556 



SALMON LEGISLATION IN SCOTLAND. 



fishery which used to yield the Corporation of Carlisle a rent of 722 

 when salmon sold at id. a pound, now yields a rent of only 55 when 

 salmon sells at as many shillings a pound. In a word, the " improved 

 engines " have not only reduced the total produce of the Firth and its 

 rivers, but have reduced the total money value far below the amount 

 at which it stood, when ten tons of the produce brought no more 

 money than one ton brings now." 



CONCLUSION. 



In conclusion we think it may be stated without risk of 

 challenge, that the number of salmon caught in the rivers 

 of Scotland has very greatly decreased during the present 

 century, for causes which are to a great extent remediable. 



That, notwithstanding the combination of so many 

 enemies to its existence, the salmon is still to be found in 

 anything like numbers, is a fact for which we can claim 

 little credit, and it behoves us now anxiously to bestir our- 

 selves to undo the mischief that has been done. When we 

 have reached that point it will be time to go further. 



The following figures may be interesting, as showing the 

 fluctuations in the number of boxes of salmon sent to 

 Billingsgate from Scotland during the last twenty years, 

 since the passing of the Act of 1862. 



(Exclusive of Berwick-on-Tweed from 1874, not distinguished before.) 



