PREFACE. 



spondence on the merits and demerits of accli- 

 matization of various foreign fishes. But the 

 fish craze, like other crazes, ran its course, and 

 after a few months was practically forgotten. 



Yet surely a question of such vital importance 

 as the supply of cheap and wholesome food to 

 a vast population merited a better fate than 

 consignment to the waters of oblivion. Is it 

 not a ghastly mockery that in a country sur- 

 rounded by seas teeming with fish there should 

 be found utter destitution in our great cities ? 

 The expenses of deep-sea fishing, the boats, the 

 nets, the trawling gear, the risks attendant upon 

 stormy weather, and a thousand other excuses 

 are all made the most of by the " Fish Ring " 

 to keep up the exorbitant price of fish in the 

 market. Fish being creatures that cost nothing 



