230 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES. 



movements or habits of the fish. In some places where the cod keep close to the bottom, long 

 shallow nets are probably the most suitable, while at other points, as at the Lofoten Islands, where 

 fish are often found in the greatest numbers some distance from the bottom, deeper nets are 

 required. 



The nets made for Captain Martin were 50 fathoms long and 3 fathoms deep, but as nearly all 

 the fish were caught near the bottom, other parties have since had longer nets of less depth ; 

 many of those made for the shore-fleet are 100 fathoms long and 2 deep.* These were hung to 

 small double lines of opposite lays, and they are generally tanned or tarred before being used. It 

 maybe well to mention here the Dutch method of tanning cotton herring nets, which is thought 

 better than any other by those foreign fishermen, and may, perhaps, be applied with equal advan- 

 tage to other nets, when made of that material. The tan is made by boiling catechu in water in the 

 proportion of 1 pound of the former to 2 gallons of the latter. When the solution is sufficiently 

 strong the nets are soaked in it for twenty-four hours, after which they are dried. They are tanned 

 and dried three times, and then soaked in linseed oil. A pound of oil is provided for each pound 

 of net, and they are allowed to remain in it as long as any will be absorbed. They are then well 

 drained and spread out on the ground to dry, after which the process is completed by tanning them 

 once more. 



Glass floats, similar to those of Norway, have been used on the American nets.t These cost 

 about 30 cents each, when covered with coarse netting, and twenty-five of them are attached to a 

 50-fathom net. Bricks are chiefly used for sinkers, one of which is fastened to the foot of the net 

 directly beneath each of the floats, they being held in the same manner that stone sinkers are. It 

 is probable that suitable metal sinkers may soon be devised, and perhaps desirable improvements 

 may be made in the floats as well, though various devices which have been tried have not met 

 with the approval of the fishermen. The cost of nets 50 fathoms long, with floats attached, is 

 about $18. 



Fourteen-pound trawl-anchors have been found suitable for Ipswich Bay, one being attached 

 to each end of a gang of three nets, but it is quite probable that heavier ones will be required 

 where there is deeper water and more current. 



The buoys are common quarter-barrels, rigged in the same manner as for trawling. 



3. THE NEWFOUNDLAND FISHERY. 



Gill-nets have long been used in the Newfoundland cod fishery, especially on the east and 

 south coasts of the island, but the exact date of their introduction is unknown. It is asserted, 

 however, that this method of fishing has been pursued since early in the present century, and is 

 still carried on to some extent. 



The coast of Newfoundland is indented with many large bays or fiords, which are favorite 

 feeding grounds for the cod. In the early summer they make their appearance in pursuit of the 

 capelin that gather in immense numbers along the shores to spawn, and generally remain from 

 three to five weeks. During this time the schools of cod usually keep near the surface of the water 

 and the nets are set floating, but later they are set at the bottom, for when the capelin leave the 

 shores the cod move into deeper water. The nets are set singly or in gangs of three to seven. Two 

 anchors are generally attached to a gang of floating nets, as represented in the plate, but where 

 there is a current one is sometimes found sufficient. They are usually set in the afternoon and 



* These nets have been principally made by the American Net and Twine Company, and H. & G. W. Lord, 

 Boston, Mass. 



t These aie made at the glass factories in Boston. 



