FISHERIES OF THE GULF STATES. 
137 
Tlie sponge trade of Florida is one of the most important shore fishing industries. 
It is centered in Monroe, Wakulla, and Franklin counties, at Key West, St. Marks, 
and Apalachicola, and was carried on by 9 firms in 1889 and 10 in 1890, of which 6 
and 7, respectively, were located in Key West. As will be seen from Table 27, 366,772 
pounds of sponges were bought in 1890, for which $438,682 was paid. In the same 
year 408,87.3 pounds, with a cost value of $511,131, were sold, the price received being 
$650,668. In explanation of the fact that in 1890 more sponges were sold than were 
bought, it should be stated that the bulk of the sponges is bought during November 
and December and is not ready for shipment until the early part of the following year; 
the difference in the quantities purchased and sold therefore represents the sponges 
held over from the preceding season’s stock. In 1889, 316,559 pounds of sponges were 
bought at a cost of $381,087, and there were sold 217,336 pounds, for which $272,835 
was paid and $398,136 received. During this year the conditions were directly oppo- 
site to wliat they were in 1890, and, as has been shown, fewer sponges were sold 
than bought, the explanation being that a relatively small stock was carried over 
from the previous year and that a comparatively large part of the sponges bought in 
1889 were held until the next year before being sold. The gross profits of the trade 
were $125,301 in 1889 and $139,537 in 1890. 
During the last few years considerable quantities of Florida sponges have been 
exported to Europe, the value of the exports amounting to about $50,000 annually. 
Prior to 1888 only a few hundred dollars’ worth of Florida sponges were shipped 
abroad annually, practically the entire export trade from Kew York being in the 
cheaper grades of sponges from the Bahama Islands. 
27. — Table showing the extent of the wholesale sponge trade of the west coast of Florida in 1889 and 1890. 
Designation. 
Number of firms 
Number of persons employed 
Value of property 
Cash capital 
W ages paid 
Sponges bought pounds 
Value paid 
Sponges sold pounds 
Value paid 
Value received 
Enhancement in value 
1889. 
1890. 
9 
10 
62 
06 
$43, 965 
$49, 040 
$249, 500 
$257, 500 
$35, 140 
$39, 725 
316, 559 
360, 772 
$381, 087 
$438, 682 
217, 336 
408, 873 
$272, 835 
$511, 131 
$398, 136 
$650, 668 
$125, 301 
$139, 537 
The trade in alligator hides is confined to Lee, De Soto, and Manatee counties, by 
far the largest business being done in Lee County. The table shows that in 1889 
39,435 hides and in 1890 46,077 hides passed through the hands of the seven dealers. 
In addition to the hides there is also a considerable trade in alligator feet, which are 
brought in by the hunters and given in exchange for provisions and other supplies. 
In 1889, 70,286 feet, Avitli a nominal value of $3,506, were handled, and in 1890, 84,110 
feet, worth $4,205. Whatever pecuniary advantage accrues to the dealers simply 
represents the usual profits on the goods given in exchange. Otter skins incidentally 
taken by the alligator hunters are also handled by the dealers; the number received 
Avas 825 in 1889 and 775 in 1890, for which the fishermen were paid $1,912 and $1,787, 
respectively. 
