Fisheries of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, 47 



barrels of hard wood, bearing an official brand, (on which full 

 reliance could be placed,) to denote the quality of the Fish within, 

 the Herrings of the Gulf of Saint Lawrence would find a ready 

 market throughout the whole extent of Canada, and would find 

 their way by inland navigation, and the Great Lakes, to the most 

 Western States of the Union, where there exists a large and con- 

 stantly increasing demand. To other parts of the United States, 

 and to Foreign Ports elsewhere, they might be profitably exported, 

 if they could reach Saint John, at all seasons, at a moderate charge. 

 The Herring Fishery of the Gulf would be more benefitted than 

 any other, by the construction of Railways, and the increased 

 facilities for communication which they would afford. No other 

 description of Fish would probably furnish so large an amount of 

 Railway traffic, as, if once properly established, this Fishery, 

 which can now be scarcely said to exist, might be prosecuted to 

 an almost unlimited extent. 



THE COD. 



The Cod Fishery commences from the 1st to the 10th June, and 

 continues until the end of November ; it may be prosecuted in 

 every part of the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, to a greater or less 

 extent. The principal Fish caught, differs but little from the 

 Gadus morrhua, of Linnseus, or ash-colored Cod. There are 

 besides, two varieties, known as Gadus rupestris, the Rock Cod, 

 and Gadus arenosus, the Shoal Cod. 



Near the Shores of New Brunswick, the best Fishing Grounds, 

 or rather, those most frequented, are from Point Escurainac to 

 Miscou, and thence along the Bay of Chaleur, to the Restigouche. 



The inhabitants of the County of Gloucester prosecute the Shore 

 Fishery to a greater extent than any others on the New Brunswick 

 coast. Their principal stations are Miscou, Shippagan, Caraquet, 

 and Grande Ance. They go out in boats, from one to fifteen 

 miles from the land, in the morning, and when at the longer dis- 

 tance, do not return until the evening of the following day. The 

 boats have two fore-and-aft sails, and a jib; each boat is managed 

 by two men, and frequently there is with them a boy. Each man 

 has two lines, from 30 to 48 fathoms in length, and they are also 

 furnished with Mackerel lines, spare leads, and hooks. The boat 

 has oars, an anchor and rope, compass, and small oven for cooking ; 

 the cost is about £18 for each boat, with complete outfit. The 

 Fishermen generally build their own boats during the Winter : the 



