The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1873-07-31
Lobster Farming.

The Boston journal of Commerce gives
the following interesting account of lob
ster farm on the Massachusetts coast 1t
is certainly the newest attempt at bring
ING the production of animal food under
mans control:
The attempt to cultivate Holsters for
the market was begun about a year ago;
and though no very great results have
Yet been obtained, the experiment pre-
SCENTS every indication of ultimate success.
A space Of some thirty acres of flats ha,
ing been enclosed by an embankment,
the proprietor of the place conceived the
plan Of hiring the use of the enclosed
water for a lobster pond. The place was
originally an arm of the sea, and had a
| deep channel in the centre, so that sutfi-
| cient depth of water was secured. On
building the dyke an arched way was
made in it, so that the tide could flow out
and in at all times. The opening being
small, the tide only rises about three feet
inside, and eight feet or more outside
This keeps the inside water deep at all
times, and at the same time prevents it
from becoming foul
During July and August last summer,
10000 Holsters of every age and condi-
| ton, were let loose in the pond. Many of
them were in the sott-shell state, and
| many We're unstable on accounl of ii lost
claw, or other mutilation. Food, in the
shape of refuse from the fish market, was
freely supplied them; and a gate was put
up at the entrance to prevent their es
cape into the sea. Nothing particular
happened for several months; and the
enterprising owner arranged nets for eels
| and other fish, which he caught in the
pond in large quantities during the fail
| and winter
When the ice had covered the pond,
holes We're cut and lobster traps were put
| down. Good, szeable hard shell Holsters
| We're at once caught, and two things We're
proved First, the water was deep and
pure enough to keep the fish alive and
| secondly the fish We're healthy, for they
| had taken their hardened shells in the
| usual manner, and new claws had grown
| in the place OF those lost. In the spring,
cells, perch and great many other kinds
Of fish We're taken from the pond in liberal
quantities, and now that the spawning
season is well advanced, the farm has
reached its final and most critical stage.
Some $1,000 good. marketable Holsters
have been taken out and sold Every one
was a male fish, as the female fish were
ali returned to the water for breeding
purposes. The spawn is now in its last
stage, and in few weeks, if all goes
well, some millions of Young Holsters will
swarm in the pond The eggs are already
so far advanced that the young fry can be
seen through the transparent shells, and
only one thing can prevent them from
coming to maturity. The question is can
the Young Holsters defend themselves from
the fish in the pond? 1t is impossible to
keep other fish out, and the Holsters must
take their chances. Every thing is favor
able SO far. The bottom is stony and
gravelly. There are plenty OF hiding
places such as the young fish seek to hide
in, and the water is always deep and
fresh
The proprietor is Il keen, far sighted
| man, well-educated, and thoroughly in
love with his business. He has entire
confidence in the success of his venture,
and will make it succeed if anybody can.
From Il personal inspection Of the lobster
farm, we are inclined to think the project
destined to prove a financial success.
The fish already sold are of excellent
quality, and have won a good name al
ready in market. The number of Holsters
that can live in the pond is practically
countless If one-eighth of the young fish
live, couple of years will see the place
stocked with millions of saleable Holsters.
The expense is small, the rent, the food
(Which may be obtained for the asking,
and the labor of catching and preparing
for market being the whole of it. The ex-
pertinent is a very important one. If it
succeeds it will introduce an entirely new
system Of lobster fishing, and do much to
prevent the destruction of the natural sup
ply Nor is this all for the same pond
can be made to yield perch, founders,
GELS, smelts, and other fish in great guam
titles at no additional expense