302 
BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 
rately, but are mixed, with some of the shells named. Slough sand shells bring $1.50 
to $2 i)er 100 pounds, but' few have been obtained in recent years. 
When fishermen dispose of their catch without removing the meats, the prices 
usually range a fourth lower than for cleaned shells; thus, when “niggerheads,’’ as 
usually sold, are bringing 40 cents per 100 pounds, those disposed of as they come 
from the water are worth only 30 cents. 
It has been determined by actual count that in 100 pounds of the average size 
■‘sand shells'’ there are about 900 to 912 valves or half-shells. In 100 ijounds of 
“niggerheads” of the average size now taken there are 970 to 1,000 valves. These 
numbers seem high when the thick and heavy shell of this species is considered, but 
they have been amply verified and indicate the inordinate use of small mussels to which 
reference has been made. In 100 pounds of “ muckets” there are 800 valves. Thus, 
in a ton of “niggerheads” there are 9,700 to 10,000 complete mussels represented, 
in a ton of “muckets” 8,000 mussels, and in a ton of “sand shells” from 9,000 to 9,120 
mussels. 
SHIPMENT OF MUSSELS TO OTHER STATES. 
In 1897 a rather important business sprung ui) at Muscatine consisting in the 
purchase of large quantities of shells from the local fishermen and their shipment by 
ti-ain to button-manufacturers both east and west of the Mississippi. The business is 
restricted to “niggerheads” and “yellow-backs.” In 1897 the fishermen received on 
an average 40 cents per 100 j)ounds for the “niggerheads” and $1.50 per 100 pounds 
for the “yellow-backs.” In 1898, up to July 1, the prices were 35 cents and $1, 
respectively. The shells are mostly shipped in carload lots, although a few are sent 
in smaller quantities jiacked in sacks. The amount of the shipments in the first six 
months of 1898, namely, about 14 carloads, was almost as large as during the entire 
season of 1897, when the equivalent of 14,J- carloads was shipped, but the cost value of 
the shells was much less in 1898. 
Shijiments of shells are also made from other places on the Mississippi, and the 
business seems to be growing. In the winter of 1898-99 one buyer at Leclaire, 
Iowa, had a contract for 1,000 tons of shells to be shipped to New York. 
Other States to which mussel shells have been sent from this part of the Missis- 
sippi are Michigan, Pennsylvania, Nebraska, New Jersey, in addition to a number of 
places in Iowa and Illinois not on the river. 
The extent of the business at Muscatine in 1897 and in 1898 to July 1 is shown in 
the following table: 
Year. 
Kinds of shells. 
Shipped east. 
Shipped wst. 
Total. 
Pounds. 
Cost. 
Pounds. 
Cost. 
Pounds. 
Cost. 
1897 
1898 (to .July 1) 
Niggerheads 
Sand shells 
Total 
Niggerheads 
Sand shells 
Total 
160, 000 
170, 000 
$040 
2, 550 
100, 000 
$400 
260, 000 
170, 000 
$1, 040 
2,550 
330, 000 
3, 190 
100, 000 
400 
430, 000 
3, 590 
300, 000 
60, 000 
1,050 
600 
60, 000 
210 
360, 000 
60, 000 
1, 260 
600 
360, 000 
1,650 
60, 000 
210 
420, 000 
1,860 
