THE SUMMER SHORE-FISHERY. 71 



American and Canadian being the smallest, and the 

 French the largest. On arriving at the fishing-field they 

 drop anchor, using hemp instead of chain cables, and des- 

 patching their boats to lay down and bait the bultow. 



The Americans and Canadians, when loaded, proceed 

 to the sea-ports of Nova Scotia or Newfoundland to dis- 

 charge their cargoes, after which they return to the 

 banks, generally making three trips in a season. The 

 French, if they fish on the northern part of the banks, 

 make for that part of the French shore which begins at 

 Cape St. John, the northern headland of Notre Dame 

 Bay ; those fishing further south proceed to the Mique- 

 lon Islands, which, by treaty, were reserved exclusively 

 for the French fishermen. 



The first appearance of the cod-fish is made early in 

 May, and the fishing season lasts until November, when 

 the shoals pass away into deeper waters for their winter 

 habitat. But on the north-west coast of Newfoundland, 

 and particularly in the vicinity of Cape Kay, the fishery 

 is carried on " all the year round," and even in the winter 

 is of a very profitable character. 



The summer shore fishery is prosecuted in skiffs, punts, 

 and the so-called " western boats." The punts do not 

 venture far from land ; and as their crew consists only of 

 " a man and a boy," it would not be safe for them to do 

 so. The skiffs are generally decked, well-equipped, and 

 capable of riding out a tolerably severe gale. They carry 

 two to four men. The " westera boats " are manned by 

 seven to twelve veteran " salts," and usually fish with 

 the seine. They belong principally to Conception Bay ; 

 and, as a recent writer informs us, they proceed from the 

 bay to the south and south-west coasts, always bringing 



