SPRAT. 103 



are prepared for use and exportation by salting, 

 smoking, &c. 



The salmon seems to be very partial to the 

 sprat, always cultivating his acquaintance "when 

 possible, as he furnishes many a good meal whilst 

 in the sea. The sprat seems to be chiefly on the 

 shores of Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, and Kent. 

 Sprat fishing commences in November and lasts 

 through the winter season. The best time for 

 fishing is during dark nights with plenty of fog. 

 The sprat is caught sometimes with drift nets 

 similar to those used for taking mackerel, pil- 

 chards, and herrings, but by far the most success- 

 ful plan pursued is that known by the name of 

 " Stow Boat fishing," for account of which see 

 article "Apparatus." Vv'ith this method almost 

 incalculable quantities of sprats and the small fry 

 of other species of fish are taken, and, sad to say, 

 are sold to farmers on the coast for manuring the 

 land. This fishery gives employment to between 

 four and five hundred boats during the season. 

 About forty bushels per acre is the quantity usu- 

 ally put on the land, at from sixpence to eight- 

 pence per bushel. Thousands of tons arc some- 

 times thus used during good seasons. In 1829-30 



