356 On the Natural History of the Salmon^ 
proportion to those which had previously reached the sea. The 
fishing-season should terminate on the 1st of August. This is 
the month when the red fish, or those ready to spawn, begin to 
become numerous. The condition of the rivers, in reference to 
floods, varying in different seasons, the fishing-season should be 
rather early than late, to secure always an abundant supply of 
breeding jisli. Were it not for the habits of the river proprie- 
tors, strengthened by their vested rights^ the Legislature should 
•prevent all fishings in rivers^ as the breeding-ground of salmon, 
where the fish execute the duties of parturition, and where the 
young are hatched, but where at present the mother is surprised 
and taken in her weakness, and her progeny meet an untimely 
death. 
In estuaries^ and on the sea-shore^ fishing maybe practised at 
all seasons, as in such situations neither red fish, kelts, nor fry, 
are found. But there is one objection to this freedom, warrant- 
ed by the habits of the fish. 
The fishing-season should begin and end, in all parts of the 
kingdom, on the same day. It is true, that the condition of the 
fish varies with the seasons, in different rivers, and in different 
parts of the same river. But no law could accommodate itself 
to these variable circumstances. Experience here points out the 
remedy, having established the nature of the disease. Unless 
there be one time, poaching will prevail in the close rivers, and 
the produce will, in the market, compete with the fish from the 
open rivers. No statute could prevent this smuggling. 
2. Establishment qf Stake-nets in Estuaries, and on the Sea- 
shore. — It has been demonstrated in this Report, that stake-nets 
do not injure the fry, and do not capture red fish or kelts. 
They are the only efficient engine in estuaries and the sea-shore 
(but from their nature not more so than the coble-net in rivers), 
and greatly increase the value of the fisheries at those stations. 
They do not injure the river-fishings, because they catch fish 
not inclined to enter rivers, and at a season when the rivers 
are in an unfit state to receive them. They capture the fish 
which would otherwise fall a prey to seals and grampuses, and 
they serve to reduce the numbers of these depredators. They 
are useful in the estuaries, to the shipping as marks, (pp. 50. 79. 
