THE DON 



133 



ing at Mugiemoss. The local poacher is both expert and bold, 

 and moreover is apt to take unto himself seven others, etc. 

 With the large population of mill-workers which exist in the 

 immediate neighbourhood, the nightly duty of the bailiffs is 

 arduous at the back-end of the year. It takes men of hard 

 mettle to carry out the work really well. 



With regard to the rod results I am greatly obliged to Lord 

 Sempill, who has kindly given me averages in periods of ten 

 years 1868 to 1907 for his Fintray water, and annual totals 

 since 1907. 



The decline from the earlier period is sufficiently obvious to 

 require no comment. Now with the improved passes at the 

 dykes the river is slowly reviving, and it is to be hoped that the 

 ultimate rod catches will be in proportion to the enormous 

 litigation. 



