22 THE SCOTCH EAST COAST HERRING FISHING. 



July. The prices at these dates are us. to 14^-. per cran. 

 The regular fishing commences on the i6th to i8th July, and 

 continues thereafter for eight weeks, or till the complement 

 of 200 crans is delivered. In the event of a boat making 

 its complement before the eight weeks are over, and exceeds 

 it, the herrings can be taken by the curer at a less rate 

 14^. or i$s. per cran, but the curer is not bound to take 

 them. The early fishing at Shetland commences this 

 year during the first week of June. The price is 14^. or 

 i$s. for the first 100 crans. The curers have it in their 

 option to take more herrings at that money, or not The 

 regular fishing commences on the ist July, and the price 

 is 2os. for the first 250 crans. It is again in the curer's 

 option to take more or not. The bounty and arles is 

 on average 32 per boat. The native Shetland boats 

 receive no bounty, and are engaged on the same terms as 

 the " strangers." Curers on the mainland must have two 

 stations (one on the west side, Scalloway, and one on the 

 east side, Lerwick). This is accounted for by the theory 

 that the herrings are only to be found on the west side 

 during the first half of the season, and on the east side 

 during the latter half. This theory may be correct or not, 

 but at all events the curers and fishermen believe in it, and 

 therefore the boats fish at two places, but under one 

 agreement. The extension of the herring fishery at the 

 North Isles only dates from last year. There are few 

 stations on the west side, but all the season herrings were 

 plentiful on the east side both early and late. The west 

 coast fishing commences in the beginning of May, but the 

 engagements generally run from the loth May, the. price 

 being l$s. per cran. The regular fishing is from the 2Oth 

 May till the end of June, and the price is 2os. per cran. 

 The average bounty at Stornoway is ^35 per boat, and 



