BOOK 11. 

 ON FISHING AND CUEING. 



CHAPTER I. 



OF THE DIFFERENT MODES OF FISHING THE HERRING. 

 1. THE SCOTCH METHOD. ' 



Boats. — In fishing herrings on the east coast of Scot- 

 land, the fishermen generally use open boats, the largest 

 being about 38 feet in length and 14 feet in breadth, 

 having two masts and four sails ; but on the west 

 coast, boats, with half decks, are used, which are supe- 

 rior to those generally in use on the east coast, as far as 

 comfort is concerned. 



Nets. — The strongest and most durable nets are made 

 of hempen twine, and were formerly principally made by 

 the family of the fisherman ; but of late they have been 

 manufactured by patent machinery. Nets of cotton have 

 been lately used, and although not so durable as those of 

 hemp, they are cheaper, and are found, when not dyed, to 

 take a larger quantity of herrings. Each net has generally 

 from 12 to 15 score of meshes or squares, and is 50 

 yards in length ; and each boat has from 12 to 50 

 nets on board. The meshes of the net are in some 

 cases 1 inch, and in others, I5 inch square ; therefore, 

 a twelve-score net of 1 inch square is 20 feet in depth; 



