THE SCOTCH EAST COAST HERRING FISHING. 27 



the only way to keep the Mattie selection entirely distinct. 

 Formerly, in a barrel of matties there was an equal or 

 very nearly so quantity of small fulls. Such should not 

 be. I say that immature fish " matties " should be kept 

 separate from mature fish, even though the mature fish be 

 small sized. 



As the fish offal accumulates, it is carefully collected 

 and transferred to old barrels set apart for that purpose. 

 A barrel of herring offal realises from is. to is. 6d. per 

 barrel. In the beginning of the season the farmers contract 

 for a certain supply. Fish offal as a manure is now well 

 known and appreciated as a good crop-raising stimulant. 

 It is estimated that at the lowest possible over 75,000 

 barrels were taken delivery of by farmers on the east coast 

 of Scotland alone, and the money value thereof to be not 

 less than 5000 sterling. In its raw state the offal is, in 

 the event of its too heavy application to the soil, apt to 

 "burn." To prevent this burning it is apparent that it 

 must have a compost. Our fishing centres should not 

 be without manufactories for the drying and com- 

 pressing of offal with such composts as, say, peat-moss, 

 road sweepings, fine ashes and cinders from gasworks, or 

 even from the common ash-pits. The composts are easily 

 obtained, would make a capital all round manure, and for 

 cheapness hardly to be beaten. 



THE BRANDING SYSTEM HISTORY THE BRAND 

 EXPLAINED STATISTICS QUALIFICATIONS. 



In the 36th clause of Act of Parliament, 1808, we first 

 hear of a brand on herrings. The presentment of a barrel 

 of herrings of sufficient merit to receive the branding 

 stamp thereon entitled the curer to the sum of 2s. In 



