Fisheries of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. 



51 



are two men to eacli boat. If fish are in plenty, and not too dis- 

 tant from the vessel, they are expected in good weather to get two 

 loads each day. The return of the boats with fish is the signal 

 for the dressing crew, who remain on board, to commence their 

 operations. If it is intended that the vessel shall remain on the 

 coast until the fish are ready for market, they are taken on shore 

 as caught, and there dressed, salted, and diied, before being put on 

 board the vessel. But it is the more common practice, especially 

 with vessels from the United States, to salt the fish on board, and 

 take their cargoes home in a green state, drying them after arrival. 



The vessels from Nova Scotia and Canada, in general, carry 

 their cargoes home in a green state. 



About three hundred schooners from Newfoundland resort to the 

 Labrador Coast every season, during which they usually make 

 two voyages. When they first return from the coast, they take 

 home a cargo of dry fish ; but on the second return voyage, a 

 considerable proportion of the fish in a " green " or pickled state, 

 and is dried at Newfoundland. 



The Labrador Coast is indented every where with excellent 

 Harbours, which have been frequented for a very long period. 

 From the security of these Harbours, and the general certainty of 

 an ample supply offish, this coast is preferred by many fishermen 

 to any other Fishing Station within the Gulf. 



The average produce of this fishery may be estimated at ten 

 quintals of dry fish to every ton of the vessels employed ; but the 

 Masters of the American schooners are dissatisfied when they fail 

 to catch 12 or 13 quintals per ton. Tiie baits are principally the 

 Capelin and the Herring, both of which abound on that coast. 

 The Herrings taken at Labrador, in the latter part of the season, 

 are considered very fine : yet they are not caught as a chief object 

 of pursuit, but merely as an adjunct to the Cod Fishery. 



The quantity of dried Cod exported from New Brunswick Ports, 

 in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, during the last eight years, is thus 

 stated in quintals : — 



