37 



use of limpets with mussels, there are some 390 bags of mussels 

 per week brought from outside sources to the fishing stations 

 of Northumberland. For the six months period this gives a total 

 of over 10,000 bags of mussels. The fishermen pay at the rate 

 of 2s. per bag for the gathering of the mussels, and in addition to 

 this there is railway carriage, which varies from 2s. to 2s. 6d. per 

 bag. The fishermen of the district are paying therefore a yearly 

 sum of £2,000 for mussels. 



That mussels can be grown suitable for bait purposes in the 

 region of Holy Island, and also that Fenham Flats yield an 

 abundance of young mussels for transplantation, has been shown 

 in previous reports. The area suitable for the cultivation of 

 mussels is here large and could be made to supply the present 

 requirements of our fishermen, and there is at Budle another area 

 which could also be utilised for the purpose. 



Given the required capital to start the cultivation of mussels 

 there appears to be little doubt that, with i)roper management, 

 the industry could be made self-supporting, thus providing employ- 

 ment for a number of men as well as keeping a large sum of money 

 circulating in our ov/n district. 



