and on the Sainton Fisheries. 
359 
clple Mr Little wishes to have half a mile, any moreMhaii ten 
miles, kept clear of stake-nets. No two rivers are alike. The 
half mile woxAA havewery different powers^ in those rivers which 
have intervening estuaries, and in such as enter the sea directly. 
The Spey and the Tweed would be placed in different circum- 
stances from the Tay and the Forth. Besides, by such a rule, 
the proprietor of a small stream joining the sea directly, would 
have it in his power to injure the property of his neighbours, 
through an extent of a mile of coast, by preventing the erection 
of stake-nets, and probably in the only bay or spot for twenty 
miles where they could conveniently be placed. We again re- 
peat, that stake-nets could do no injury to fry and foul fish, if not 
erected in rivers or friths higher than low-water mark. Above 
this point, the net and coble is an eff cient engine ; below this 
point it possesses but feeble powers. Above this point, the 
stake-net would interfere with the channel or stream ; below this 
point, it could only capture fish floating with the tide. Proprietors 
would thus be able to avail themselves of the natural advantages 
of their respective estates, without injury to others. 
fS. Removal of Obstructions . — Under this head, the condition 
of dam-dikes deserves the consideration of the Legislature. 
Openings should be made, through which the water may flow at 
stated periods, so as to allow of the ascent of red fish, and the 
descent of kelts and fry to the sea; p. 119. In reference to the 
destruction of fry at mills, the following recommendation by Mr 
Halliday merits consideration : Placing a heck across the nar- 
row part of the dam, and making a sluice through the dam- 
dike, at the upper side of the heck, would allow the fry to pass 
down the sluice into the bed of the river, and the heck would . 
prevent the fry going down the mill-dam.’’’ — If the heck was 
properly constructed, by placing it slanting, the under part of 
it inclining up the water, and the upper part of it down, it would 
raise all the dirt to the surface of the water p. 67. No wicker- 
work, or any similar obstruction, should be allow^ed to remain 
on stake-nets or cruives during the close season. The river 
should be free. 
4. Punishment q/' Poachers . — Many laws occur in the statute- 
book on this subject, but they seem to be inapplicable. Hence, 
even the appointment of water-bailiffs is not successful in pre- 
2 
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