The success at Eastport led to a rapid extension of the business in
other parts of the State. The second cannery was located at Harpswell
about the year 1849. A cannery was started at Carver Harbor, Fox
Islands, in 1851, and another at Southwest Harbor in 1853. In 1857
a cannery was started at North Haven, and at Gouldsboro two were
started in 1863 and 1870, respectively. From this time the number
increased rapidly for several years. After 1880 the number operated
fluctuated considerably, depending on the abundance of lobsters.
Some canneries had to suspend operations at an early stage, owing to
the exhaustion of the grounds in their vicinity. At most canneries
lobsters formed only a part of the pack, sardines, clams, fish, and
various vegetables and fruits being packed in their season. Most of
the canneries were built and operated by Boston and Portland firms.

At first the lobsters used for canning ranged in weight from 3 to 10
pounds. Gradually the average weight was reduced, until at last it
reached as low as 3/4 pound, or even less. This was caused principally
by the high prices paid for large lobsters for the fresh trade, with
which the canneries could not compete.

As the supply of lobsters on the Maine coast began to decrease shortly
before 1870, while the demand for canned lobsters increased at an
enormous rate, the dealers began to establish canneries on the coasts
of the British provinces. As the decline in the supply was attributed
to the canneries, a sentiment against them was gradually formed, and
laws were enacted regulating the time in which they could operate and
the size of the lobsters they could put up. Prior to 1879 they were
permitted to pack lobsters at any season of the year, but they usually
operated only between April 1 and August 1, and again between the 10th
or middle of September and the 1st of December, the length of the