Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-04-14
Lobster Culture.
ARTIFICIAL HATcHING AT WOODS HoLL.

A bulletin of the United States fish COM
mission, just issced, contains an interesting
paper by Richard Rathbun, upon the subject
of lobster culture. While the lover of lob
ster salad may regret to learn from this paper
that the supply of HOLSTERS, as well as their
average size, is rapidly decreasing on many
portions of the coast of America, he may take
! heart again from the account of the expert
ments which are being prosecuted by the fish
commission at Woods Holl, looking to the
artificial propagation of Holsters.
The Matching of small quantities of lob
ster eggs. as well as eggs of other species of
crnstaceans, had been successfully accom-
plished from time to time, by members of
the fish commission party interested in en-
theological studies, and the possibility of con-
Quoting Matching operations on small scale.
and of carrying the young through at least
the first few stages Of growth, needed
no further proof; but the question of
how to care for large masses of eggs,
and especially for the young after hatch
ing, has vet TO be practically determined.
The experiments made with the eggs at
Woods Holl were made with Mcdonald
Matching jars. 1t is probable, Mr.. Rathbun
saws. that the embryos cannot be kept in the
Mcdonald jar, as they swim at the surface
and would soon all escape through the outlet
I TUNE nty can, nOWeSeT, Dt u
large aquaria, to the large wooden tanks now
rigged on the lower floor for the keeping of
fish. or to floating cars in one of the basins.
The last plan will probably answer best when
working on large scale, as the embryos will
thereby obtain some food from the surround
ing waters, while in both of the former cases
| food would have to be supplied them.
| 1t is not known how long the young can be
kept in confinement, nor at what age it would
be advisable to turn them over to the care Of
nature, but it will probably be possible to
transport them alive to any other portion Of
the eastern coast, as the distances are no
where great.
| The eggs of lobster are comparatively
large (about one-twelfth of an inch in diane
ter and hardy, and each lobster carries from
about ~ 900 to "a 600 according to its size.
That a decrease has taken place il the
number of Holsters, Mr.. Rathbun says, and
that in some regions it has amounted to a Sc
rious loss, is attested by the statements of
many fishermen and dealer. Ali the States
interested in the lobster fishery. excepting
New Jersey, whose fishery Is small, have en-
acted protective laws; but, either because
these laws are inadequate or are not properly
enforced. they have failed to stop the de-
crease, though they NAV have checked it
more or less. As result, the fishery is fall
ing off in the United States, and we are even
now dependent, to greater or less extent on
the British PROVINCES for the supplies of our
larger markets. The same trouble exists in
Europe, where the lobster fishery is of course,
of much older date than in this country, and
where it has been controlled by legislation
for MANY wears. Many elaborate reports
have been published upon the European fish,
cry by experts appointed to investigate its
condition and needs, but they are apparently
at as much loss there as are here regard
ing The methods and benefits of protection
In Norway, which country possesses the most
important European fishery, they have as a
last resort. sought relief through the aid of
artificial lobster culture, and experiments to
that end have been carried on for several
years.
One Of the strongest evidences of decrease
in abundance is afforded BY the continuous
decrease in the average size of the Holsters
sent to the markets.
Vermont and the village of st. Johnsbury
in particular, will miss the aged inventor who
died Monday morning after an active and
useful life of ninety years. The name of
! Fairbanks has penetrated to nearly every
nook and corner of the globe where men buy
and sell by honest WEIGHT; but few outside of
quire whether the man who made the scales
was of this generation, or one of the ancients.
In st. Johnsbury, however, they will tell you
much of Sir Thaddeus Fairbanks, as he was
called The title was conferred upon him bv
the Emperor of Austria. He was born in
Brimfed, Mass, a little more than 80 years
ago. In 1924, with the assistance of his
brother Erastus, afterward known a. Govern
or Fairbanks Of Vermont, he began TO manu-
facture stoves and ploughs in St J hnsbury.
About 1880 the culture of hemp engrossed
the attention Of New England communities
Thaddru us Fairbanks patented hemp-drAss-
er. The cumbrous methods of weighing by the
steel yard and even balance attracted his at
tentou. The Fairbanks platform scale was
the result. From thar time new industry
began to grow in ST. J0hnshurv and to-day
ii boasts the largest scale mandatory in the
world, built up largely through the industry
of the Fairbanks brothers. Mr.. Fairbanks
has also looked to the intellectual as well as
material welfare of the people of ST. Johns
bury. He has spent 100000 in establishing
an academy, and it has been his pleasure
each June to distribute with his own hands
the diplomas which the pupils have earned.
At the Vienna Exhibition of 1873, Thaddeus
Fairbanks was the only American to receive
the Imperial Order of Francis Joseph the
King of Siam honored the scsemaker with
the golden medal of the land of white ele-
plant. and tawnv men; and the Bev of Tunis
sent the badge of the Order of Iftkar to be
worn in the valley of Connecticut. Erastas
Fairbanks died in 1864.