762 KEPORT OF COMMISSIONED OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



gers " has iu five years increased from 64 to 94 proves that the Dutch 

 herriog-fisheries must have been successful (although during the last 

 year there have been complaints that they were not as flourishing as for- 

 merly), and also that the strong and elegant vessels called " logger " 

 are the most suitable for carrying on the herring-fisheries, or are at any 

 rate considered so in Holland. 



Whatever the individual results may be, the following facts will speak 

 for themselves: From 1858-1871 there was in Emdeu some trade iu fish, 

 which wei'e brought by vessels from Xorderney, Borkum, and Pesum, 

 occasionally also by vessels from the Elbe and from the British coastsj 

 but the expeditions fitted out by the new association undoubtedly have 

 brought new life into the Emdeu trade. During the last five years the 

 Emden vessels have all in all made 169 voyages, and brought home a 

 total of 21,259 barrels of herrings. The total sum realized from the fish- 

 auctions has been $231,208; and on those fish which the association 

 bought there was a further profit of $21,151, so that the total sum 

 realized was $252,359, which may certainly be called the reward of 

 home activity, all the more gratifying when we call to mind the former 

 tribute which Germany paid to foreign fishing associations by buying 

 their fish. 



The Emden association has at all times paid special regard to bring- 

 ing a good quality of fish into the market. The best proof that the 

 Emden herrings are held in high esteem by their steady customers is 

 found iu the average price which they fetch ; the average price per 

 barrel was $10.67 in 1872, $11.53 in 1873, $11.30 iu 1874, $12.42 in 1875, 

 $14.30 iu 1876, 



This gradual increase to fully one-third corresponds to the rise of 

 prices iu the Dutch and Scotch markets, which have always exercised 

 an influence on our markets. But I believe that there is not another 

 association, not even in Holland, which can command as high prices as 

 the Emden one, and which without employing any artificial means can 

 furnish such a delicately flavored herriug. The association seeks an 

 honor in upholding the old reputation of the city of Emden, by handling 

 and sorting the fish very carefully. Classed according to quality we get 

 the following results iu barrels : 



"Maatjes" herriug are those herring which ar^ just entering upon 

 their sexual development. They are at the beginning of the season 



