BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 293 



about the matter and get your opinion of what I ought to do. The 

 seine and trawl are now in course of construction, and will probably be 

 completed and ready for shipment in three weeks." 



In reply the following, dated 23 South William street, New York, 

 1 Gth September, 1881, was received : 



" "We are in receipt of your favor of the 13th instant, in regard to 

 extra fittings for fishery apparatus ordered for the Government of New 

 South Wales. As these extras are important, we authorize you to pro- 

 cure them, and beg to thank you for your interest in having everything 

 in order. We note that you think the goods will be ready for shipment 

 in three weeks." 



This matter having been settled, another of even greater importance 

 engaged my attention. This was the question of what should be ap- 

 plied to the purse-seine as a preservative. It is well known that our fish- 

 ermen have their seines almost exclusively prepared with coal tar, but 

 this method of preserving netting, though a most excellent one where 

 the seine can be kept in brine, or thoroughly salted in the open air, 

 would not answer for a net that was to be closely packed for months 

 and stowed in a ship's hold for a long sea voyage across the tropics. 

 Even if spontaneous combustion did not occur — and there was reason 

 to fear that it might— the seine would soon become overheated and 

 the twine impaired to such an extent as to render it utterly worthless. 

 The other common method of preserving netting, that of barking or 

 tanning, is not a good one for purse-seines, and is rarely resorted to by 

 our fishermen. From conversations with Capt. George Merchant, jr., 

 and other experienced seine fishermen, I learned that an application of 

 tar and tan might obviate any difficulties likely to occur from using 

 either one of these preservatives alone. I therefore wrote, under date 

 of Gloucester, September 28, 1881, to the Messrs. Lord as follows: 



"Some of the most experienced fishermen here say that a barked or 

 tanned seine will not last more than one season at most. They think a 

 net might first be lightly tarred and then tanned, and be transported 

 with less risk than if either tar or tan was wholly used, providing the 

 tar was thoroughly dried before the tan was applied. Such a method 

 they think would preserve the seine as well or better than any other, 

 and without much risk. Your long experience in the manufacture of 

 nets and seines will enable you to judge as to the merits of these sug- 

 gestions, which I submit for your consideration. 



U I shall be pleased to hear how the seine is progressing, and also to 

 have your opinion as to the method of preservation mentioned above." 



To this letter I received the following reply, dated Boston, September 

 1881: 



"Your favor of yesterday received and contents noted. The seine- 



29, 1881 



