THE SCOTCH EAST COAST HERRING FISHING. 



Taking the year 1882, we have 6131 boats, which, 

 calculated at an average cost of 275 per boat including 

 gear, gives the handsome capital of 1,686,025 sterling 

 invested solely by fishermen in these herring boats, al- 

 together exclusive of nets. It is pleasing to relate that 

 these boats are being covered against loss by Insurance. 



There is now no regulation size of mesh or net The net 

 as bought from the manufacturer is 60 yards in length, 

 but when hung on the back rope is only equal to 40 yards 

 long. The depth is on average about 12 yards. The 

 cotton threads comprising the net are of 9, 12, 15, 18, and 

 2 1 ply. The -mesh is about I square inch, measured from 

 knot to knot, and commonly there are 32, 33, and 34 

 meshes in the yard. As the nets get older, through 

 shrinking, there are 34 to 38, and even 40 meshes to the 

 yard. During a fair fishing the new nets are regularly 

 " barked" once a fortnight. Old nets require " barking" only 



