1 14 MODERN SEA FISHING 



the mussel attains a size of 2 to 2\ inches in about three 

 years. 



There are two methods of cultivating mussels. One on the 

 bed system, which is common in Scotch and English waters ; 

 and the bouchot system, as practised in PYance, the mussels 

 being grown on open wattle fences placed in the water. This 

 method has been attempted without much success in Scotland. 

 It has been asserted that mussels grown on bouchots are not a 

 good colour for bait, being more suitable for table purposes. 

 So far as my own experience goes, one colour is about as good 

 as another only the exceedingly pale mussels not being relished 

 by the fish. 



Two or three years ago some Nairn fishermen placed a few 

 tons of minute mussels in a sheltered tidal bay with a sandy 

 bottom. The seed took hold and rapidly grew to a large size. 

 A new lot of seed was brought from the Bay of Findhorn, a 

 noted mussel bed. It took root and, at the end of about two 

 years, spawned. The experiment was regarded as a great 

 success. Fishermen who use the home-cultivated baits are 

 believed to catch many more fish than do the men who use 

 imported mussels. This is a patriotic belief, so let it stand. 



Among other uses of mussels is that of making oyster sauce 

 in London restaurants and sundry hotels, both rural and urban. 

 I have known several people made ill by eating these shell fish, 

 and regard them more favourably as baits for fish than as food 

 for human beings. Being anxious to look into the harmfulness 

 or harmlessness of mussels as food, I once put this question 

 to a little fisherboy at Hastings : ' Did you ever know anyone 

 ill after eating mussels ? ' 



He said ' No ' at first, but seeming to hesitate, I repeated 

 the question. ' Only grandmother,' he added. 



' And what happened to her ? ' I asked. 



' Oh, she swelled up a bit.' 



