afternoon session was occupied in the reading of papers aud discuss J ons 
thereon. 
Prof. H. A. Smeltz, of Tarpon Springs, Fla., delivered a paper on the “ Florida 
oyster-bars, their depletion and restoration,” and exhibited specimens of live oysters 
attached to various objects, from the vicinity of Tarpon Springs. Mr. Blackford, 
Dr. Moore, and Colonel Zacharie spoke on the subject. 
In the discussion of the paper Mr. Blackford said : 
One point as to the oyster question brought forward so very interestingly by Professor Smeltz, in 
speaking of the efforts that should be made to obtain legislation : He seems to lay a great deal of 
force upon the fact that a revenue might be obtained from the leasing or selling of these grounds for 
oyster-culture. I think that is the wrong end of it. I think that the terms should be such as to invite 
oyster-culture, to protect the industry by giving the man the right, by lease or selling the ground 
outright, on such terms as would encourage him to go into the business. There is no reason why a 
revenue should be sought from the oyster-cultivator for the purpose of lowering the tax upon the 
farmer who occupies the upland. I think this the wrong way to go at it. I think we should make 
legislation so as to encourage and promote oyster-farming, to obtain such an immense product that 
it would bring a large business to the State, and consequently wealth, but not particularly for the 
purpose of raising a revenue for the State and thereby reducing the taxes of other people. 
Dr. Moore said: 
I have given the subject of oyster-culture some attention during the last year or more. I have 
been interested in it more or less for a number of years, and I have given particular attention to the 
facts which Mr. Blackford has just brought up. I am inclined to agree with what he has said. I 
think the main unfortunate feature of our oyster legislation heretofore has been the effort to get a 
