140 INVESTIGATIONS IN FORTH, 1889. 



1889, viz. to 90, with the result that a total of 13,768 fishes or 

 152 per haul were obtained. Of these 11,981 or 133 per haul 

 were saleable and 1787 or 19 per haul unsaleable, a reduction 

 in every case on the previous year. Thus the total average is 

 less by 46, the saleable by 45, and the unsaleable by 1. The 

 comparatively small avera,ge number (15) of unsaleable fishes 

 is noteworthy — since it is the lowest in the series. A stricter 

 method of computation both the preceding year and this may 

 have had some connection with the sudden fall in this column. 

 At least four winter months were included in the working 

 period, viz. January, February, March and November, besides 

 April, which has not a high average. The more productive 

 months were May, June, July, August and October. The 

 absence of such a month as September makes a considerable 

 difference, especially when the balance lies between five months 

 with rather a low average, and five with a high average. 



The uncertainty of striking a shoal of round fishes was 

 illustrated in the case of the haddocks, the totals of which 

 (1445) were less by 780 than that procured by only 50 hauls 

 in 1888. Instead of 44 per haul their average was now only 

 16. They reached their maximum in August (33 per haul) 

 and their minimum in the warmer months from April to July. 

 The increase in August was probably due to the immigration 

 of the summer haddocks of the fishermen, though other causes 

 may have intervened. A similar reduction occurred in whitings, 

 the total for which (1358) was 20 below that of the previous 

 year with its 50 hauls. They also reached their maximum in 

 August (32 per haul), their next highest periods being 

 November, October and July ; the numbers during the rest 

 of the months being considerably less. The highest total was 

 that of plaice, 3833 or 42 per haul, a somewhat higher average 

 (by 2) than the previous year. They also reached their 

 maximum in August with an average per haul of 57, June 

 and October following. The minimum was in January (11 per 

 haul) and the next lowest in May (16 per haul). Dabs had a 

 total of 1930 or 21 per haul, three less than the previous year. 

 They likewise reached their maximum in August and their 

 minimum in January. The average per haul in the lemon- 



