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OF THE 


\morican Pish Gulturists’ Association, 


ORGANIZED DECHMBER 20, 1870. 


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- ALBANY: 
ee THE ARGUS COMPANY, PRINTERS. 
1872. 


OF FOES: 


WHILLTAM  CLER ES is = = wPresinfiens, 


MYSTIC BRIDGE, CONN. 


B. F. BOWLES, - Secretary and Treasurer. 


SPRINGFIELD, MASS. 


American 


PROCEEDINGS 


OF THE 


ORGANIZED DECHMBER 20, 1870. 


ALBANY: 
THE ARGUS COMPANY, PRINTERS. 
1872. 


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PROCEEDINGS 


OF THE 


AMERICAN FISH CULTURISTS’ ASSOCIATION 


Report of THE MeeEtine oF ORGANIZATION. 
New Yorx Crry, December 20, 1870. 

A meeting of practical fish culturists was held in this city to-day, 
in compliance with a call issued November Ist by W. Clift, A. S. 
Collins, J. H. Slack, F. Mather and L. Stone. 

The original place of meeting was subsequently changed to the 
rooms of the New York Poultry Society, to which society the dele- 
gates are much indebted, both for the use of the rooms and for 
various other courtesies extended to them during the day. 

The delegates having assembled, a temporary organization was 
formed, with Rev. W. Clift as chairman and Mr. L. Stone as secre- 
tary. It was then unanimously resolved to form a permanent organi- 
zation of fish culturists, and Dr. Edmonds and Mr. Stone were 
appointed a committee to draft a’ constitution for such an organiza- 
tion, to report when ready. On the presentatiun of their report, the 
following constitution was adopted, viz. : 


ConstTITUTION. 


Arr. I. Mame and Objects—The name of this society shall be 
“The American Fish Culturists’ Association.” Its objects shall be 
to promote the cause of fish culture; to gather and diffuse informa- 
tion bearing upon its practical suecess; the interchange of friendly 
feeling and intercourse among the members of the association; the 
uniting and encouraging of the individual interests of fish culturists. 

Arr. II. Members—All fish culturists shall, upon a two-thirds vote 
of the society and a payment of three dollars, be considered members 
of the association, after signing the constitution. The commissioners 


d 


of the various States shall be honorary members of the association, 
ex Officio. 

Arr. III. Oficers—The officers of the association shall be a presi- 
dent, a secretary and a treasurer, and shall be elected annually by a 
majority vote, Vacancies occurring during the year may be filled by 
the president. 

Art. IV. Meetings—The regular meetings of the association shall 
be held once a year, the time and place being decided upon at the 
previous meeting. 

Arr. V. Changing the Constitution—The constitution of the society 
may be amended, altered or repealed by a two-thirds vote of the 
members present at any regular mecting. 

The constitution having been adopted, the following officers were 
chosen for the ensuing year: W. Clift, Mystic Bridge, Ct., president ; 
L. Stone, Charlestown, N. H., secretary; B. F. Bowles, Springfield, 
Mass., treasurer. 

It was then resolved that an effort be made to secure an exhibition 
of live fish at the next meeting, and that the following gentlemen be 
requested to prepare papers, to be read at the next meeting, on the 
subjects annexed to their names: 

A. S. Collins—On “Spawning Races and the Impregnation of 
Eggs.” 

J. H. Slack—On “ The Culture of Black Bass.” 

W. Clift—On “The Culture of Shad.” 

Dr. Edmonds—On “The Introduction of Salmon into American 
Rivers.” 

B. F. Bowles—On “ Land-locked Salmon.” 

Dr. Huntington—On “ Fish in the North Woods of New York.” 

L. Stone—On “ The Culture of Trout.” 

It was decided to hold the next meeting and exhibition in con- 
nection with the New York Poultry Show next year. It was voted 
to send a report of the meeting for publication to the New York 
Citizen and Round Table, the New York Tribune, the Springfield 
Republican, the New York Poultry Bnlletin and other papers at dis- 
cretion; and the secretary was instructed to mail the published 
reports of the meeting to fish culturists generally. 


Crecutation oF Last Yrar’s Reporr. 
In order that this movement of the fish culturists, the first in the 
way of organization in this country, might be generally known, a 
copy of the report of the meeting, which was just read, was sent to 


5 


all the leading newspapers in New England and New York, and 
to some farther west and south, and also to nearly 200 practical 
fish culturists in various parts of the country. 

I am happy to say that the newspapers, in almost every instance, 
printed the report in full, or noticed it in some way. 


Tue Agassiz CrrcuULARS. 


For some time previous to the meeting of organization I had 
held a correspondence with Prof. Agassiz, on topics relating to fish 
culture, in the course of which the professor mentioned a labor, in 
which he is now engaged, of preparing an illustrated work of all the 
salmonide of this continent, showing the variations of age, sex, 
locality and the ike; and after the formation of the association, he 
suggested that the association should use its influence in furnishing 
material for this work. 

It appeared to me so desirable a thing to have a work which would 
enable us to tell at a glance, at all seasons, the sex, age or locality of 
any specimen of the salmonidee, and also so appropriate a matter for 
the association to take up, that, exceeding the ordinary powers of my 
oftice, I took the responsibility of having circuiars printed in accord- 
ance with Mr. Agassiz’s suggestion, and very widely distributed 
throughout the country. 

A copy was sent to all the fish culturists and fishermen, whose 
names were accessible, and was published in most of the leading 
papers in this section. 

In a subsequent interview with Professor Agassiz, at his museum 
at Cambridge, I learned that he had been materially benefited by the 
aid that this effort had called out, although he remarked that not 
nearly so many fish had been sent in as he needed. 

I consequently take the liberty here to remind you that this is a 
most valuable work which Prof. Agassiz is undertaking, and one 
which will be unsurpassed by anything of its kind in the world, and 
I warmly commend it to the attention and interest of the members 
of this association. 

Mr. Agassiz cannot finish his work unless the requisite material is 
furnished him, and the members of this association, and all interested, 
cannot do the distinguished naturalist a greater kindness, nor the 
cause of fish culture a better service, than by sending him, as oppor- 
tunity permits, specimens of the various individuals of the salmon 
family. 

The entire expense of printing and circulating the Agassiz circu- 


6 


lars was but $8. Mr. Agassiz requested me to send him the bill for 
payment, but it seemed to me so becoming a service for the associa- 
tion to bear the expense, and so creditable to its record to be iden- 
tified at this stage in its history with so good a work, that I witheld 
the bill from the professor, and beg permission to recommend to the 
association to pay it from their own funds. 


Sr. LAWRENCE CorRESPONDENCE. 


During the session of the “ High Joint Commission” at Washing- 
ton, last spring, I received a letter from Hon. Stephen H. Ainsworth, 
asking me, as secretary of the association, to request our State con- 
eressional delegation to use their influence with the Commission to 
adopt some measures towards removing the obstructions in the river 
St. Lawrence which prevent the salmon from ascending its tributaries. 
I accordingly wrote to our New Hampshire senators and representa- 
tives, and the following is the correspondence which was elicited : 


Cuarestown, N. H., February 27, 1871. 
Hon. Samvet M. Betti: 


Dear Sir. —I beg leave to call your attention to a matter of very 
considerable magnitude, and one which the circumstance of the con- 
vening of the High Joint Commission, now in session at Washington, 
renders of urgent importance at the present time. I refer to the 
opening of the tributaries of the St. Lawrence river to the entrance 
and yearly migration of salmon, which are now prevented from reach- 
ing these streams by the obstructions and implements for their capture 
in the main river. 

These tributaries form the natural routes of these valuable fish, and 
also contain their natural spawning grounds; and covering, as they 
do, thousands of miles of river channel, their fisheries would furnish 
annually, if the salmon were allowed to traverse these streams, returns 
compared with which the number now caught in the main river are 
very insignificant. Furthermore, the salmon of these upper streams, 
in many Tnstances running throngh a populous country, would, from 
their local demand and proximity toa market, represent a money value 
many fold greater than the same fish caught in the uninhabited regions 
near the mouth of’ the river. 

This is a matter largely affecting the interests of the communities 
inhabiting the basins of the tributaries in question, and it calls for 
especial attention at this juncture, from the tact that an opportunity 
is afforded by the meeting of the commission referred to for reaching 
a satisfactory adjustment. of the difticulties — an opportunity which 
may not return for a long term of years. 

It should be remembered that, in pressing this matter, we are not 
asking favors from Canada, as the Canadians on either side of the St. 


7 


Lawrence will be as much benefited by the change proposed as the 
Americans on this side of the river. 

~ Tam informed that the Hon. Hamilton Fish is in possession of the 
facts required by the commission to take the necessary steps in this 
matter. 

I beg leave, as a representative of the American Fish Culturists’ 
Association, to request you to use your influence with the commission 
to accomplish this important end of restoring the salmon to the tribu- 
taries of the St. Lawrence; which, both from its intrinsic magnitude 
and the importance of its results, seems to be deserving of their atten- 
tion. 

I have the honor to be, 
Your obedient servant, 


LIVINGSTON: STONE, 
Secy Am. Fish Cult. Ass'n. 


Craremont, N. H., May 13th, 1871. 
Mr. Livineston STONE: 


Dear Str.— Inclosed find a communication from the Secretary of 
State Department. Your communication, directed to the N. H. 
delegation at Washington, was duly received and laid before the 
Hon. Hamilton Fish, with a request on our part that the matter 
receive attention. After my return from Washington, Mr. Hibbard 
received the inclosed. 

Yours truly, 


H. W. PARKER. 


DEPARTMENT OF STATE, 
Wasurneton, April 20, 1871. 
The Honorable E. ‘A. Hipsarp, 
Flouse of Representatives : 


Sir.— In answer to your note, referring to a communication from 
Mr. Stone on the subject of the salmon fisheries in the tributaries of 
the St. Lawrence, I have the honor to say that Mr. Stone’s letter was 
one of many yery interesting communications on the same subject. 

As the obstacles to the free access of the salmon to these rivers are 
matters within the control of local or provincial legislatures of the 
British Colonies, I have brought the subject, and laid several of the 
letters, informally, before Sir John Macdonald, from whom I under- 
stand that the obstructions complained of are prohibited by the 
Canadian laws, and that the authorities are constant in their efforts to 
prevent their being placed in the river, and patrol the river for that 
purpose, but find it very difficult to prevent violation of the laws on 
this subject. He has taken the letters, and assures me that no efforts 
will be wanting to prevent or to punish future violations. 


Very respectfully yours, 
HAMILTON FISH. 


8 


New Memprrs. 


In the course of the year, I took occasion to write to most of the 
practical fish culturists of this country, whose acquaintance I had 
made by correspondence, or otherwise, to the number of about 200, 
extending to them an invitation to join the association. 

These letters met with various replies ; some few were not answered 
at all, but they were, on the whole, well received, and the replies in 
most cases contained expressions of interest in the prosperity of the 
association. 

CoRRESPONDENCE. 


During the year, I have received various letters addressed to me 
as secretary, to two of which I wish to call your attention. 

One was a letter from a gentleman whose name I have lost, who 
made the excellent suggestion, as I thought, that the association 
undertake the experiment of taking and hatching, in the usual artificial 
way, the eggs of the blind fish of Mammoth Cave, to see what effect it 
would have, if any, upon the sight of this curious fish. 

I immediately wrote to parties in that vicinity, and in reply, 
received a communication from Dr. W. M. Allen, near Louisville, 
Ky., saying that these fish spawn about the first of April, that they 
are perfectly white, have no eyes, do not exceed seven inches in 
length, and that it is doubtful whether they would live in the light; 
also that Col. Proitor, the lessee of the cave, would probably assist in 
the efforts to obtain the ova of this fish. 

I think very highly of this experiment as one of unusual scientific 
interest, and would recommend to the Society, when a convenient 
opportunity presents itself, to take measures to solve this very interest- 
ing problem, of hatching and rearing the blind fish of Mammoth Cave 
in the light. 

Another letter of interest, which I received, was from a gentleman 
in St. Louis, in relation to the different names which are given to the 
same fish in different localities. 

This gentleman stated in his letter that in the course of a rather 
extended fishing experience, in the southern, western and north-west- 
ern States, he had noticed the following confusion of names, viz. : 

The black bass is called, in the southern States, a trout. 

The rock bass of the east is called a goggle-eye in the west. 

The silver perch of the south is called in Missouri a croppie, and 
in Kentucky by still another name. 

The pickerel of the north is called a jack in the south. Many 
similar instances might be given. 


9 


This ambiguity and confusion of the names of fishes has, I have no 
doubt, impressed all of us with its inconvenience and objectionable- 
ness. I have no measures to recommend tothe Association to obviate 
it; for I suppose it is too extended an evil, and too deeply rooted, to 
be reached by us; but I think it is deserving the attention of the 
association, and would suggest that a partial remedy might be found 
in occasionally collating the various names of each fish in different 
localities, and publishing them in connection with the Latin or scien- 
tific names of the fish, with, perhaps, some description of it added. 


Novick or Seconp Annuat Meetina. 


During the month of December I caused to be printed a notice 
of the present meeting, and, in the absence of any committee for the 
purpose, I stretched a point, perhaps, in my authority, in preparing a 
stated programme of exercises for the meeting. This was in order 
to bring before your notice the objects which seem most to need your 
attention. 

This notification circular was sent to all professional and amateur 
fish culturists whose names were in my possession, and the fisheries’ 
commissioners of the various States, and was generally noticed in 
the newspapers and agricultural periodicals. 

In conlusion, I will merely add that, in the course of the year, I 
have mailed 500 letters on business of the association, and nearly a 
thousand circulars and papers. 


PROCEEDINGS OF THE Firsr ANNUAL MEETING oF THE AMERICAN F isu 


Cuturists’ Association, HELD AT ALBANY, Frsruary 7TH AND 
8ru, 1872. 


The association came together at the Globe Hotel, Albany, N. Y., 
at twelve o’clock, m., on Wednesday, February 7, 1872. 

The following members were admitted: E. W. Stoughton, Wind- 
sor, Vt.; George Shepard Page, New York; Richards Bradley, 
Brattleboro’, Vt.; George H. Jerome, Niles, Mich.; A. B. Crockel, 
Norway, Maine; Edward Whitin, Whitinsville, Mass.; Theodore 
Shultz, New York; T. J. Whitcomb, Springtield, Vt.; J. D. Bridge- 
man, Bellows Falls, Vt.; Benjamin Farrar, St. Louis, Mo. ; George 
Jewett, M. D., Fitchburg, Mass.; B. Frank Boyer, Reading, Pa. ; 
A. C. Rupe, New York; A. B. Sprout, Muncy, Pa.; B. B. Porter, 
Baltimore, Md.; M. H. Christler, Kinderhook, N. Y.; Gifford W. 
Christler, Kinderhook, N. Y.; E. Stirling, M. D., Cleveland, Ohio ; 
F. J. Chandler, Alstead, N. H. 


10 


The secretary’s report was read and adopted. 

On motion of Mr. Livingstone Stone, the constitution was amended 
by striking out the word “and” after the word “secretary” in Art. 
III, and inserting after the word “treasurer” the words “and ‘an 
executive committee of three members.” Art. III now reads: 


OFFICERS. 


The officers of the association shall be a president, secretary, 
treasurer and executive committee of three members, and shall be 
elected by a majority vote. Vacancies occurring during the year 
may be filled by the president. 

The president appointed Mr. A. S. Collins, Dr. Jewell and the 
secretary a committee to nominate officers for the ensuing year, to 
report in the afternoon, after which the association adjourned till two 
o'clock, p. M. 

At the opening of the afternoon session, the committee on the 
nomination of officers reported as follows: 

President.—W. Clift. 

Treasurer.—B. F. Bowles. 

Secretary.—Livingston Stone. 

Executive Committce.—Seth Green, chairman; J. D. Bridgeman 
and A. C. Rupe. 

The report of the committee was accepted, and the officers nomi- 
nated were elected for the ensuing year. 

A paper was then read by Mr. A. 8. Collins on “Spawning Races 
and the Impregnation of Eggs,’ after which a box of trout eggs, 
taken at the Cold Spring trout ponds, by the Russian or dry method 
of impregnation, was opened by Mr. Stone and examined by the 
members. Only three out of nearly a hundred were found empty. 

A paper was then read by Mr. W. Clift on the ‘‘ Culture of Shad.” 

The next paper was on ‘ The Introduction of Salmon into American 
Rivers,” by Dr. Edmonds, after the reading of which the meeting 
adjourned till seven o’clock, p. m. 

