232 FISH CULTUEE. 



300 tons, manned by at least forty men in each, 

 and found with seven to nine heavy anchors, and 

 upwards of 800 fathoms of hemp cables. These 

 vessels have each four to five large boats, that can 

 stand heavy weather, lines that cover a great extent 

 of ground, and numerous nets and fishing tackle ; 

 17,000 to 20,000 of these men return to France 

 every winter, and are ready to serve the imperial 

 marine. The bmmties given hy France are not for the 

 advancement of trade, hut to create a navy 1 



" In October, 1857, it was stated that Sir G. B, 

 Pechell, M.P., intended to bring under the considera- 

 tion of Parliament, in the approaching Session, the 

 whole question of the fisheries of France. Within 

 a few days of that month, twenty-one vessels had 

 arrived at Marseilles with 2,357,000 kilogrammes of 

 cod-fish." 



Companies have been tried at times, but being in 

 bad and non-practical hands, they have proved 

 failures, and this has greatly discouraged any others 

 from making the attempt. 



The most valuable fish which visits our coasts 

 is, unquestionably, the Herring. In Scotland, where 

 the fishery is very extensive, there are said to be 

 so'mething like 70,000 persons engaged in fishing 

 and curing, and 11,000 vessels of all sizes. 



