Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-07-22
New, Fresh
Goods

tories multiplied. until the high-water
mark of the Understanding business
was reached in about 1888, when the
output of the Maine factories was over
100000 pounds, representing a value
of $9000
Today the lobster industry has de-
clined to such a point that IL never
again viii play such an important part
in the commerce OF the country unless
the present object Of the fish commits
sion Is accomplished. The latter es-
tablished fish hatchery at woods
Holl. Mass, three years ago, ana since
it was put in operation one of the YES
sells belonging to the department "A
Washington has made annual trips 10
the Maine coast for seed Holsters -
transplant them At the hatchery.
Other hatcherics have been put in
operation along the coast. but no big
results have been obtained.
The lobster Is slow to grow" said
the Old salt, and then. too. they have
50 many enemies in the water that tho
percentage which ever reaches ma
turity is necessarily extremely small.
IN the early days ~ the lobster in
dustry only large ones We're taken by
the fishermen. These were SD album
dant that the small ones We're ignored.
In those days 4 single lobster often
filed TWO or three cans. WIN. today 1t
takes several NJ the average size 10
fiji the can. Even in the British PROV
inccs whore the canning industry
thrives the best. most of thu large lob
steers have been killed. and tn man
ayers If the factories calculate upon
from three to five Holsters to fill can.
A 15-pounder would III n big curiosity.
only a month ago a lobster weighing
is pounds was taken near Portland.
and il was such 4 curiosity that il was
sent 70 museum in Boston. There is
4 lobster preserved in the Smithsonian
Institution that weighed Is pounds
when 1t was captured. ana those who
have seen It declare that it was =
young one who had not obtained its
growth when taken. Reliable records
show that specimens weighing from 70
To - pounds were captured. Such j
lobster would measure nearly five feet
long. including claws. ana prove a
mighty formidable antagonist for one
III the water
Captain Griffin Of the Grampus says
he had no trouble In getting enough
female Holsters from the fishermen.
The steamer takes trip eacr day to
the fishing grounds ana buys up all tho
female Holsters at a good price. The
fishermen are much more willing to
catch female Holsters than they Were
some years ago. III account of tho high
4
Formerly the men would take 4 female
with eggs attached. and scraping the
eggs from her. release hcr. The eggs
were considered as much OF delicacy
as shad roe nowadays
The work Of catching the lobster ~
nothing compared with the Matching"
said Captain Griffin. The work Of
Matching the young ones at the differ
ent stations ends about the first of
July. The female lobster breeds once
only III two years. hut she makes up
for this loss Of time by producing 4
great number Of eggs. \ ten-inch
lobster will produce in one sea
son about 10000 eggs. While 49,
inch one viii give over 5000. Ii does
not. at this rate, require a great num-
Der Of female Holsters to produce sew
raj million eggs year. New England
ana Canada made it punishable to
capture egg-bearing Holsters.
We take these eggs to the hatch |
aries, where they are kept in Matching |
Jars. filled with water heated to the |
proper temperature. until they hatch |
nut. The young creatures when |
latched are less than an inch long. ana |
rnr q time thaI- G-l,
They are turned loose when they are |
an inch or two long. and then begin |
heir perilous life in the waters of the |
coast. "A large percentage of them |
never pass beyond the stages Of in |
fancy. and the few which survive this |
period are then compelled to face new |
dangers incident to the shedding !
process. Every now and then the |
,rustacean finds that he is outgrowing !
he shell. sheds it and takes on another |
one. much as the crab does. This |
process is dangerous. and for time |
the creature is weak and helpless.
Every part Of the armor must be re- |
moved. and in the process the animal |
becomes weak and thin. and the fisher |
men do not consider them fit to eat |
Before the old shell has been discarded |
4 new thin one has been provided. but
t takes long time to make it of |
much protective benefit. There are
few things in the water which can
overcome a full-fiedged lobster and he !
apparently knows it, for he does not
hesitate to attack one of his enemies Of !
he days of his infancy. for he squeezes
md cracks them with infinite pleasure.
He VIII hunt for fish and CLAIMS all |
lay, digging up the mud and cracking |
the shells of the CLAIMS with ease. |
When clans are scarce the Holsters lie |
n wait for fish. founders being par
icularly welcome"
Europe's product in raw silk |