Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1865-06-30
The Shore Fish and Oil Bust
ness.

Many of the people living in the shore
towns of this state have been to come ev-
t'nt engaged in the porgy or peggy busi.
ness, for the last ten Yeas. AT first it did
not attract much attention, and it was not
considered as being any more certain ie
bring rcmuncratiyc profits, than any other
calling. People did not, then incuI
much expense i'll fitting up for the business
\ few nets, a large iron boiler, screw to
express the oil, with the necessary boats,
completed the fit out. Two or three
neighbors would unite, in some locality,
to carry on the business for the season.-
Bat year by year the Porgy business has
bcen growing into inportancc,until'at this
time manv thousands Of dollars are invest
/ cd in 1t by individuals orcompanic>.lnm many
of the towns. and the business is pursued
Systematically, industriously, and as If it
was to continue Il regular branch of Down
East enterprise. At SOME of the stands
large buildings have been erected, in which
are placed steam engines, to do the work
heretofore accomplished 10y hand labor
such as expressing the oil hoisting the
fish &c, &c. These valuable. gilt head"
fish are enSnared i'll various ways,-hy
nets, in scines, in wcirs &c &c. And as
strange as il may seem, we are told that
no pcrccptible difference as to quantity is
pcrceivablc on account of the large num-
beers caught for the few years past.
The oil obtained from the porgy. We are
told, is used to a great extent by tanners.
1t is also, clarified, and used for painting
purposes. No doubt it is used for other
purposes. 1t has doubled in price since its
manufacture was commenced.
The oil is not the only portion used in
commerce. From the "chum," or the
refuse, or solid part left, after the cxtrac
ton of the oil, is manufactured a fertilizer
which sells readily, and which is attracting
much attention. This "chum' is dried,
puverscd aud marketed. This last bust
ness though growing out of the former, is
hardly secondary to it. AS a fertilizer ii
| is valuable, and sells at good prices
When reduced to a fine powder, it is in
odorous, aud can be used with little labor,
on gardens, or for any crop. We are
told it is being used with marked success
on the Connecticut tobacco fields.
| The lobster factories established in this
county,-thcre are some half dozen Of them,
are also giving employment to large
number of people, directly, or indirectly
/ These factories boil and pack between two
aud three thousand Holsters. daily, each.
The people, in the vicinity are engaged i'll
catching them in nets, and are paid sc
much cath.-N do not know the price
Small vessels go from island to island, O
from one locality to another and gaihe
them up of the people who are engaged ii
catching them. These little vessels ar,
called lobster smacks." When larg,
numbers are OH hand, more than can l.,
taken care of at once, they are put int
sinks" kind of pen, or rack, sunk INT
the water, and tight enough to proven
their escape. They will keep in these 70
weeks. unless they get pngnacious ant
destroy one another. To prevent this
when they are to remain some time, thei
'claws are plugged"
1t takes about ten minutes to boil
lobster for canning. A man stands owe
the huge boilers and keeps turning the up
per ones, using hook attached to a Ion
handle in doing the work.
The meat, such as is used, is packed il
cans the cans packed in boxes holding on
dozen, OF half of this number. Of cans
Some of this work is done by females
We visited one Of these factories" las
year, where females were employed il
painting the cans, after packing. At som
of these establishments. the tin cans ar
manufactured in the buildings. At others
we are told the manufacture of the can
and the packing boxes is carried on Il
other points.
We'll, says some matter of fact person
what do they DO with all this scale
lobster :" 1t goes aboard of the merchant
men, the passenger steamers, into tn
soldiers tent, into the Hotels all over til
land, as food, for those who Ike it, and 70
these who like that which is "far fetehc
and dear bought"