The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-01-02
FEATURES OF THE FISH MARKETS.
The Unusual supply OF shad from the South
Bluensh still Abundant.

The Unusual supply OF shad from the South
BIueAsh StiiI Abundant.
One Of the Oldest OF the Fulton Market
nsh dealers said yesterday that the early appear
hnce OF shad in the Southern waters, IN so large
numbers as are daily reported from there, was
creating considerable speculation among those
who closely watch the habits Of that fish. 1t
was more than four weeks ago that they we're
first discovered for the season at Savannah.
Ordinarily they are very scarce indeed on New
Years Day, the catches being very small until
the middle Of February, and the Ash bringing
extravagant prices. Last New Years there were
not dozen in Fulton Market, and these were
sold for Sl.75 and 81 apiece. Yesterday they
were plenty enough there, as they have been for
a month, and were purchasable for half n dollar
apiece The Southern catch Is increasing every
day, and the markets promise TO be flooded with
shad until June. The fish invariably make their
appearance FIRST In the extreme South, and ss
spring advances they follow the coast to the
North. The further North they swim the more
their flavor increases In excellence. Chesa-
peske and Delaware shad are eagerly sought,
aud are considered luxurious eating, but II is
when they strike the North river, and lastly the
Connecticut river that they take to themselves
that dainty flavor that has established their rep
utation. As they are caught In the latter named
river until the middle Of June, and already have
been In market over month, Il "a easy TO see
that they will be within the reach Of metropoli-
tan buyers for six consecutive months. IL the
experience OF previous years Is to be regarded
Of shad will gradually Increase and the prices
gradually diminish until the catch Is spent. The
old fishermen therefore predict the biggest shad
season that has been known for years. They
can account Tor the immense Increase In the
number OF the nsh In no other manner than
that the restocking OF the rivers by the artificial
Matching OF thousands OF eggs Is beginning to
produce its fruit. Yet this argument is not
good when applied to the fact that the Increase
In the number OF blue nsh has within two years
been almost as marked as that Of shad for Ct ere
has not been the slightest attempt to propagate
the latter named nsh.
The numbers In which blue nsh continue to
be sent To market Is also unusual. They are
taken by hundreds along the coast below the
mouth OF the Chesapeake Bay, and are IN sur
prisingly nne condition. Usually they have dis
appeared by this time Of the wear, not to return
again until spring. Yet on Friday one Of the
nnest lots OF the season was landed In Fulton
market. They were selling for twelve cents a
pound.
The person who selected nsh for his New
Years dinner also found fine salmon, frozen in
Nova Scotia and shipped to New York, TO be
sold for sixty cents pound; striped bass from
the Potomac, white nsh from the great lakes,
sea bass from Charleston, mackerel, white
perch, frost FISH, haddock and halibut salmon
trout, black bass, and half a dozen other yarie-
ties. The supply ls unusually large, and the
fishermen unite In predicting that the centen-
nial year Will be famous for It's Yield Of nsh.