steam would enable arrangements to be made 

 by railways to run fish trains, and so enhance 

 the value of the cargo by the difference between 

 the price of fresh and cured fish. 



In the foregoing remarks I have assumed that each boat 

 should be propelled by steam power an auxiliary screw 

 would be the most suitable. Steam might also be applied 

 to a winch, and would save a deal of manual labour in 

 hauling the nets. Steam tugs, to tow the boats, have been 

 tried with only a moderate degree of success. As a means of 

 saving life by getting the boats into harbour in a storm they 

 are not to be depended on, and at any time might miss the 

 boats during a fog or in a dark night. Steam carriers do 

 not appear to me to be adapted for the herring fisheries. 

 The transhipment of herrings from the present boats to 

 carriers, except in very smooth water, would be attended 

 with great difficulty. How steam can be best utilised in 

 developing our herring fisheries is a question I should be 

 very glad to hear discussed at this Conference. It is one 

 of great and growing importance. 



Our first-class boats, annually in some parts of Scotland 

 going further to sea, are too heavy to be propelled by 

 oars ; consequently, in calms or when a tide has to be en- 

 countered, the cargo of herrings is frequently spoilt before 

 it reaches the shore. The regulations of the new Fishery 

 Board are framed to facilitate the curing of herrings at sea, 

 but our present boats are not large enough to carry barrels 

 and salt enough for this purpose. Off the coast ofMontrose, 

 where I believe our boats often go seventy to eighty miles 

 to sea, I am told that it is now the practice to carry salt 

 enough to sprinkle over the herrings, and thus save them 

 for four or five days ; and I understand that herrings 

 treated in this method, termed " salting in bulk," are but 