At the evening session, Mr. B. F. Bowles read a paper on ‘* Land- 
locked Salmon.” 

On motion of Mr. G. S. Page, it was resolved that a committee of 
four, to include the president and secretary, be appointed, who shall 
draft and present to Congress, at its present session, a memorial upon 
the subject of the creation by the government of two or more fish- 
hatching establishments; one for salmon in the vicinity of Puget’s 
Sound, and the other at some convenient point near the Atlantic 


aut 


11 


coast, for the propagation of shad for the purpose of restocking our 
rivers and streams. 

Mr. George 8. Page and Dr. Edmonds were appointed on that com- 
mittee, with the president and secretary. 

The meeting was then addressed by Hon. Horatio Seymour, who 
suggested that efforts be made to introduce Chinese and other foreign 
fish into this country. 

In pursuance of these suggestions, it was resolved, on motion of 
Mr. Stone, that a committee of two, including the president, be 
appointed to make arrangements with such foreign countries as are 
engaged in fish culture for a mutual exchange of. food fishes. 

Mr. George Shepard Page was appointed on this committee with 
the president. 

Mr, Page then moved that a committee be appointed to take into 
consideration the matter of publishing the proceedings and papers of 
this meeting, and that they be authorized to act at discretion. 

Hon. Horatio Seymour and Mr. Livingston Stone were appointed 
on that committee. 

The meeting then adjourned to meet at the same place the follow- 
ing morning. 

The association met according to adjournment on Thursday morn- 
ing. In the absence of the president, the secretary, Mr. Livingston 
Stone, presided. The report of the treasurer, Mr. Bb. I. Bowles, was 
read and accepted. 

On motion of Mr. A. 8. Collins, it was resolved that the initiatory 
and annual assessment be increased to five dollars, and the treasurer 
be instructed to send to each new member a copy of the proceedings 
of this meeting. 

The committee on the subject of furnishing a memorial to Congress 
then reported a copy of such memorial, which was adopted by the 
association. 

On motion of Mr. A. 8. Collins, it was resolved that the meeting 
recommend that the Legislatures of the different States pass such laws 
as shall encourage and protect pioneers in fish culture. 

Mr. George Shepard Page having placed his office in New York 
at the disposition of the association, it was voted, on motion of Dr. 
W. M. Edmonds, that Mr. Page’s office, No. 10 Warren street, New 
York, be made the New York city oftice of the association; after 
which the thanks of the association were given to Mr. Page for his 
kind offer. 


The association then resolved to hold their next annual meeting on 


12 


the second Tuesday in February, 1873, at their New York city office, 
No. 10 Warren street. 

It was also resolved that a committee of three be appointed to 
arrange with Prof. A. S. Bickmore, Director of the American Museum 
6. Natural History at Central Park, New York, for a permanent 
exhibition in the museum of fishes and implements used in fish culture, 
without expense to the association. Messrs. George S. Page, C. H. 
Farnham, and A. 8. Hatch were appointed on this cominittee. 

Prof. Spencer F. Baird, of Washington, D. C., Mr. Samuel Wilmot, 
of Ontario, Canada, and Prof. Albert 8S. Bickmore, New York, were 
elected honorary members of the association. 

The executive committee, together with the other officers of the 
association, were appointed a committee to prepare an order of pro- 
ceedings for the next annual meeting, after which the society adjourned. 

The following items have come under the notice of the secretary, 
and are here communicated : 


Loneeviry or Trout. 


The age of the venerable trout which was mentioned in this column 
a few nee ago as having been examined by Mr. a rank Buckland, 
has been testified to in the following terms: 

The undersigned have lived about Dunlop. House for twenty years 
and upwards. “They herein certify that to the best of their belief the 


trout sent to F. Buckland is the same trout that was put in the well 
by Thomas Young twenty-four years ago, viz., 1848. 


(Signed) ANDREW STEVENSON. 
JAMES ROBERTSON. 
Duntor House, January 20, 1872. 


This is the oldest well-authenticated instance of trout life that we 
have heard of, although there are said to be pike and carp in private 
ponds in Europe that are proved by the dates on the gold rings in 
their fins to be over a century old, and Gesner speaks of a pike which 
was 267 years old. 


AMERICAN “Sautmo FontiInauis” In ENGLAND. 


Mr. Buckland, in Land and Water, makes this allusion to the 
American brook trout in his museum: ‘“ The following is a catalogue 
of the eggs and fry: Salmon fontinalis, or American brook trout, 
brought over from Mr. Wilmot’s establishment, Newcastle, Ontario, 
Janada, by Mr. Parnaby, of Troutdale Fishery, Keswick. These are 
beautiful little fish, of about three-quarters of an inch long. They 


13 


have almost absorbed their umbilical bag, and will shortly begin to 
feed. I propose to feed them on the roe of soles. These American 
fish are much more active (and I was going to write—it may be even 
so—intelligent) fish than the salmon or trout (salmo fario). Possibly 
they have imbibed some of the national American sharpness. I think 
I shall consult them on the Alabama question. They are very diffi- 
eult to catch, even in the confined space of the trough, and they often 
jump out of the glass syphon tube used to catch them.” 

This is all right, except the statement of the place where they came 
from, which is wrong, for all the brook trout which Mr. Parnaby 
earried to England with him came from our hatching-house at the 
Cold Spring Trout Ponds, and were packed by us in the egg the day 
before Mr. Parnaby sailed for England. We will add, as a matter of 
statistics in relation to long journeys of trout ova, that the eggs, 
10,000 in number, were packed in sphagnum moss in a common 
wooden box about a foot square, on the 20th of November, 1871, at 
Charlestown, N. H. They went from Charlestown to Boston, 120 
miles by rail, on the same day. They remained in Boston over night, 
and the next morning were put on board the ocean steamer which 
sailed that day. They had a long passage of eighteen days to 
Liverpool, and a considerable journey by rail afterwards from 
Liverpool to Keswick. At the end of the journey two-thirds of 
them opened in good condition, although some hatched on the 
way and died, and the byssus generated by -these, and by some of 
the eggs that were killed during the first part of the trip, made great 
havoc. 


Precious Facts. 


In speaking of the new method of the dry impregnation of fish 
ova, two weeks ago, the compositor made us say “ pre(c)ious facts” 
instead of “ pre(v)ious facts,’ as it was written in our MSS. The 
facts are precious enough to the practical fish-breeder, considering 
that they increase his yearly yield of young stock fifty per cent, and 
we have no objection to calling them ‘“ precious facts,” although all 
we meant to say at the time was that the facts had been previously 
stated. 

Now that we are on the subject again, we will speak of two infer- 
ences that follow from these precious facts. One is that since the 
spermatozoa of the milt remain alive several days when kept trom 
the air and water, a cross can be effected between fish living at long 
distances apart without transporting the fish. For instance, a trout- 


14 


breeder in Kansas can bottle wp some milt from his fish in a homeeo- 
pathic phial and send it by mail or express to a Massachusetts breeder, 
who can take a ripe spawner from his ponds and mix the Kansas 
milt and Massachusetts eggs in the impregnating pan, and so generate 
a cross between the two fish as well as if the Kansas breeder had sent 
him, at a great risk, some male trout. The great ease with which 
this crossing can be accomplished may some day lead to valuable 
results. 

Another inference is that the old theory that a proportion of the eggs 
ordinarily taken from the spawning trout are immature, and therefore 
cannot be impregnated, must be given up. We have opposed this 
theory all through our trout-breeding experience, and insisted that the 
trouble in poor impregnations was not in the eggs but in the milt, as 
it has now turned out to be. But the immature egg theory had its 
advocates in high quarters, and has been very generally received. 
There can be no question about it, however, hereafter. If ninety- 
five per cent of the eggs are impregnated and hatched by the Russian 
method, then not more than five per cent of the eggs are immature, 
and we doubt if even this small proportion are. 


Hermaruropite Cop. 


Sir.— There was full-sized cod got here lately, containing roe and 


¢ 


milt both well developed. This, I suppose, is what you call an her- 
maphrodite. The manager of the curing-yard told me he had never 
met with another similar case in long years of experience in cod- 


curing. 
W. R. (Land and Water.) 


CASTALIA SPRINGS. 


The Castalia Springs in Ohio promise to be one of the great natural 
water supplies of the country for fish farming —like the Caledonia 
Springs in New York, or the Ingham Spring in Pennsylvania. The 
Ingham Spring, it is estimated, runs 3,000 gallons a minute, and the 
Caledonia Springs as many gallons a second. Dr. Sterling, of Cleve- 
land, writes us that the flow of water at the Castalia Springs, the 
temperature and the geological formations are nearly the same as at 
Caledonia. The Castalia Springs are situated near Sandusky, Ohio, 
and are now owned by Mr. J. Hoyt. 

Trout and white fish are being hatched there this season with 
success. 

It should be remembered that it was in Ohio that the first experi- 
ments in trout-breeding that attracted attention in America were con- 


15 


ducted. The experimenters were Dr. Theodatus Garlick and Pro- 
fessor H. A. Ackley. _They brought their parent trout alive 600 
miles, from the Sault Ste. Marie, to Cleveland, where they took and 
hatched the ova. The results were given by Dr. Garlick in a paper 
read by him before the Cleveland Academy of Natural Science, Feb- 
ruary 17, 1854. 


Rearing Wartre F isu. 


In reply to a correspondent about rearing white fish, we will say 
that it certainly will not pay to raise them artificially, as trout are 
raised. The best thing to do with the young white fish after the sac 
is absorbed is to turn them loose into some large pond or lake, where 
they will grow pro bono publico. Mr. Samuel Wilmot, of Newcastle, 
Ontario, Canada, has had good success, we believe, in rearing the 
young fry of the white fish, and if our correspondent would like to 
retain some to experiment with, we would advise him to apply to 
Mr. Wilmot for directions about growing them. 


Tue Apreoset Fin or tHe SALMONID#. 


Extract from lecture of Mr. Guelwer before the East Kent Natural 
History Society, England : 

As to the small and posterior dorsal fin of this family being adipose 
and devoid of fin rays, or, as emphatically asserted by the excellent 
Yarrell, “in the smelt without any rays whatever,” this is not strictly 
correct. For though in this fish this fin is, as usual in the family, 
small and rudimentary, not unlike a fatty layer in a thin skin-film, it 
is quite destitute of fat, and is kept extended by a thickly crowded 
set of parallel and very delicate rays, extending from the back of the 
fish upward to the free margin of the fin, and often projecting a little 
beyond it, as one may witness by the help of an achromatic object- 
glass of half an inch focal length. These rays are indeed composed 
of a peculiar glassy and homogeneous matter, like the intercellular 
part of true cartilage, quite structureless and devoid of cells ; nor have 
these rays any muscular provision for those motions which we know 
to belong to true fins, neither have the rays of the adipose fin, as we 
have seen, any resemblance in structure to the bony rays of the other 
fins. Still, inthe smelt at least, the so-called adipose fin is neither 
fatty nor without any rays whatever. 


Tuer SALMON-BREEDING ENTERPRISE IN Marne. 


In 1868 we spent three months in New Brunswick, and built a 
thoroughly-appointed salmon-breeding establishment on the Mira- 


16 


michi river, with great natural facilities and a hatching-house 100 feet 
long. We succeeded in taking that year a quarter of a million 
impregnated salmon eggs, but the jealousies we encountered there 
and the strong public opinion in Canada against the operations of 
foreigners in this line, convinced us that the next time the thing was 
attempted it had better be done on American soil, as the Canadians 
call the United States. We were, therefore, very glad to hear last 
spring of the project of Commissioner Atkins to locate salmon-breed- 
ing works on one of the Maine rivers, where salmon eggs could be 
obtained independently of foreign control. 

The scheme of Mr. Atkins has met with a double success, for he 
has not only succeeded in getting a very considerable quantity of ova 
at a cost of more than twenty dollars per 1,000 less than is charged at 
the government establisment at Ontario, Canada, which is one suc- 
cess, but his labors have proved that much larger quantities may be 
obtained in future years at a still less cost, which is another and 
greater success. 

Mr. Atkins’ report is filled, as his reports always are, with very 
valuable matter, and forms an important addition to our still limited 
stock of knowledge on the culture of fish. We should like to reprint 
here seven-eighths of Mr. Atkins’ report, word for word, but as there 
is not room for this we will confine ourselves to the following extracts : 

The most important business of the year has been the breeding 
of salmon from parent fish obtained in the Penobscot river, less 
attention having been paid to the construction of fishways than in 
former years, and nothing at all having been done in the cultivation 
of fresh-water fishes. 

Our plan was as follows: To buy live salmon of the fishermen in 
the vicinity of Bucksport, transport them to some convenient place 
where they could be confined within a small space in fresh water, and 
keep them until the spawning season, when their eggs would be taken. 
All the eggs were to be developed on the spot sufficiently to insure 
their safe removal, and a portion of those belonging to Maine to be 
hatched out and turned into those waters to assist in increasing the 
number of salmon in the Penobscot, which would thereby become 
better able to afford us parent salmon in the future. Among the 
advantages which this plan would have over that of catching the 
parent fish on their spawning ground in the fall, three deserve mention. 
In the first place, we would beyond question obtain a large number 
of salmon from the owners of weirs, while it was a matter of great 
uncertainty how many could be caught in the upper waters where 


17 


they spawn. In the second place, we should be within easy reach 
of railway and steamboat transportation, while the spawning grounds 
lie in the wilderness. In the third place, the spawn that we should 
take away would not detract anything from the natural increase of 
the species in the river, since we should use for parent fish only those 
that would otherwise have gone to the markets, and the accustomed 
number of adult fish would still be left to deposit their eggs without 
molestation. The results of the experiment are the eggs actually 
obtained, and the important addition to our stock of knowledge on 
the subject of salmon breeding. 4 

The eggs cost the subscribers to the fund $18.09 per thousand. The 
price demanded and received at the Canadian governmental establish- 
ment at Newcastle, when I purchased salmon eggs of them in 1870, 
was forty dollars, gold, the eggs of a single fish costing several hun- 
dred dollars. The prevailing price of parties. operating in New 
Brunswick has been twenty dollars per thousand for eggs warranted 
to be fecundated. When the extraordinary mortality among the 
salmon we intend to use as breeders is considered, it is remarkable 
that the eggs taken at Orland did not cost more. I have no doubt 
that, with the advantage of this year’s experience, they can be 
obtained hereafter at an expense not exceeding eight dollars per 
thousand. The experiment has decided in the affirmative the follow- 
ing questions, viz.: 1. Whether salmon can be kept in confinement 
in a small inclosure from June to November. 2. Whether they will, 
under such conditions, develop their spawn and milt to perfect 
maturity. It has also determined the conditions of safety in trans- 
portation and to asuflicient extent for practical purposes, the conditions 
of safety in keeping them through the summer, and finally the best 
mode of manipulation to secure complete fecundation. 

As to the conditions of keeping salmon in safety through the 
summer, my conclusions may be briefly stated thus: Salmon will live 
in perfect health in common river, pond or brook water, provided that 
there be sufficient change to prevent stagnation, that the depth be 
not less than four feet, and that they be not too much crowded, that 
the bottom be not newly submerged, that the water be not too trans- 
parent; and, in the case of a brook, that there be not a large per 
centage of water from springs in the immediate vicinity. I have no 
doubt that some of the salmon that died in the pond, died from 
injuries received in capture and transportation. But the causes that 
resulted in the death of so many of our salmon in Craig’s pond brook 
were mainly of a different character. The symptoms were these: 


2 


18 


Sluggishness and heedlessness ; an inclination to swim near the surface 
of the water; a white filmy, appearance of the eyes, which seemed to 
be accompanied or followed in many cases by blindness; a white 
fungoid growth on the abraded tips of the fins and wherever the 
scales had been rubbed off; white blotches breaking out on all parts 
of the body, even where there had been no marks of injury, particu- 
larly on the head, proving on examination to be patches of white fungus 
growing beneath the scales and pushing them from their place; 
finally death. 

The cause is to be sought for among the following peculiar con- 
ditions to which these fish were subject: First, the greater part of the 
water was from springs in the edge of the pond where salmon were 
confined ; second, the temperature was consequently very low, ranging 
(June 9 to 20) from forty-seven to fifty-four degrees Fahrenheit, while 
the common temperature of rivers and ponds at that date is from 
sixty to seventy degrees ; third, the extreme transparency of the water 
may have exposed them to too great an amount of light; fourth, the 
bottom of the ponds had not been covered with water for several 
years, and there was more or less vegetation on it. I am inclined to 
think the latter circumstance the principal source of difficulty. 

