FISHERIES. 247

Americans, who are ever apt in finding out all the methods which serve the purpose of gain, that it would be quite superfluous to recapitulate more than I have stated.

In the shape of bounties, they are encouraged by their government; and as they conduct their fish- eries, as regards expense and outfit, cheaper than we do, and on a different principle, they are enabled to bring their fish to market at half the price of ours.

There are two or more modes of fitting out for the fisheries followed by them. The first is accom- plished by six or seven farmers, or their sons, build- ing a schooner during winter, which they man them- selves, (as all the Americans on the sea-coast are more or less seamen as well as farmers ;) and, after fitting the vessel with necessary stores, they proceed to the banks, Gulf of St Lawrence, or Labrador, and, load- ing their vessel with fish, make a voyage between spring and harvest. The proceeds they divide, after paying any balance they may owe for outfit. They remain at home to assist in gathering their crops, and proceed again for another cargo, which is salted down, and not afterwards dried: this is termed mud-fish, and kept for home consumption. The other plan is, a merchant, or any other, owning a vessel, lets her to ten or fifteen men on shares. He finds the vessel and nets. The men pay for all the provisions, hooks and lines, and for the salt neces- sary to cure their proportion of the fish. One of the number is acknowledged master; but he has to catch fish as well as the others, and receives only