St. Landry clarion. (Opelousas, La.) 1890-1921, 1910-03-05
I0NSIANA'S GREAT FISH
and OYSTER IN
DUSTRY.

The area of Louisiana embraces an
extended surface comprising lakes,
bavous. lagoons, rivers and streams
that furnish a varied and abundant
sunply Of the fnny tribes. They are
. source Of very general sport for
thousands Of Nimrods as well as Of
ravanue. For several years this in
dnstry has been increasing and is
RAPIDLY extending in supplying the
demand in Northern markets. In
mentioning this industry a recent
issue of Town Talk, Alexandra, fur
nisbes some interesting information.
1t says:
"Mr. C. C. Pickett, the genial
agent Of that company, has just re-
turned from New York, Chicago and
81. Louis, where he went to further
secure markets for the fish caught
in Red river and the bayous and
lakes in the vicinity"
Mr.. Pickett says that eighteen
months ago there was scarcely any
demand, OF any ~perceptible amount
of fish shipped away from here, but
that with the opening Of the Lenten
season that it is reasonable to expect
that there will be at least 10000.
mounds shipped daily from here. The
markets are ready for them, and
there cannot be too many people in
terested in the business. At pres
emit there are three large shippers
in the business here.
1'Fresh trout and perch are brought
here from CatahouIa and Cocodrie
lakes on ice and shipped in barrels to
Northern markets. They are caught
in the lakes and streams, placed in
what is known as live traps, and then
brought in wagons, iced, to this city
for shipment, arriving in splendid
condition at the markets"
There is scarcely a farmer or sports
man of towns and cities who does not
indulge in the piscatorial art during
the year and thus secure pleasure as
we'll as an appetizing article Of food.
Besides the fresh water fish in
streams and lakes, the Gulf Of Mexico
abounds in salt water varieties that
are a mine of wealth that is only par
tally developed. Yet it is an in
dustry that is yearly being extended.
The people Of the State are especially
fond Of oysters which abound in the
Gulf and Atlantic waters and are q
prolific source of food during the
winter months. To these favorite
bivalves may be added red fish, pom
PIANO, mullet, trout, red snapper and
perch and other fish Of large size and
excellent quality. The Louisiana
oyster rivals the Cherrystone and
Chesapeake Bay oysters. The culti-
walton of these bivalves is becoming
more pronounced and if followed with
the same zeal and intelligence as Is
practiced upon the Chesapeake Bay
would result in making New Orleans
the center Of a great packing house
industry. AS it is immense quantl-
ties are yearly shipped inland from
that city. It is a profitable industry.
In time the west will be supplied
from this market, as nowhere car
they be grown cheaper and more
~proftably than along the Gulf coast
Recent State legislation is protect
ing capital in the production Of thi;
industry and encouraging its extern
sion and the field is an extensive snt
inviting one, as it is stated that th'
oyster area along the coast embraces
a lateral line of 1000 miles and witt
the c~urvatures, shelving and shallow
beach adjacent to it there are lou
square miles for planting and grow
ing oysters alone. This is a create
area than is available in all the othe'
States Of the Union combined.
Louisiana's fish and oyster product
are famed throughout the country
and the source already Of a constant
y increasing revenue.-Loulsiani
State Farmer.