I have no hesitation in advising that the operations with salmon be 
continued in the same vicinity. They should be conducted on a larger 
seale, which, with our present knowledge on the subject, is quite feasi- 
ble. I think two or three hundred salmon might be bought at Bucks- 
port next season; and, with such success in keeping them as might 
reasonably be anticipated, more than half a million of eggs might be 
obtained. | 


Fisa Cuniturr 1n CALIFORNIA. 


The great importance of fish culture in this State, as shown by the 
first biennial report of the’ State Commissioner of Fisheries, advance 
sheets of which have been kindly sent us, will attract public attention. 
It is estimated that the area of the inland bays and fresh water lakes 
adapted to fish culture exceeds 650 square miles. In addition, nearly 
100 streams from the coast range of the western slope empty into 
the Pacific, and several hundred water-courses unite in the Sacramento 
and San Joaquin rivers. The whole forms a most remarkable water 
surface, and, when properly stocked with fish, will be a source of 
revenue to the State ranking next to our agricultural and mineral 
resources. The importance of the development of our State fisheries 
has not been properly appreciated, but enough has already been 


19 


accomplished to guarantee the most complete success. The commis- 
sioners have undertaken the work as a labor of love, receiving neither 
fees nor salary. Those large-hearted, public-spirited and benevolent 
citizens who give their time and thought to the public welfare and 
happiness deserve to have their names consecrated in the hearts of 
the people. The present board of commissioners, in the report before 
us, enter into the subject of fish culture at length. The immense 
area in which fish may be propagated, the manner of keeping the 
rivers stocked, the best quality of fish to be introduced, artificial 
hatching, the way to preserve the water pure, and various other 
details are minutely set forth. One point is particularly interesting 
as illustrating the wisdom of nature. By instinct the fish, in 
spawning season, leave the ocean or bays and seek the particular 
stream or rivulet in which they were hatched to deposit their eggs. 
Whatever be the obstacles, they search for a passage, and will 
die in the attempt to reach their destination or be successful. 
Where dams have been constructed, it is suggested that fish 
ladders be constructed to admit them an easy passage. The ladder 
or fish-way is a trough some four feet wide and three feet high, open 
at both ends. This they can ascend at an angle of forty-five degrees 
if provided with riffles or miners’ cradles. If the riffles do not 
exceed four feet, the fish can jump through almost any current. 
Great stress is laid upon the necessity of legislative action to prevent 
the wholesale destruction of fish, the obstructions placed in their way, 
the poisoning of the waters with refuse, sawdust and other material. 
The Legislature appropriated $5,000 for the use of the commissioners, 
and a special duty devolves upon it to so legislate that this great inte- 
rest will be fostered and protected in every respect. With our State 
waters teeming with fish, we could, in case of our vast herds of cat- 
tle perishing from thirst in the future, have an abundant supply of 
the most healthy and nutritious food known to man.—San Fran- 
cisco News Letter. 


Minx. 


The raising of mink can be made quite remunerative by the sale 
of their fur, as it is a well-known fact that they are rapid breeders, 
and to any one having a nice stream of spring water, it would be a 
pleasant pastime and furnish him with “ pretty pets.” 

All that is needed is a small plot of ground and stream. 

To prepare the yard for occupancy will necessitate but a very small 
outlay of money, and the subsequent expense of raising is nominal. 


20 


At the age of from five to seven months the mink are worth from 
five to eight dollars each for their skins. 
Not long since we had the pleasure of examining the 


Mrinxery or Mr. Henry Ressicur, or VeRoNnA, OnEmDA County, N.Y. . 


Mr. Ressigue commenced the raising of mink in the spring of 1867, 
having caught a female mink with young. 

Since that time he has raised over a hundred. He sells them for 
breeding at thirty dollars a pair, including box, and they can be for- 
warded by express to any part of the country. 

The “pen ” in which he keeps them consists of an open yard, sixty 
feet square, surrounded by a common board fence, six feet high, the 
cap-board projecting inward sixteen inches to prevent his stock from 
climbing out. 

The following is the manner of preparing a yard fora single pair, 
the size to be twelve by fourteen feet: Having marked off the ground 
to be occupied, a trench, eight inches deep and fifteen inches wide, is 
dug around the plot. Flat boards are laid on the bottom of the 
trench so as to entirely cover it, and posts are set outside the trench. 
The first board of the fence is nailed base-board style, on the inner 
side of the posts, with the edge on the flat board at the bottom 
of the trench. The trench may now be filled with dirt, and the 
fence completed, boarding up and down. The cap-board should be 
thoroughly stayed outside and top. More yard room can be added as 
needed. 

To prevent the mink from escaping by the stream, where it enters 
or leaves the yard, place a goodly quantity of stones about the size of 
hen and goose eggs at the inlet and outlet of the stream. 


Foop. 


Mr. Ressigue states that he has not expended twenty-five dollars in 
the purchase of food in five years. Any refuse of fresh meat is just 
what they want, and is equally as good as that which would cost more. 
Fresh fish is also a good food, and seems to be well relished by the 
mink. 


REARING AND FEEDING THE YOUNG. 


Leaving male and female together from March Ist to 20th. 

Then separate, placing the male in an adjoining yard. 

The young should be allowed to remain with the mother. 

Build a small house in the yard and furnish it with plenty of straw. 


ot 


Give the young ones bread and milk, as you would young kittens, » 
or the mother’can care for them. 

Mink require hardly any care or attention beyond attention to the 
food, as they seem to have no enemies from which they cannot 
protect themselves, are entirely free from disease and not liable to 
accident. 

For the above we are indebted to Mr. Ressigue, whom we found 
very ready to give information and to show his “ pretty pets.” 


SHAD CULTURE. 
By Wo. Curt. ; 

The shad (Alosa prestabilis) stands very high among, if not at the 
head of, the luxuries which our rivers afford. A seven-pound speci- 
men, in the month of June, taken fresh from the Connecticut, and 
cooked by a housewife who has had her birth and education in that 
famous valley, leaves little to be desired in the way of epicurean 
delight. The fish from this stream stand so high in the market that 
the placard, “Connecticut River Shad,” probably sells a great many 
more fish in all our large cities than come from that stream. As 
compared with the southern shad, they are unquestionably fatter and 
of finer flavor; but, as compared with the fish that come trom other 
streams along the Connecticut and Rhode Island shores, there is 
not much ground for the distinction. I have eaten quite as fine 
shad from the Quinebaug and the Pawcatuck, before the race became 
extinct in those rivers, as the best ever taken at Saybrook and Lyme. 
It is not improbable that they follow the law of the grains and fruits, 
which show the highest excellence in the northern belt, where they 
can be successfully cultivated. The coast orange about New Orleans 
is a higher-flavored fruit than the orange of Havana; the apple of the 
northern states than those of the southern. The corn and wheat of 
the north are heavier grains than those of the south. We look for 
the best shad in the northern limits of the region where they flourish, 
and in these streams human skill should do its best to multiply the 
race and increase the supply of food for man. 


Narurau Hisrory. 


The shad belongs to the herring family (Clupedde), which afford so 
large a share of the animal food of European countries. As its name 
_ implies, it is the largest of the Adosa, and permanent as an article for 
food. The species nearest allied to the shad are the alewife (Alosa 
tyranus) and the bony fish (Alosa menhaden). The alewife is found 


22 


-in all shad streams, and in many small streams from which the shad 
have long since disappeared. The alewife does not need to go so 
far up the stream to find a suitable spawning bed, and even spawns 
in the ponds of brackish water. The bony fish probably does not 
come into fresh water at all for the purpose of spawning. It is some- 
times, however, found about the estuaries of our streams, but will not 
live long in fresh water. They are sometimes cut off from returning 
to sea by the closing of the tideway at the Charleston ponds in Rhode 
Island, and always perish during the winter, while the alewife lives. 
The bony fish are found all along our coast, from the Capes of Vir- 
ginia to Maine, and form the staple of a lucrative business in oil and 
fish guano. The geographical range of the shad is from the coast of 
Florida to the British provinces, and we believe has not been found 
in any other locality, unless artificially planted. The shad of Europe 
is a much smaller and inferior fish. The shad resembles the salmon 
in its migratory habits, but is found much farther south. The salmon 
probably did not resort to any river south of the Hudson, while the 
shad entered every considerable stream along our coast north of 
the St. Marys. They make their appearance on the Carolina coast 
in February, and in the New England streams in April. Some have 
supposed that they formed one vast shoal in the ocean and moved up 
the coast in the spring, giving off a delegation to each stream as they 
passed by its mouth. But the best authorities now consider that each 
river has its own family of shad, and that however far it may wander 
from the mouth, while it remains in the sea, it is sure to return. The 
shad of the Connecticut and the Hudson rivers are so different in shape 
and appearance, that marketmen accustomed to handle them readily 
distinguish the one from the other. It is probably rare that a shad 
strays into any other than its native stream. Shad are supposed to feed 
on soft-shelled crustacea, the young of molluscs, small fish and the lower 
orders of marine life. They have been found with vegetable matter in 
their stomachs, so that they cannot be wholly carnivorous. As caught in 
our rivers, nothing is usually found in their stomachs. They stay in 
the sea, feeding voraciously until the breeding instinct leads them to 
seek their spawning beds. They then push up the stream with great 
rapidity until they find their birth-place, traveling hundreds of miles 
in a few days. Fresh run shad are sometimes taken at the head of 
tide water, fifty or more miles from the sea, with fishes in their 
stomachs so little digested that their species could be determined. 
The same shoal does not probably remain long in the stream. As 
soon as the spawn are dropped they return to the sea, so much 


23 


exhausted that “a down-stream shad” has become a proverb for lean- 
ness. The fishing season in the Connecticut is from the 15th of 
March to the 15th of June; but fish come into the stream earlier, and 
some probably do not spawn until the last of July. Those used by 
the Fish Commissioners for artificial propagation are taken mainly in 
the three weeks following the 15th of June. The shad of the Hudson 
occupy about the same time as those of the Connecticut in depositing 
their spawn. At least four months are occupied by the different 
shoals in performing this office. The favorite spawning grounds are 
immediately below rapids, like those of Bellows Falls, and Hadley 
Falls in the Connecticut. Here there are many eddies and side cur- 
rents, where the spawn are kept in constant motion, before they are 
earried off by the main current. It seems highly probable that nearly 
all the spawn that supply the Connecticut are dropped at Hadley 
Falls. There is no good place for the capture of ripe tish below, and 
many of the fish taken there have all the marks of fresh run shad, 
and are but a few hours from the sea, though they have come seventy 
miles or more. It has been ascertained by those who have watched 
the operation, that the males and females, in spawning, swim about 
in circles, probably following the eddies of the stream, sometimes 
with the dorsal fins out of the water; when suddenly the whoie shoal, 
as if seized by a common impulse, rush forward and shoot out clouds 
of milt and spawn into the water. The alewives observe the same 
method in spawning, though they select ponds and still places in the 
river for their beds. The most common term for this operation, at 
the alewite fisheries, is ‘‘ shooting the spawn,” showing that the pro- 
cess is a matter of common observation. The ova, left to the care of 
water, are mostly devoured by fish that lie in wait for them. It is 
estimated that not one in a thousand ever comes to life. Those that 
hatch are gradually carried seaward by the force of the current, and 
by October and November leave the river as young fish, from four to 
six inches long. 

We have learned almost all that we know of the natural history of 
this fish, since its artificial propagation was undertaken at Hadley 
Falls, in 1867. Many of the erroneous opinions held by old fisher- 
men upon the rivers have been dissipated, and certain facts are well 
established, though much yet remains to be learned. It is now 
known that the life of the shad, instead of being limited to one year, 
extends to five, and probably to ten or twelve years; that the 
“chicken shad,” as they are called among the pound fishermen, 
instead of being a distinct species, are the yearlings of the prestabilis ; 


24 


that the males are ripe at a year old, and come into the rivers, 
led by the sexual instinct, while the females are not fecund | 
until the second year, when they make their appearance as small sized 
shad; that they reach a merchantable size, or a weight of about four 
pounds, in three years; that at this age they have spawn in the ova- 
ries of three distinct sizes, plainly apparent, and the microscope 
reveals others still smaller in reserve; that only the larger eggs, or 
about one-third of those visible, are spawned, while those that remain 
are the crops for the two succeeding years; that the spawn of a full- 
grown shad, the ovaries weighing thirteen ounces, is about 70,000 in 
one season. 

The operations of Seth Green, at Hadley Falls, in the summer of 
1867, mark a new era in fish culture. When it is considered that 
Mr. Green was a pioneer in this work, and had only his experince in 
hatching the ova of the Salmonide@ to guide him, his complete suc- 
cess in a single season must be regarded as marvelous. This story is 
told so well by Mr. Lyman, of the Massachusetts Fish Commissioners, 
that we copy from his report of the year : 7 

“Green began his experiments the first week in July. He 
put up some hatching troughs, like those used for trout, in a brook 
which emptied into the river; and having taken the ripe fish in a 
sweep seine, he removed and impregnated the ova, as is usual with 
trout spawn. These, to the number of some millions, he spread in 
boxes; but, to his great mortification, every one of them spoiled. 
Nothing daunted, he examined the temperature of the brook, and 
found, not only that it was thirteen degrees below the temperature 
of the river (sixty-two degrees to seventy-five degrees), but that it 
varied twelve degrees from night to day. This gave the clue to suc- 
cess. Taking a rough box,he knocked the bottom and part of the 
ends out, and replaced them by a wire gauze. In this box the eggs 
were laid, and it was anchored near the shore, exposed to a gentle 
current, that passed freely through the gauze, while eels or fish were 
kept off. To his great joy, the minute embryos were hatched, at the 
end of sixty hours, and swam about the box like the larvee of mosqui- 
toes in stagnant water. Still, though the condition of success was 
found, the contrivance was still imperfect; for the eggs were drifted 
by the current into the lower end of the box, and heaped up, whereby 
many were spoiled for lack of fresh water and motion. The best that 
this box would do was ninety per cent, while often it would hatch 
only seventy or eighty per cent. The spawn-box he at last hit upon, 
and is as simple as it is ingenious; it is merely a box with a wire 


25 


gauze bottom, and steadied in the water by two float-bars, screwed to 
its sides. These float-bars are attached, not parallel to the top line 
of the box, but at an angle to it, which makes the box float with one 
end tilted up, and the current striking the gauze bottom at an angle, 
is deflected upwards, and makes such a boiling within as keeps the 
light shad eges constantly free and buoyed up. The result was a 
triumph. Out of 10,000 placed in this contrivance, all but seven 
hatched. In spite of these delays, and the imperfect means at hand 
for taking the fish, Green succeeded in hatching and setting free many 
millions of these tiny fry.” 

This simple contrivance of Green’s is one of the most important 
discoveries of modern times. Its grandeur will be much better 
understood ten years hence, when it shall have been applied to all 
our shad streams, and the yield shall have been increased, some 
thirty, some sixty, and some a hundred fold. We do not see 
why the increase may not. be, under favorable circumstances, a 
hundred fold. In the natural process not one egg in a thou- 
sand comes to life. By artificial propagation nearly ninety-nine 
per cent are hatched, and thus the most perilous time in the 
shad’s life—the embryo period—is bridged over. It is estimated, 
by those who have carefully studied the subject, that one-fourth of the 
fry bred in a stream return from the sea. If anything like this pro- 
portion escape the perils of the sea, the task of filling our rivers with 
shad is an easy one. The fry are now hatched at a cost not to exceed 
ten dollars a million, and the process will become very much cheap- 
ened as the parent fish become more plenty. The process as yet has 
only been fairly applied in the Hudson and Connecticut rivers; and 
with more spawners and more money ten times as many fish could be 
turned into these streams every year. Only a small part of the breed- 
ing grounds of either of these rivers has been opened. Yet, with the 
limited application of this discovery made the past five years, there 
has been a glut of this fish in the markets where they were sold, the 
finest fish selling for ten cents each. If the State Legislatures will 
but place sufficient funds at the disposal of our Fish Commissioners, 
every stream on the Atlantic seaboard can be so filled with shad that 
they will sell at all the fisheries for one cent a pound within the next 
ten years. This cannot fail to affect the price of all other fish, and 
all other animal food. Cheap food under our institutions means the 
elevation of all the laboring classes, a great increase of their comforts 
and luxuries, and the improvement of their social and moral condition. 

