CHAP. XXII. THE SALMON TRADE. 39 



All vessels trading on the north shore of the Gulf 

 have to obtain their clearances at Seven Islands, so that 

 scarcely a day passes without a visit from a schooner 

 bound up or down the St. Lawrence. As we passed the 

 Great Boule, we met a fast-saihng schooner, laden with 

 fresh salmon, from the Moisie, bound for Quebec. We 

 learned afterwards that she reached her destination in 

 four days, a distance of 350 miles. 



The trade in fresli salmon is gradually growing into 

 importance, and, if the fisheries are properly protected, 

 there is no doubt that it will soon become an interest of 

 considerable magnitude. Fresh salmon packed in ice can 

 be transported to Quebec or Eiviere de Loup, and sent by 

 Grand Trunk Eailroad to all parts of Canada, and thence 

 to New York or the far west. The expectation is far 

 from being visionary, that the salmon of the rivers 

 tributary to the Gulf, securely packed in ice, will 

 find their way as far south as New Orleans. When the 

 intercolonial railway is completed, the task will be com- 

 paratively easy, and vessels fr^om the north shore may land 

 their cargoes at Gaspe, where ice to any extent can be 

 laid up in store. The ice vessels trading to New Orleans, 

 from Boston and other northern ports, will afford an 

 excellent means, when peace is estabhshed, for conveying 

 the salmon of the cold Gulf of St. Lawrence to the almost 

 tropical shores of the Gulf of Mexico ; or they may find a 

 more expeditious passage by the railroads in the valley of 

 the St. Lawrence and the steamers of the ]\iississippi. 



