xl 



Thirly-third Annual Report 



The total quantity of herrings cured in pickle or otherwise was 

 1,384,528 barrels, as against 1,616,426 barrels in 1913, the decrease 

 being due, as previously stated, to the outbreak of war. Of this total 

 the districts from Eyemouth to Wick inclusive accounted for 702,271 

 barrels, Shetland and Orkney for 449,464 barrels, and the West Coast 

 districts for 232,793 barrels. 



Shetland district once more took the lead in the returns, con- 

 tributing 335,985 barrels, the other districts succeeding in the follow- 

 ing order, Peterhead (201,928), Fraserburgh (191,984), Stornoway 

 (176,904), Wick (153,215), and Orkney (113,479). 



The kippering industry again showed an improving tendency, the 

 quantity so cured being equal to 176,814 barrels, the districts re- 

 sponsible for nearly one-half of the total being Eyemouth (46,144) 

 and Stornoway (37,329) (Appendix D, No. L, p. 127). 



The tinning industry exhibited a decline from 49,952 barrels in 

 1913 to 46,731 barrels in 1914, more than one-half of the total being 

 contributed by Aberdeen. Seven firms were engaged in the industry 

 at that port, and supplies (which were naturally short after July) 

 were received from all parts of the Scottish coast, and also from 

 Yarmouth. The volume of the trade is largely regulated by the 

 market price of the fresh fish, as once this rises beyond 25s. a cran 

 the margin of profit is insignificant, the expenses of preparation 

 being pretty considerable. The fish is put up in both oval and 

 square tins, containing tomato sauce, and each tin is examined by a 

 Board of Trade official. If found satisfactory an official label with 

 the date of examination perforated thereon is affixed to the tin. The 

 introduction of a new machine for the sealing of the tins — the 

 soldering of which was formerly done by hand — has enabled the 

 packers to dispense with the laboui" of 30 tinsmiths. The output of 

 the machine is 20,000 tins per day. The principal distributing centre 

 is London, but exports are also despatched from Glasgow. 



The estimated value of the herrings cured in 1914 (Appendix E, 

 No. IV., p. 138) was £2,082,382, or £832,329 less than in 1913. The 

 following table gives the values from 1899 to 1914 inclusive : — 



Year. 



East Coast. 



Orkney and 

 Shetland. 



West 

 Coast. 



Total. 



Average 

 Price per 

 Barrel. 













s. d. 



1899 



£835,956 



£507,512 



£370,450 



£1,713,918 



29 2 



1900 



823,106 



542,099 



299,469 



1,664,674 



26 7 



1901 



739,905 



686,965 



277,920 



1.704.790 



21 3 



1902 



1,235.617 



577,531 



300,886 



2,114,034 



23 5 



1903 



1,005,328 



510,023 



272,073 



1,787,424 



22 1 



1904 



891,841 



689,439 



234,819 



1,816,099 



17 7i 



1905 



939,684 



041,855 



247,875 



2.229,414 



21 li 



1906 



1,329,086 



1,985,670 



230,586 



2,545,342 



25 5| 



1907 



1,641,9,34 



730,652 



257,091 



2,629,677 



20 4f 



1908 



1,045,411 



736,952 



283,714 



2,066,077 



18 91 



1909 



1,358.802 



728.917 



281,336 



2,369,055 



25 Of 



1910 



1,482,356 



864,023 



264,923 



2,611,302 



22 5 



1911 



1,320,988 



827,960 



242,034 



2,390,982 



23 4h 



1912 



1,471,336 



981,933 



327,862 



2,781,131 



31 9^ 



1913 



1,789,499 



643,717 



481,493 



2,914,711 



36 01 



1914 



1,084,668 



591,385 



406,329 



2,082,382 



30 1 