We had the pleasure of witnessing the process of taking the spawn 


26 


and hatching it, as it was performed by Mr. Smith, at Hadley Falls, the 
past season. The seines are drawn only at night, and there are three 
hauls made between eight and twelve o’clock, at intervals of almost 
an hour, because it is found that no ripe shad are taken by day. From 
one to two hundred fish were taken at each haul, the female fish increas- 
ing with the lateness of the hour. As soon as the shad were hauled 
to the shore, they were taken in large baskets to the pan, where they 
were stripped. Two men held the fish over the pan, while Mr. Smith 
stripped the most of them in less than a minute each. Some of the 
males were not ripe, and were not stripped at all. As fast as they 
were finished they were thrown into the pan and sold to hucksters, 
whose wagons were waiting for them. The fishing had ceased at all 
the places below, and the spawners were very plenty. The milt was 
brought into contact with the spawn by gentle stirring with the hand, 
and the contact of the two was so instantaneous, after the emission from 
the parent fish, that few egos could escape impregnation. The eggs 
swell immediately after impregnation from 9-100 to 13-100 of an inch 
in diameter, nearly doubling their bulk in the vessel. Another very 
curious fact is the sudden sinking of the temperature of the water, 
about ten degrees, in which the eggs are suspended. After the eggs 
have remained a half hour or more in the pans, they are carefully 
washed and placed in the hatching boxes, which are suspended in long 
rows trom a boom fastened across the current of the river. 

From what has actually been accomplished in the Hudson, the 
Connecticut and the Merrimac, there can be no reasonable doubt 
about the restoration of shad to all our depleted and barren rivers 
upon the Atlantic coast. I think we have every reason to expect that 
the great rivers of the Missouri and Mississippi valley can be abund- 
antly supplied with this fish. A pioneer movement was made in this 
direction some twenty years ago, by Dr. N. C. Daniell of Savannah, 
Ga., and an account of it was given by him to the Academy of Natu- 
ral Sciences in Philadelphia, and is found in their proceedings. He 
says: “Having long doubted the generally received theory of the 
annual migration south from the northern seas of the white shad, and 
of the consequent annual migration this way of the young fry 
hatched from the eggs deposited by their parents in our fresh-water 
streams, I made inquiry of our fishermen, and learned that minute 
but distinctive differences were readily detected between the white 
shad taken in the Savannah river and those taken in the Ogeechee 
river, eighteen miles south of the Savannah. Fully satisfied of this 
fact, I readily concluded that the young shad that descend to the sea 


a7 t 

never yo so far from the mouth of the river as to lose their connection 
with it, and that they ascend in the spring the same river which they 
had descended as young fish the previous summer. Then the feed- 
ing ground, so to speak, is in or near the mouth of the river. If the 
young shad does attain its growth at the mouth of the Savannah and 
of the Ogeechee rivers, may there not be equally good feeding grounds 
at the mouth of the Alabama and other rivers flowing into the Gulf 
of Mexico? To solve this question, 1, with the aid of my friend, 
Mart. A. Cooper, Esq, whose residence on the Etowah river, in Bar-_ 
bon county, supplied an eligible locality for the experiment, in the 
early summer of 1848 had placed in a small tributary of the Etowah 
river the fecundated eggs of the white shad, which I had myself 
carefully prepared at my plantation on the Savannah river, ten miles 
above this city, from living parents. These eggs so deposited by 
Major Cooper, were daily visited by him until they had all hatched. 
In 1851 or 1852 the white shad were taken in the fish traps at the 
foot of the falls of the Alabama, at Wetumpka, and of the Black 
Warrior, near Tuscaloosa. 

“Through the kindness of a friend at Montgomery, Ala., a shad taken 
from the Alabama river was sent to Prof. HB olneook of Charleston, 
S. C., who pronounced it the white shad of our Atlantic streame. 
They have gradually increased in quantity since they first appeared, 
and have, year by year, increased in size, until they are now equal to 
the best Savannah river shad. 

“The white shad have chiefly been taken in the traps at the foot of 
the fall at Wetumpka, and near Tuscaloosa. One, I am informed, has 
been taken from a trap at the head of the Coosa river, near Rome, 
in this State; and only some sixty miles below the locality in which 
the eggs were deposited by Major Cooper in a tributary of the Etowah 
river; I also learn that some few have been taken with a dip net 
near Selma. 

“T think we may safely conclude that the white shad may be as sue- 
cessfully established in the Mississippi river as it has been in the 
Alabama. Since feeding grounds for that delicious fish exist at the 
mouth of one river flowing into the Gulf of Mexico, may they not 
exist at the mouths of other or all the rivers discharging into that 
sea? Time must answer that question.” 

I think there can be very little doubt of the success of the effort 
to establish shad in all the streams that empty into the gulf. They 
are in the same latitude with the shad streams of the Atlantic coast, 
and can hardly be more muddy than the Alabama, If the shad can 


28 


have good breeding grounds in tolerably clear water, I apprehend 
there will be no difficulty from the amount of soil held in suspension 
in the lower part of the river. The fry will remain in the clear water, 
if that suits them better, until they are prepared to migrate to the 
sea. If Congress should favor the memorial that we propose to make, 
and grant an appropriation for fish culture, the experiment of plant- 
ing shad in western waters can be tried the coming season. It will 
cost but little, in any event, and if it succeed, it will give cheap fish 
to all our western States and territories, and supply one of their 
greatest wants. 


SPAWNING RACES FOR BROOK TROUT 


Read at the annual meeting of the American Fish Culturists’ Association, February, 
1872, by A. S. CoLLins. 

All spawning races now in use may be divided into two classes. 
The first used for getting fish in a ripe state for the purpose of obtain- 
ing and impregnating the eggs artificially, and the second used for 
obtaining the impregnated eggs as laid by the fish. The races of the 
first class for artificial spawning are simple in construction. They 
should be made about four-feet wide, not less than thirty feet long, 
and the depth of the water over the gravel varying, with the size of 
the fish, from six to twelve inches. (As I am speaking to practical 
tish-breeders I do not enter into details, which they will all under- 
stand.) There being no gravel in the ponds, the fish will enter into 
these races during the spawning season only when ripe or nearly ripe. 
The eggs can be easily taken from nearly every fish pond at any time 
in these races. They can be impregnated, and will make as good and 
healthy fish as if laid by the trout themeselves. No moderate pres- 
sure will force the eggs from a fish unripe or even nearly ripe. 

The races of the second class, or those used for obtaining the natur- 
ally impregnated eggs of fish, are of much more complex construction. 
These races are of two kinds. In the first the eggs are left to hatch 
naturally, the fish being excluded at the end of the spawning season. 
The simplest form of these is made by screening off the upper part of 
a spring brook, allowing the trout free access to it during the spawn- 
ing season, and driving them all to the lower part of the stream as 
soon as the season is closed. The eggs above have then a chance to 
hatch, and the young fish to develop, the screen being made fine 
enough to prevent the young fish from passing through. This arrange- 
ment seems to be very simple, but is rather difficult to put in practice 
for several reasons. It is hard to get the screen down so that the 


29 


water shall pass only through it, and as the meshes are necessarily fine, 
the screen must be large in comparison with the volume of water to 
pass through; and, when right in all other respects, it is liable to be 
constantly clogged by floating particles of moss, weeds, leaves, ete., 
and must be carefully watched and cleaned... The plan may answer 
well enough for one who wishes to produce only a small supply of 
fish annually, but the plan will not answer for any one who wishes a 
large supply, and that most of the eggs laid should produce fish, 
because only those eggs will produce fish which are laid so that the 
water shall constantly pass round them, and the fact being that 
only those laid over the spring itself, or in a strong and shallow 
current, are placed in these conditions. The favorable localities 
being limited, the fact is that comparatively few of the eggs hatch. 
Furman’s patent race, or “brook shanty,” as he terms it, obvi- 
ates these difficulties. A ditch is dug, say two feet deep, four 
feet wide, and several hundred feet long. The sides are made 
of boards. At the distance of five or six inches from the bot- 
tom a cleat is nailed to each side. Upon these cleats are laid cross 
pieces of planks about three inches wide and four feet long. These 
cross pieces are not laid close together, but have an interstice of one- 
quarter or one-eighth of an inch. Upon these cross pieces gravel is 
laid to the depth of four or five inches. Now, then, if at the head of 
the race a partition is made to run across the race from the top to 
within six inches of the bottom, it will be seen that all the water will 
be delivered under the planks supporting the gravel; and if at the 
end of the race a tight bulkhead is made reaching from the bottom 
to within four inches of the top of the race (or in other words twenty 
inches deep), it will be seen that the water can be let out only after 
rising from the bottom through the cracks in the planking, percolating 
evenly through the gravel, and rising to a height of about six or eight 
inches above it. The height being regulated by the height of the 
bulkhead at the end, it will be seen that this forms an artificial spring, 
the water rising up through the gravel and being equally distributed 
throughout the whole length of the race. The advantages claimed 
for the race are that it dispenses with a hatching-house and the labor 
required there, and that it can be used in any place where there is a 
spring of water or marshy ground, or by the side of a stream. It is 
claimed that the fish thus hatched are more healthy, and, when pro- 
perly fed, show no extraordinary tendency to die during infancy. 
The disadvantages of the race are that not so many of the eggs are 
hatched as by other methods, that they cannot be cared for as in 


30 


accessible troughs, that the trout will disturb each other’s beds and 
eat more or less of the eggs, and that no eggs can be gathered for 
transportation elsewhere. Of course I cannot here enter into a full 
discussion of any race, as the subject is too extensive, but can only 
indicate some prominent points. The above-mentioned, so far as I 
know, are the only kind of races used for the production of the fish 
without collection of eggs into hatching-houses. The second class of 
spawning races are those made for the purpose of obtaining the eggs 
after the fish shall have laid and impregnated them in the natural 
manner. These, so far as [ am aware, are all either constructed on 
one principle or are modifications of that principle. The idea under- 
lying them all is the natural spawning race invented by Stephen H. 
Ainsworth, who deserves to be called, as he often is, the “ father of 
fish culture in America.’ I suppose, of course, that you are all 
familiar with the construction of his race: the wire screens being 
made in the shape of double boxes two feet square, each set being 
taken up separately and the eggs removed. Now, this was a great 
step, so far as it went. I myself do not believe that the naturally 
impregnated eggs are better in any respect than those taken arti- 
ficially. Opinions vary, and the question is not yet definitely settled ; 
but be this as it may, every fish-breeder will have more or less 
use for some screen of the kind. Those who believe only in 
the natural impregnation will have them of course; and those 
who, for any reason, prefer artificial impregnation will still need 
such a screen in their races to gather the eggs which will inevi- 
tably be dropped in the intervals of taking. The practical diffi- 
culty in the use of Ainsworth’s screen, as invented by hin, 
is that each of the two-feet boxes has to be taken up sepa- 
rately, the top boxes set on one side, and the eggs feathered off the 
lower screen into a pan of water. As this must be done under water, 
the operation is neither pleasant or endurable in very cold weather. 
Then, again, the gravel has a great tendency to get out of the boxes, 
and between them and on the cleets, rendering a great deal of poking 
necessary before the box can be put back again into its proper place ; 
also, the time consumed would make a great deal of help necessary to 
the fish-breeder, and not only much, but skilled labor, which it is 
almost impossible now to find. Besides, the fish are driven off the 
race back into the pond every time the race is taken. For these and 
other reasons some modification of the Ainsworth plan is absolutely 
necessary to every one who breeds fish on a large scale. The moditi- 
cations which have come to my notice are as follows: In the “ draw 


———— ee 


31 


plan” a race is first made containing a. single row of Ainsworth 
screens; a parallel race of the same length is made by its side. This 
is a blind race, or one into which the fish cannot enter. The upper 
screens in the first race are made stationary, and the under screens 
are so placed on slides that they can be reached from the parallel race 
and drawn out into it. This arrangement does away with the removal 
of the upper screen, the displacement of gravel, driving away the fish, 
saves some time, and is so far an improvement. But it does not 
obviate the other difficulties. There is still too much working in cold 
water and too much time taken, and a double race is rendered neces- 
sary. Another modification of the Ainsworth race is what I should 
call the hook-and-eye slide. The upper screens are made stationary, 
as in the former case. Cleats for the under screens are made along 
the whole length of the race. The under screens are made as usual, 
except that two hooks are fastened into one side and two eyes into 
the opposite side. Then the operator, standing at either end of the 
race, slides in one of the under screens, placing the eyes toward him. 
Taking another screen, he fits its two hooks into the eyes of the first. 
The second screen pushes the first further in, and so on to the end. 
When the race is to be drawn, the first screen is pulled out its full 
length, unhooked, and the eggs are taken. The second is thus 
brought into reach, pulled out, unhooked, etc. This race takes up 
less room than the former; but its screens are also ten or twelve 
inches under water, and the contrivance, like the other, is clumsy, 
unhandy, and requires too much labor. The other modification of 
the Ainsworth race is my own patent roller screen. This has been 
in use for three years at our establishment (Seth Green and A. 5S. 
Collins, at Caledonia, N. Y.), and we still think it the best thing for 
the purpose. In this contrivance the race should be made about four 
feet wide and thirty feet long. The upper screens, instead of being 
made single, are made in sections of any convenient size. A roller is 
fixed in each end of the box, under the upper screens, and, instead of 
under screens, an endless apron of wire-cloth is made to pass over the 
rollers the whole length and width of the race. An apron, twenty- 
five or thirty feet long, would be liable to sag in the middle, but cross 
pieces are fastened to it, which slide upon cleets nailed to the side of 
the box, and the whole upper side of the apron is kept at a distance of 
one inch from the upper screen. Two cog-wheels are connected with 
one of the rollers, by means of which it can be turned from above 
with acommon crank handle; and also a tin pan, four inches wide 
and four feet long, or better, four pans of a foot each, set into a light 


32 


frame. When the eggs are to be taken a small gate in the 
front part of the box is raised, the frame of the pans lowered 
in front of the forward roller, and the crank turned. The 
crank turns the roller, the roller, by friction, turns the endless 
apron, and as the eggs on the apron come forward over the roller 
they drop into the pan. When the apron has been turned one-half 
round the eggs are all off. The pan is lifted out, the gate shut, and 
that is all till next time. It does not require ten minutes to take the 
largest race, and the hands are absolutely free from any contact with 
the water. For these and other reasons, not necessary to mention 
here, I claim that this is the best form of the Ainsworth race. The 
great disadvantage of the whole series is that they take so much more 
room than the race for taking artificially impregnated eggs. Into the 
latter the fish crowd as the best place to spawn, and are daily taken 
out, thus making room for others. In the Ainsworth they must have 
room actually to perform the operation, and as each pair practically 
use from twelve to twenty-five, or more, square feet, a large pond 
must have several of these races, in order to secure all the eggs. 

I have endeavored to present a few facts relating to my subject in 
as brief and compact a manner as possible. It will be seen that the 
minutie of fish breeding are studied very closely in this country. 


But, from the very nature of the case, it will still be many years 


before the best plans are definitely settled and accepted. 


THE INTRODUCTION OF SALMON INTO AMERICAN 
WATERS. 
A paper read before the American Fish Culturists’ Association, at its first annual 
meeting, held at Albany, N. Y., Feb. 7th and 8th, 1872, by Dr. M. C. EpmMonps. 

The subject of the “ introduction of salmon into American waters” 
having been assigned me by the president of this Association, I shall 
proceed, without very many preliminaries, to give you what I have 
gleaned upon that subject. 

It is well known to you that the question of salmon culture, and 
the introduction of salmon to our rivers is yet in its infancy, and 
nothing sure and certain has resulted from our labors thus far, so that 
really the matter yet remains an experiment with us. England, in 
less than half the time, has accomplished much, goes on in the work 
successfully, and now reaps a rich harvest from her labors. It is true 
that we have been as faithful laborers in the field as she, and I dare 
say should have been as successful had our efforts been as individual- 


33 


ized as theirs. Why she accomplishes so much is the fact that 
associated individual effort always does the work in the quickest 
possible manner, while the work in America has been under the 
auspices of State legislation, and confined to a few quite impracticable 
men like myself. The work accomplished in England is for the few, 
while here in America the work is for the many. The rivers there 
are individual and corporate property, while with us it is the property 
of the eminent domain, and consequently the stocking of our rivers 
is very slow and uncertain. A few States in New England have 
begun in the work, and have labored as well as they could under the 
encouragement they have received. They conceived it to be the work 
of the State instead of the work of the individual. So we find such 
men as Geo. P. Marsh, of Vermont, and A. H. Robinson, of New 
Hampshire, making a lengthy report, almost simultaneously, to their 
respective State Legislatures upon the subject of restocking the rivers 
with migratory sea fish. 

