1 
370 
much depends upon the boats making a quick run in. The season 
ended with very heavy catches, and consequent low prices, the 
total result being 2797 lasts. The largest previous spring fishery of 
which I have a note is that of 1874-, viz. 25 4 G lasts, which it will 
be seen has been exceeded in the past season by 251 lasts. 
There can be no two opinions as to the small size and inferior 
quality of the spring Herrings, and it is a matter of great regret 
that they should be taken at that season. The late IMr. Buckland 
spoke in terms of unmeasured contempt of spring Herring, but 
from their value as bait at that time could not recommend the 
authorities to prohibit them being taken. Mr. de Cau.x (‘The 
Herring and the Herring Fishery,’ p. 131) says, that it is no 
uncommon thing now, to see nets with from 40 to 44 meslies to 
the yard, whereas, previous to 1864, the mesh was regulated by 
Act of Parliament at one inch from knot to knot. He shows that 
the small meshes destroy the large fish by catching them by the 
nose only, and not by the gill-covers; they then drop out and arc 
lost ; whereas the small fish, which ought to pass through, alone 
are taken. Were a proper-sized mesh used the spring fishery 
would be impossible, as the fish would pass through it and 
escape. 
In the middle of June, the Lowestoft boats engaged in the 
l\Iackerel fishing brought in a large number of fine Herring, which 
sold well, sometimes producing as much as ten to twelve shillings 
l)er 132. The total midsummer catch was 374 lasts. 
The grand Herring voyage, and the only one irntil of late years, 
is of course the autumn fishery, which lasts, according as the weather 
and season are more or less favourable, from October to December. 
Then it is that the ports of Yarmouth and Lowestoft put forth all 
their energy, and the fish wharves from day to day present a busy 
and most interesting scene. 
All round the coasts of Horfolk and Suffolk, for some miles 
inland, a large proportion of the male population present a strangely 
semi-nautical appearance, their rolling gait, blue guernseys, and 
capacious witney trousers, into the deep pockets of which their 
arms are thrust almost up to the elbo^vs, indicate unmistakably 
their familiarity with salt water, kfany of tliese men spend a 
very mixed existence ; sometimes tilling tlic land, at others 
ploughing the ocean; but as soon as the land harvest is brought to 
