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MEXICAN ttULF COAST ILLUSTRATED
15
The possibilities of the Coast in the development of the sea-food industry are practically without limit. A beginning has been made at Biloxi, and at other poiuts. The results are a significant prophecy of the. magnitude which the business may reach in the near future. As yet the hook and line, the cast-net and the seine are the onl3' appliances used in capture of fish, with the single exception of an enterprise just started at Cat Island, by parties at Long Beach, Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, and at Cleveland, Ohio, whereby with modern and extensive appliances, fish will be taken on a large scale, and business inaugurated which will no doubt result in great pecuniary advantage to the Coast. •
Some idea of the oyster trade, and the extent to which it may be developed, will be obtained from figures given on another page of the importance it has already attained at Biloxi. The enormous consumption of these bivalves invites the attention of others to this industry, and opens to the Coast a field of profit of immense proportions.
The fruit and vegetable industry is only in its infancy here. The opportunities for profit are unsurpassed in this direction. Nearly all kinds and varieties grown between the tropics flourish in this latitude. Coming so early in the season as they do, and in such continuous succession the demand in Northern markets insures fair profits, and in many instances large returns. In this, as in every branch of business, thrift and intelligence in raising and handling crops are indispensable. Besides this, canning establishments and evaporating machines, may be brought into requisition, and utilize all that can be produced.
Here also is a field for many and varied manufacturing industries, some of which are noted in this work.
The live stock industry invites the attention of stockmen. Especially is this true of sheep and wool, for a better country for this branch of t;he business cannot be found in the United States if in the world.
These by no means exhaust the economic features which apply to the Gulf Coast. They must suffice, however, for this chapter.