THE HEUTIING. 



Importance of herring oil to Sweden. 



a considerable branch of industry, and a fiords a 

 subsistence to ten thousand men. 



Within these last fifty years, the Swedes, who 

 formerly procured their herrings from other na- 

 tions, have paid more attention to the fishery and 

 commerce with that fish. In 1745, a company 

 was established for this fishery, which was encou- 

 raged by government, and has brought its her- 

 rings into great repute, particularly those of 

 Gottenburg. In 1764, that town sent to Ham- 

 burgh twenty vessels laden with herrings, which 

 were thought equal in quality to those of Hol- 

 land. From that place alone were exported in 

 3782, two hundred thousand tons of herrings, 

 and from twenty to twenty-two thousand tons of 

 oil. To make one ton of oil, from twenty to 

 twenty-three tons of herrings are required ; and 

 some estimate may be formed of the importance 

 to Sweden of herring oil, since between the years 

 1760 and 1764, the value of the oil made in that 

 country exceeded two millions of crowns. 



The Danes export to Germany, not only the 

 herrings which they take in spring and autumn 

 on the northern coasts of Jutland and the island 

 of Ferro, but likewise send vessels to the coasts 

 of Scotland. In 1767, a herring company was 

 established at Altona, which at present employs 

 fifty busses. A great quantity of smoked herrings 

 is also sent from Holstein to Hamburgh, and other 

 neighbouring towns. 