These reports were made as early as the year 1857, setting forth what 
the Old World was doing in the matter of fish culture, and that like 
results could be effected with us. Yet nothing was done by the 
Legislatures till much later. Trout breeding was first engaged in by 
individual effort about this time, and seemed to engage the whole 
attention of the public, and nothing more was done about the matter 
of migratory sea fish till 1864 and 1865, when several of the New 
England States passed sundry resolutions touching the matter. Fish 
commissions were appointed, concurrent legislation had, and the 
enterprise set agoing. From one to two years was spent by the fish 
commissions of the States in perfecting the laws touching this matter, 
making themselves acquainted with the business before them, and 
finally, in 1866, starting Dr. Fletcher, of Concord, N. H., for adult 
salmon, in New Brunswick. 

The doctor writes me that “in August, 1866, I went to New 
Brunswick, accompanied by Arthur Fletcher, of this city (both of us 
employed by the commission), for the purpose of transporting some 
of the adult salmon alive, intending thereby to restock our rivers with 
that fish ; but were unable to procure them in suitable condition for 
transportation at that time.” 

From the account given by Dr. Fletcher, it seems that he alone was 
the first man who started out in pursuit of the salmon, yet Mr. Norris 
tells us that “the first attempt at breeding salmon artificially in the 
United States was by James B. Johnson, Esq., of New York city, 
who imported ova of the salmon from the Danube in 1864, and 

: . 


34 


hatched them in New York city by Croton water,” but they all died 
“from preventable causes when liberated.” Let this matter be as it 
may, it was certainly a failure in the introduction of salmon into 
American waters. Dr. Fletcher writes me: “ In September, 1866, I 
again went alone to New Brunswick for the ova of the salmon, and 
succeeded in bringing home some twenty or twenty-five thousand 
impregnated ova.” Of these a large number were put into the 
Merrimac river, at Woodstock and Thornton, N. H., without being 
artificially hatched, and whether all or even any salmon fry were 
hatched out, the doctor is unable to state. A few hundred, and the 
remainder of this lot of eggs, the doctor hatched out artificially, at 
Concord. He writes me: “I kept and hatched a few hundred for the 
purpose of studying them during the period of incubation, and also 
observing their changes and growth after hatching.” Also, “I saved 
specimens of them when hatched, fifteen days old, one month old, and 
once a month up to a year old; and when sixteen months old I placed 
the remainder of them in the Pemigwassett, at Compton, by order 
> These were the first salmon placed in our 
waters that I have any knowledge of, and being placed there at sixteen 
months old they must have been quite large smolts — almost approach- 
ing the period when some of them were about putting on the grilse 
character. Supposing them to have hatched out as early as February, 
1867, the sixteen months following their birth would have made it 
June, 1868, when they were placed in the Pemigwassett, at Compton. 
This, the first real undertaking of the kind, was a success so far as 
‘the introduction of the salmon into our waters was concerned, and if 
any definite knowledge could be had with reference to the eggs which 
the doctor put into the Merrimac at Woodstock and Thornton having 
hatched, we could date their first introduction as early as March, 1867. 
The opinion is favorably entertained that quite a considerable number 
did hatch of those left in the waters of the Merrimac at Woodstock, 
and that we may safely reckon the spring of 1867 as the correct date 
of their introduction to American waters. Be this asit may, no after 
consideration of their return has confirmed the opinion entertained. 
In 1867 he writes me: “I again went to New Brunswick for 
another lot of salmon ova, and succeeded in bringing home as many as 
I could pack in four champagne baskets, 100,000 or more.” One- 
half of these were distributed by the commission to Robinson & Hoyt, 
of Meredith, N. H., and the other half to Livingston Stone, of 
Charlestown, N. H. Only twelve per cent of this lot of eggs were 
impregnated, and about ninety-nine per cent of the impregnated ones 


of the commissioner.’ 


35 


hatched. Mr. Robinson reports his lot to be 5,000, which were put 
into the Merrimae river, as also were those hatched by Mr. Stone, 
the entire yield of those eggs being 10,000 salmon fry. 

In the year 1868 Mr. Livingston Stone built the salmon-breeding 
establishment on the Miramichi river, N. B., near the locality 
where Dr. Fletcher obtained his first'and second stock of salmen ova. 

Mr. Stone succeeded in bringing home that year, 183,000, as he 
writes me, which were hatched in various localities, mostly, however, 

at his establishment in Charlestown, N. H. These were mainly dis- 
tributed in the Merrimac river. Some of the eggs were hatched by 
Mr. Brackett, fish commissioner of Massachusctts, and turned into 
the Mystic river, in that State, and 1,500 by Bacon & Co., te were 
put into streams near Cape Cod. 

Two thousand young salmon fry from this lot of eggs hatched by Mr. 
Stone were purchased by Commissioner Hagar, of Vermont, and put 
into West river, a tributary of the Connecticut river, at Weston, Vt., 
and Winooski river, a tributary of Lake Champlain. Those placed in 
West river were under my charge through the early part of the season 
of 1869. They were placed in that river on the 11th day of May, 
1869, in a cove or estuary, into which debouched a cold spring brook. 

-They seemed to thrive well during the summer and early autumn, 
till the memorable fall freshet of 1869, when they were carried out of 
their nice little home, and I lost sight of them. Many, however, sur- 
vived the freshet, and came back into the springs for Winter quarters. 
Several were seen in the summer of 1870 in adjoining towns. In 
fact, several were caught in the town below, situated on West river, 
and, when their character was fully known, returned again to the river. 
Tam told that two out of this lot were caught at Windsor Lock in 
Connecticut, on their way to sea in 1870. 

In the year 1869, Commissioner Hagar, of Vermont, brought from 
the Miramichi river, N. B., some 40,000 or 50,000 salmon ova, which 
were hatched at this establishment in Chester, Vt. Out of this num- 

_ ber of eggs, nearly or quite eighty per cent hatched and were all put 

into tributaries of the Connecticut river at Weston, and Chester, Vt. 

These were all the salmon ova brought into the State that year, and 

were all hatched and distributed in Vermont waters. 

In 1870 there was sent me from the Miramichi river, N. B., about 
8,000 salmon ova, which were principally sold and distributed to the 
commissioners of Maine and Connecticut; although our worthy 
president, Mr. Clift, of Mystic Bridge, Conn., received his pro rata 
allowance. These were hatched and distributed to the various streams 


36 


in their respective States. Those sent to Mr. Atkins, the commis- 
sioner of Maine (out of this year’s invoice), were found to be covered 
with frost when he unpacked them, yet nearly 100 per cent hatched. 
I think a like result was obtained in the hatching of the remainder 
of these eggs by Mr. Clift. 

In 1870 the fish commissioners of Maine and Connecticut purchased 
from the New Castle (Lake Ontario) establishment—Mr. Wilmot— 
some 18,000 eggs, which have been hatched and distributed. 

In 1871, Maine, Massachusets and Connecticut jointly built a sal- 
mon breeding establishment on the Penobscot river in Maine, from 
which a fair amount of salmon ova has been procured, and is now in 
process of hatching. 

The recapitulation and formation of tables showing the introduction 
of salmon into American waters being, for want of correct data, 
hard to determine, I have concluded to forbear any summing up of places 
and data of their introduction. 

I think it must be detinitely determined that Dr. Wm. M. Fletcher, 
of Concord, N. H., has the honor of being the first man who success- 
fully introduced salmon to American waters, and who first established 
the best and only successfel method, viz., by ova, as he found the 
adult salmon could not be transferred. 

The places best suited in our rivers for the introduction of the young 
salmon fry is, in my opinion, where there is a cove or estuary, into 
which debouches a cold spring brook. The water should be quite 
shallow and habited by no other fish. Even the small dace or min- 
‘now of double or equal size should be excluded. 

Professor Hagar has seen the dace fry of similar size killing and 
devouring the young salmon. The voraciousness on the part af the 
dace, trout or other fish is only evinced when the salmon are first 
introduced. 

When first put into a stream where they are to remain—having 
been transported from ever so short a distance—they seem very dor- 
mant, hardly moving from the spot where you put them. Two or 
three days after they gradually learn their new position and thei 
latitude and longitude, and commence feeding ; and it is at this time, 
and before they commence feeding, that other fry prey upon them so 
badly. After getting six or eight months old they will fight their 
way as readily as any young fry of that age, and take care of them- 
selves. The best food for them in the early months is the fly maggot. 
Take any dead animal—eat, dog, woodchuck or rabbit—suspend it to 
a pole overhanging your pond, invert a nail-keg over your animal, 


37 


whatever it may be, and leave him for the flies to blow, and very soon 
you have the desired food. Carbolic acid will destroy the odor. 

Through the first winter they should have cold springs to run into 
sufficiently large to contain quite a large school of them, as they are 
inclined to collect into large schools through the winter, and seek 
water that does not freeze. 

I hardly think it best to confine them very long in small ponds 
when one or two months old. As soon as they begin to feed they 
might be let loose into quite large ponds in which grows the water- 
cress, upon which they are said to feed quite voraciously ; yet, I am 
inclined to think they do not feed so much upon the water-cress as 
upon the larvee which inhabit it. I have examined the water-cress 
where trout and young salmon have lived the past summer, and I find 
it hardly touched. Still, I did see some evidence of its having been 
nibbled by the salmon and trout, but not to such an extent as to war- 
rant any one in concluding that they lived entirely on water-cress. 
I notice that small larvee do accumulate upon the water-cress, and that 
trout and salmon look healthy when they are allowed to run among it, 
and that they get quite a portion of their food off this plant. 

Water without the least perceptible current is best for them to run 
in after the absorption of the sac, and the bottom should invariably 
be of gravel. If the bottom is anywise inclined to be muddy, the 
screens get clogged, and the water rises, falling over the edges of your 
pond, creating a current which carries over the salmon fry, and they 
get lost. 

They cannot withstand the least perceptible current. After the 
absorption of the umbilical sack, all efforts they make in feeding are 
in the very stillest water. Your screen is loaded with young salmon 
the momenta current of water is created so as to be perceptible ; 
hence the importance of seeing to this matter early. 

It now remains for me to speak of these results that have attended 
this enterprise in America; which, I must say, are nothing at 
all commensurate with the labor bestowed upon them. Of the first 
salmon fry introduced to the Merrimac river, N. H., no returns 
have been realized. The salmon have been seen and caught 
going to sea, yet none have returned. Salmon were caught, however, 
this spring at Holyoke, and at Saybrook, the mouth of the Connecti- 
cut river, showing that the salmon fry introduced to the river in 1869 
were attempting to return. Those in the Merrimac have never 
returned, owing to the inefticient fishways at Lawrence and Lowell. 
Mr. Stone informed me that a grilse was caught in the Connecticut 


58 


river, opposite Charlestown, N. H., the past summer; but I cannot 
believe it was one that had been to sea and returned, scaling the dams 
at, Holyoke and Bellows Falls. He must have been a salmon turned 
into Williams river in 1870 by Mr. Hagar, or one that had escaped 
from his own fish establishment in 1869. 

It sometimes seems to me that what was “ everbody’s business was 
nobody’s business,” and that, in view of our insurmountable dams 
upon the Connecticut and Merrimac rivers, with insufficient fish-ways, 
ete., nothing was likely to result favorable to the undertaking of 
restocking our rivers with the migratory sea fish. Large manufactur- 
ing interests have sprung up upon these rivers, and corporations of 
such magnitude as those of Lowell, Lawrence and Holyoke class must for 
a long time menace the enterprise and hinder the progress of estab- 
lishing one of the most desirable objects to be obtained in this country. 

The fish commissioners of New Hampshire and Vermont have done 
with the enterprise till suitable fish-ways are provided over the insur- 
mountable dams on the Connecticut and Merrimac rivers in Massa- 
chusets. Yet the other New England States might do considerable 
in small rivers dehouching into the ocean, upon which there are no high 
dams or other impediments to the return of the fish. New Jersey 
and Pennsylvania are having concurrent legislation toward restocking 
the Delaware river with salmon and shad. And I see no cause why 
favorable results may not be obtained, as there are no large dams upon 
that river, nor large manufacturing establishments to hinder the pro- 
gress and ultimate success of the enterprise. 

The great desideratum with Yankee enterprise is, “ Does it pay ?” 
and to which all other considerations must bend. I can conceive of 
no other object so dear to us allas the final success of this enterprise. 
The stocking of our rivers with the salmon is above price, the great 
and good work for us all—the final consummation of which will bring 
blessings to millions of people; establishing the fact that man is not 
living wholly for self, but making progress in the right direction. 

The great fact of its feasibility stares us in the face, and whether 
we would or no, an irresistible impulse forces us onward, and 
finally the object must be attained. 

Let us labor onward and upward, looking for the success ultimately 
to be realized. 

Although England, France and Germany have done so much, yet 
it redounds not to the ultimate good of the people, but to the glory 
of individual enterprise, and the accomplishment of the object with 
them is the realization of large incomes to individual effort. The 


39 
American idea seems to be utterly devoid of selfish consideration, 
being as it is for all the people, and for their continued prosperity. 1 
conceive of no higher ambition for any man or set of men than the 


ultimate restocking our streams with the migratory sea fish, more 
especially the salmon. It at once gives all classes the advantages of 
cheap and desirable food. And, gentlemen, are we not commanded 
“to feed the hungry,” and how better can this great duty be per- 
formed than by laboring to restock our lakes and rivers with fish of 
all kinds? To this end let us labor and eventually perpetuate a bles- 
sing. 


LAND-LOCKED SALMON. 


A paper read before the American Fish Culturists’ Association, at its first annual 
meeting, held at Albany, February 7th and 8th, 1872, by B. F. Bow es. 

Mr. President and Gentlemen of the American Fish Culturists 
Association.—The task you have assigned to me is one that I hardly 
feel competent to discharge, and I doubtif I am able to do it satisfac- 
torily to you. But it is a task I undertake con amore, for there 
is no member of the finny tribe I am acquainted with that I 
regard with so much admiration and delight as the land-locked 
salmon. I have no idea that I shall be able to tell you anything new 
about this noble fish, but as it has been an object of study and inquiry 
with me for several years, and as I have cultivated its personal 
acquaintance on certain angling excursions to that degree that I may 
say a strong tie has existed between us, greatly to my pleasure if not 
to his, I hope, at least, to invest old facts with some new interest. 

The fresh-water salmon, which is now generally recognized by the 
name of the land-locked salmon, is known to exist only in the waters 
of North America and Scandinavia. On this continent it inhabits 
five different lake systems of Maine, which, if Iam correctly informed, 
are these: Sebago Lake, both branches of the Schoodic Lakes, Sebec 
Lake and Reed’s Lake. <A very small variety inhabits a lake called 
Loch Lomond, near St. John’s, New Brunswick, which are known in 
that vicinity as “white trout.” The origin of land-locked salmon is 
still an unsolved problem among the naturalists. Some hold that it 
is the progeny of sea-salmon, and dwarfed by being prevented from 
making its annual migration to the sea, and therefore compelled to 
seek its nourishment in fresh water only. From this plausible theory 
the name is derived. And this name is generally believed to have 
been bestowed upon this fish by Prof. Agassiz, but I am not able to 
learn if this is the fact, or if it was imported from Europe, where the 


40 


same fish exists. It is doubtful if Prof. Agassiz would give that name 
to this fish now, at all events. Opposed to this view of its origin is 
the fact that there does not now exist, and has not existed for many 
years, any obstacle to the passage of these fish to the sea. At least 
this is the fact in some localities where they are found. Until within 
a few years the Schoodic salmon descended the San Croix river as far 
as Calais, and from this point it is an open run to the sea. But in 


support of this theory is the fact that both on this continent and in ~ 


Scandinavia, land-locked salmon are found only in inland waters to 
which sea-salmon penetrate, or once had access to, in their summer migra- 
tions. My friend, the learned secretary of this Association, argues 
with much skill that the land-locked salmon is entitled to the rank 
of a distinct species. He claims that its size, robustness and spirit, 
and above all the difference in the number of eggs it deposits, form 
sufficient testimony against the theory that this fish is a sea-salmon, 
dwarfed by the suppression of one of its strongest instincts. 

That veteran angler and fish culturist, Mr. Thaddeus Norris, of 
Philadelphia, says, on this subject, that “many years ago a few sea- 
salmon finding the large Schoodic lakes to be convenient feeding 
grounds, passed the winter in them, and their progeny, taking this to 
be the established habit of their fathers, like the good Pennsylvania 
Dutchmen, preferred to walk or swim in the same path.” 

