The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-02-25
Tho Lenten season-Fish.

Tho Lenten Season-Fish.
Tomorrow is Ash Wednesday and the be-
ginning Of Lent. large share Of the pub
lie, therefore, are now Interested in the sub
ject Of fish.
1t is unfortunate that just at this time.
owing 10 the severity of the weather. there
is scarcity OF fish In our markets, and, as
a rule, their prices are comparatively high.
The variety offered, however Is large, and
the faithful observers OF the season Of fast
ing who are not forced 10 exercise n rigid
economy can keep their tables well supplied
with choice fish, while among the commoncr
kinds, hcrrings for instance, and very good
they are, may be bought oven now at six
cents q pound. The latter are daily arriving
from Newfoundland In large quantities and
they are the cheapest fish In the market.
Goldfish are also obtainable at eight cents a
pound, and haddock at the same price
The supply of the other varieties OF fish
is 80 limited that they are selling at prices
which repcl largo class Of buyers. Thus
salmon, which two or throo months hence
will be offered in large quantities. having
now just begun to arrive, fetch such fancy
price as $50 pound; and the few North
Carolina shad on hand bring sl2j each. OF
recent years when their season has been at
its height, the supply of salmon reaching
us has been 50 great that they have brought
much lower prices than formerly, and this
rich and delicate fish has come within the
means Of families In very moderate crcum-
stanccG. We may therefore expect to see
thom in abundance again this SPRING but
Lent will be over before they will arrive In
such quantities as to sell at low prices.
Bass are scarce, and fetch 25 cents pound;
but smells, though not just now I'm abundant
supply, may be had at IS cents pound. The
best cells, fish Of a very delicate flavor, sell
at from 10 70 IS cents pound and red snap
pers and white fish ut the same price. Oys-
tcrs, Holsters, and clans are plentiful. Of ex-
cellent quality, and purchasable at fair
prices. There Is, therefore already a varied
Lenten market, and before the penitental
season Is well advanced we shall probably
find fish arriving in so great numbers that
the dealers will be in haste 10 dispose Of
their stock, and buyers will enjoy the advan-
tages Of the liberal supply.
To-day and tomorrow the American Fish
Cultural Association will hold It's eighth an
nual meeting at the Fulton Market. and it l.
expected that Mr.. X. b. ROOSEVELT. Fish Com
missioner OF the State will preside over the
sessions. Since this association was formed,
an unusual degree Of care and skill has been
expended on the propagation Of the most
edible varieties ~ fish and the stocking with
them OF our waters. The interest In the
subject has extended throughout the coun-
try, and the consequence has been a consid-
cradle addition to our productive resources
and welcome increase Of opportunities
for the satisfactory pursuit Of the sport of
the angler.
Our sea fisheries, which since the time Of
their settlement have always formed one of
the most important industries Of the sea-
board New England States. are now unhap-
PLY in a very depressed condition. Gov.
TALBOT in his message 10 the Mnssachu-
setts Legislature, called special attention TO
their mislortuncs. and advised the consd-
Grafton Of measures for their improvement.
We have not only paid prepostcrous award
for the catching Of fish In Canadian waters.
but the Canadians are also putting obstacles
in the way OF the Massachusetts fishermen.
and seeking 30 themselves supply the mar
keis. The fishery question was bunglcd at
Washington during GRANTS Administra-
tion. and Mr.. EvABTs has shown even less
ability 10 manage it than Mr.. FISH; and the
consequence has been much suffering among
the fishermen Of Cape Cod and Cape Ann
Our mackcrcl fisheries, though very pro-
ductlye, have not increased their yield
during the last decade, nor has it grown in
proportion TO the growth of the population
Of the country. If mnckcrel were consumed
at the same rate now as in 1888, we should
use nearly million barrels of them year:
whereas our whole catch last season, both
in our own and the Canadian waters, was
not a fifth Of that quantity.