THE FISHERIES OF JAPAN. 431 



feet long, the meshes being from about live-eighths of an inch to a little over 1 inch 

 (about 1£ inches). The wings are made of straw and are about 700 feet long, the 

 meshes being 1 foot. To work the net 4 boats with over 50 men are required. Two of 

 the boats carry the net separately and act according to the orders of the other 2 boats, 

 which go iu search of the fish. 



The eight-armed net is a flat net used on the Pacific shores of Japan. It is almost 

 square in shape, and the meshes are from a little over half an inch to about 1| inches. 

 To one side of the square are attached floats and to the remaining three sides ropes 

 are tied. To the bottom of the ropes of the lower margin large weights of lead are 

 attached. When in use the ropes of the three sides are held by 3 boats and the net 

 is lowered obliquely against the current. When the shoal of fish comes over it the 

 ropes are raised and the net is gradually drawn up, the fish being finally transferred 

 to the boats. 



The tuck seine is employed on the Pacific shores of the main island and closely 

 resembles the purse net of the American fishermen. It is about 600 feet long and 65 

 or 70 feet wide at the two ends. The meshes are from about § of an inch to a little 

 over 1 inch. When not in use the net is carried in equal portions by 2 boats. 



The dip net is operated on the Pacific shores of the main island. It is nearly 

 square, each side about 35 feet, and the meshes are from about half an inch to about If 

 inches. To prepare it for use one side is stretched and made fast lengthwise to a 

 bamboo rod, and to the opposite side 3 ropes, with stones attached, are tied. To each 

 end of the bamboo rod another rod of bamboo is made fast. 



To work this net the right side of the boat is, in the first place, turned against 

 the current and the net is made to dip down from the left side; the bamboo rod to 

 which one side of the net has been made fast is kept horizontal at a short distance 

 from the boat by means of the two other rods. Some shrimp {My sis) are then strewn 

 on the right side, and the fish are called together; some more are then strewn on the 

 left side, and when the fish come over it the net is drawn up by means* of the ropes. 

 This net is used in getting the sardines used as bait for the bonito. It is therefore 

 made on a small scale, and the fish caught are kept alive in the well of the boat. 



The sample of sardine drift net exhibited represents the form in use in the Bay 

 of Tokyo. A single netting is about 150 feet by about 35 feet, and is made of hemp. 

 The meshes are from about 1\ inches to about 1| inches. The cord of the upper margin is 

 made of hemp, and a lead is attached at every 3 feet. The rope of the lower margin 

 is made of the fibers of the palm (Tr achy carpus excelsa), and at about every 4 inches 

 a wooden float is attached. A single boat with 6 or 7 men uses 7 or 8 nettings joined 

 together. Fifty or 60 such boats usually form themselves into a line and the net is 

 shot across the course of the sardines. This net is worked at night. 



The sardines are caught in enormous numbers, and the greater part are dried 

 and made into fertilizer, either entire or after the oil has been extracted. Recently, 

 however, sardines have been canned and smoked, and their value has consequently 

 increased. Smoked sardines promise to become a valuable article of export. " Gill- 

 struck " and " back- split " sardines are used for food in the mountainous districts of 

 Japan. Refined sardine oil, a by-product in the manufacture of scrap, is a very valu- 

 able exported product ; over 2,500,000 pounds are annually made an mt to various 

 parts of Europe and America. 



