The Cecil Whig., 1875-05-01
HERRINGS.
From Chambers Journal.

Herrings as is we'll known, swim about
in immense shoals, miles in length and
breadth, coming to and going from particu-
lar stretches of sea, in what seems rather
capricious manner. There have been sew
eral theories respecting these irregular mi
gratory habits. One thing appears to be
certain: they obey the instinct which leads
them to favorite spots for feeding, and also
for spawning. That instinct, however, is
universal in fish. They do not 60 where
there is deficiency of their appropriate
food. The Mediterranean, for example,
has no fish worth speaking of, except the
sardne. The reason is, that there being
no recession of tides and consequently no
sea-weeds to encourage the growth of crus-
tacea, as food for fishes, the water con-
tains omparatively little animal life. The
food of the herring is believed to consist
chiefly of minute crustaceans and floating
infusorie, but small fishes are.also devoured.
The quality of the herring is very various,
and is evidently dependent on the nature Of
the feeding ground. None is equal in rich
ness and deiicacy of flavor to that captured
in Loeb Fyne, that extended inlet of the
sea reaching to 1nverary, and on which
Ardrishaig may be called the metropolis OF
herrings. Various localities have such
marked difference in size, shape, and quail
ity that an expert can at glance as easily
distinguish Loeb Fyne herring from one
caught in the Firth of Forth, as a pastoral
farmer can tell Chevoit sheep from a
Southdown. When the herring is in its
fattest and best condition it is called by
fisher-people a matte. In buying connois-
seurs take care to get MATES. There is
another technicality worth Knowing
When caught, the herrings are reckoned
by Grams; Gran being a measure of forty
five gallons. The boats required in the
herring fishery, although open, are of con-
siderable size, in order to contain the large
quantity of nets which are used, as well as
to bring home the mass of fish that may
be taken.
Along the Scottish coast, from Aberdeen
northward, fishing for herring is staple
profession, the eliminating point being
Wick in Caithness. In Julypand August,
when the capture chieflystahes place, you
hear scarcely anything else talked about
but herrings. The whole population is
agog on the subject. "Ony fish thisEa0rn.
in ." is the first salutation of one neigh
Dor to another. At Wick the native inhab
itants, augmented by four thousand strang-
ers, waken into renewed life. 1t is like
Doncaster on the approach Of St. Leger
All brighten up at the prospect of the
fishery, the shops being fresh painted out
side and newly replenished within. The
strangers who make their appearance are
what are called the "hired hands" Many
of them are small farmers from the Heb
rides, who come to earn an honest penny
wherewith to pay their rent. The stream
ing away of the boats to the fishing ground
is sight worth seeing, for perils of the
deep have to be encountered, and the fe-
male part of the population look on the
departure with corresponding anxiety
Vast as is the trade, it is unfortunately
said to be on an unhealthy footing. There
are a few independent fishermen who own
boats and nets and have means to hire
hands, But in very many cases, money
needs to be advanced by curers, who bar
gain for so many Grams, paying the money
long in advance, and even lending sums for
the purchase of boats and nets. AS there
is no absolute certainty that there will be
good fishing season, the money advanced
NAV not be redeemed, and scenes of dis
tress ensue. The Scottish herring fishery
is strictly regulated by act of Parliament.
1t has been gravely doubted whether it is
worth while to enforce rules as to size of
mesh in nets or to forbid trawling; for all
that men can possibly capture is insignifi-
cant in comparison with the quantity of
fish produced Or the quantity destroyed by
natural enemies in the deep. AS the roe of
each female herring is said to yield in a
season $4,000 young, it is difficult to see
what impression can be made on the shoals
by any kind Of fishing. 1t is, at all events,
satisfactory to know that the Scottish fish
cries in all departments depend exclusively
on private enterprise. They cost the pub
lie nothing. Indeed, the crown makes a
profit on them; the small fee paid to Gov
ernment officers for branding barrels of
herrings as guarantee of being properly
cured, producing sum which leaves con-
siderable surplus after paying expenses.
1t would be difficult for any one who has
not been at Wick to conceive the scene OF
hustle at the time Of herring curing. One
firm, possessing fifty stations, employs 10,
600 people, and turns over in connection
with this branch of commerce 81, 500, 0O(
per annum. The money value of the boats
and nets employed in the fishing for her