296 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 



and purse rope, which are attached to the bottom of the seine, and by 

 means of which it is drawn into a purse or bag. In this place I will 

 remark that, on account of its bulk, it was found necessary to pack the 

 seine in two bales. One bale contains one wing of the net, five-eighths 

 of the purse rope, &c, while the other holds the remainder of the seine 

 and rope. Both parts of the apparatus are hung, and one at all familiar 

 with netting will find no difficulty in joining the two sections together j 

 suitable kinds of twine have been packed in the bales for this purpose. 



"Though it was easy enough to decide upon the size and other gen- 

 eral details of construction, the kind of preservative to be applied to the 

 seine was in this case an important matter, demanding the most careful 

 consideration. If a mistake should be made in this particular the im- 

 plement might be ruined before it reached its destination. On the other 

 hand, an inferior method of preparation would not protect the net from 

 decay when in use even if it arrived safely in Sydney. Coal tar, heated 

 by steam, is almost universally applied to seines which are to be used 

 here, though it is well known that when so prepared they can be trans- 

 ported only short distances, the heat of the tar causing the net to rot. 

 The manufacturers suggested tanning with catechu in this case. I was 

 not sure but what this method would have to be adopted, although 

 seines so prepared will not usually last more than one season of six 

 months, while those that are tarred will wear three or four summers. I 

 learned, however, from one of the most experienced seine fishermen 

 of this port, one who is also an expert in the preparation of netting, 

 that by first tarring lightly and then tanning the net it might pass 

 without injury through the heat of the tropics, the long sea voyage, 

 and still retain the strength and wearing qualities that seines have here. 

 I was shown a bundle of netting which had been prepared in a similar 

 manner in 1876, and which still retains its strength notwithstanding it 

 has been lying in a compact mass ever since in a place where it has been 

 exposed to a high degree of heat in summer. The evidence of the supe- 

 riority of this method of preparing netting which must be transported 

 long distances appearing indisputable, I wrote to the manufacturers in 

 regard to it. They replied as follows : 



" 'We are aware that coloring (tanning) is not the proper thing for a 

 menhaden seine, and would not have proposed it except in case of 

 emergency. "We have prepared netting in the way you propose and 

 think it lessens the risk very much. We think the fisherman's experi- 

 ence is worth considering, and in giving your assent, as we understand 

 you do, we have concluded to tar and tan in the manner suggested. In 

 this process we shall endeavor to be particular and leave nothing un- 

 done towards preserving the seine.' 



u This method of preparation delayed the completion of the net for 

 about two Aveeks. I hope, however, that it may arrive in good condi- 

 tion in Sydney, and that the extra care, time, and labor may not have 

 been misspent. 



