40 



As to the first objection, therefore, that the stake-net 

 mode of fishing is injurious to the breed of the Salmon, by 

 destroying the fry and spawning fish, it may now surely 

 be assumed, that it is worse than groundless. It appears 

 that that mode of fishing is not nearly so destructive as the 

 one at present generally in use. And, hence, so far from 

 its being expedient to prohibit the use of the invention, 

 it would seem that a totally opposite conclusion must be 

 drawn ; and that the protection and fostering hand of the 

 law, cannot too speedily be extended in its favour. 



2. But another objection which has been stated against 

 the use of stake-nets, is> that by means of them, such an 

 immense number of Salmon is caught in the sea, and in 

 the friths, that there is great danger that the species will 

 become altogether extinct. 



The secret ground, however, of this objection, is an ap- 

 prehension on the part of the upper heritors in rivers, that 

 the produce of their fisheries would be greatly reduced. 



That an extension of the salmon fishery by means of 

 stake-nets, would be deeply injurious to these heritors, by 

 at once breaking in upon their present monopoly, is un- 



were salted for winter use, and served for some months, as al- 

 most the only food of the families. In spring, a putrid and vi- 

 rulent fever, arising from this circumstance, took place in both 

 houses. The one family consisted of seven, and the other of 

 nine persons ; each comprehending a husband, wife, and some 

 sons and daughters, grown up to be men and women. In the 

 course of three months, and in spite of medical assistance, the 

 sixteen persons of these families, were all swept off by this 

 mortal fever, except one young man, who with great difficulty 

 recovered. 



