and on the Salmon-Fisheries. SBS 
ifiarket is just as regularly supplied with salmon during the close-season, as it is 
at any season of the year p. 116. How far these facts bear out Sir H. Davy 
in his^assertion, that “ the great northern fisheries, and the Irish fisheries', 
are much less productive than formerly, (p. 145.), the reader must determine: 
But if we believe the opinion of Mr Little, in reference to the Solway, to be 
true, and extend it, as supported by the preceding evidence, to all the other 
great fisheries, “ I believe I can prove, from the dealers in salmon in the neigh- 
bourhood of the Solway Frith, that there were more killed in these nets by 
poachers, during the winter season of last year, than was killed during the pro* 
pqr season for killing salmon then must we conclude, that salmon are as 
abundant as ever, but poachers now enjoy a greater share than formerly, tb 
the injury of the legal fisher. 
2. Stake-nets — This part of the evidence assumes three very different asi^ 
pects. The river fisheries are said to have decreased, in consequence of the 
operation of the stake-nets in the estuaries and on the shore. The evidence 
on this subject exclusively refers to the Murray Frith, and the Frith of Tay; 
In reference to the Tweed, the decrease cannot be owing to stake-nets, for 
there they do not exist, (Mr Wilson says “ Never; there is not a stake-nef 
Within fifty miles of the Tweed;” p. 12.); but the other supposed causes of 
decrease which exist there, likewise prevail elsewhere. In reference to the 
Beauly, Mr Wilson declares, that “ it has decreased considerably,” owing “ to 
the stake-nets and yairs in the Murray Frith ;” p. 16. With these stake-nets 
he acknowledges himself very little acquainted, and ignorant of the breadth of 
the frith where they are placed, or of the quantity of fish which are caught in 
them. The evidence of the decrease is of a very doubtful character. “ I have 
seen in the books 7000 salmon taken in the Beauly, and I have seen only 1500! 
or 1600 in a year.” But, in reference to the quantity taken last year, he says, 
“ I think between 2000 and 3000 salmon, and about 6000 grilse.” Even the 
rent in 1814 was increased to L. 50a-year. His uncle, the lessee, in regard to 
the concern, has “ not a very material interest, for Lovat would take the fish- 
ery of his hand when he pleases.” Lovat, last year, gave an abatement of 20 
per cent., and the lessee is to pay a share of the expenee of a law-suit against 
the owners of the stake-nets.” “ Mr Berry is the only tenant of the river ; he 
sends his own fishermen, that are employed in the summer, to protect the 
river in winter ;” p. 16-18. 
Not more satis&ctory is the evidence to prove the destructive tendency 
of the stake-nets on the river-fishing in the Tay. The general decrease of the 
Tay is distinctly avowed by Mr Bell ; and, while he admits the destruction 
occasioned by poaching, and killing fry, he seems inclined to refer the evil 
chiefly to the erection of stake-nets^ formerly in the estuary, and now only on 
the sea-shore. When the stake-nets were erected in the frith, it is here assert- 
ed that the river fisheries fell off in quantity ; that when these were removed, 
the river fisheries increased. No evidence, unfortunately, is produced to con- 
firm this statement. And it may be mentioned, as a singular circumstance, 
that, in the process before the Court of Session, the proof of the decrease of the 
river fisheries was considered by several of the Judges as too imperfect to war- 
rant such an inference, and by none as amounting to demonstration. The 
evidence for the injury sustained at present, by the sea-shore stake-nets, 
