THE HERRING FISHERIES. 23 



last year (1882). Now, although the comparison is very 

 disparaging between this and last year, yet, since the 

 inauguration of the winter fishery, the number for this 

 year is, almost to a cran, "the number for any previous 

 year." 



This is very important in proving no diminution in the 

 fishery itself, but, if possible, an increase, or the numbers of 

 last year mean nothing, and, as we have tried to show, a 

 decrease at one station may mean an increase at another. 



We will now subjoin the tables for the district of 

 Anstruther up to the year 1882. For this year (1883) a 

 very promising commencement was made, and English 

 buyers were early on the ground, and these were even 

 more numerous than any previous year, representing 

 London, Filey, Wolverhampton, Birmingham, Lowestoft, 

 North Shields, Scarborough, Bridlington Quay, &c., and 

 three of the principal English railway companies had 

 representatives at Anstruther. 



For the week ending January 2/th the returns read 



Monday 40 crans, price 52^. to 8oj. per cran. 



Tuesday 200 501. 53*. 



Wednesday .... 150 5&r. 



Thursday (Stormy). 



Friday 102 $"js. 6os. 



Saturday (Stormy) . . 2j 6oj. 



A mixed fleet of 185 boats was by the i/th of February 

 reduced to 130, and these landed 1050 crans, realizing a 

 sum of 3000. One boat had nearly fifty crans, and re- 

 ceived for its cargo 130. 



The 24th of February was the practical close of this 

 fishery, owing to general stormy weather, but the details 

 were very satisfactory for that week, and may be stated in 

 sequence. 



