The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-08-24

Shrimp .... 1885
oysters commandments. Z4l,U5J
CLANS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. 53,I03
VARIETY IN METHODS
The partial list of the kinds of fish
given above indicates a great variety in
the methods of capture, but the diversity
in the water in different counties, and
even in townships, adds furthe' to the
complexity of the business. There is
every variation in the kind Of water IFS
depth and condition. Fishing is con-
Quoted beyond the banks--in the ocean
and much has been carried OH III the
inlets between ocean aud sound. out
side are the breakers, and n the inlets,
sweeping and dangerous tides. The
sounds are more placid, with greater or
less regular ebb and flow of tide, but
above this are fresh water sounds and
wide mouthed Greeks in which any APP
preciable rise and fall is the result of the
direction and force of the wind. Now,
the rivers are encountered, with steady
down flowing currents which are occa-
sonaly hurried ON by freshets. West
ward, to the great Smoky Mountains
network of streams is found in every
county. None of the interior streams
are barren and many afford good supplies
of fish, especially during the spring runs
of round fish.
FISHERY LITERATURE.
In 1879 was made the first systematic
inquiry into the proportions of the North
Carolina fisheries The work was done
under the direction Of the United States
Census but the agents in the field were
ne b4 nd Init
States Fish Commissioner The data
formed the basis of the Fish Commission
publication known as the Industrial Sc
ries. 1t contains more satisfactory ac-
count of the industry than any other
work, the fisles themselves being figured
and the methods of capture, packing and
curing, illustrated The first edition of
this work was in great demand, and
soon became exhausted, the undistributed
copies being placed ten years ago in the
libraries of States, universities and col
leges. Copies will be out of reach unless
Congress authorizes another edition. In
1881 the United States Fish Commits
sioner organized a permanent corps of
agents, who have since gone over the
field about every two or three years. The
printed results, in the annual reports,
contain the most accurate figures any
where available, but without popular
features or illustrations.
The Board of Agriculture of North
Carolina in its Vast Handbook made
the most complete and best presentation
emanating from the State, it being
founded on the aforesaid inquiries The
best descriptive and most captivating ac-
count of the Albemarle Seine hauling is
fpoY bo Il
in Harper's Magazine, about 1857. 1t
was about 1873 or 1880 that an able and
exact article on the Albemarle fisheries
appeared i'll the same magazine from the
pen of the late James w. Miner. of the
United States Fish Commission. 1t tco,
is handsomely illustrated.
ALONG THE BANKS.
There are coastal inland sounds all the
way from the Virginia line to a point
twenty miles south of Wilmington-al
salty excepting Currituck and the Abe
marie The low and narrow sand strip
which divides them from the ocean is
called the Banks, the scene of many
ocean wrecks. In the surf and salt
sounds the greatest variety of fish, ana
choice edible kinds, is found, SURPRISING
North Cardinals being on the line of
climatic divide. The divide is marked
ON the land as i'll the water, the pal
metto tree, turpentine pine cotton plant,
scuppernong grape, mocking bird etc.
finding, practically, their northern limit
here. The principal seasons for fish in
the Banks region is in spring and fall,
by the market fishermen. Angling is ex-
traordinarily good-hand- line trolling and
casting line. 1t is even profitable to
angle in these waters.
On the west side of sounds are
marshes, swamps and well timbered
ridges, many of the latter being partly
cleared and used for heavy farming and
market gardening. In the thickly tim
bered lands a quantity of large game re-
mains-deer, turkey and bear, small
game being more abundant All kinds
of timber grows. in these counties. suit
able for various wood manufactures.
Many large mills are in operation.
The Albemarle and Pamlico Sounds
comprise a great inland sea of rather
shallow but navigable waters. Their
towns are almost daily connected by
steamers and sailing craft. On them
and their tributaries lie, Franklin, Va;