HISTORY OP SEA-FISHERIES. 217 



the quality of the unbranded to be raised nearer 

 the quality of the branded, further facilitating 

 their sale. There were thus brought into strong 

 combination last season four points naturally 

 antagonistic to the brand, viz. the novelty of a 

 change of system, payment, a ready market, and 

 leisure for curing. Nevertheless, nearly one 

 third of the whole quantity of fish cured has been 

 spontaneously presented to the Fishing Officers 

 to be paid for and branded. 



The total receipts derived from the fee have 

 been 2644 12s. The estimate taken by the 

 Commissioners of Inquiry of the cost of branding 

 was 3380, so that it may be assumed that if the 

 fishing had proved equal to that of last year the 

 amount would have been realised. 



It was intimated in the report for 1858 that 

 forty -two of the most eminent foreign houses, 

 situated at Stettin, Dantzig, Koenigsburg, Har- 

 burg, Magdeburg, had, from long experience of 

 the brand, made declaration that they were re- 

 solved to carry on their dealings by it, although 

 it should be charged with a fee ; and the year's 

 transactions not merely confirm that assurance, 

 but prove in the most indubitable manner the 



