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     The fisheries must always be one of the standard resources 
     
     of Prince Edward Island. But the inclinations of the Islanders 
     
     are so decidedly agricultural that the culture of the deep has 
     
     not received from them the attention it deserves. The Island 
     
     waters are of immense importance, and the mackerel fisheries 
     
     in the “ North Bay” are considered to be worth more than 
     
     those on all the other eastern coasts of the Dominion combined. 
     
    
   
   
    
     One of the greatest sources of profit is the Lobster 
     
     Fishery. This industry shows signs of deterioration from over- 
     
     fishing; but the strict enforcement of the regulations regarding 
     
     the close season, which is from the 15th July until the 19th 
     
     April inclusive, etc., is having a good. effect. 
     
    
   
   
    
     The oyster fishery is extensive, is annually increasing and 
     
     is capable of vast development. The employment by the 
     
     Dominion Government, a few years ago, of an expert in this 
     
     line has been, and will still be. productive of good results in the 
     
     preservation and replenishing of the oyster beds. The close 
     
     season is from the [st June to the 15th September, inclusive. 
     
    
   
   
    
     Of two former resources not much can now be said. 
     
     The forests, once extensive, have been reduced, although there, 
     
     are still specimens of the principal trees, such as beech, birch 
     
     pine. maple, poplar, spruce, fir, hemlock, larch and cedar, An 
     
     approximate estimate of the area of forest and woodland in 
     
     1894 was: forest and woodland 797 square miles, woodland 
     
     39.85 per cent. Much of this, though wooded, is covered with 
     
     small growth only. 
     
    
   
   
    
     Ship-building too, formerly a considerable resource, has 
     
     declined here as it has done in other parts of the world. 
     
    
   
   
    
       
     
       
     
       
     
    
   
   
    
              
     
         
     
           
     
    
   
   
    
     1.9110 
     
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     § - .