ESTIMATE OF THE YIELD OF FISH. 151 



was the same, a fraction over Is. 9d. per lb. The fish taken in 

 these two months were of a good size, averaging about 20 lb. 

 weight. During April and May the fish did not weigh so 

 heavy, as a run of smaller fish sets in during these months, and, 

 as the season progresses, the quotations, of course, become lower, 

 because in the early part of the year corporation banquets and 

 private dinner parties cause a persistent demand just at the time 

 when, in ordinary places, salmon are least plentiful. This year, 

 however, has been in many respects exceptional, more especially 

 as regards the plentifulness of the supply. In the earlier weeks 

 of the London season fancy prices are obtained by West End 

 fishmongers for their choicest cuts, half a guinea a pound 

 weight having on many occasions been charged. After a little 

 time, when the novelty of a slice of early salmon wears ofi", 

 and the fish from late rivers, and the famous Scotch grilse, 

 begin to reach the London salesmen, the price falls considerably, 

 if the supply be at all equal to the demand : it would not be 

 safe to name a higher average price than Is. 3d. per pound 

 weight. 



It is necessary to be somewhat particular in ascertaining the 

 sales and averaging the price, because it is the only way in 

 which an estimate of the probable number of salmon taken from 

 any particular river can be arrived at. But, even taking the 

 money value of the fish caught as a criterion, an estimate can only 

 at best be a mere guess, although such an estimate is better 

 than none at aU, as no reliable statistics of the total number of 

 fish captured in the Tay can be otherwise obtained. It is not the 

 tacksman's interest to proclaim to his neighbours or his landlord 

 the exact value of his particular bit of water ; but, by knowing 

 the rental of a particular fishery and the average price which 

 the fish bring in the wholesale markets, where most of them are 

 sold, a pretty safe conclusion may be arrived at. One other 

 element is necessary to the calculation, and that is the size of 

 the fish. Salmon, it is gratifying to know, may now be taken 

 all over at a heavier weight than they could ten or fifteen years 

 ago. Last year and the year before many very heavy fish were 

 caught in the Tay, some being over 50 lb. weight, and this 

 season also very heavy fish have been obtained. Although 

 a plentiful run of grilse, ranging from 3 lb. to 7 lb. weight, 

 in the course of the summer tends to reduce the average, 

 more especially as about five grilse for each salmon are taken in 

 the course of the year, it may, for the purpose of an estimate, 



