154 ANIMAL LIFE ON SHORES OF CLYDE AND FIRTH. 
far the best class of fish ; and employing the greatest 
number of men, consequently distributing the wealth of 
these harvests of the sea over a greater number of individuals. 
It is plain that were the whole fishing population turning 
to the trawl-net principle, from the great hauls taken, while 
the shoals lasted, the markets would become glutted and 
prices unremunerative, and one-half of those employed 
would require to seek employment elsewhere. In the 
regulation of this most important industry, much requires 
yet to be done by the Legislature. The " trawling system" 
and the "closed time" have again need to be taken into 
consideration; and what undoubtedly is one of the most 
destructive permissions of the trade, and should be immedi- 
ately discontinued, is what is known as the winter fishing 
on the Ballantrae and Girvan banks. For six weeks in the 
beginning of the year, when the fish resort to these banks for 
the purpose of spawning,, an active fishing is pursued by a 
large fleet of boats from all quarters, and hundreds of tons 
of fish captured all in a state of spawn. A more suicidal 
proceeding could scarcely be conceived. What great shoals 
of fish would spring from the spawn thus destroyed ; but 
kill the mother and kill the young seems to be the aim of 
the men who continue the practice year by year. This is 
truly the selfish greed of the present, and destroying the 
certain prosperity of the future. We believe it is the duty 
of the Legislature to step in with prohibition, and teach the 
waiting lesson to " cast thy bread upon the waters and thou 
shalt find it after many days." 
JOHN HORN, PRINTER, 42 ARGYLE STREET, GLASGOW. 
