THE SCOTCH EAST COAST HERRING FISHING. 33 



at the hands of a boat-builder, a replacing of worn-out 

 ropes and sails and all boats' gear. The wood-hoop mer- 

 chants find a profitable and extensive business. Builders 

 of fishing boats have been kept exceedingly busy during 

 the past ten years. We must take into consideration 

 the great number of people employed by the merchants 

 and manufacturers in the preparing of the articles requisite 

 by their necessary assistance to the carrying on of fishing 

 and fish curing, all of whom by the demand are enabled to 

 earn good wages. Last, but not least, let us glance at the 

 salt trade. The quantity of salt used yearly is about 

 100,000 tons, and to the salt manufacturers gives a money 

 value of from 5 5,000 to 60,000, nett, f.o.b., at places of 

 shipment. The principal manufactories are represented 

 at Runcorn or Liverpool, from whose docks the great 

 bulk is shipped. I give this example to show that 

 benefits are not confined locally, but here we have our 

 sister country reaping benefit from the trade. 



Railway Companies are greatly benefited by the vast traffic 

 caused by the herring trade during the season. There is the 

 continual carrying of fresh herrings to the English markets ; 

 the occasional transfer of barrels, for export, from the 

 smaller fishing districts to Aberbeen or other large centres 

 for steamer shipment ; the carriage of supplies of wood from 

 our home merchants ; salt occasionally, hoops, plant, and, 

 above all, the great passenger traffic consequent on the 

 temporary but necessary removings of the fishermen and 

 families for the east coast traffic alone. I estimate that the 

 charges made by the railway companies for the carriage of 

 wood, staves, hoops, salt, plant, and of passengers and their 

 luggage and other necessaries, and of fresh and cured 

 herrings, would be at the lowest not less than 75,000. 



Shipping has in the herring trade one of its greatest 



