32 THE SCOTCH EAST COAST HERRING FISHING. 



and invaluable in wealth. Indirectly the shopkeepers of 

 whatever nature in the herring districts are more or less 

 influenced by its prosperity and continuance. In turn the 

 merchants and manufacturers are benefited through the 

 shops. An extensive and extending business means 

 steady employment for manual labour, and by the necessity 

 of supply so does the labourage increase. Directly, we 

 have the fishermen and their families entirely dependent 

 on the results; and labourers, gutters, coopers, builders, 

 wood merchants, salt manufactures, railways, mercantile 

 marine, banking, and in fact every trade and profession is 

 receiving a support from this great industry. It is no 

 exaggeration to say that the herring fishing is the great 

 industry on whose success or decline the greater part of 

 the Scotch east coast, Shetland, and the Hebrides hang 

 their dependence. Any one acquainted with the Scotch 

 coasts cannot fail to appreciate the great value of the 

 herring fishing. 



The basket and net manufacturers have a large field for 

 their output Every year there is a steady and heavy 

 demand for baskets and nets. There are also the wood 

 merchants at home and abroad being greatly benefited 

 through the trade in supplying them with the different 

 woods necessary for the making of barrels, as also the 

 erecting of sheds and stores. Even the wood shavings or 

 refuse find a good market with those curers who have kilns. 

 Multiply the various instruments described under " plant " 

 by 3000, and you will find that the instrument makers have 

 to be exceedingly thankful for the trade. We must not lose 

 sight of the great demand for wooden spades for the fisher- 

 men, salt scoops for the . gutting women, gutting knives, 

 hammers, nails, &c. Again, there is the tear and wear 

 in the boat, frequently requiring repairs or improvements 



