MUSSEL BEDS OF SCOTLAND 23 



On the best parts of the scalps the growth may 

 be said to be rapid, but the fishermen have re- 

 peatedly complained of the size of the shell-fish, 

 and evidence is not wanting to show that mussels 

 on the highest parts remain for about seven years 

 before they are considered of suitable size for bait. 

 The Corporation appears to reap an annual profit 

 from the bed of from i^ioo to ;^500. The city 

 is entered on the valuation roll for ;^290, 14s. 

 The mussels are transplanted and cropped in 

 rotation, so far as this is possible on account 

 of the diversity of locality. 



The Tay Beds. — These consist of extensive 

 beds in the channel, the property of the Crown ; 

 and beds on the marginal flats, those in the 

 vicinity of Broughty - Ferry being claimed by 

 Admiral Maitland Dougall. No cultivation or 

 regulation is attempted, but the beds are vast, 

 and have been estimated to produce as much as 

 30CX) tons annually, giving employment to a large 

 number of mussel dredgers. About eighty East 

 Coast fishing ports are said to get their mussels 

 from the Tay. 



The Ladyband Bed, Monifieth. — This bed 

 is about three-quarters of a mile in extent, and 

 lies outside the channel of the Monifieth river. 



