10 



tions, however, are situate in the upper part of the Frith. 

 But, at the very mouth of the Tay, and at stations which 

 most men would describe as situate in the ocean itself, the 

 stake-net was resorted to, with no less extraordinary suc- 

 cess. The fisheries on the north shore, belonging to the 

 Honourable Mr. Maule, became, in consequence, of very 

 great value. Before the introduction of stake-nets, they 

 were let for ^100; afterwards they produced 2,750. 

 The fisheries on the opposite shore, again, belonging to 

 Mr. Dalgliesh of Scotscraig, which, before the invention, 

 had produced annually only a few pounds, were now let 

 for 2,105 of yearly rent. In short, it may be stated, 

 as a general fact, that a corresponding increase took place 

 in the value of all the fisheries in the Frith of Tay. * 



By one of those coincidences which sometimes occur, 

 the latter end of last century was likewise remarkable for 

 a valuable discovery by the late George Dempster, Esq. 

 of Dunnichen ; by means of which, the fishers were en- 

 abled to transmit the Salmon, preserved in ice, to distant 

 markets. Without this discovery, although the benefit 

 of the improved mode of fishing would have been experi- 

 enced in the markets, near the fishing stations ; yet the 



* The full extent, however, of the value of the fisheries in the 

 Tay, was never ascertained. Some of the principal stations 

 were not fished at all, or were only partially fished. On the 

 extensive coast belonging to Lord Dundas, on the south side 

 of the Frith, almost immediately opposite to Seaside, not a 

 stake-net was erected. The same may be said of the Errol 

 estate, adjoining to Seaside. And the Town of Dundee's valu- 

 able stations were only partially fished. In fact, from the 

 small number of individuals engaged in the fishery, few pro- 

 prietors had an opportunity of ascertaining the real value of 

 their property. 



