BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 7 



when set close to the bottom, small line would probably be bitten off by 

 ground-sharks, thereby causing the loss of a portion of the net. 



To preserve the nets the I^Iewfoundlaud fishermen make a mixture of 

 tan and tar, which is thought better than either used separately. The 

 tan is commonly made from spruce buds, fir bark, and bu-ch bark (hem- 

 lock bark is not used), which are boiled together until it is sufficiently 

 strong, when the bark is removed, and tar added in the proportion of 

 five gallons of tar to two hundred gallons of tan, the whole being stirred 

 well together. Some care is necessary in api)lying this, or else it will 

 not be evenly distributed on the net. The custom of mixing tan and 

 tar has doubtless been introduced from England, as it is known that 

 the Cornish fishermen do this, pouring out their tanning liquor into 

 large vats with coal tar, and this mixture is found to iireseive the nets 

 much longer than simple tanning. The Xewibundland nets, when pre- 

 pared in this manner, generally last about four seasons. 



The floats are made of the best bottle-cork, when obtainable. Before 

 being used they are di^jped in hot pitch or tar, after which it is said 

 they will stand for four weeks at the bottom in 50 fathoms before getting 

 water-soaked. The fishermen have two sets of floats — one, when soaked, 

 being replaced by the other. 



The sinkers most generally in use by the Newfoundland fishermen are 

 made by tying small rocks in a bag of old netting or cloth; but lead 

 sinkers, similar to those on seines, are occasionally attached to the nets. 

 The sinkers weigh from 1 to 2 j)ounds, are about 13 feet apart, and are 

 fastened close to the bottom of the net. 



Anchors, rocks, and stone killicks are used for moorings to the nets. 

 The former weigh from 20 to 25 i)ounds each, while the killicks and 

 rocks vary from 25 to 60 j)ounfls, the heavier heading the current, and 

 the lighter being on the opposite end of the net or gang. 



The buoys are generally made of dry fir poles, 6 to 8 inches in diame- 

 ter, are usually from 3 to 4 feet long, and sharpened at one end, through 

 which is a hole for the strap that the buoy-line bends to. Kegs are also 

 used for buoys. 



3. — AlVIERICAN METHODS. 



The nets that were first tried in Ipswich Bay were made of twine 

 about the same size as that used in Norway ; indeed, part of them were 

 Norwegian nets that had been lent to Captain Martin by the United 

 States Fish Commission. These were found, as in the previous trials 

 made by the Commission, entirely too weak for the purpose, and were 

 soon badly torn, not, however, before it had been proved that suitable 

 nets could be very successfully used. The nets that have since been 

 constructed for this fishery are made of Scotch flax twine, twelve-thread, 

 of the size represented in Plate lY. The twine is very strong, and is 

 found to be well adapted for the capture of large cod. The nets are 9 

 inch mesh (4J inches square), that size having been found well adapted 



