of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 



245 



Calms and light winds prevailed during July and the first two weeks Weather, 

 in August, and the sailing boats were frequently becalmed at sea for 

 several days in succession. The results obtained by steam drifters were 

 also disappointing. Not until the weather became unsettled were the 

 beit results obtained, or the usual proportion of large full herrings 

 caught. Towards the close of the season big shots of spent herrings 

 were landed daily. On the 6th September an extraordinary quantity of Heavy Catch 

 these spent herrings was landed, for which there was an unprecedented p^^ ,gl1 

 demand, the average price for the day's catch being 22s. per cran, as 

 compared with 3s. Id. per cran for a similar quantity of the same kind 

 of herrings landed on the last day of August 1904. The demand for 

 these herriugs was so good that practically the whole of the day's catch — 

 some 18,000 barrels — were immediately purchased in a cured state, 

 principally by Jewish buyers for the Eussian markets, at prices remunera- 

 tive to curers. 



In the early part of the season the herrings were cured for immediate Curing, 

 consumption, and nearly all were consigned unsold. In general, the 

 returns were satisfactory. As the season advanced more salt was used 

 to preserve the herrings for a longer period. Prices rose gradually as the 

 season advanced until the second week in September, when there was a 

 sudden fall of from 2s. to 4s. per barrel on the various brands, with the 

 result that at the close of the year there were between 8000 and 9000 

 barrels on hand. 



Considering the small number of men employed in line fishing, the L/ine Fishing, 

 results were fairly satisfactory. At no time were haddocks plentiful, 

 but during the early and closing months of the year codlings were in 

 great abundance, and the best results were obtained as near the land as the 

 lines could be set with safety. 



When not engaged in outdoor work in connection with the various Barrel-making, 

 herriug fishings coopers were steadily employed at barrel- making, and 

 all those inclined to work earned high wages. There was an increased 

 demand for barrels with an iron hoop on each end and wooden hoops on 

 the quarters. Many thousands of these were dispatched to other districts, 

 principally Shetland, Lowestoft, and Yarmouth. 



An increased number of vessels engaged in the English herring fishing. English Her- 

 The steamers met with remarkable success, but sailing boats were not so rin g Fishing, 

 fortunate. The average earnings of the former were .£956 and of the 

 latter £190. 



The harbour improvements begun in September 1905 were pushed Harbour 

 forward with gratifying success, and the north harbours were opened in Improvements, 

 time for the summer traffic. Operations were not so successful during 

 the autumn of 1906, and the deepening of the south harbour will have to 

 be delayed until the close of the 1907 herring fishing. 



[Table. 



