IG 



IMPOIITANCE OF INVESTIGATING 



in Holland and other countries: and these countries are 

 ready to supply any quantity if Scotland should be unable 

 to do so. 



Before a proper system of legislation was adopted in 

 this country, and even for some time after the system 

 was introduced, the demand from abroad was incon- 

 siderable ; but confidence having been given from years of 

 experience, and the trade based on a solid foundation, under 

 legal enactments fixing measure and quality, the business 

 progresses, and bids fair every year to extend and in- 

 crease. To prove the progress of the increase, we may 

 state, that in 1812 the total quantity of herrings exported 

 to the Continent was . . . 4,720 barrels. 



In 1815 it amounted to 



1840 



1845 



1850 



1855 

 If any evidence wer 



85,891 „ 

 82,515 „ 

 143,754 „ 

 257,108 „ 

 344,029 „ 

 e necessary to prove that a fixed 

 legal standard, applying to quantity as well as quality, is 

 necessary to ensure success, this statement is all that can 

 be wished. But we have more direct and convincing 

 evidence still ; for when the curers in Scotland thought 

 any size and quality of herrings would sell abroad, and 

 persisted in attempting to supply foreign markets, the 

 attempts were failures, — and the demand for fresh herring 

 being limited, the price was so low as not to induce fisher- 

 men to proceed to fish, and there was a limited or losing 

 trade. But additional evidence that a staple article, at a 

 fair price, will obtain its position in the market, is obtained 

 by the account of the importations at one of the principal 

 importing ports on the Continent (Stettin) for a series of 

 years past. 



