SEA-FISHERIES LABORATORY. 103 
THe LiveRPoot LABORATORY. 
Dr. Johnstone has been frequently engaged on and off 
during the year, both on the shore and in the laboratory, in 
working out important questions in connection with schemes 
for the improvement of mussel cultivation on both the 
Lancashire and the Welsh coasts, as will appear from his 
article on the subject in this report. 
I drew attention last year to the opportunity, which the 
interruption of our scheme of work at sea gave, for a concen- 
tration of effort upon improving the fishing industries of 
the inshore waters and the cultivation of sea beaches. It 
is obvious that when, on the conclusion of war, many men 
return to work along our coasts any increase of employment 
im connection with local fishing industries will be of direct 
and immediate advantage to the country. The extension 
of shell-fish cultivation, for example, will not only add to 
employment, but will increase the food and bait supplies of 
the country, and may lead to the establishment of permanent 
industries of a profitable nature. Much of the Committee’s 
scientific work in the past has been directed towards this 
useful end, and they may fairly be said to have established 
a claim to be regarded as pioneers in both the cultivation 
and the purification of their shell-fish beds. 
Although the Development Commission did not see 
fit to give a grant towards the scheme for transplanting, 
fattening and thef purifymg mussels, which we laid before 
them last year, our Committee has continued the work so 
far as opportunity offered, and much of Dr. Johnstone’s time 
throughout the year has been occupied in the necessary 
topographical inspections of the shell-fish beds and the sub- 
sequent bacteriological investigations in the laboratory. 
It is to be hoped that nothing will be allowed to interfere 
with this work, and that whenever possible further funds 
will be devoted towards the promotion of schemes which 
