Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1874-02-18
LOBSTER SALAD.
How We are Losing Material for 1t
Habits of the Crustaceans.
From the New York Express.


Habits of the Crustaceans.
From the New York Express
A large number of sportsmen have
lately taken into consideration the
preservation of Holsters, it having been
noticed that the size of Holsters in the
market has decreased every year, but
the cause has escaped the notice of the
buyers. From statements made by an
experienced dealer, it seems that the
dealers are at fault in buying young
Holsters which were formerly discarded
on account of their size, and each
year in order to meet the in
creasing demand, smaller and smaller
ones are being saved. It is APP
parent if this state continues our
Holsters will be reduced to the size of
shrimps, and might make good smelt
bait, but would hardly do tor salad.
In Maine there is in addition to this
more pernicious and suicidal practice,
that of saving everything caught,
without regard to size and condition,
for the purpose Of canning. HOLSTERS
thus put up are chiefly consumed in
foreign countries, benefting compar-
atively few people, to the detriment of
the public at large Unless all young
and immature Holsters are thrown back
on the grounds there will be nothing
to grow or reproduce for coming
years. ; 4l s.. --
The idea of farming or artifcially
propagating them is, says our author.
ity, wholly impracticable. as it can be
shown that the time for their spawning
is not co1fined to any particular month
or months, but that they reproduce at
all seasons, whence it is evident that
they do not require any limitation in
time when they shall or shall not be
taken. Their habits as to the
time when they draw in shore
for better supply of food vary very
much in different localities. We find
them coming in as early as March or
April in some places, while in others
they do not make their appearance I'M
til May or June. Nor is their time of
going or coming the same from year to
year. Indeed they seem to be some
what errat1c in their habits, and on
that account comparatively little is
known about them, and any observa-
ton taken this year, however carefully
made, might the next year be entirely
overthrown.
When migrating they move in solid
columns-the larger and stronger al
ways in advance, while the rear or last
end Of the school presents sorry ap-
pearance, composed as it is of the small,
MANNED and Unconditional. They
move on in this order until they find
themselves on the shoaler grounds,
where the great variety and abundance
of the food seems to satisfy them,
which consists of muscles, CLAIMS peri
wrinkles and the like They remain on
these grounds during the greater part
of che summer, many of them seeking
the rocky crevlces to shed their shells,
not venturing forth until the new shell
has grown strong AS the season
advances We find them moving
off the shore in as hungry a
condition as when they come in the
spring. 1t is probable that they seek
the deeper waters of the bay in winter,
for the protection afforded from our
severe storms and the warmer tempera-
ture of the water, which is more con-
genial to them. In general way this
covers their movements, SO far as
known. The Anglers Association, of
Boston, recommends that committee
appear before the Legislature, to use
their best efforts to have such law
passed as may seem best to them to
prevent the taking or offering for sale,
or being in possession of any lobster