SOME ECONOMIC ASPECTS OF SHORE LIFE 295 



The utilisation of seaweed as manure carries several 

 advantages. It conserves moisture and has a special value 

 in improving the mechanical condition of the soil, an effect 

 which is due to the changes of form following upon variations 

 in the moisture content, algae being markedly hygroscopic. 

 Moreover, no weed seeds, fungus spores or larvae of injurious 

 insects are introduced by its use, as is frequently the case 

 with farmyard manure. Seaweed is used as a dressing for 

 potatoes, mangold, turnips, and cabbage, and sometimes as a 

 top dressing for young " seeds." Ten to fifteen tons per 

 acre are given to lucerne, or to sainfoin, in autumn (Isle of 

 Thanet) and raked off in spring ; 25-30 tons per acre are 

 used for the potato crop in Ayrshire. 



Pethybridge (191 5) describes how in certain favourable 

 localities artificial beds of stone are laid on the coasts 

 of Achill Sound, Co. Mayo, the Donegal Coast and 

 Mill Bay, Co. Down, to obtain an extra source of algae 

 for manurial purposes. Rectangular beds are formed of 

 more or less regular lines of stone, and these belong to 

 those farmers whose land fringes the coast. The algae are 

 cut once in two or three years, and are sometimes sold. If 

 the stones sink, they may have to be raised by means of 

 spade and crow-bar. The weed is cut with a hook. Some 

 of the beds are stated to be from one to one and a half miles 

 from high-water mark. One bed in 1913 sold for ^^40, 

 the area cut being 38 sq. perches (Irish). The average 

 price per load in that year was 15^. to 16^., and in 19 14 

 only Ss. 



Yendo (19 14) describes similar methods for the coast of 

 Japan, a difference being that the crevices between the 

 stones are filled in. By so doing a richer vegetation is 

 obtained, since more or less flat reefs are the richest for 

 sea- weed. Yendo further states that the cultivation of 

 marine algae in Japan yields an annual value of a million 

 pounds sterling, of which about one-third is exported to 

 China. In many cases women and children do the work on 

 the farms and the sea- weed cultivation, the men being 

 fishers. Davidson {op. ctt.) stated that no less than fifty-one 



