FISHING STATIONS-IRELAND. 



387 



and butter, or, when such materials are too costly, with 

 coal-tar and hog's lard. Tliese hookers are excellent 



Galway and Kinsale Hookers. 



craft and sail well. Their crews vary from four to six 

 men, according to the size of the boat, but most of the 

 boats now used are small ones. Besides these there are 

 numerous rowing boats, which are employed for many 

 other purposes than fishing. Cutting and carrying 

 seaweed give a great deal of occupation to the fisher- 

 men, and will no doubt always be looked upon as an 

 important means of helping them to gain a livelihood. 



On the Clare side of the bay are artificial beds of 

 oysters, the property of persons who have laid them 

 down to fatten. 



From Gralway to Westport there is not a great deal 

 of fishing, but much more could be carried on with ad- 

 vantage if the fishermen were supplied with the necessary 



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