Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-01-17


One Of the first things remarked upon by
strangers visiting the market is the number of
distinguished people who attend to the pur-
chase Of their own supplies. In other cities it is
rarely one sees ladies and gentlemen of wealth
and prominence attending to such household
duties. The ladies. however. are better mark
eters than the men. Bright eyes sparkle over
the odoriferous piles of fish. dainty fingers
gingerly raise the gills to see if the intended
purchase is quite fresh. and voices which the
night before passed the compliments of the
season in crowded drawing rooms bargain fru-
gally with the dealers.
They have a varied collection to select from
On Washington dining tables fish is second
only to the roast. and this important fact is
recognized by the housewives and the dealers
who thrive by their patronage. Every stream
of any consequence in every state between the
two oceans contributes. and the result is what
is claimed TO be tina best market of any city
But the dealers do not by any means confine
themselves to the supply afforded by this coun-
try. Other countries across the ocean con-
tribute and the result is a complete market.
Probably the most popular of the foreign fish
sold here Is the famous white bait of the river
Thames The majority of housekeepers are
satisfied with the product of the waters of our
own country, but we have nothing to compete
with the peculiar and delicious flavor of white
bait, the smallest of the finny tribe. Mrs
Senator Mitchell is particularly fond of the
tiny morsels and it is more often found on her
hospltable board than on any other in the city
Mrs. Mitchell always buys in person and seems
10 take great delight in marketing.
THE CHESAPEAKE AND THE POTOMAC.
But though the enterprising dealers search
every available stream they depend to a very
great extent on our own Potomac and Chesa-
peake bay for their supplies In no other
waters and in no other country can such a de-
hcious variety be found as here right on the
very Threshold of the city. The fisheries of
the river and bay are known the world over and
the tables of Washington get the very pick of
the abundant supply.
blight here in Washington" said Mr.. Walter
Moreland, the well known game and fish ex-
pert, to a STAR reporter yesterday. 1--WE have
the most varied and abundant supply of fish Of
any market in the country. The reason why
the hsh Of the Potomac are so much esteemed
for their delicious flavor il easily explained
They swim into the fresh waters of the river
from salt water. When they leave the briny
deep they coarse. but the fresh water seems
to purge all the bitter sea food and salty favor
from them and the large and varied assortment
OF food found in the Potomac gives them the
fine flavor for which they are noted This, /
think, accounts for their great popularity
combining as they do the best qualities of the
fresh and salt water irh''
How do tsh keep this weather." asked the
reporter reporter,
one. that fsh keep better in summer than
IN winter. How's that? Ill tell you. In win
ter when it's SO cold thai ice won't melt
fish spoil easily. Its a wal known fact that
after fish stands short while slime accumu-
lates over IL. IL the weather IL so cold tia. the
that slime remains ami eventually spoiis the
FISH. whereas il the weather is warm the melt
ing ice cuts this slime of and prevents it from
sccumulating."