The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1913-05-25
Virginia Fertilizer Industry
Has Taken 100000 This
Year-Fisherman Says Use
Is Practical, but State Of
fetal Denies Assertion.

More than 100000 fish, caught last
year in the meshes Of nets that were
| stretched at the head of the Chesapeake
factories in Virginia.
So far this season 10000 fish have
been disposed of in this manner. the
fish bringing only SIS per 1000.
Little effort is made to Gull marketable
fish from the nets and many perch and
other edible species go with herring and
the coarser grades into the fertilizer
scows.
Figures show that u, 900 barrels of fish
were packed last year for the markets.
This year II is estimated 1O,Oo0 barrels
will cover the pack.
Maryland stands without a law to pre-
vent what lovers of game and fish say IS
a wholesale abuse of the fishing indus
try, and members of the Maryland State
Game and Fish Protective Association
are alarmed for the future of bay her
ring and other fish.
Congressman J. Charles Linthicum has
signified his intention Of introducing a
bill similar to that passed by the last
Congress to protect migratory birds,
whereby the edible fish will he protected
by national legislation. This bill would
apply not only to Maryland, but to all
other States in the Union.
Fishermen claim that there is prac-
tically no demand for herring for edible
purposes. This is the fish that is mostly
sold to the fertilizer people. and to-
realize any profits on their investments
they declare they are forced TO consign
them to the fertilizer boats. In addi-
ton to herring. large quantities of small
perch are caught in the pound nets and
all are sold to the fertilizer people.
River Almost Closed.
The place where most OF the herring
fishing is done is at the head OF the
Northeast and Susquehanna rivers. near
Havre de Grace. Pound nets are mostly
used for this purpose. At the head OF
the Northeast River there are fifteen.
and they extend 800 to 100 yards out into
the river. At one place net only lacks
about $50 feet of closing up the river
from bank TO bank.
At the head of the Susqushanna there |
are three pound nets in operation. and |
Il is said that these nets alone delivered |
Ia, 900 fish to the fertilizer boats in a |
single day
The choking up of the mouths of the |
rivers with nets, it is said, will prevent |
the brood fish from reaching their spawn
ing grounds farther up the stream, and, |
in time, imperil the fishing industry OF |
the bay.
The boats from the fertilizer factories
visit the head OF the bay at intervals of /
from two to three weeks. Large scows |
are used by the fishermen in which 10 |
deposit their daily catch during these in
ervals and, as decayed fish are preferable
10 fresh ones, nothing is done to preserve
Them.
Some of the fishermen have refused to
sell to the fertilizer boats, claiming that
they have been fortunate enough to dis
pose of their fish to brokers in Richmond
It a price, which, although much lower
han few years ago. is sufficient to pay
expenses. Some state that they have
packed their fish during the season and.
having been forced to hold them until
October on account OF the low price. had
eventually sold them to the fertilizer
people at s. cents, the cost of the barrel
barrel holds approximately 800 herring
srmen, SS.2S, while the selling price is s.
Views of Fisherman.
Walter T. Jackson, one OF the largest
ish packers on the Chesapeake and who
las been instrumental in bringing about
everal game laws, when seen at his
'acking plant near Havre de Grace,
greed 10 give MS views from prac- |
ical standpoint.
Years ago every one in the South ,
tie herring" Mr.. Jackson explained. 1T
vas considered as part of the diet in the
tch as well as the poor household. The
est hotels had 1t on their menus and
he aristocratic Southerner considered it
he piece de resistance. For the last
our years the demand has gradually de-
reased until this season i don't think the
rockers In Richmond will receive over
900 barrels of herring from this section.
THE herring pack of the Chesapeake
his year has been an almost absolute ,
allure. With one-half the nets that 1 | !
ave this year I caught 100000 fish last I
ear.
In discussing the question from Al
tactical standpoint don't see any ,
between using fish for fer
lizer and the decrease in the supply. ,
fail to see what difference Il makes
$ TO in what manner you dispose of /,
he hsh. They are caught TO be sold,
'hether fresh to the fertilizers or
lifted and smoked to the brokers. Iri
6shnrman cafchea M0m iah In HE I.