The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1873-07-17
Lobster Farming.

The Boston Journal of Commerce
gives the following interesting account
of a lobster farm on the Massachusetts
coast. 1t is certainly the newest attempt
at bringing the production of animal
food under mans control:
"The attempt to cultivate Holsters for
the market was begun about year ago !;
and though no very great results have
vet been obtained, the experiment pre-
sents every indication of ultimate sue
cess. A space of some thirty acres of
fats having been enclosed by all en-
bankment, the proprietor Of the place
conceived the plan of hiring the use of
the enclosed water for O lobster pond.
TIE place was originally an arm of the
sea, and had a deep channel in the cen
tire, so that sufficient 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 and falls 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 sum.
mer, 40, 600 Holsters, of every age and
condition, were let loose in the pond.
Many of them were in the soft-shel
state, and many were unstable on ac.
count of a lost claw, or other mutila.
tion. Food, in the shape of refuse from
the fsh-market, was freely supplied
them, and gate was put up at the en-
trance to prevent their escape Into the
sea. Nothing in particular happened
for several months and the enterpri
sing owner arranged nets for eels ant
other fish, which he caught in the pon6
in large quantities during the fall ant
winter.
"When the ice had covered the pond
holes were cut and lobster traps were
put down. Good, sizeable hard shell
Holsters were at once caught, and two
things were proved: first, the watel
was deep and pure enough to keep the
fish alive, and secondly, the fish were
healthy, for they had taken their hard
ened shells, in the usual manner, an(
new claws had grown in the place o
those lost. In the spring, eels, percl
and O great many other kinds of fisl
were taken from the pond in liberia
quantities, and now that. the spawning
season is well advanced, the farm ha
reached its final and most critical stage
Some $1,000 good, marketable lobster
have been taken out and sold. Ever,
one was a male fish, as the female fisl
were all returned to the water for breed
ing purposes. The spawn is now i'll it
last stage, and in n few weeks, if al
goes well, some millions of-young lob
sters will swarm in tho pond.
"The proprietor is o keen, far-sightet
NOV, III educated, and thoroughly il
love with his husiness. ri, has entir
confidence in the success Of his venture
and will make it succeed if Anybody can
From a personal inspection of the lob
ster farm, we are inclined to think tn
project destined to prove a fnancia
success. The fish already sold are o
excellent quality, and have won gooC
name i'll the market. The number o
Holsters that can live in the pond i
practically countless. If one-eighth o
the young fish live, couple of year
will see the place stocked with million
of salable Holsters. The expense il
small-the rent, the food (Which may b.
obtained for the asking), and the labo
of catching and preparing for marke
being the whole of it. The experimen
is a very important one. If it succeed
it will introduce an entirely new system
of lobster fishing, and do much to pre-
vent the destruction of the natural sup
ply. Nor is this all for the same pon'
can be made to yield perch, founders
eels, smelts, and other fish in grea
quantities at no additional expense.n