HERRING FISHERY* 47 



to be cured in the white way, and this may be done 

 in large tubs or otherwife. The Ordinance of 

 1680 allows for every Jail of herrings (between 

 ten and twelve thoufand) three minots (about three 

 bufhels) of fait. If they are intended for the 

 provinces fomewhat diilant, they lie in the fait 

 tubs for twenty-four or thirty hours ; if for the 

 Mediterranean, forty-eight hours, and for Ame- 

 rica, a little longer. After this they are waflied 

 with great care in frefli water. It is prohibited to 

 wafli them in the brine of white herrings, or in 

 that which flows oif after the half-falting ; if fuch 

 brines were ufed, the herrings would turn infal- 

 libly in three or four days time. Some perfons 

 think, that weak brine, made with new fait, is 

 preferable to water quite frefli, and they fay, that 

 it makes the herrings look well. 



They are waflied in baikets, which are plunged 

 feveral times into tubs of water. This is repeated, 

 until the fait is diflblved., According as they are 

 warned and have dripped, they are fpitted, that is, 

 lining by the head on the fwitches. Care mud be 

 taken not to let them touch one another, fo that 

 they may receive the warm air and the fmoke iu 

 every part. According as the fwitches or fpits arc 

 thus made up, they are handed to men, who place 

 them in the Moves beginning from the top. The 

 lowell row of fwitches is about fix or feven feet 

 above the hearih. When the rows are all made 



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