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Appendices to Twenty-fifth Annual Report. 



with the result that, owing to the excessive heat, several parcels that I saw 

 were not only tainted but smelling. One buyer informed me that his 

 loss, on a parcel of trade marks, would amount to several hundred 

 pounds. The result of my visit to several of the stores showed that 

 Scottish curers should pay more attention to their cure and ascertain for 

 themselves, before exporting these early Shetland and East Coast 

 herrings, whether they are really a keepable article or not, otherwise the 

 trade will slowly but surely fall into the hands of other countries. With 

 regard to the selection, the greatest grievance was that the matties con- 

 tained too many large spents. Apart from unbranded herrings, several 

 of the importers mentioned to me that they were afraid to purchase 

 Crown-branded matties at the close of the season, as they were largely 

 mixed with spents. Respecting sunburnt herrings — one barrel of which, 

 if seen by the buyer, is sufficient to detract from the value of a parcel — 

 I may mention that I saw several parcels, from districts extending from 

 Montrose to Wick, which were more or less damaged by sun-heat. 

 Although unbranded herrings were shown me which were destroyed by 

 sun, it was very disappointing to see sunburnt herrings with the official 

 stamp on the barrels. In a season such as the past it would be well that 

 fish curers, for their own interest and the interests of all concerned, 

 should use every means to protect, not only the Crown brands, but all 

 herrings cured by them. Besides, in the shipment of herrings, every 

 precaution ought to be taken with regard to deck cargoes. Owing to 

 excessive heat there has been considerable damage, involving the 

 receivers in serious losses. 



The demand this season for Scottish herrings in Russia and the 

 interior of Germany has been unusually good. Even those directly 

 concerned with the business were unable to explain the cause of the 

 rapid consumption. The high m'ice of meat in Germany, and scarcity of 

 food stuffs in Russia, all contributed to a better outlet and an advance 

 in price. With regard to the great advance in price, it may be 

 mentioned that for several weeks there had been almost tropical heat, 

 and as the early herrings this season were much fatter than usual, 

 buyers were net inclined to risk forwarding them to Russsia. Only 

 small quantities were sent inland. They were waiting for more keep- 

 able herrings, and when the first arrivals of these came in there was a 

 rush which maintained prices during the season. More Crown-branded 

 herrings were this season sent to Russia than usual, because the brand 

 was considered as affording a better guarantee than could be obtained in 

 the case of unbranded herrings, that the fish in the barrels were capable 

 of keeping in good condition, and because a good many of the unbranded 

 herrings, out of earlier arrivals, got spoiled after they had lain for any 

 time in store. 



As there has been no extension of railways either throughout 

 Germany or Russia, no fresh markets have been opened up. Some 

 time ago the Russian Government had arranged to deepen the river 

 Vistula, but owing to internal trouble and want of money the work in 

 the meantime has been abandoned. The deepening of the waterway would 

 materially increase the traffic and the consumption of herrings in that 

 direction. 



Humbly submitted, 



John Skinner, 

 Assistant Inspector. 



The Secretary, 



Fishery Board for Scotland, 

 Edinburgh. 



