CHRONOLOGICAL HISTORY OF THE HERRING-FISHERY. 253 



above, but out of which the herrings have been removed, 

 washed, and again packed into them, with a larger portion 

 of great salt, preparatory to exportation out of Europe. 



" The Crown brand. No. 5, with P. P., signifying twice 

 packed, is aj)plied to barrels re-packed with well-cured 

 gutted herrings, prepared with great salt for exportation 

 to places out of Europe. 



" Of the several brands thus described l)y Mr Miller, 

 the second, viz., the 'Crown' 'full' brand, is by far the 

 most in use. 



" Mr Miller gives the following statement of the brand- 

 ing of 1846 :— 



Brand, No. 3, . . . 15,194 

 Brand, No. 2, . . . 139,108 

 Brand, No. 4, . . . 521 



Brand, No. 5, . . . 1,976 



" He also states, that of the 139,108 Crown full branded 

 barrels, 124,865 were exj)orted ; and, I may add, that this 

 exportation almost wholly takes place to the northern 

 parts of Europe south of the Baltic. 



" The comparatively small quantity of re-packed branded 

 herrings. No. 3 and No. 4, are for the most part exported 

 to places out of Europe, and chiefly to the West Indies 

 and Mauritius. 



" The representations to which I have alluded as hav- 

 ing been made against the continuance of the branding- 

 system adverted to the general objections to which such 

 systems are liable. In reference to these objections, I 

 may observe that the practice of stamping or branding 

 articles of commerce by public officers, with a view to 

 authenticate their genuineness or good qualit}-, which 

 existed in this country in respect of various kinds of goods, 

 has, by degrees, been almost wholly discontinued. 



