THE HISTORY OF DUTCH SEA FISHERIES. 15 



the Dutch provinces. The practice of branding barrels, in 

 which Dutch herring laws have centred ever since, was 

 first made obligatory by this law, and it is very remark- 

 able that the principal warrant for the quality of the 

 fish was as yet looked for in that of the barrel. The 

 obligatory brand certified nothing but the latter, and 

 stamps indicative of the quality of the fish were facul- 

 tative, except in so far as early herring was to bear a 

 peculiar mark. The principal contents of the edict are as 

 follows : 



Every barrel of herring brought to market is to be 

 provided with two marks or brands ; the first to be apposed 

 by the cooper who made the barrel, and the second by the 

 master of the vessel on board which it was filled. Assayers 

 (keurmeesters) are to be appointed in each town and village 

 from which fishery is exercised, to control the brands 

 (" omme den brand te regeren "). The attributions of these 

 officers, however, involved a control over the barrels only, 

 not over the quality of the fish. They were to test the 

 materials and construction of each barrel, and keep a 

 register of brands, stating the name of each brand's 

 owner. The brand, in accordance with its meaning, was 

 called barrel-brand (tonnebrand). None but new barrels 

 were to be used ; and it was prohibited to " carry to 

 herring," i.e. to take to sea for the fishery, empty barrels 

 already used. Besides the obligatory brands certifying the 

 quality of barrels, towns anxious to secure a high renown 

 for their produce were allowed to have a peculiar town 

 brand (here called back-brand) apposed to the barrels 

 exported from them as a certificate of the quality of the 

 fish. This faculty was largely used, as will be shown 

 hereafter. 



No other salt was, by the law of 1519, allowed to be 



