148 Dr Hlbbcrt on the Discovery of the Shetland Cod-tank, 
supply of lampre 3 ^s, whicli they brought with them from their 
own coasts, and afterwards upon the nets which were intended 
for the same purpose to take herring. To hinder the too ra- 
pid motion of the vessel,” sa^^s Mr Low, which would prevent 
their lines from taking the bottom, each has what they call a 
drove-sail, or one which hangs under water, and effectually stops 
her way. They can then pursue their business at leisure.” 
With regard to the improvement of which the fishery is in- 
ternally susceptible, it has been suggested, that in case of a weak 
demand for dried fish, the preparation of what is called mud 
fish may be expedient. This preparation agrees mth the 
Dutch method when they fished off Shetland. Soon after a 
cod was caught, it was split and laid in salt. When thus 
brought into the market, a barrel of cod fish, in May 1778, 
fetched thirty to forty guilders, when one of herrings would 
not bring six. 
It is evident, with regard to dried cod, that the fish prepared 
in Shetland, will ever maintain its pre-eminence over the cod of 
other places. The Newfoundland fishermen are described as ex- 
posing their fish, after it has been salted, on standing flakes, made 
by a slight wattle, and supported by poles often 20 feet from the 
ground. But the humidity is not near so well extracted from 
the fish as when, according to the Shetland method, they are 
carefull}’' laid out upon dry beaches, the stones of which have 
been, during winter, exposed to the abrading action of the 
ocean, and are thus cleared from vegetable and animal matter. 
I am informed that the fishing season for cod might be suc- 
cessfully prolonged. It regularly commences in May, and ends 
in August; but Mr Duncan remarks, that stout vessels might 
be employed the year round, as the cod is to be taken at all sea- 
sons. 
It has been suggested to me, that a serious injury may arise 
to the cod-fisheiy of Shetland, if foreign nations are suffered to 
fish upon the bank, and thus be allowed to enter into a compe- 
tition with us in continental markets ; also, that the bank can 
never become an object of much importance in a national point 
of view, unless an adequate bounty be paid on the quantity of 
fish caught, 'whilst no restrictions are imposed in allusion to any 
