104 FISHERIES OF THE NORTH SEA 



require no attention, a great quantity 

 would be captured in the period of migra- 

 tion. To illustrate this, a case was brought 

 to the writer's notice of a small eel trap 

 fixed in a tributary of the Ouse. While 

 exhibiting this simple, inexpensive cage 

 fixed in the weir, the owner explained that 

 in a flood a short time ago he found fish 

 to the value of 17 in one morning. If. 

 these fish had been kept a few days in the 

 water in captivity they would perhaps have 

 realized twice this amount. They would 

 then have been in better condition for the 

 market, for during flood they are generally 

 full of food and die quickly if not properly 

 looked after. But another reason for 

 .keeping them awhile is that when the floods 

 occur so many are caught and sent to 

 market that the supply depresses the 

 price, and it is therefore better to wait until 

 quantities are normal. To keep them it 

 is a good plan to put the fish in a strong, 

 heavy box which would sink in the 

 stream. Plenty of holes should be bored 

 in the wood to allow the current to wash 

 through. This cleanses the fish and im- 

 proves their appearance, and they can 



