of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 
17 
iu no way justified by the conditions presently seen, and, 
conversely, tlie bed mussels cannot be said to have grown much 
more than those oa the wattles. In another year, wliatever 
difference there is in the ratj of growth will be butter seen 
by an observer. One thiog, however, is certain, and that is 
that the mu3seh on the St Andrews bouchot have nob grown 
so rapidly as do the mussels on the bouchots at the Bay oi: 
Aiguiilon, so, in one aspect at least, the conditions of French 
myticulture do not apply to the same system of mytioulture at 
St Andrews. 
Dr Fullartoa eaters into an elaborate calculation as to the 
respective cost of a boachot in France and in Scotland, and the 
return likely to be derive! in each case; and concludes that 
this system of myticulture in S;3otland would result in an actual 
loss. 
The Bait Fisheries. 
As stated in last year's Keport, the condition of the mussel-beds 
at various parts of the coast are in an unsatisfactory condition. 
The quantities of Scotch mussels landed for the past eight years 
(in tons) are as follows : — 
1883, . 
. 14,078 
1887, . 
. 13,814 
3884, . 
. 12,467 
1888, . 
. 12,481 
1885, . 
. 12,213 
1889, . 
. 9,441 
1886, . 
. 13,063 
1890, . 
. 9,058 
51,821 
44,795 
These figures show that the yield of the Scotch mussel-beds 
during the past four years has been over 7000 tons less than in the 
preceding four years, and that the yield for last year is the lowest 
ever recorded. As stated iu last year's Report, a steamer has been 
running regularly along the East Coast, landing Dutch and English 
mussels for the line fishermen. The quantity delivered (mostly by 
rail from Leith) at Peterhead, Macduff, Stonehaven, and Buckie 
last year was 1445 tons, valued at £3490. Mussels are also 
obtained from Boston in England. The Dutch mussels are pre- 
ferred to all others all along the coast, and vary in price from Is. lOd. 
to 3s. per cwt. 
A remarkable feature regarding bait is the enormous increase in 
the clam-beds in the Firth of Forth in recent years. In 1886 
these beds produced 9100 cwts,, valued at £1256 ; while last year 
the yield was 25,706 cwts., valued at £3297. Besides supplying 
the local fishermen with an excellent bait, large quantities are now 
sent northwards along the coast. In 1889 the quantity thus 
despatched from Leith and Nevvhaven by rail was 515 cwts. ; last 
year the quantity increased to 5240 cwts, 