Mr. Norris cites the most authentic instance in which sea-salmon 
were known to be actually land-locked, and the effect it had on their 
progeny. 

“The first and the least of all are those Lilliputians found in Loch 
Lomond, which supplies the city of St. John’s, New Brunswick, 
with water. The Mispeck, which discharges that body of water 
covering about three square miles, twenty years ago was dammed for 


milling purposes, and some of the sea-salmon which had been 


migrating to and from the lake, remained and reproduced. The 
lake being small and of inconsiderable depth, furnished a very 
limited supply of food, and as a consequence each generation attained 
a less size than its predecessor, until the descendants of the lordly 
anadromous salmon are now reduced to the length of nzne inches. I 
have seen strings of them there, and their average size does not exceed 
this. They are so small as not to deserve the name of salmon, 
and are called “ white trout.” Yet they are true salmon ; and, if the 
dams below were taken away, and they descended to sea for as many 
years as they have been debarred from it, would attain their normal 
size.” 


41 


But I leave the doctors to disagree as to the origin of this fish, and 
pass to other facts concerning him. 

In external appearance the land-locked salmon closely resembles the 
sea salmon, except in size. In anatomical structure they are said to 
be identical. The eggs are the same size, and the young fry are 
almost precisely like those of migrating salmon. Between the fry 
of a few months old of the two species there is scarcely any percep- 
tible difference. It has the jet-black spots of the true salmon on its 
gill covers. It has the recurved, conical tusk on the lower jaw, pecu- 
liar to the true salmon. It ascends the streams at night, and its 
period of spawning is short, like the salmon. The color of the flesh 
is the delicate pink of the salmon, perhaps a few shades lighter, but 
I have never found the deposit of white curds between the muscles, 
as in sea salmon. It may exist in larger specimens than I have seen. 
The weight of land-locked salmon varies with the different localities 
where they are found, and, what is a little singular, the largest fish 
are sometimes met with in the smallest lakes. Thus the Sebago sal- 
mon now average in weight five pounds to the males and three to the 
females, but larger ones are sometimes taken. The largest on record 
is seventeen anda half pounds. The fish from Reed’s lake weigh 
from ten to twelve pounds, while those from the Schoodie lakes, 
which are much the larger range of waters, average one and one-half 
pounds, and an eleven pound Schoodic salmon is the largest on record. 
I never saw one weighing over three pounds. 

Whatever the origin of these fish may have been, whether they 
descended from old King salmon or “ came over in the Mayflower,” 
there is no doubt that they can boast of a highly respectable antiquity. 
There is evidence that these fish have existed in the waters in which 
they now are found for many years. The Indian traditions of the 
localities mention them. The spot which is now the favorite camping 
ground of anglers at the outlet of Grand lake abounds in Indian relics, 
and there is little doubt that in former ages the Indians encamped on 
this same spot to pursue their summer sport. Twenty-two years ago 
Dr. A. C. Hamlin, of Maine, went to the outlet of Grand lake stream 
with Peale Toma, the celebrated Indian guide. I think this was the 
first time a true fly fisherman—and Dr. Hamlin is a naturalist as 
well—ever killed these fish. It was in the month of September. He 
says that when Toma first threw his rudely made fly upon the water 
“it seemed as though fifty little salmon sprang for it, their silver sides 
glistening in the pure water like flakes of light. Curiously enough 
the “untutored mind” of the Indian had formed the same theory 


42 


with regard to him as some of the naturalists, for, as he pointed out 
the beautiful colors of the dying fish, Toma said, “ there! that fish 
brother to salt-water salmon, only he forgot to go to sea, but stay in 
fresh-water instead.” 

The Schoodic salmon run out of the deep water of the lakes into 
the outlets and streains both in spring and fall. In the spring they follow 
the log-rafts through Grand lake in large numbers, attracted probably 
by the offal thrown overboard, and the insects falling from the bark 
of the logs. The lumbermen sometimes take numbers of them about 
their rafts; and in trolling through the lake for trout and togue, I 
never failed to take several salmon if I drew neara raft. To me this 
fact is the best evidence that a fish cannot hear, for I do not think 
any self-respecting member of the salmon family would voluntarily 
remain within hearing of the unearthly din that a crew of Maine 
“loggers” make in warping a raft through one of theselakes. When 
they first arrive, these fish are covered with a thick green slime, which 
is believed to be a species of parasite that cling to them during their 
long winter residence in the deep water. In this condition many of 
them are rather dull and sluggish in their movements, not rising to 
the angler’s fly with avidity. But a few days, or even hours, in the 
quick water of the stream cleans off this slime, and their sides are like 
burnished silver. At first they appear in small parties of six and 
twelve and a score, till about the first of June, when there are gen- 
erally two or three days in which they crowd in thicker and faster, 
and the whole family seems hurrying into the stream. Once there, 
they remain in its foaming rapids until July, when they return to the 
cooler waters of the lake. About the tenth of September they run 
into the stream again—this time to spawn. They begin to spawn in 
October and finish early in December. The height of the spawning 
season is about the fifth of November. It spawns at night and lies 
quiet during the day, which is the reverse of the trout. It is at this 
season that formerly the Indians speared vast quantities of these fish, 
sending them to market in barrels, and packing them up for their 
own winter food. It is doubtful if this illegal destruction of these 
fish is now entirely stopped by the more stringent laws and efforts of 
sportsmen. 

It seems useless, however, to waste any regret over the illegal fish- 
ing of the past or the present, in view of the impending total ruin 
of this most valuable fishery, for that it is doomed to immediate 
destruction seems certain. A tannery has been built within the last 
year on Grand Lake stream, just about at the point where the salmon 


43 


“love to congregate” in spring and fall, which, together with the 
large settlement that has beeen formed in consequence, place this 
ancient and favorite haunt of the Schoodic salmon among the multi- 
tude of fisheries destroyed by the intrusion of manufacturing indus- 
try. When the purpose of landowners in this region to build a 
tannery at this point first reached the ears of the sportsmen who 
were accustomed to visit this spot, it caused a buzz of indignation and 
alarm, and there arose among them a strong desire to rescue this 
valuable fishery from the threatened despoliation. Two years ago 
this spring I was appointed one of a committee authorized to purchase 
land on both sides of this stream below the dam on behalf of the 
Oquossue Angling Association—an association of gentlemen anglers 
already possessing vaiuable ‘ands and waters in Maine for fishing 
purposes. But our effort was made too late. It was obviously of 
more importance to the landowners and inhabitants of the region to 
have a tannery there than once or twice a year a party of anglers. 
And they cared little for the fish—indeed they seemed to look upon 
those whe came from such a distance at such a great cost to killa few 
of these fish as a parcel of lunatics. I appealed to Mr. Charles G. 
Akins, the very able and gentlemanly fish commissioner of Maine, 
who visited the stream at that time, for his intervention against the 
tannery; but although his sympathies were with the anglers and in 
favor of saving the fish from destruction, he said that he was clothed 
with no power to stop the proposed occupation of this beautiful stream 
by its owners to develop its water-power. Mr. Atkins regards the 
fishery as doomed to rapid destruction. The fish may come into the 
stream in some numbers for a few years, but they must gradually dis- 
appear before this invasion of their natural domain by what we 
usually glorify as the “ progress of civilization’ But if the Schoodic 
salmon is to be driven from its native waters, it is likely to be kindly 
provided with a home where it has hitherto been unknown. Of 
course such a valuable fish as this for food and for sport could not 
long be overlooked by the fish culturists. Various experiments have 
been made, both by individuals and by State fish commissioners, to 
introduce these fish into other waters, andin most instances it has 
been successful ; though it may be said that these various experi- 
ments have not been sufliciently tested by time. It is tolerably 
certain, however, that the Schoodic salmon will thrive in fresh-water 
lakes and streams which are favorable to the existence of large brook 
trout. In October, 1868, Mr. Atkins, the fish commissioner of Maine, 
took a lot of spawn at Grand Lake stream, part of which was carried 


+4 


to Manchester, Maine, to be hatched, and part of which was given to 
the fish commissioners for the state of Massachusetts. About 3,000 
fish were hatched at Manchester, which were distributed in various 
waters to take care of themselves, except 800 which were placed under 
the care of David C. Pottle, at Alna, a practical trout breeder. Mr. 
Pottle has a number of artificial ponds supplied with spring water. 
One of these, some two rods square, was allotted to the salmon. In 
nine months they increased their size more than sixty-four times, 
and probably nearly one hundred times. They were fed daily with 
curdled milk, and out-weighed (five to one) fish of the same age that 
were taken from their native waters. Of the portion of eggs received 
by the state of Massachusetts, about 1,800 hatched; but while the 
fish were quite young fry they were accidentally mixed with a lot of 
sea-salmon fry, and thus their identity was lost. It is worthy of note 
that in this instance a comparison, side by side, of over 100 specimens 
failed to show any specific difference between the fry of the sea- 
salmon and the land-locked salmon. But the most extensive and best 
organized effort to cultivate the land-locked salmon by artificial means 
has been undertaken by the president of our Association, Rev. W. 
Clift. The use of the hatching apparatus at Grand lake, which had 
been prepared by the commissioners of Maine and Massachsetts, and 
the right to take the spawn of Schoodic salmon, was granted to Mr. 
Clift on condition that he should turn back into the stream one-third 
of all he hatched. He began his work there with the aid of David 
Dresser, of Princeton, Me., about October 1, 1870. Over 700 fish 
were caught with the fly. About 256 males and 300 females were 
stripped, producing 162,000 eggs, or about 540 to a female. A large 
number proved to be unimpregnated. Out of the healthy eggs that 
were successfully transported to the hatching boxes at Poquonoc 
farm, 9,000 fry were hatched for the State of Connecticut, which 
were distributed into nine lakes and rivers in different parts of the 
State. Of the Poquonoe Company’s fry, 7,200 were distributed in 
Broad brook, April 21, 1871. Of the portion of eggs left at Grand 
lake, 16,500 fry were hatched and returned to their native waters. 
Last fall (1871) Mr. Clift was not able to continue the collection of 
spawn, owing to the occupation of the stream by the tannery com- 
pany and tue merciless destruction of the salmon on their spawning 
beds by its employes, so that his experiment of the year before was 
most timely and fortunate. Since the destruction of this noble 
fish is permitted in its native haunts, it is one of the most gratifying 
results of the science of fish culture that it has been instrumental in 


45 


preserving the Schoodic salmon and distributing it into distant and 
strange waters, where it will be more highly prized and protected. 
Whether it will lose some of its good qualities by the change remains 
to be demonstrated. : 

I should fail to do justice to the land-locked salmon, and also be 
guilty of the deepest ingratitude to him, if I failed to speak here of 
his high qualities as a game fish. All true fly fishermen who have 
ever killed the Schoodic salmon speak of it with the greatest enthu- 
siasm. I have heard an old angler say he had rather kill six of these 
fish than fifty trout of the same size. That “grave and reverend 
angler,’ Dr. Bethune, went regularly every spring to Grand lake for 
many years, and he had right royal sport there sometimes. It has 
been my fortune to share the camp for three years with George Trott, 
Esq., of Philadelphia, who was the comrade of Dr. Bethune at the 
stream for many years, and over our camp fire he has related to me 
the wonderful stories of those days. From his diary is taken the 
score of their sport afew years ago: “June, 1856, three rods, six days, 
634 fish, 872 pounds; June, 1857, three rods, six days, 432 fish, 642 
pounds; June, 1858, two rods, eight days, 510 fish, 725 pounds; one 
rod, six hours, sixty-five fish, ninety-four pounds.” When fish are so 
plentiful as this, it would seem to deprive the sport of its true zest. 
But this will never be the case again at thisspot. There isa tradition 
at the stream that a Scotchman crossed the Atlantic regularly every 
year for several years to kill these fish; and I have no doubt it is true, 
for one who has ever enjoyed this sport once has a keen relish for it 
and desires to try it again when the season comes around. The ruin 
of this noble fishery at Grand lake will therefore be deeply mourned 
among the anglers. It does seem as if it might have been saved, and 
been the source of as much wealth to the State and the locality as a 
tannery. 

It is hardly necessary for me to add to this evidence of the high 
qualities of land-locked salmon, as a food and game fish, that it emi- 
nently deserves the attention of fish culturists and those engaged in 
the promotion of the culture of useful fishes on behalf of the State. 
It has been shown that it thrives well under artificial treatment, and 
there is every reason to believe that it will do well in all pure lakes 
and streams, such as are favorable to the growth of the brook trout. 

In their report of 1871, the Massachusetts commissioners say: 
“The Sebago salmon procured last year yielded several thousand eggs, 
which were successfully hatched. The seven fish brought at that time 
have lived perfectly well in a spring pond of moderate size, which 


46 


shows how easily this large fish may be availed of for the purpose of 
culture.” 

I have purposely omitted mention until now of the salmon of Wil- 
mot’s creek, Ontario. It is conjectured that this fish is a fresh-water 
salmon, and, if so, it stands at the head of the so-called land-locked 
salmon. There is no real obstacle, except the distance of 1,500 miles, 
to prevent this fish from making the annual migration of its species 
to the sea; but some naturalists who have observed its movements 
believe that it winters in Lake Ontario. It is my own opinion that 
it does migrate. Experiments have been made by marking fish and 
otherwise to ascertain if this be the fact, however, and it will pro- 
bably soon be demonstrated. Mr. Wilmot’s success in the artificial 
culture of these salmon is one of the greatest triumphs of the science 
of fish culture, and, together with the peculiarly questionable habits 
of the fish, has attracted the attention of the world. 


TROUT CULTURE. 


A paper read before the American Fish Culturists’ Association, at its first annual 
meeting, held at Albany, February 7th and 8th, 1872, by Livinaston STONE. 

The salmo fontinalis, or American brook trout, seems to be espe- 
cially adapted to artificial cultivation. Trout become very tame when 
domesticated. They can be kept the year round on a simple diet ot 
raw meat, and they thrive on it. They can be confined in large num- 
bers in a small space; they are easily manipulated; their eggs are 
hardy and can be transported over great distances with safety. The 
grown-up fish are themselves very hardy, in suitable water, and the 
per centage of mortality, under good treatment, is exceedingly small. 
They are alsoa beautiful and very interesting fish, in all their habits 
and movements. They are the favorite with anglers, and command 
a very high price when grown for the market. 

These qualities give trout a special adaptation, above all other fish, 
to artificial breeding and domestic cultivation, and have made them 
the favorite with all who have engaged in fish culture, with facilities 
for growing them. 

The art of practical trout culture has, however, a very brief history. 
It is true that fish culture has been practiced, from time immemorial, 
by the southern Asiatics; that it was common among the Romans 
before the Christian era; that fish eggs were artificially impregnated 
and hatched by a monk in the middle ages. It is also true that a 
German army officer hatched salmon and trout about the middle of 
the eighteenth century, that experiments of a similar character were 


47 

made in Great Britain and Norway and the United States, and that 
the French organized and kept in operation a large government fish- 
breeding establishment, till their late disastrous war with the Ger- 
mans; but it was not—and I say it with pride —it was not till the 
persevering and far-seeing efforts of Stephen H. Ainsworth, and the 
wonderful genius of Seth Green, had been directed to the subject, 
that trout culture passed from the stage of experiment to that of a 
popular and practical branch of industry. 

The history of practical trout culture, by itself, hardly dates back 
ten years. Without meaning to detract from the merits of Mr. Ains- 
worth’s exertions, which were all the more meritorious because they 
were, in the practical sense in which he made them, original, I think we 
can safely say that the art of practical trout culture dates from the 
time that Seth Green bought the Caledonia stream, and demonstrated 
to the world what a great success could be made of practical trout 
breeding. The culture of trout is also an American specialty. In 
respect to the salmo fontinalis, or common brook trout, it is necessa- 
rily so, because this variety of trout is found in no other country. In 
Europe, however, there is the “salmo fario,”’ or common trout, the 
salmo ferox, or bull trout, the salmo trutta, or lake trout, besides the 
char and grayling, which are closely allied to these; and there is 
nothing to prevent Europeans from cultivating these fish as Americans 
cultivate the salmo fontinalis, or American brook trout. But, in point 
of fact, this is not done. There is one trout-raising establishment in 
England, one in Wales, two or three in Ireland and Scotland, and 
these comprise all, in Great Britain, at least. Nowhere, except in 
America, have the people entered, as they have here, with a universal 
accord and general interest, into the work of breeding and raising 
trout. 

