216 CHRONOLOGICAL HISTORY OF THE HERRING-FISHERY. 



with practical men as inspectors on the spot, watching that 

 the abundant supply of wholesome food shall be properly- 

 cured and packed in sufficient barrels ; and thus the igno- 

 rant or dishonest curer is prevented from destroying his 

 own trade and profit, and made to prepare the herrings in 

 the best and most scientific manner. 



The encouragement offered by the bounties again 

 brought a number of adventurers to fit out busses, the 

 following being the numbers sent from Scotland in the 

 eight years previous to 1784 : — 



But again we see the number of busses gradually reduced, 

 which we find to be owing to the many obstacles con- 

 tinuing in the restrictive laws and the large duties and 

 fees imposed on the trade. 



The system of high bounties having been found inade- 

 quate to promote the fisheries to the full extent, the im- 

 portant subject of endeavouring to establish a great 

 patriotic undertaking became a national question. The 

 desire was universal at this period to bring into full ope- 

 ration such a system as would give employment and food 

 to a great portion of the population. For an average of 

 some years not above 26,000 barrels of herrings had been 

 exported. A committee was therefore appointed by the 

 House of Commons in 1785, who examined many wit- 

 nesses, and invited the opinions of those conversant with 

 the subject. 



