The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1902-08-20

100, according to the supply and do
mand.
The persons buying these crabs are
known as crab packers of whom
there are a number in each fishing
centre. They prepare the soft crabs
for immediate shipment and place the
"peeclrs" and busters" in floats
provided for the purpose, where they
remain until moulting is accom-
plished. An expert can readily de-
termne at glance about the length
of time that will elapse before a crab
sheds its shell.
The moulting floats or pounds are
made of light planks and scantling.
with plain board bottoms and latticed
sides. The size varies, but most Of
them are about 10 feet long, 3 or 4
feet wide and 15 inches deep, furn.
ishing room for about 200 crabs. To
increase the buoyancy and stability
n ledge projects at half the height.
corresponding to the water line. The
floats are usually inclosed by board
fence, which serves as breakwater.
II is interesting to watch crab in
the immediate act of moulting. The
shell cracks along the posterior edge
and with many muscular contractions
and movements, the five pairs OF mod
flied limbs known as claws or swim
mers are withdrawn from their cover
ing and the entire shell is finally loos-
encd and the crab energies somewhat
larger in size than before. So severe
is this ordeal that many die in the
process. The newly moulted crusta-
cean is exceedingly weak and deli
cate, and for an hour or two the
slightest handling is injurious. There
fore, II is permitted to remain un-
touched for three or four hours. or
until flmy shell has formed, which
serves to protect the animal If 1t is
handled carefully.
Owing to the severity of the moult-
ing process and the injuries received
in capture, the death rate in the floats
is very high, especially in hot wealth.
er. At times the loss from this source
reaches 80 percent of the total mum.
Der. and the average is 10 or 30 per
cent.
Two or three times daily the floats
are examined and the soft crabs that
have recovered somewhat from the
moulting are carefully removed and
packed in shipping crates with sea
weed and crushed ice. To careful
ness in the packing for shipment is
due much of the individual success
in the business. The crates used in
the Chesapeake and North Carolina
regions are of uniform sizo-about 4
| feet long, Is to "a inches wide and
the same In depth-and are provided
with closely fitting trays. III which the
crabs are carefully packed side by
side In rows, with their legs or claws
well folded up and their bodies lying
obliquely so that the moisture may
not run from their mouths. Between
the rows are placed layers of cold sea.
weed, on which finely crushed ice is
sometimes placed. The capacity of
each crate is from eight to ten dozen,
and as the crabs possess little ten
dency to move when once placed In
position they remain quiescent for
long time. Only small percentage
die en- route to market owing to the
excellence of this method OF ship
ment.
The principal markets for soft
crabs are New York. Philadelphia,
Baltimore, Boston, Washington and
Chicago, named in the order Of the
extent of their receipts. The whole
sale price in the cities is from 80
cents to $3.50 per dozen, averaging
probably between 80 and 60 cents.