CHAP. XXV. FISHERIES OX THE COAST. 83 



winter to concentrate brines for summer evaporations. 

 The want of salt at Anticosti, and in the Gulf generally, 

 has frequently been the cause of the waste of an immense 

 quantity of fish. Sahnes could not only be very easily 

 constructed, but the high price of, and constant demand 

 for, this article, would insure a sale of as much as could 

 be manufactured. It would be poUtic for the Canadian 

 Government to encourage by every means in their power 

 the manufacture of salt from sea-water in Anticosti, where 

 all the conditions are favourable, and where the demand 

 for it is so great. 



The present lessee of the island has a fine herd of 

 Ayrshire cattle which remain out feeding longer than 

 would be safe in the neighbourhood of Quebec ; and in the 

 spring they look in better condition than at any place on 

 the St. Lawrence below Quebec* 



The economic materials known to exist in abundance 

 in the island are limited, in the present state of our 

 knowledge, to building stones of limestone and sandstone, 

 grindstones, clay for bricks, fresh water, shell marl, peat, 

 drift timber, and seaweed, in great abundance. 



The fisheries on the coast are the same as those of 

 the Gulf generally, and akeady engage a large fleet of 

 American, Nova-Scotian, Jersey, and Canadian vessels, and 

 are quite sufiicient to support a large population on the 

 east and west extremities of the island, who would furnish 

 the fishermen ^vith supplies which they are compelled to 

 bring with them or seek in out-of-the-way ports when 

 more are required. 



The island of Anticosti originally formed a part of 



* Mr. Roclie. 

 G 2 