It seems to suit the American genius. There are, besides the 
excitement and novelty of it, a magnitude in the scale of operations, 
and a largeness of results, as well as an absorbing interest in the 
detail of it, that seems to commend it particularly to the American 
mind. 

At all events, it is a fact that the two great representatives of the 
art, Stephen H. Ainsworth and Seth Green, are Americans, and it is 
also a fact that American fish culturists have, with a wonderful 
unanimity of action, taken the lead given them by these distinguished 
persons, and have plunged into trout raising with an enthusiasm and 
universality that have given it the character of a very marked Ameri- 
can specialty. 


45 


I think it is safe to say that there is hardly an individual, in the 
north-eastern section of the country at least, who owns a suitable 
stream, who either has not taken some steps toward stocking it with 
trout, or who does not contemplate doing so at some favorable oppor- 
tunity in the future. 

The change which it has wrought in the fish itself is very striking. 
The brook trout, formerly known as one of the very wildest of the 
wild creatures of the forest streams, has become a domesticated 
animal. 

How fully the word domesticated will finally apply to trout that 
are bred and grown artificially, time alone can decide. It is still a 
very doubtful question, whether they will ever become so accustomed 
and eae to the habitations v“ man, that they will prefer to remain 
around his homes and under his protection, like dogs and fowls, and 
so become in the strictest sense, domestic creatures. 

Still this result is not impossible, perhaps not improbable. Cattle, 
horses, swine, become as wild as buffaloes and zebras, when left to 
run wild long enough. 

Artificial influences have given these creatures their domestic 
habits. Why may not a sufficiently long course of similar influences 
create a similar change in the habits of trout ? 

Again, trout are not afraid of man, when he has not taught them 
to fear him. 

I have seen trout in forests of New Brunswick, as tame as some 
of my domesticated ones, or, more correctly speaking, as little disposed 
to be afraid. If, then, we can bring trout back to their original feel- 
ing toward man, before they learned to be afraid of him, by teaching 
them not to fear him, why may we not restore also their original 
freedom from aversion to him. 

Again, I have at my ponds trout that were hatched from parents 
that were themselves hatched there artificially. Now, it may have 
been wholly a fancy, but there has seemed to me to be a difference 
between these fish and the offspring of wild parents in respect to 
shyness, and that the artificially hatched progeny of domestic parents 
were less shy than the artificially hatched offspring of wild parents. 
If this is so, and the trout show an improvement in one generation, 
what may we not expect of fish in which domestication has been 
hereditary for many generations ? 

The time may come when continued domestication, together with 
the overcoming of their fear of man, may so modify the present 
action of their instincts, that when pains are taken with the domes- 


49 


ticated trout, they will prefer to seek the shelter and food which they 
find around the houses of man, to the precarious chances of a wild 
and roaming life. This may not be probable. I do not think it is 
impossible. 

At any rate, whether trout ever come to prefer the haunts of men 
or not, and remain around them, without being confined, this result 
has been accomplished—namely, that when artificially bred and con- 
fined, they become tame, and thrive and breed even better than in 
their native freedom. 

The subject assigned me on this occasion offers a broad and tempt- 
ing field, in which it is no easy matter to choose any specified path, 
for to select any one must be to leave numberless others, no less 
interesting, untrodden. At the same time, to confine within the 
limits of a half hour’s reading any kind of treatment of so large a 
subject, which shall not be wholly superficial, only one or two points 
can be taken up and considered, and they will represent only a very 
small fragment of the whole subject. 

I shall therefore, even at the risk of a fragmentary production, 
select two salient points, and confine myself to these. 

These two points are (1), the question of the practicability of 
raising the young fry; and (2), the pecuniary aspect of trout- 
growing. I select the first, because I think it is uppermost in the 
minds of the initiated; and the second, because I think it is upper- 
most in the minds of the uninitiated. 

The raising of the young fry trout has been the most perplexing 
and inscrutable of all the branches of trout breeding. How to hatch 
the eggs, which really hatch themselves, if simply protected trom the 
dangers which beset them, was a problem comparatively easy in its 
solution, although this was a grand achievement at first, in virtue of 
its originality, and reflects great credit on those who pioneered it 
through ; the more so, because it was success in hatching the eggs that 
first popularized the art of fish culture, and laid the foundations of 
the present wide-spread interest in it. 

But to make the young trout live, which have equally delicate 
and more complex organizations than the eggs; to find them the 
food which is wholesome for them, while it is wholly artificial; to 
anticipate wants which are not even known; to discover derange- 
ments of organs, when the organs themselves are microscopic, and 
to avert diseases, without a glimpse of their causes; in short, to 
make creatures live, so frail that a touch will almost kill them, so 
small that their wants cannot be observed, and that seem to die with- 


4 


50 


out a cause; this was a field of study apparently so obscure and 
intangible that it presented great difficulties. Here the triumphant 
skill which hatched the eggs successfully was baffled, and it seemed 
for a time as if the wonderful art which had promised so much was 
to come to a stand-still at this gulf, between the eggs and the year- 
ling trout, which could not be bridged. 

Those who made the earliest practical experiments in this country 
will undoubtedly recall, with me, the anxiety which was at one time 
felt, lest the difficulties of bridging this chasm would prove insur- 
mountable. This task has now, happily, in my humble opinion, been 
performed. 

I am a thorough believer in the practicability of raising the young 
trout. I think the question now is not, how can young trout be 
raised, but how many can do it, and under what circumstances can it 
be done successfully. 

I know there is a good deal of skepticism in high quarters about 
the possibility of keeping young fry alive through the first six 
months of feeding, and I am aware that some of the best authorities 
say that a considerable per centage will die unavoidably during that 
time. Mr. Stephen H. Ainsworth, in a letter to the writer, says that 
a considerable per centage of the eggs, when impregnated, are prema- 
ture, and consequently produce an imperfectly developed fish, which 
cannot live. 

Colonel Theodore Lyman, in the report of the Massachusetts Fish- 
eries Commission, says, “ All remained remarkably healthy till May, 
when a certain number were observed to be weakly. It is likely that 
they were naturally sickly, and when the yolk sac was gone, they 
had not enough vitality to feed.” 

And Seth Green speaks, in his book on trout culture, as if there 
were necessarily a great mortality among the young fry, and says, 
“ We don’t know what is the matter with them, nor how to cure 
them.” 

Now, I wish at the outset to express distinctly my deference to 
authorities so high—indeed I know of none higher ; but I must never- 
theless venture to disagree with them, if they mean that there is any 
necessary inherent cause of death in the young fry, which cannot be 
removed. 

Some will die, say five per cent, though it ought to be less than 
this, of weak constitutions. They are born into the world so weakly 
constituted that they cannot stand the wear and tear of life, and must 
die. 


ol 


I admit that there may, perhaps, be five per cent of these unavoid- 
able deaths; but that the rest come into being already doomed to pre- 
mature death, or that young trout have any mysterious or peculiar 
inherent cause of death in them, any more than young calves or pigs 
or chickens, I do not believe. 

In the present state of information of the art, young trout fry may 
be more liable to accidents than other young domesticated creatures, 
and it may be more difficult to guard against their diseases, but this 
is another thing. 

Careless breeding may, and careless hatching certainly will, produce 
a progeny of young trout, of which 100 per cent will die, but this is 
_ also another thing. 

Careful breeding and hatching will produce trout which are just as 
likely to live, in my opinion, as the same number of lambs or chickens ; 
and if the young fry die, it is not because of any mysterious disease, 
or innate cause peculiar to them because they are trout, but it is 
because they were killed by external canses, just as much as lambs or 
chickens are killed by storms or by parasites, or from starvation or 
poison. 

It is true that they are killed from ignorance of their wants, and 
not from willful neglect, but it is the same thing abstractly ; the cause 
of death is external and removable, and not innate nor necessary. 

Their wants are peculiar, of course, and more occult and intangible 
than those of pigs and colts, and to a beginner it will sometimes seem 
as if they died when nothing ailed them. But if they were as large 
as pigs and colts, and could be studied as easily, I do not think their 
wants would be found to be any more mysterious or peculiar ; and if 
the causes of disease could be magnified so as to be observed and 
studied clearly, I think that no more trout would die when nothing 
was the matter with them. 

I am furthermore convinced that study and experience will eventu- 
ally clear up this subject, notwithstanding the difficulties which sur- 
round it, and that some time it will be known how to raise trout, and 
make them live, as well as it is known how to raise turkeys and 
chickens. 

I believe that there are energy and intelligence enough now inter- 
ested in the cause to accomplish this end; and I think that the 
beginner may accept these axioms in raising trout : 

1. No trout dies without a cause. 

2. The causes of death are discernable. 

3. They can, in most instances, be removed. 


D2 


My own experience has invariably been to confirm these principles. 
I lost, in my apprenticeship days, as many young fry as any one else, 
but with every death, say over five per cent, there appeared a distinct, 
assignable cause, present or remote, which could be removed or 
avoided, and the more I lost, the more I became satisfied that the 
causes of death among the young fry could be discovered and 
avoided. 

My later experience has added confirmation to this opinion and 
now, since I have used charcoal troughs and tanks altogether, deaths 
among the young trout have been, among some lots, rare occurrences, 
and in general have been no more frequent, over the five per cent 
weak ones, than among the yearling and breeders. 

In one charcoal trough in particular, containing over 5,000, there 
was, in the season of 1870, less than one and a half per cent of deaths, 
from all causes, in three months. It was the same in the year 1871. 
In one box of a thousand, I did not take out ten dead ones in three 
months. I attribute this, in a great measure, to the use of charcoal 
in hatching, but it confirms the theory just advocated, that the causes 
of death can be removed. I think, therefore, that we may lay aside 
our anxiety about raising the young fish, and with it all anxiety we 
may have, in any respect, for the ultimate triumph of the art of trout 
culture. 

With a knowledge of how to rear the young fry, all the steps to suc- 
cess in the art are complete. Since the introduction of the Russian 
or dry method of impregnation, almost 100 per cent of the eggs can 
be fertilized and hatched. By proper care and skill the young fry 
ean be brought through the first year. 

By using the requisite safeguards from poachers, and the natural 
enemies of fish, the yearlings can be rapidly grown and fatted for 
market, and the favorite position they occupy among sportsmen, and 
the money returns which they at present command, are such as hold 
ont the promise of a long period of prosperity in the business of trout 
erowing before it shall, if ever, show signs of decay. 


Tue Prcuntary Aspect oF Trout CuLtTuRE 


One of the chief inquiries at the present time, with regard to trout 
culture, is whether it can be made a profitable business. In reply to 
this inquiry, I have no hesitation in saying that I think trout 
raising can be made profitable anywhere in the settled portions of this 
country where there is plenty of suitable water, but, to be very profi- 
table, it must be on a large scale. It will not pay great profits to 


53 


raise 1,000 trout a year, but a handsome income will be made from 
raising 10,000 a year. I find that the cost of growing trout is very 
small indeed, and that the returns are very large indeed. It costs no 
more to keep 1,000 trout each, of the three different sizes, springlings, 
yearlings, and two-year olds, than it does in the country to keep a 
horse; and what would keep a pair of horses in the city at a stable, 
would enable a man to turn out 5,000 pounds of trout a year. 

The current expenses of a trout breeding establishment consist of 
three classes, viz. : 

(1.) The rent of the place, or the interest on the original outlay, 
plus the wear and tear, which together should be reckoned at twelve 
per cent. 

(2.) The care of the fish, which is not much for a small stock of trout, 
and grows comparatively less, the more fish you have. 

(8.) The cost of feed, which is very small, amounting perhaps to 
three cents a pound; all which items of expense do not make the 
full grown trout cost over fifteen or twenty cents a pound, if success- 
fully raised. On the other hand, trout bring from fifty cents a pound 
to $1.25 ; seventy-five cents being, I should say, a fair average, at the 
present time, in the neighborhood of Boston and New York. 

Here we see a large margin for profit, and I think a fair one, when 
a man raises his trout successfully, and all depends upon this, of 
course. If he cannot keep his trout alive and secure, he cannot expect 
to make anything at the business. I should say the following esti- 
mate approximated the truth: 

If you have first-rate water facilities, and should hatch 20,000 
young fry, and raise them all to be four years old, on food at three 
cents per pound, they would cost you, after you began to market the 
fish, not over eighteen cents a pound. If you raise half, all your 
expenses being the same, with the exception of food, they will cost 
about twenty-four cents a pound. If you raise one-fourth, they will 
cost somewhere near thirty-six cents per pound. If you raise one- 
eighth, about fifty-four cents per pound. If you raise less than this 
they will cease to pay a profit. To assist the beginner in estimating 
his expected expenses and returns, I will give the following maxims. 

(a.) Under favorable circumstances, five pounds of meat food may 
be considered an equivalent for one pound of trout growth, with two- 
year-olds and three-year-olds. 

(6.) For any given quantity of two or three-year-olds, one per 
cent of their weight may be regarded as an adequate average daily 
ration the year round. 


54 


(c.) Two and three-year-olds will double their weight annually, and 
can be made to do so in the six months from April to September, 
inclusive, by extra care and feeding. 

(d.) Good food for grown-up trout, viz.: lungs and plucks of 
slaughtered animals, can be purchased anywhere for two or three 
cents a pound. The cost of the actual food for young fry for the first 
six months is unappreciable. 

(e.) First-class trout bring one dollar a pound in Fulton market in 
April, and can be forced at almost any time when in season at fifty 
cents. 

(f.) Freshly killed trout, well packed in ice and sawdust, will stand 
a direct journey in the summer by rail of 500 miles, without injury. 

Mr. Stepen H. Ainsworth’s estimate of profits, published over five 
years ago (1866) is as follows : 


Wast of Dulldmes ‘and fixtures... iemeee set ve eels aes $6 000 
5,000 parents for spawn at fifty cents. ....0.-. 25.06... es 2,500 
Three men’s labor for four years, at $300 per year......... 3600 
Cost of food for 1,000,000 trout for four years............ 20,000 
Cost of food for 1,000,000 trout for three years ....... ob.  LOSORY 
Cost of food for 1,000,000 trout for two years...........: ’ 4,000 
Cost of food for 1,000,000 trout for one year..........,.. 1,000 

teitall: (2s. 2157 bs ists a Je Bete RAT OSPR RRR eae $47 5100 


Now for their value. The 1,000,000 of four-year-olds will average 
a pound each, and are worth at least twenty-five cents per pound in 


the pond, which makes the four-year-olds worth......... $250,000 
1,000,000 three-year-olds, one-half pound each.......... 1755000 
1,000,000 two-year-olds, one-quarter pound each......... 87,000 
1,000,000 one-year-olds, one ounce each ...............- 30,000 

The worth of all trouble at the end of four years...... $542 000 
Wednet theuprice of sro wing i: He epee. seek wie 47,000 

IESCOMb: ‘ea onctwia yak be ehieienase Gk a ah es eee $495 , 000 


As these figures stand, they cannot serve as a guide to fish breeders 
at present, for no one begins to carry on the business on this immense 
scale. But suppose we divide the figures by fifty, which brings the 
scale within reach ; we then have a profit of $10,000, on an establish- 
ment turning out 20,000, four years old, annually. This I believe 
would be not far from the truth, were it not for one item which Mr. 


55 


Ainsworth did not take in, but which closely follows every business 
like an evil genius, namely, risk. 

What this fluctuating item ought to be in the above calculation I 
will not attempt to say, but I am afraid that at the time the estimate 
was made it was more than enough to swallow up the profits. It 
has been growing less and less every year, as trout raising has become 
better understood, and I believe the time is near at, hand when Mr. 
Ainsworth’s figures may be realized on a reduced scale, with not 
more than fifty per cent deducted from the profits to cover the item 
of risk. 

It may occur to some to inquire what makes the item of risk so 
large ? 

I will reply, that it is because the business is new and but little 
understood ; the subject-matter is of a peculiarly hazardous sort, and 
perhaps, more than all, fish breeders will not take pains to insure the 
security, which is absolutely necessary to success. These things have 
made the risk very great, and account for the very significant fact 
that, in the five years since Mr. Ainsworth’s table was published, no 
one has made a fortune by raising trout for the table, nor to my 
knowledge derived any very extraordinary income from this source 
alone. I think, however, the next five years will tell a different 
story, and I am very much mistaken if some of the trout ponds now 
under way do not yield within that time some very handsome returns 
from their marketed trout. 

Thus far we have considered the business of trout growing in only 
one of its branches of profit, viz., raising marketable trout. 

