Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1888-04-24
FISHING IN RUSSIA.
Whore the Idea of Sport Does Not rlny
Any Part In Catching Fish.

Whore the Idea of Sport Does Not rlny
Any Part In Catching Fish.
Tho fishery trades are systematic
ally pursued in Russia, since so much
of the national life depends on these
industries. AS n general rule, n COM
pany of capitalists begins by forming
n iishing-sta ion (utsching); and here
they make dam; catch the fish; they
manufacture nets. harpoors, traps
and lures; they convert hsh-refuse-
heads, bones, scales, cntrails and
sounds-into glue, gclatine and isin-
glass, or even into manure; they split,
clean, salt, smoke or freeze the fish,
and they distribute thom through tho
country TO their agents for sale, much
of this latter work being done by
sledges in winter TO save freight.
They also pursue the moro lucrative
fish industries. such rs manufactur-
ing the finest kind of isinglaSs and
gelatinc, rs well rs that curious fish
product known as cWiare. "Twas
caviarc to the General. wroo Shakes
peare, when lho Russian COM
pany of London in'ro luced it
TO this country. AMI unless mon train
themselves 10 like ii, just rs they train
themselves 10 eat olives. they are still
likely enough to sputter when they
get mouihful of 1t. Cuviare is tho
roc of the sturgeon tribe Of fish; but
salmon and pike roes are usually
added, to assist in increasing tho bulk.
The roe is c.caneh then washed with
vinegar. sailed and dried, when it is
packet in casks. The best quality is
prepared mor1 carefully from tho
surgeons alone. Tho sailing is con-
ducted in long, narrow bags of linen,
which are hung along cord and half
filled with roe. A very strong
brine is then poured into each bag
until it ovcr1ows. When the brine
has all passed through, the bags are
taken down. carefully squeezed to ex-
pei the superlluous liquid and after
short exposure to the air. packed in
casks. The finer qualify of caviarc
made is that prepared from the ster-
let roe; but this is said not 10 find its
way into commerce, being reserved
mainly for the Cars table. 1t has
been stated that 500 900 rounds of
caviarc are annually packed at As
trakhan alone.
Every known method of fish culture |
is probably pursued in Russia, from
the spear to the hook, and from the
net TO tho trap; but as the Russian
fishes for commerce. and not for sport,
the sanity of a man who prefers a
"hy" 10 q dragging-net would be
strongly questioned. In other words,
Legitimate sport" is consideration
which never enters The Russians head.
The fishery is the best harvest, and
the best man is he who boasts the big
gest fake. The fishing season is a
time of joy. for then each man knows
he is earning his best wages. At tho |
fishing season. therefore, the villages
arc full of life and merlimont. Bon
fires are lighte on the shore TO pre-
pare food for tho fishermen, and carts
are held in readiness TO take the mon-
sters off at once 10 tho cleaning houses,
where men and women are busily en-
gagged in the various processes.
Night expeditions arc preferred by |
the villagers. Beyond the PROV of the
boat hangs an iron cage. in which
burns fire of pino logs. The fish
come in shoals toward the light, and
a man standing in the boat harpoons