DISPOSAL OF THE SPOILS. 75 



until July, and then sail for the Labrador coast, where 

 the spoil is most abundant in the fall of the year. These 

 men preserve their catch in salt, and bring it home to be 

 washed, dried, and cured. 



Towards the end of October, when the dark shadows 

 of approaching winter rapidly gather over the sombre 

 "Labrador coast, and the huge ice-fields accumulate in the 

 northern waters, the fishing-fleets forsake their stations, 

 and steer for the various harbours of Newfoundland to 

 which they belong. 



From Labrador a great quantity of fish is exported to 

 the European markets, according to the demand. The 

 "hard dry cured" goes to Spain, Portugal, Italy, and 

 other parts of the Mediterranean basin ; the softer and 

 rich "full fish" to England and Scotland. The fish not 

 thus got rid of, and the cod-oil, are brought to Newfound- 

 land, where they are sold to the merchants, and shipped 

 off at favourable opportunities. 



Most of the medium -sized and best-cured fish is sent to 

 Brazil in " drums," each containing 128 Ibs. To the West 

 India Islands and Demerara it is despatched in large 

 casks, each containing 480 Ibs., or in "drums" of the 

 same weight as those sent to Brazil. To British and 

 European ports the fish is shipped " in bulk." and makes 

 a "good, safe, and buoyant cargo." 



A considerable stock of fish is kept in hand until after 

 the close of the year, and then exported to Roman 

 Catholic countries, so as to reach the markets before the 

 Lenten season begins, when the demand is necessarily 

 very active. Thus the Roman Catholic custom of eating 

 salt fish in Lent proves a source of profit to the Protestant 

 fisher-folk of Newfoundland. 



