MUSSEL BAIT— SUPPLY AND DEMAND 9 



the latest official reports ^ that ' while the returns 

 of the line-fishing exhibited the large decrease of 

 95,200 cwts. and ;^5 3,200, as compared with 1892, 

 those of the trawlers increased by 45,600 cwts. 

 and ^^27,500 respectively.' 



In 1893 there were 142 beam-trawlers at work 

 in Scotland over against 135 in 1892, an increase 

 of 7. 



It is impossible to separate line from net fishing- 

 boats, as both methods are employed by the same 

 crews, but taking both together we find that in 



1892 there were 13,679 boats (44 steamers), in 



1893 there were 13,310 (38 steamers), showing a 

 decrease of 369 boats for the year 1893. 



To arrive at a more intelligent estimate of the 

 amount of bait required by the boats of Scotland, 

 however, so far as we can do so from official re- 

 turns, we have to give our attention to the length 

 of lines set and to the quantity of bait landed. 



Before doing so, it will be well for us to under- 

 stand the importance of mussel bait as against 

 any other. 



Many baits are used. The clam or scallop 

 is probably quite as attractive as the mussel, 



1 Twelfth Ammal Report of the Fishery Board for Scotland, 

 1894, Part I. p. xi. 



