5456. And 21/4 -cwt. of green ling make one cwt. dry?-Yes; that is what the fish-curers calculate upon.
5457. So that nineteen cwt. of cured fish would have been something less than forty-three cwt. green, and you got £23 for that?-Yes.
5458. But from that price you must allow something for the expense of curing?-Yes; it would be from £2 to £2, 10s. per ton for curing.
5459. So that you made some profit by selling your fish in that way?-Yes.
5460. Do you think that, when you cure for yourself, you have any benefit by having the money in your hands to buy goods with where you please?-I think so.
5461. Do you buy cheaper when you have the money in your hands?-Yes; we can buy cheaper in Lerwick than we can do elsewhere.
5462. Do you often buy things at Lerwick?-Some times I do.
5463. I thought you said you bought generally at Mossbank?- Some things I buy at Mossbank; but I buy at several places.
5464. If you were fishing for a particular fish-merchant, would you buy more at his shop than you do when you are fishing for yourself?-That is the general way.
5465. What is the reason for that?-Because a great many of the men have not money to go anywhere else.