164 INVESTIGATIONS IN FORTH, 1895, 



loss to the liners in this comparison. The average value of 

 haddocks captured in 1883-84 is given as £320,702, but it is 

 well also to take note of their weight : 



cwts. 



1883 543,568 = £340,6931 



1884 464,049 - £300,712 

 Total 1007,617 



or an average for the period of 503,808 cwts. = £320,702. 105. 

 Doubtless the critic thought he had to do with a period 

 when the distribution of the haddock in our seas was much 

 more abundant, and, as the captures by liners and trawlers 

 were, he says, not separated, there was a certain haziness 

 not inconvenient for argument. But during that period 

 accurate investigations had been made on most of the im- 

 portant grounds, and thus the situation was well known. 



During the second of the periods the following is the 

 condition : — 



cwts. 



1895 Haddocks landed by liners 663,548 = £272,692 



„ „ trawlers 337,792 = 136,91 4 



Total 1,001,340= £409,606 



1896 Haddocks landed by liners 670,685 = £283,638 



„ „ trawlers 31 9,513 = 136,847 



Total 990;i98 = £420,485 



or an average of 995,769 cwts. = £415,045. That is to say, 

 during the second period, nearly double the weight of haddocks 

 was landed. It is thus, perhaps, well that weights were left by 

 the critic out of sight, else the J for the liners and ^ for the 

 trawlers (supposed to be taken outside 20 miles) would not 

 have been of much service. Fortunately, moreover, prices do 

 not regulate the distribution of the marine food-fishes. 



The value of the haddocks of the period 1883-84, is 

 correctly given, viz. an average for each of the two years of 

 £320,702. 105., but it is assumed that the fishes were all caught 

 within 20 miles, a conclusion open to doubt. 



In regard to the second period, we have other sources of 



1 A writer holds that the market-value of fishes has been increased by 

 200 per cent, during the decade 1886 — 96. He will not find these statistics 

 bear out his view. The application of his opinions to the promulgation of 

 the theory of the dearth in the inshore waters misses the mark. 



