24 MUSSEL CULTURE 



It is situated on the property of Lord Dalhousie, 

 but no authority seems ever to have claimed right 

 of possession. In consequence, the bed is of 

 little value, and has been much destroyed both 

 by over-fishing and by the inroads of star-fish. 



The Montrose Beds. — These beds are the 

 best regulated and managed in the country. The 

 district return for 1893 is given as 43,095 cwts. 

 The Rossie beds extend to about 45 acres, as 

 much as 23,000 measures, about 950 tons, having 

 been taken from them in one year. This amount 

 was however found to be excessive. At the 

 time of the Commission the bed was yielding 

 between 500 and 600 tons annually. The grounds 

 now under cultivation were at one time all but 

 destitute of mussels, but by the exertions of the 

 Ferryden and Usan Society of Fishermen, led by 

 Mr. James Johnston, ' seed ' was collected and 

 bedded, and the system of cultivation adopted 

 which has since yielded such excellent results. 

 The measure of mussels as used at Montrose is 

 from 90 to 96 lbs. in weight. 



The village of Ferryden is on the south bank 

 of the river Southesk, on the estate of Rossie. 

 The beds are the property of Messrs. James 

 Johnston and Sons, Montrose, and are leased to 



