V. FISHERIES. The following statistics regarding the fisheries of the United States have been supplied by the Bureau of Fisheries, U.S. Department of Commerce and The fishery statistics of Alaska are partly estimated. For the canning, smoking, and salting of fish there were in 1900, according to the census reports, 348 establishments, the total products of which for the year were valued at 22,253,749 dollars. The curing of cod, herring, mackerel, &c., is carried on largely in the state of Massachusetts; sardines are tinned in Maine; and the salmon industries in Alaska, Oregon, and Washington have reached large proportions. In 1903, the weight of salmon caught in Oregon and Washington waters was about 19,000 tons. The supply of fish in these waters is increased by artificial hatching. Commerce. The subjoined table gives the total value, in dollars, of the imports and exports of merchandise in years ended June 30: In the United States the values are fixed not according to average prices, but according to invoices or shipping papers, which the importers and exporters have to produce. For imports the invoices are signed by an American Consul; for exports the shipping papers are signed by the exporter or agents at the port of shipment. The quantities and values are determined by declarations. The import duties of the United States are protective. They are in general stated specifically, but sometimes with an ad valorem duty superadded, and occasionally the duty is entirely ad valorem. On cotton yarns and thread the rates are from 148. to 28s. per cwt.; on cotton fabrics, from d. to 34d. per square yard; in some cases 44d., 6d., and 9d. per square yard, with 25 per cent. ad valorem superadded, and in other cases simply 25 to 55 per cent. ad valorem. On linen or hemp yarns and thread the duties range from 328. 8d. to 60s. 8d. per cwt., and on fabrics of these materials they are from 40 to 45 per cent. ad valorem, but on laces, handkerchiefs, &c., they are as high as 60 per cent. ad valorem. On silk yarns and thread they are from 10d. to 28. 6d. per lb., with 15 per cent. ad valorem added; on silk fabrics they are usually specific, but sometimes are stated at 50 or 60 per cent. ad valorem. On raw wool there are duties ranging from 188. 8d. to 21. 168. per cwt., while on imports of woollen rags and waste, duties are levied ranging from 21. 68. 8d. to 71. per cwt.; on woollen yarn the duties are from 61. Ss. 4d. to 87. 198. 8d. per cwt., with 40 per cent. ad valorem additional; on woollen cloth they are from 71. 148. to 101. 58. 4d. per cwt., with 50 or 55 per cent. ad valorem in addition; on woollen ornamental fabrics, fringes, &c., they are as high as 111. 138. 4d. per cwt., with 60 per cent. ad valorem added; on carpets, from 5d. to 3s. 9d. per square yard, with 40 per cent. ad valorem added. On imported pig-iron there is a duty of 168. Sd. per ton; on iron and steel, in various stages of manufacture, there are duties from 1s. 2d. to 21s. 11d. per cwt.; on screws there are duties as high as 21. 168. per cwt.; on steam engines and machinery the rate is 45 per cent. ad valorem. Hand sewing needles are free, but other needles as well as scissors, knives, &c., are taxed. Tin oxide, and tin in bars are free, but tin and zinc manufactures are taxed at 45 per cent. ad valorem. Earthenware and glass are taxed, only rough-cut glass for the manufacture of spectacles, &c., is free. Raw hides are free, but leather is taxed. Books, &c., are free, but printing and writing paper, and paper wares are taxed. Salt and most chemicals are taxed, but white arsenic, sulphur, and crude nitrates are free. Petroleum, tar, turpentine, and wax are free, as is also anthracite coal, though bituminous coal imports are taxed at the rate of 28. 94d. per ton. Of food stuffs, raw coffee and raw cocoa are free, but there is a duty of 5d. per lb. on tea, and on refined sugar a duty of 9s 1d. per cwt. On butter and cheese the duty is 288. per cwt.; bacon, 238. 4d. per cwt.; on salt beef, 25 per cent. ad valorem. On wheat the duty is 25 per cent. ad valorem; on rice cleaned, 9s. 4d., uncleaned, 5s. 10d. per cwt. The most favoured nation' treatment in commerce between Great Britain and the United States was agreed to for 4 years by the treaty of 1815, was extended for 10 years by the treaty of 1818, and indefinitely (subject to 12 months' notice) by that of 1827. The following table gives the total value of the gold and silver bullion and specie imported into the United States, and the value of that exported, being the product of the States, in years ended June 30: The general imports and the domestic exports of United States produce are classified as follows for 2 years : The following table shows the value of the chief exports of domestic merchandise for the year ending June 30, 1904 : The customs duties on merchandise amounted in 1902-03 to 283,891,719 dollars; in 1903-04 to 262,013,079 dollars. The following table shows for two years the values of the imports of merchandise from and the exports of domestic and foreign merchandise to the following countries, according to the U.S. returns :-- |