58 THE HABITS OF THE SALMON. 



I St (in many rivers it should be much earlier), and if 

 a free run were allowed past the highest netting 

 stations for at least twelve hours during the weekly 

 close time, I should not attach much importance to 

 the date of the commencement of the net season. 

 But, although a close time such as Mr. Dickson pro- 

 poses might suit the Tay as well as other early rivers, 

 it would of necessity be quite unsuitable for rivers 

 into which salmon do not run until later on ; so the 

 close time in those rivers should be fixed according 

 to their respective requirements. I observe with 

 regret that there is a growing inclination to extend 

 the netting season on some rivers beyond all rea- 

 sonable limits. The present annual close time 

 commences far too late already ; and in consequence 

 salmon are scarce. Yet several proprietors of 

 fishevies are particularly anxious to get the netting 

 season prolonged ; and, knowing that rod-fishermen 

 would not object to such extension of time, they are 

 willing to let the rod-fishing be prolonged for as 

 many days extra as are allowed for the nets. But if 

 they ever succeed, a more suicidal arrangement could 



