THE KING-CEAB FISHERY OF DELAWARE BAY. 
369 
(N’a 2 So 4 ). Some seasons as many as 100,000 crabs are utilized, but in 1887 and 1888 
only 50,000 and 30,000, respectively, were used. The scrap is sold to farmers, and also 
to regular fertilizer dealers by whom it is further treated. !Nearly the entire output 
is sold in Delaware and other States of the “ Peninsula,” at from $25 to $30 per ton. 
The factory in New Jersey, situated at West Greek, was larger than either of 
those in Delaware, and was valued at $2,000. The number of crabs handled is from 
1,000,000 to 2,000,000 annually ; and in 1887 and 1888 was about 1,300,000, representing 
almost the entire catch of the State, in addition to small quantities from Delaware. 
The sales of fertilizer prepared here are mostly local. 
The approximate number of tons of crab fertilizer prepared in Delaware Bay was 
740 in 1887 and 835 in 1888. These figures include the scrap manufactured at the fac- 
tories (“cancerine”) and also the crude product used by farmers and others on their 
land. At the ruling market prices, the fertilizer had a value of $15,800 in 1887 and 
$17,600 in 1888. 
In 1890, 275,000 crabs were sent to Billingsport, New Jersey, and 225,000 to Balti- 
more, Maryland, from points on the New Jersey shore, to be used in the iweparation of 
complex fertilizers. Almost the entire remaining portion of the catch was sold to the 
West Creek factory. 
PRICES OF CRABS. 
In 1880 the average value of crabs in New Jersey was given as $4 per thousand 
and in Delaware as $3 per thousand. In recent years the tendency has been toward 
an increase in price in New Jersey, owing to the growing scarcity of the crabs and the 
competition among the fishermen; while in Delaware, where the demand is less and the 
supply comparatively greater, the price has declined. Much the larger part of the 
catch in New Jersey during the past four years has been disposed of at $5. In Dela- 
ware, on the other hand, about $2 has been the ruling price. 
STATISTICAL DATA. 
Complete statistics of this industry in Delaware Bay are not available for a later 
year than 1888, when an investigation of this subject was made by the writer in con- 
nection with a general canvass of the fisheries. The figures obtained as a result of 
that inquiry are embodied in the following table, showing the extent of the industry 
in 1887 and 1888 : 
Kesu- 
lar fish- 
ermen. 
Factory 
hands. 
Value 
of 
factories. 
Boats. 
Pound-nets 
and weirs. 
Crahs taken. 
Scrap produced. 
No. 
Value. 
No. 
Value. 
No. 
Value to 
fishermen. 
Approxi- 
mate 
number 
of tons. 
Approxi 
mate 
value. 
96 
127 
18 
18 
$i, 100 
4, 100 
42 
60 
$1, 210 
1,555 
41 
72 
$561 
964 
1, 637, 000 
1, 822, 000 
$7, 162 
8,150 
750 
835 
$15, 800 
17, 600 
The following additional tabular statement has been prepared from information 
kindly furnished by Mr. E. S. Howell, of Dias Creek, New Jersey, upon whose fund 
of knowledge on fishery subjects the writer has had frequent occasion to draw; 
Bull. IJ. S. F. C. 89—24 
