Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1875-12-21
POTOMAC FISH AND OYSTERS.

products under the Board of Health, of Wash
lngton, has transmitted his annual report to
that Board.
Under the head of shad Mr. Ludington al.
ludes to hls statement lu a previous report that
shad are plentiful every third year, and refer
ring to his comparison says his statement is
borne out BY it, He continues as follows:
1.-The shad fishing of 1875 bas been the most
disastrous to fishermen ever known; with the
exception Of about three shores the fishermen
have lost money. am Of the opinion that
the scarcity Of this as we'll as other kinds of
fish is owing to the high winds which prevail
ed from about april 10th to the lst of Nav,
which, no doubt, drove the fish eastward,
thereby missing the Potomac river in their
passage up the Chesapeake bay, and as proof
OF this the fish were more abundant up the
Chesapeake than they have been for number
OF years. The shippers in Alexandria and
WASHINGTON, who were In the habit Of sending
fish to Baltimore, suspended operations about
the lst Of May, owing to the fact that prices
were much less there than here.
Much having been said in regard to shad
being eaten By eels, would state that by my
own experience learn that shad are never Ut.
tackled by ees except when hangiog 10 gill nets,
and in nine cases Out of ten only the female
shad is attacked, owing no doubt, to its soft
nature, while the male shad, being harder, are
seldom ever touched; thus an enormous quan-
tity OF eggs are destroyed, and it is safe to say
this may be considered the most dangerous
enemy the shad has.
comparing the receipts of this fish With those
of last year it will be noticed that there has
been very large falling of. This is accounted
for 10 great measure by the higl winds men.
toned above. As there is great decrease of
these fish on all the shores of the Potomac. [
would again urge the passage OF law prohib-
itipg the catching of herring after the lst day
OF june OF each year.
Of sturgeon, be says they have been very
plentiful this year. Whenever there is
scarcity of shad and herring sturgeon are very
plentiful.
Of the 6shes-perch, &c.-sod by bunch,
he says: ''The fish which come under this head
have not undergone sufficient decrease to ex-
cite much comment, as the varieties of thes.
fish are found the year round in the Potomac.
The fishermen were, however, compelled to 90
furtbe: down the river for them this year, on
account Of the heavy rains.
Oysters are next referred to, and he says:
Here, also, We have large decrease 10 the
receipts, which is accounted for by reason of
ing the supply to be brought here by rail.
When the river is frozeo, first quality oysters
are shipped north, and those received here are
small and Of inferior quality, but bring high
prices; thus winter such as last makes it profit
able to the dealers"
The oysters condemned by the inspector were
considered unft for food for different reasons
A large quantity of what is termed "smothered
oysters have been received here, which were
condemned when found. They are detected
by small black spot on the fat or top shell,
near the center of the oyster, caused by being
transplanted too thlckly. They present firm
appearance, and may be easily sold for good
oysters. Another kind unft for food are what
is knoWn as 'sour oysters, which are also
easily sold for good oysters By opening them
and examining the liquor, which is thick and
of the consistency OF molasses, the meat puts
up and becomes white. This is caused by not
having sufficient air while 10 the vessel and be-
coming heated. Winter killed" oysters are
easily detected, as the shell opens and the oys-
ter drops out. They are so called from the
fact OF being planted 10 shallow water, and dur
ing the winter they become chilled and die.
The great majority of the oysters condemned
during the winter of 1874 were of this kind,
and they are generally found during hard
winter. He had also condemned oysters for
another cause: After they are loaded the fish
ermen wash or rinse them off by throwing wa
ter over them. This water becomes putrid 1
after standing short time, and the oysters
feeding on it, it makes them sick, and they
soon die. These are detected by an examiua
tioo of the gilIs, which turo black.
In examination of fish, be fnds by expert
ence that the surest indications of unsouudness
is the sinking of the eyes. In cases where the
fish has been drowned, which is frequently the
case in hauling seine, or where they are kept
in live box, the eyes and body puff out and
the color changes, and these are easily detected.
In some instances perch, rock and catfish turn
green underneath from feeding on grass. and
people refuse to buy them on this account
They are, however, wholesome, and just as
good as any fish OF that species. Heated fish
those which are brought here by steamers and
packed too thickly, and after landing are stored
10 ice-commeaee to spoil as soon as they are
exposed to the air.
Many would suppose that fish which are
broken were unsound, but such IS not the case.
Trout and tailors are of very soft nature, and
when packed in ice they become cut and brok-
en-, but are still 10 healthy condition and fit
for food.
The opening of the oyster trade this fall is
more favorable than it has been any year since
the war, the qualities are fine and dealers ex-
perience difficulty 10 supplying the demand for
them. During the month Of August oysters
were landed at Alexandria, Virginia, and
being in violation of the corporation Or
dinance, which forbids the landing of oys.
ters in the shell prior to the 30th of the
month, they we're brought to this market and
sold at reduced price. The Inspector, there
fore. again urges the passage of law similar
to that of Alexandris, as the female oysters
are full of spawn and not fit for food at that
time.
He continues bis report: ''The Potomac
river is now alive With young shad. They are
about three inches long, and the fishermen are
using them as bait for larger fish; they are
caught by buoketsfuIs, and by some are used as
table food. This practice! should be stopped
by some protective law, as nearly, if not quite.
as many are caught 10 this way as will spawn
10 our river The report then refers to the