sect. II. THE COUNTY OF FIFE. 279 



mussels, cockles, &c. For some years past, the 

 herring-fishing in the Frith of Forth, upon the 

 south coast, has been very successful. This, as 

 furnishing a cheap article of provision, and at' 

 the same time giving employment to a great 

 number of hands, has proved highly beneficial 

 to Fife, as well as to the other adjacent counties. 

 The fishing usually commences about the mid- 

 dle or end of October, and continues for jo or 

 12 weeks. Besides the immense quantities that 

 are cured for exportation, a constant and regu- 

 lar supply is conveyed to every part of the coun- 

 ty, during the whole fishing season, and sold 

 frequently as low as I o d. or I s. per long hun- 

 dred of 132. They are used and much liked 

 by all ranks ; and particularly are a great bles- 

 sing to the lower classes, as, when used with 

 potatoes, they afford a cheap and wholesome 

 meal. Besides those that are consumed fresh, 

 considerable quantities are salted by different 

 individuals for future use. 



SECT. III. FUEL. 



FROM the account formerly given of the coal- 

 works in Fife, it is evident that the county must 

 have a constant and abundant fupply of this ar- 

 ticle. The price varies in different places from 

 45. 6 d. to 75. 6d. per ton, at the pit-mouth, 

 according to the quality of the coal, and the con- 

 venience of situation. On the north side of the 

 county, where no coal is to be found, the car- 

 riage and tolls add greatly to the original price. 

 In many places, where the people hire the car- 



