THE PEESIDENT S ADDRESS. 331 



Fish. 



Turning to another of our old tradititional productions " Fish," 

 the exports of pilchards in 1876 exceeded that of the previous 

 year by 1571 hogsheads, and it is remarkable that the price 

 realized, though for the month of November only, was 100s. per 

 hogshead, but at a time when there were unfortunately only about 

 500 hogsheads in the coxmty. This price had not been obtained 

 for 61 years, for the last time such a price was reached was 

 in 1815. The total exports however, only amounted to 9,908 

 hogsheads, a number far short of the quantity exported only 5 

 years before, when 45,683^ hogsheads were sold, which was, 

 however, the largest niimber exported within this century. 



During August and September of last year about 1,800 hogs- 

 heads were cured. In October only 50 hogsheads (this month 

 has heretofore generally produced the greatest quantity.) In 

 November, December, and January 8,000 hhds. This year about 

 2,000 hogsheads were landed in Devonshire and brought to 

 Cornwall to be cured. This was a most exceptional fact, and so 

 large a number had never before been, for this purpose, sent to 

 us from Devon. '^^ 



The returns from the "West Cornwall Railway Stations for the 

 transport of fish is as follows : — 



Tons. Value. \ Shewing an increase of 



1875 3,132 £16,814 1,273 tons, and 



1876 4,405 £19,565, or £2,751 more in value. 



Vegetables and Fruit. 



The demand for our early vegetables and produce continues to 

 increase ; although the extent of land in cultivation has for the 

 last few years increased regularly, quite ten per cent, per year, 

 and the supply is yet much below the demand. 



The crop of potatoes last year was good, and entirely free from 

 disease. Large profits were realized by the growers, nearly 500 

 acres were "tilled," and made nearly £60 per acre.f Formerly 

 the greater quantity of potatoes were " tilled " before Christmas, 

 and rarely escaped frost, but now, except small quantities, they 

 are not set until March, and thus generally escape frost, the sets 

 being sprouted, mature quite as early as formerly, and the crops 



* I am indebted to the valuable Tisb circulars of Messrs. Fox & Co., and of 

 Messrs. Bolitho & Co. for this information. 



1 1 am indebted to Mr. J. Thomas, of Gulval, for this statement. 



