Supply of Fish mn Great Britain. 27 
market, the trade divide the fish into two classes, “prime” 
and “offal.” The “prime” comprise, sole, turbot, brill, and 
cod. The “offal” are chiefly haddock, plaice, and whiting. 
The term “ offal” seems to have been introduced at a time 
when the demand for fish, and the means of carrying it to 
market were much more limited than at present ; and when 
it was, therefore, often found necessary to throw overboard 
much of the less valuable description, which could not bear 
the cost of transport. The use of the word “ offal” is con- 
tinued to the present day, but it may now be held to signify 
the more plentiful and lower priced class of fish which finds 
its way in great abundance to the largetowns. There has 
been little increase in the price of plaice, but haddocks, 
which, in former times, were often thrown overboard when 
the take was great, are now used in two ways, either fresh, 
or smoked, and for the latter purpose have been in great 
demand atan increased price. The proportionof “prime” and 
“offal” fish caught by the trawl varies considerably, but may 
be taken, on the average, at one-fourth of the “prime” to 
three-fourths of the “offal.” Of “prime” fish, sole seems 
to be the general favourite. It is held in highest estimation 
by the greatest number of persons, and is more eaten in 
London than any other kind of “prime” fish; and during: 
the summer, a considerable supply is sent daily from the 
London market to Paris. 
On the whole, there has certainly been a gradual increase 
in the price of fish; but during ten years it has not greatly 
nor suddenly increased. If we compare it with the yearly 
increasing scarcity of butcher’s meat, it would seem that 
the supply of fish keeps better up to the demand. Nor 
wlll this be a matter of surprise when some consideration 
is bestowed on the subject. The endeavour. to increase 
the supply of meat is attended at every step with increasing 
cost. More labour must be bestowed, higher rents, rates, 
and wages, must all be paid, before a limited surface of 
land can be made to add to its productiveness. But the 
fisherman has neither rent nor rates to pay for the rich field 
which he cultivates, and he can man and work a larger 
fishing vessel, and a greater sweep of fishing gear at a 
smaller cost in relation to the produce. 
(To be continued.) 
