INTROD UCTOR Y \ 3 



difficult than to find the pieces of cork which are used to mark 

 the pots or lines. Even so large an object as an upturned boat 

 is soon lost to sight in a rough sea. 



Closely connected with this part of my subject are charts. 

 It will be seen later on that certain fish affect certain bottoms ; 

 some preferring rock, others sand, others again marl. An 

 Admiralty chart is supposed to show not only the depths or 

 soundings, but also to indicate the nature of the bottom, the 

 direction and speed of tidal currents, and generally to give 

 information of value to those who have anything to do with the 

 sea. At the same time special fishery charts are needed, and 

 it is to be hoped that the Admiralty or Board of Trade will see 

 the necessity of preparing something of the kind. At present 

 we must make the best of what we have, and whenever any new 

 place is visited the fisherman should buy a chart and note on it 

 the marks of the best fishing grounds. When entering marks on 

 the chart it is a simple matter to indicate with a few pencil lines 

 the tree, barn, church, or whatever they may consist of, not draw- 

 ing the .things elaborately, but sufficiently plain to recognise 

 what is intended. If the marks consist of one headland opening 

 behind another, draw a line between the two headlands and 

 continue it out to sea until it meets the line drawn from the other 

 pair of marks. A note should be made of the kind of fish to be 

 expected at the place, the best time of year, and any bait which 

 is particularly successful there ; for it is a curious fact that baits 

 which will kill at one place may not answer so well in others. 

 Sometimes, too, the fishing ground can only be worked at cer- 

 tain states of the tide, and this also should be carefully noted. 



The Admiralty charts can be obtained at Stanford's, Charing 

 Cross, and other places. There are general charts, secondary 

 or coast series, and special charts of particular bays and inlets 

 where the navigation is difficult, and the chart has to be made 

 on a large scale to show the rocks, &c., and the fairway for 



