184 
TRANSACTIONS OF THE PLYMOUTH INSTITUTION. 
Formerly the greater part of the fish were sold locally, especially 
during May and June ; but during the spring, especially in Lent, 
considerable quantities were sent by coach to Bristol, Bath, Bir- 
mingham, and London, and cutters were employed to run from 
Mounts Bay to Portsmouth, Bristol, and Swansea, which were the 
principal markets then. As the railway system came west the old 
methods of transit soon passed away. No section of our local 
industries has been more directly benefited by the railway system 
than have our fisheries, though there is more room for improvement 
in this direction. Of course every trader knows that railway rates 
are vastly too high, and ought to be lowered. Before the railway 
system markets for mackerel were limited ; now, however, there 
are plenty of places to send them to. The larger towns are by 
far the best markets, and on the whole London stands first, 
except it be from now till the end of Lent, during which time 
our neighbours across the water, Paris especially, compete with 
London. 
In this connection it is important to note the very great benefit 
which the English mackerel fishery has received by the Treaty of 
Commerce between England and France of 1860, and especially 
during this particular time of the year. 
Were we to go back to the state of things before 1860 the 
fishing interest in this particular would be seriously affected, and 
the mackerel fishery of the "West of England at this season of the 
year would not pay for working. 
The principal mackerel season for the West of England is 
from April to June. The use of ice in warm weather is very 
beneficial, and with quick despatch by rail fish in good con- 
dition can be delivered to all the important towns of England 
and Wales. 
Boat owners are keeping pace with the times in fitting their 
boats out on the most approved principle ; and steam capstans for 
hauling the nets on board are gradually replacing the ordinary 
hand capstan. Larger boats too are being built as the older ones 
get laid up, with excellent accommodation both for the general 
work and also for the crews themselves. They are most excellent 
sea-boats, and sail remarkably fast. 
The Duke of Edinburgh, in a paper which the Prince of Wales 
read for his brother during the late International Fisheries Ex- 
hibition, paid a well-deserved compliment to the admirable sea- 
