Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-07-02
gaitp Aennebet sournal.
LOBSTER FARMING.
A NOVEL EXPERIMENT.

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 q year ago;
and though no very great results have yet
been obtained, the experiment presents
every indication Of ultimate success. A
space Of some thirty acres of flats having
been enclosed by an embankment, the
proprietor of the place conceived the plan
of hitting the use of the enclosed water for
a lobster pond. The place was originally
an arm of the sea, and had deep channel
in the centre, 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 times. The
opening being small, the tide only rises
and falls about three feet inside and eight
feet or more outside. This keeps the in
side 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 soft-shell state. and
many were unstable on account of lost
claw, or other mutilation. Food, in the
shape of refuse from the fish market, was
freely supplied them; and gate was put
up at the entrance to prevent their escape
into the sea- Nothing in particular hap
pened for several months; and the enter
prising owner arranged nets for eclJ and
other fish, which he caught in the pond in
large quantities during the fall and Win
ter.
When the ice had covered the pond,
holes were cut and lobster traps were put
down. Good, sizeable hard she'll Holsters
were at once caught, and two things
were proved first, the water was deep
and pure enough to keep the fish alive,
and secondly. the fish were 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 were taken from the
pond in liberal quantities, and now that
the spawning season is we'll advanced, the
farm has reached its final and most crit
cal stage. Some $4,000 good, marketable
Holsters have been taken out and sold
Every one was a male fish, as the female
fish were all returned to the water fol-
breeding purposes. The spawn is now r
its last stage, and in few weeks, if al
goes well, some millions of young HOLSTERS
will swarm in the pond. The eggs are al
ready SO far advanced that the young fry
can be seen through the transparent shells.
and only one thing will 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
l-aa 1tI.a fs-l<, Al IL
take their chances. Everything is fayora-
BILE so far. The bottom is stony and gray
ely. There are plenty of hiding-places.
the water is always deep and fresh.
The proprietor is keen, far sighted
man. well educated. and thoroughly in
love with his business. He has entire con
fidence in the success of his venture, and
will make it succeed if anybody can.
From a personal inspection OF the lobster
farm, we are inclined to think the project
destined to prove Il financial success. The
fish already sold are of excellent quality.
and have won a good name in the market
The number Of fish that can live in the
pond is practically countless. II one
eighth Of the young fish live, a couple of
years will see the place stocked with mil
lions of safable 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 experiment is very
important one. II it succeeds it will in
trodace an entirely new system of lobster
fishing and do much to prevent the des-
truction of the natural supply Nor is this
all; for the same pond can be made to
yield perch, founders, cells, smelts, and
other fish in great quantities at no add-
tional expense.