348 
BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 
the cars rather than by bailiug; but some are so large that bailiug is necessary. In 
general their capacity ranges from 100 to 1,000 lobsters, and entrance is made through 
a door on the top. At Woods Hole, Mass., the cars are about 6 feet long, 4 feet wide, 
and 3 feet deep. At No Man’s Land, Mass., the average size is about 10 feet long, 5 
feet wide, and 3 feet deep, and some of them are constructed for breaking the force of 
the waves that beat against them, having the top and bottom converging toward the 
ends, which are somewhat pointed. Old dories provided with a cover and with 
numerous holes bored in the sides and bottom are frequently employed, but slat-work 
boxes are the most common. 
While the size and form of the live cars or boxes are largely matters of local fancy 
and convenience, it is important that they be of sufficient capacity to hold the lobsters 
without crowding. In estimating the capacity of live-cars several modifying conditions 
must be considered, such as the roughness of the water, temperature, shade, etc. In 
localities where the water is still and quiet, fewer lobsters should be put in a car of 
detinite size than in more exposed localities, because lobsters must have air as well as 
water. When the water is still the air is quickly exhausted and agitation of the water 
is necessary to replenish it. More lobsters can be carried in a given space during cool 
weather than when it is warm. The number that can iirofltably be put in a car depends 
also on the length of time they will remain there. In general, 150 lobsters to each 
100 cubic feet of space is most satisfactory, although sometimes 300 and even more 
are placed in 100 cubic feet. In shallow cars a greater number of lobsters can be 
carried per 100 cubic feet than in deep ones. When given sufficient room, lobsters 
may be kept alive in these iuclosures for several days or weeks, Avhile awaiting the 
arrival of the market boat or while holding them for better prices. If the length 
of the confinement extends beyond a week or two it is desirable to feed the lobsters, 
otherwise they will eat each other. Any refuse fish which is not very oily is used 
for food. It is not advisable to confine them in live cars and feed them for the pur- 
pose of increasing the weight, and unless they are being held for a better market 
price the sooner they are removed from the car the better. The practice of plugging 
the claws of lobsters has been almost entirely abandoned. 
OVERLAND TRANSPORTATION OF LIVE FISH. 
Live fish are rarely shipped overland in the United States for commercial pur- 
poses, owing to the expense and also to the difficulty in keeping the water properly 
aerated and at the right temperature; but in connection with its work of stocking 
streams, etc., the United States Fish Commission is almost constantly engaged in 
work of that nature, adult fish as well as fry being carried in specially prepared tank 
cars on trips that last sometimes a week or more. The best type of these cars is 
described as follows in the report of the Commissioner for 1898: 
The dimensions of car No. 3 as rebuilt are as follows: Length of body, 60 feet; total length from 
end of platform to end of platform, 67 feet 10 inches; width, 91 feet; height from top of rail to top of 
roof, 13 feet 8 inches. The frame of the car is so braced as to permit of the two large doors in the 
center extending from floor to roof. This feature very materially simi^lifies loading and unloading. 
The interior of the car is finished in ash, and in one end is an office, an ice-box of 11 tons capacity, 
and a x^ressure tank holding .500 gallons of water; at the other end are the boiler room and kitchen. 
The boiler room is equipped with a 5-horsepower boiler, circulating water jjumxi, and air and feed 
pumii. The tanks and cans used in transporting fish are carried in two compartments running along 
