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The number of vessels and boats engaged in the Fisheries in 1897 was 2,059, and the number of men about 4,720. The number of lobster canneries was 220, number of traps 216,133, number of smoke and fish houses 45, number of piers and wharfs 29, and the number of men employed 2,631. The value of the lobster plant was $243022, and of the other fishery fixtures $23,440. The value of the boats, vessels, and

other apparatus was $119,694.

The yield of Lobsters, Oysters and Mackerel for 1898 was as follows: Lobsters, 42,112 cases; Oysters, 29,800 bbls.; Mackerel, 3,149 bbls.

The Malpeque Oysters are famous, bearing the same re- lation to Prince Edward Island and Canada generally, as the “ Blue Points” and “Cherry Stones” do to Americans.

Quahaugs are being fished and shipped principally from Prince County, and this industry bids fair to assume consider-

able proportions.

In order to encourage sea-fishing and the building of fishing vessels, the Dominion Government by Acts passed in 1882 and 1891, provides for the distribution of $160000 annually among the fishermen and vessels of Canada. This bounty is paid under certain restrictions, on the basis of $3 a ton to vessels, $3 per man to boat fishermen, and $1 per boat to the owners. The total bounty paid in Prince Edward Island in 1897 was $9,809; the number of claims paid was 1,171; the number of vessels receiving bounty was 20; the number of men, 109; and amount paid $1,144; number of boats receiving bounty 1,151; number of men, 2,147, and amount paid $8,665.

COMMERCE AND SHIPPING

Commerce is maintained principally with the other Mari- time Provinces, the United States and Great Britain. The volume of Exports is large. They embrace oats, potatoes, butter, cheese. eggs, live stock, oysters, lobsters, mackerel and other products of the field and fisheries. Trade with the mother-land is growing and the large inter-provincial traffic is increasing. Considerable pork, beef and mutton is shipped