132 APPENDIX. 



upon the subject iii the south of Ireland during the 

 present investigation — some proposing, that fishing 

 in the open season, shoukl commence the 1st Novem- 

 ber, while others propose, that it should not commence 

 until the 1st March. In submitting my views, I 

 think it proper to state, that I have given the matter 

 long and mature consideration, and bring to the ex- 

 amination of it, the experience of at least twenty 

 years. The difficulties that surround the question 

 are great, as the Commissioners have no doubt 

 already experienced, the object being, if possible, to 

 fix one general close time for all the rivers in Ire ■ 

 land ; and further, which involves a still greater diffi- 

 culty, to fix a close time, that will suit the various 

 fisheries, whether those fisheries be situated in the 

 sea or tideway, or in the upper and remote parts of 

 rivers. This subject opens up a very extensive field 

 of inquiry, and affects property throughout the king- 

 dom, to a very serious amount ; but I shall endeavour 

 to hrait my observations to as small a space as pos- 

 sible. With respect to the first question, namely, to 

 fix such a close time as will suit all the rivers of Ire- 

 land, the difficulty consists in the fact, well ascertained, 

 that salmon frequent some rivers, at a much earlier 

 ])eriod than they frequent others ; the salmon called 

 ' the new-run ' or ' winter salmon,' or, as it is called 

 in some districts, ' the spring fish,' is not to be found 

 at all, in many of our rivers. I might instance the 

 Erne at Ballyshannon, one of the most productive 

 rivers in Ireland ; the fishery of which pays, or paid 



