THE GILL-NET COD FISHERY. 229 
ing the slack or scope from going on the bottom when there is no current. Where there is a strong 
tide, and a probability of the large buoy being drawn under the surface of the water, a number of 
the glass balls are attached to it with a line, these serving as “watch-buoys” for the other. 
NEWFOUNDLAND METHODS.—The nets employed in the Newfoundland cod fishery are usually 
made of hemp twine one size smaller than salmon-twine, which is also occasionally used. The size 
of the mesh is generally about 6 inches (3 inches square), a large mesh not being required for the 
small fish that frequent that coast. The nets vary in length from 50 to 80 fathoms and in depth 
from 3 to 4 fathoms. They are hung to the lines in the same way that the Norwegian nets are, the 
foot-line being 14-inch rope, while small-sized double lines of opposite lays are the hangings for 
the top and ends. Rope is used on the lower part of the net, because, when set close to the bottom, 
small line would probably be bitten off by ground-sharks, thereby causing the loss of a portion of 
the net. 
To preserve the nets the Newfoundland fishermen make a mixture of tan and tar, which is 
thought better than either used separately. The tan is commonly made from spruce buds, fir 
bark, and birch bark (hemlock bark is not used), which are boiled together until sufficiently strong, 
when the bark is removed, and tar added in the proportion of 5 gallons of tar to 200 gallons of 
tan, the whole being stirred well together. Considerable care is necessary in applying this, or 
else it will not be evenly distributed. on the net. The custom of mixing tan and tar has doubtless 
been introduced from England, as it is known that the Cornish fishermen do this, pouring out their 
tanning liquor into large vats with coal tar, and this mixture is found to preserve the nets much 
longer than simple tanning. The Newfoundland nets, when prepared in this manner, generally 
last about four seasons. 
The floats are made of the best bottle-cork, when obtainable. Before being used they are 
dipped in hot pitch or tar, after which it is said they will stand for four weeks at the bottom in 50 
fathoms before getting water-soaked. The fishermen have two sets of floats—one when soaked 
being replaced by the other. 
The sinkers most generally in use by the Newfoundland fishermen are made by tying small 
rocks in a bag of old netting or cloth; but lead sinkers, similar to those on seines, are occasionally 
attached to the nets. The sinkers weigh from 1 to 2 pounds, are about 13 feet apart, and are fas- 
tened close to the bottom of the net. ‘ 
Anchors, rocks, and stone killicks are used for moorings to the nets. The-former weigh from 
20 to 25 pounds each, while the killicks and rocks vary from 25 to 60 pounds, the heavier heading 
the current and the lighter being on the opposite end of the net or gang. 
The buoys are’generally made of dry fir poles, 6 to 8 inches in diameter, are usually from 3 to 
4 feet long, and sharpened at one end, through which is a hole for the strap that the buoy-line 
bends to. Kegs are also used for buoys. 
AMERICAN METHODS.—The nets that were first tried in Ipswich Bay were made of twine 
about the same size as that used in Norway; indeed, part of them were Norwegian nets which had 
been lent to Capt. George H. Martin by the United States Fish Commission. ‘These were found, as in 
the previous trials made by the Commission, entirely too weak for tlre purpose, and were soon badly 
torn; not, however, before it had been proved that suitable nets could be very successfully used. 
The nets that have since been constructed for this fishery are made of twelve-thread Scotch flax 
twine. The twine is very strong, and is found to be well adapted for the capture of large cod. 
The nets are 9-inch mesh (43 inches square), that size having been found well adapted for taking the 
large winter cod in that locality. 
The size of the nets depends somewhat on the locality where they are used, and also on the 
