7 
7 * 
(lie 
In a succeeding number we propose to examine the 
modes and processes employed at present for treating these 
fibres and how far they are adapted for bringing them into 
their best obtainable state. 
Foots Cray Paper Mills, S.E. 
Nov. 26, 1866. 
254 Supply of Fish in Great Britain. 
WHETHER -THE SUPPLY OF FISH FROME 
SEA FISHERIES OF GREAT BRITAIN@G= ee 
CREASING, STATIONARY, OR DIMINISHING? 
HOUGH there has been much conflicting evidence 
on this point, we have no difficulty in coming to the 
conclusion that, on the coasts of Great Britain, the supply 
of fish is increasing, and that it admits of progressive 
increase. It fluctuates according to the locality and the 
season of the year. In the autumn of 1863 the north-east 
coast of England yielded a meagre in-shore fishing ; while 
in the following year we found on the east coast of 
Scotland the haddock fishing had been one of the best 
ever known ; and at the time that the in-shore fishing was 
unproductive in 1863, that carried on by the decked 
vessels further to sea was yielding an abundant supply. 
The evidence, where strongest in favour of a gradual 
decline in the yield of fish, was nearly always accompanied 
by statements showing a progressive increase in the 
number of men and boats engaged in the fishing; and 
not only have these numbers uniformly increased, but 
there has also been an increase in the length of each 
fishing line and the number of hooks upon it, in the 
length and depth of the nets, and in the size and sea-going 
qualities of the boats. The machinery for fishing has 
been increased in efficiency, while in proportion to that 
efficiency the cost of working it is actually diminished. 
With the exception of the statistics of the Northern 
Herring Fishery, collected by the Scotch Fishery Board, 
there are no means of ascertaining, even approximately, 
the annual yields of fish on the coasts of the United 
Kingdom. The only facts we have been able to obtain 
are returns of the fish traffic on several of the great lines 
of railway which the fish is transported from the fishing 
ports to the markets. This return shows, in 1863, an 
