DIFFERENT MODES OF FISHING THE HERRING. 99 



nets and boats are of various dimensions, and their size 

 and number depend on the means of the fishermen. 



Nets. — The nets are generally made of flaxen twine, 

 while they ought to be of hemp, this substance being 

 more durable ; and they are most frequently tarred, 

 instead of being barked. The tar must give a disagreeable 

 flavour to the herrings ; besides, tarred nets are not so 

 durable. The fishermen in some localities, at Killybegs 

 for instance, generally anchor their nets, leave them in 

 the water, and proceed on shore, and return to take them 

 in the following morning. 



Seine or Haul Nets. — At Valentia they have a mode 

 of fishing with deep-sea " seines" which is generally very 

 productive. These seines or hauling-nets are composed 

 of fifteen nets joined together, five nets in length and 

 three nets in depth, each single net being 20 fathoms in 

 length, and 170 meshes, or 5 fathoms in depth, so that 

 the whole net, when joined, is 100 fathoms in length and 

 15 fathoms in depth, wath a cork-rope at the top, and 

 leaden sinkers at the foot-rope. In attaching them to 

 the rope, seven yards of net are put on to four yards of 

 rope in the centre, and at the breasts and wings one- 

 third is taken in, or six yards of net go to four yards of 

 rope ; the centre part of the net, for about 20 fathoms, is 

 stouter than at the breast and wings, three threads being 

 in all the twine, but that for the centre is spun thicker. 

 There are two warps requisite, each about 60 fathoms in 

 length ; and there are small half-inch ropes called hrails, 

 fixed to the foot-rope, that are hauled up to purse the net, 

 and bring in the foot-rope quickly, so as to prevent the fish 

 escaping at the bottom, the top-rope always floating on 

 the surface. These nets are generally supplied by fifteen 

 men, each bringing a drift-net, or piece of netting of the 



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