PROGRESS OF HERRING FISHERY, 15 



previously in a regular manner, in the Clyde, the Forth, 

 off Berwickshire, and the counties of Sutherland and 

 Caithness : it is only since 1815 that extensive fishery 

 stations have heen established in Aberdeenshire, Banff- 

 shire, Morayshire, and Koss-shire ; at Lossiemouth, Port- 

 soy, Cullen, Portknocker, Findochty, Portessie, Banff, 

 Whitehills, Macduff, Gardenstown, Kosehearty, Pitaillie, 

 Fraserburgh, Peterhead, &c. ; and these have become 

 noted places for herrings of the best quality, and as such 

 have added greatly to the number, and the wealth, and 

 prosperity of the inhabitants. 



The increase of the herring fishery depends very 

 much on the demand for exportation, and this demand 

 requires to be carefully cultivated, not merely by the 

 curers, who may be viewed as the manufacturers of the 

 goods, but by the Government, which, by impartial and 

 just legislation, protects the interests of the fisherman, 

 the consumers at home, and the merchants and consumers 

 abroad. That there was an abundance of herrings on the 

 Scottish coasts was known for centuries past ; but when 

 considerable quantities of them appeared, they were of 

 little remunerative value when caught, because the de- 

 mand was limited to the mere local consumption. Before 

 the specific and legalised size and quality of the manufac- 

 tured article — the barrel of well-cured herrings — could be 

 obtained as goods for commercial purposes, a merchant 

 abroad could not buy herrings in Scotland, there having 

 been no legal distinct specific form and quality. The 

 curer might say, my barrels are of every size, and various 

 in quality and price ; but the foreigner could not order nor 

 buy such goods, and he therefore bought herrings which 

 were of legalised size and good quality elsewhere ; and, 

 although he paid a high price, he obtained what he wished 



