SALMON OVA. 67 



In 1828 the annual rental of the fishings was 

 14,574 10s. In this year Home Drummond's Act 

 was passed, which made the net fishing legal up to 

 14th September, instead of 26th August; thereby 

 enabling the proprietors to kill an increased number 

 of parent fish on their way to the spawning beds, the 

 effect of which we see was gradually to reduce the 

 rent of 1828 from 14,574 10s. down to 1852, when 

 the rental was 7,973 5s. The proprietors then be- 

 gan to get their eyes opened to the injurious effects 

 of this extension of the fishing season, and agreed 

 voluntarily to close their fishing on the 26th August 

 instead of 14th September, (since closed on the 20th 

 August.) 



This year, viz., 1852, the breeding establishment 

 at Stormontfields was commenced, and with the 

 netting season reduced by nineteen days together 

 gradually produced a good result. 



I do not suppose that any stronger evidence can be 

 adduced in support of the necessity of not killing too 

 many of the parent fish, and of adequate protection to 

 them on their spawning ground. 



I have no doubt that fish, like other animals, also 

 suffer from diseases, as no two seasons are alike pro- 

 ductive ; vast quantities are seen going to the sea, 

 yet from some unknown causes we may have a bad 

 season, and but few be caught. In very dry seasons 

 they remain in the sea, and about the mouth of the 

 river, when too many are in consequence caught; 

 whilst in wet seasons they are more difficult to catch, 

 and escape into the rivers and lakes. But one thing 

 is very certain, they must be well looked after and 

 protected from injury during the breeding season ; 

 they must have free access to all the small streams, 

 over mill weirs and obstructions, as unless they are 

 bred by millions they can never be found in the market 

 by hundreds. 



