season depending very largely upon the weather and the abundance of
lobsters. In 1879 it was enacted that no canning of lobsters should
be allowed from August 1 to April 1 following. In 1883 it was made
illegal to can lobsters less than 9 inches in length. In 1885 the
canning season was fixed from April 1 to July 15. In 1889 the season
was fixed from May 1 to July 1, and the minimum length of lobsters to
be canned placed at 9 inches. In 1891 this act was so amended as to
make the season from April 20 to June 1. After 1880 the number of
canneries gradually declined, until in 1895 the last one suspended the
canning, of lobsters, owing to the passage of a law fixing the minimum
size at 10-1/2 inches. This law went into effect July 1, 1895. As they
could not afford to pay the high price demanded for this size they
were compelled to give up the business.

The following table shows the number of factories in operation, the
quantity and value of fresh lobsters used, and the number and value of
cans of lobsters put up, in the years 1880, 1889, and 1892:


1880 1889 1892
------------- ------------- --------------
No. Value No. Value No. Value
--- ----- --- ----- --- -----
Number of
canneries 23 20 11
Lobsters used,
fresh lbs. 9,494,284 $95,000 5,752,654 $72,092 9,494,284 $95,000


Canned