There are, as is well known, two other sources of revenue. 
(1.) The sale of spawn. (2.) The sale of young stock. 

The first branch can hardly be considered a legitimate branch to 
base permanent returns on, because the sale of spawn is limited to 
establishments that are just commencing operations. This trade is a 
large one now, because so many establishments are starting, but these 
will some time furnish their own spawn and become sellers instead 
of buyers, and when the prospective fish breeding operations of the 
country are under way, there will be a great supply of eggs, with a 
very disproportionate demand. Indeed, the prospect is that the 
spawn trade will not be a permanent one of any great value, and 
therefore cannot be regarded, in its present state at least, as a legiti- 
mate ground for basing payment expectations on. It is not so, how- 
ever, with the trade in young fry and yearlings for stocking other 
waters. 


56 


It is almost a universal custom now, with owners of small gardens, 
to buy their young cabbages and tomatoes and other vegetables of 
the large producers, because it is cheaper than to start them them- 
selves. Farmers also buy their pigs instead of breeding them, from 
the same cause. 

Now it is only reasonable to expect the same rule to prevail in 
fish raising ultimately as it does at present. Many persons who have 
ponds and streams, and want to keep them stocked, will prefer, and 
will find it cheaper, to buy their young stock every year, than to 
work all winter at hatching the eggs. 

The trade in young stock, therefore, looks as if it would be perma- 
nent, and appears to be a legitimate source from which to expect an 
income in tront raising. This forms, at present, a very considerable 
item in the business. 

Young fry are in great demand in New England, at twenty-five 
dollars ($25) a thousand, and yearlings at one hundred dollars ($100) 
a thousand. Many thousands of them could be sold at this day for 
these, and even at an advance on these, prices, if the fish could be 
had. The supply last year (1871) did not nearly keep up with the 
demand in New England. We here find in the sale of young stock 
quite an addition to the sources of the trout growers’ income; and I 
am informed, by those who are operating near the large cities, that a 
very considerable revenue could be obtained, at their places, by 
chargitig an admission fee to visitors. 

There is also money to be made by buying and fattening wild trout 
for the market, where you can buy them cheap enough. Good, 
thriving trout, less than four years old, will double their weight in a 
year, and sometimes much more. Therefore, if you put 1,000 pounds 
of them in a pond securely protected, they will, in a year, become 
2,000 pounds; and the feed, in the mean time, will not cost over 
$150. That is to say, the increase will cost you not over fifteen cents 
a pound. 

When the various sources of income are taken into account, in con- 
nection with the wide margins for profit, it is obvious that successful 
operations cannot but pay well. I would say, however, in conclusion, 
that I do not wish to hold out false inducements to persons to go into 
the business, with the hope of making great fortunes. The item of 
risk is a very serious one yet, and small operators cannot expect to 
make more than a fair living. With many it will not pay at all, 
while it is reserved for only the very successful, and for those who have 
the few great water facilities of the country, to make the great fortunes. 


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fin ere ENG S 


OF THE 


American fish ful fu Iturists Asso phation 


At its Second Annual Meeting, February 1th, 1873. 


ALBANY: 
THE ARGUS COMPANY, PRINTERS. 
1873. 


Sa ock et DINGS 


OF THE 


! 
| 


{morican ‘ish fulturists Association 


At its Second Annual Meeting, February 11th, 1873. 


ALBANY: 
THE ARGUS COMPANY, PRINTERS. 
1873. 


OF FOL EokvsS¢ 


WILLIAM CLIFT, - i President. 


MYSTIC BRIDGE, CONN. 


A. S. COLEINS, - - - Secretary. 


CALEDONIA, N. Y. 


B. FE, BOWEES,.- ~ - = Treasurer. 


SPRINGFIELD, MASS. 


Pentti Gees: 


The second annual meeting of the American Fish Culturists’ 
Association was held Tuesday, February 11th, 1873, at the office of 
George Shepard Page, No. 10 Warren street, New York city. 

The meeting was called to order by the president at eleven o’clock 
A. M. 

The members present were, W. Clift, A. 8. Collins, George Shepard 
Page, B. F. Bowles, G. W. Chrysler, A. P. Rockwood, E. B. Paxton, 
B. B. Porter, Joseph Van Cleve. 

Among those present who were not members of the association, but 
who participated in the discussions of the meeting, were Dr. M. C. 
Edwards, State Fish Commissioner of Vermont, Joseph H. Barden, 
State Fish Commissioner of Rhode Island, Thaddeus Norris, of 
Philadelphia, and others. 

The record of the last meeting was read and approved. 

The report of the treasurer was read and accepted. ° 

The president of the association, Mr. W. Clift, read an address, 
entitled ‘The Important Events in Fish Culture during the Year 
1372.” 

The address of the president was followed by the reading of several 
interesting papers and letters, which are printed with this report. 

An informal discussion on various topics relating to fish culture 
then took place. Mr. E. B. Paxton, of Detroit, gave a highly inter- 
esting account of the white fishery of Detroit river, and its decadence 
in value of late. 

On reassembling, after a recess of an hour, it was voted to appoint 
a committee of three members to make a programme for the next 
annual meeting. The president appointed Messrs. Collins, Bowles 
and Page. 

It was voted to ask Congress for an appropriation of $30,000 for 
the promotion of the culture of food fishes. 

It was voted to authorize the secretary to procure the printing of 
the report of the proceedings of the association in 1872, embracing 


4 REPORT OF THE AMERICAN 


such papers as he deems advisable, and that a list of the members of 
the association be included in the next printed report. 

The committee chosen to nominate officers for the ensuing year 
made the following report, which was unanimously accepted: For 
president, W. Clift; for secretary, A. S. Collins; for treasurer, B. F. 
Bowles. 

The association then adjourned for one year, to meet at the same 
place, No. 10 Warren street, New York city, on the second Tuesday 
in February, 1874. 


THE PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS. 
IMPORTANT EVENTS IN FIsH CULTURE DURING THE YEAR 1872. 


In the review of the year the most important event is the appro- 
priation made by Congress in its behalf. At the last annual meeting 
of the American Fish Culturists’ Association, held at Albany, Feb- 
ruary 7th and 8th, 1872, this matter was discussed and a committee 
was appointed to memorialize Congress for aid. It was felt that the 
time had come when much larger sums could be used to advantage 
in the distribution of fish, and that an attempt should be made to 
introduce the anadromous fishes into the large rivers, over which no 
State has exclusive control. Mr. George Shepard Page of New 
York, the chairman of this committee, visited Washington and 
labored assiduously until he secured an appropriation of $15,000, to 
be distributed under the direction of Prof. Spencer F. Baird, U.S. 
Fish Commissioner. Great credit is due to Mr. Page and to his 
coadjutors in Washington, for the first congressional aid granted to 
fish culture. The subject was quite thoroughly discussed, and for the 
first time brought before our senators and representatives as a prac- 
tical question. Mr. R. B. Roosevelt, of New York city, made a most 
interesting and lucid speech in behalf of the appropriation, present- 
ing many facts in the history of the art, which had great weight 
with our representatives. He showed the great interest which west- 
ern people had in this question. He said ‘the fisheries of our coast 
are among the most valuable commercial interests of our country. 
Millions of money are invested and hundreds of thousands of men 
are employed, while the food thus obtained is a large per centage of 
the total supply of eastern markets. Not only is the profit of this 
business a matter of general advantage, but the residents along the 


FisH CULTURISTS’ ASSOCIATION. 5 


eastern bays and lagoons and upon the larger rivers derive their 
principal means of sustenance directly from these waters, and in all 
of these districts far more families are supported by the water than 
by the land. In the west there is nothing of this sort. The mar- 
kets are almost bare of fish ; a few catfish, suckers and pickerel con- 
stitute the wretched and meager bill of fare they offer. The muddy 
Mississippi contains little or nothing. The beautiful Ohio has but 
one or two sorts of pike and perch, which the inhabitants flatteringly 
call salmon, while catfish hide in most of the discolored streams of our 
continent, and suckers explore the bottom for their food. If any thing 
can be done to improve this state of affairs, to make fish and fisher- 
men as abundant in the west as they are in New England, and to 
develop the same activity in the matter as exists in the east, it is 
well worth the serious consideration of the government. By this 
means a new industry, an additional source of income, an entirely 
different species of food would be introduced, and an immense 
increase added to the wealth of the whole region of country. There 
is no reason why the waters of the west should be less prolific than 
those of the east, provided the right species were introduced; and 
were trout, salmon, shad, bass and sturgeon to take the place of cat- 
fish, pickerel and suckers, the gain would be manifest. It seems to 
me clearly to be the duty of the government to assist in this very 
work of introducing new varieties, as well as replenishing the old, 
where they have been reduced. 

“No private person can own a shad which is here to-day and 
to-morrow in mid-ocean, nor is a single resident on a river’s bank 
sufficiently interested to incur the expense of importing fish 
for the benefit of his neighbors. This is the nation’s duty or it 
is nobody’s. The mighty rivers of the southern and western 
States, which now generally produce only the poorer sorts, could 
readily be stocked with the most palatable and prolific varieties. 
The cost of the undertaking is insignificantly moderate. A salmon 
hatching-house can be built for $1,000, while the necessary imple- 
ments for shad raising are too inexpensive to be worth mentioning. 
Some labor must be employed, but it is mostly unskilled and cheap, 
while the outlay for transportation is simply the mere charge of 
express or traveling fare. The people of this country would not 
grudge this, were it a hundred times as great, with the certain pros- 
pect of developing a new food resource, and of diminishing the 
price of living to the poor.” ; 


6 REPORT OF THE AMERICAN 


Mr. Rosevelt deserves the thanks of this association and of all 
patriotic men for these appreciative words spoken in his place in the 
House of Representatives, in behalf of this movement for stocking 
the barren rivers. This appropriation is valuable, not so much tor 
the amount given and for the good work it has enabled Prof. Baird to 
inaugurate, as for the precedent it has established. 

If the enterprises begun shall be successfully developed, there will 
be little difficulty in securing further appropriations from Congress, 
and all the money that can be advantageously used will be furnished. 
The commencement of the artificial stocking of the rivers of the 
Mississippi valley is another item of interest. The California Fish 
Commissioners had employed Mr. Seth Green to put Hudson river 
shad into the Sacramento the previous year, and to the astonishment 
of all fish breeders, including Mr. Green himself probably, a few 
thousand did survive the journey and swam in California waters. 
But the thing was so novel that many doubted whether it could be 
done again with any amount of skill and watchfulness. 

Although the appropriation was not made until June, and the 
arrangements for the transportation of fry were not completed until 
the hatching season was nearly closed upon the Hudson, Mr. Green 
succeeded in planting many thousands of the fry in the Alleghany, at 
Salamanca, N. Y., and in the Mississippi just below St. Paul. 

A still larger number of fry were taken from the Connecticut and 
planted in the Alleghany at Salamanca, in the White river at Indian- 
apolis and in the far Platte at Denver. I think these experiments 
demonstrate that shad fry can be planted in all of our great rivers at 
a very moderate expense, and that the stock can be furnished thereat, 
from which breeders can be taken for fish hatching establishments 
upon these rivers a few years hence. The meager planting of a few 
thousand fry in these streams should not be regarded as the end of 
the work. 

Breeding appliances, like those at Hadley Falls, are wanted near 
the head-waters of the large rivers, where shad by the hundred 
million can be turned into the waters. 

This work can be done so cheaply that it is only necessary to 
demonstrate that shad will certainly return to their hatching grounds 
to make the States threaded by these rivers eager to help the enter- 
prise. If, for instance, shad put into the White river should return 
in considerable numbers after three years, a single shad dinner would 
convert every member of the Indiana Legislature into a fish breeder, 


FisH CULTURISTS’ ASSOCIATION. 4 


and any reasonable appropriation could be secured to plant all rivers 
in that State. These first essays of the general government are to 
be regarded as tentative, and preparing the way for the completed 
work in which every State will have a share. Fish breeders may 
have no doubt of eventual success in planting shad in the upper 
waters of the Mississippi valley, but the people have no such firm 
faith and must see to believe. 

The rapid spread of shad from the Alabama, where they were 
planted in small numbers in 1848, both eastward into the Escambia 
and its tributaries and westward into the Mississippi and into the 
tributaries of the Red and Arkansas rivers, is conclusive evidence 
that the fish have taken kindly to these muddy waters and will 
eventually populate them. Shad were first taken at the falls of the 
Wicheta, near Hot Springs, Ark., in 1860, only nine years after they 
were first captured in the Alabama. They are now caught by the 
eart-load, and for five weeks in spring furnish the main supply of 
animal food in the village market. 

It is not improbable that many other streams nearer the gulf are 
already stocked with shad by natural methods, and that they have 
not been captured because there are no falls to obstruct their passage 
and no fishermen to drop lines for them. But even if the spread of 
this fish is going forward securely by natural methods, the people do 
not want to wait fifty years for an event which may just as well come 
in five years by artificial means. We want the fishes as well as the 
loaves in the great valley, at the earliest day and at any reasonable 
cost. 

Something has also been done to increase the supply of white-fish 
in the great lakes. The destruction of this fish has gone on so 
rapidly that it has almost disappeared from many lakes where it was 
once abundant. Prof. Baird has about three-fourths of a million of 
eggs, in charge of Mr. N. W. Clarke, at Clarkston, Mich. It is pro- 
posed to send a large per cent of these to the fish commissioners of 
California, for the purpose of introducing them into Pacific rivers, 
and to take measures, another year, to multiply them largely in the 
great lakes. 

The introduction of the Rhine salmon to our waters is another 
noteworthy event. Prof. Baird found a ready response to his 
inquiries for the spawn of this fish, He was promptly informed 
that, desirous of showing their appreciation of the American people, 
the German government would present the United States with 250,000. 


8 REPORT OF THE AMERICAN 


He ordered an additional half million from Fryeburg, and engaged 
the services of Mr. Rudolph Hessel, an experienced fish culturist of 
Germany, to accompany them to this country. These eggs arrived 
at New York, February 4th, much injured by the warm weather at 
the time of their packing and during the voyage. Enough, doubtless, 
will be saved to try the experiment of raising them in our waters. 
They are supposed to be the same species as those found in our 
eastern rivers. The success in this importation has been so limited 
that it will have a tendency to discourage future drafts upon Europe 
for salmon eggs, especially when we have learned how to secure 
them on the Penobscot in the greatest abundance and at very moderate 
expense. 

This enterprise, begun under the direction of Mr. Atkins, in 1871, 
with very limited returns, has been crowned with large success the 
present season. Prof. Baird was able to put $3,000 at the disposal 
of Mr. Atkins, yearly doubling the funds raised by the association. 

A million and a half of eggs were taken and are now being dis- 
tributed, principally among State Fish Commissioners who started 
the enterprise. A substantial hatching-house has been built near 
Bucksport, in the center of the salmon fisheries upon the Penobscot, 
so that it is easy to procure breeding salmon during the summer, and 
to keep them in ponds until the spawing season in November. 

This method of taking eggs is original upon this side of the 
Atlantic, and promises to give us an unlimited supply of spawn at 
very cheap rates. 

Nearly all of the eggs are impregnated, and the loss by transporta- 
tion from Bucksport to the neighboring States is very small. About 
200,000 of these eggs were taken to the hatching-house of the 
Poquonnoe Fish Co., and, after a two days’ passage, the loss was less 
than six per cent, and this loss was mainly confined to unimpregnated 
eggs. It was exceedingly rare to find a dead egg with a fish in it. 
The management of salmon during the summer is now well under- 
stood, and the manipulation of the fish and impregnation of the eggs 
are about as certain as other kinds of business. It is mainly a ques- 
tion of money as to how many salmon spawn shall be taken in the 
Penobscot, under the management of Mr. Atkins. With this source 
of supply so near and so certain in its results, it will hardly pay to 
run the risks incident to a thirty days’ voyage to secure the same 
kind of spawn in future years. 

The discovery of a new species of salmon upon the Pacifie coast 


FisH CULTURISTS’ ASSOCIATION. 9 


is an event, the significance of which we shall better comprehend a 
few years hence, when the fish shall have found a congenial home in 
all of our southern waters. Though this fish has been known to 
commerce ever since California was settled, it was not known 
whether it was the same species as our eastern salmon, or something 
different. There can be very little doubt but that it is a distinct 
species, quite as valuable for food as the “salar,” and with some 
peculiarities adapting it to our southern and western waters. 

Mr. Livingston Stone, secretary of the association, who had had 
some experience in taking salmon spawn on the Miramichi river in 
New Brunswick, was sent to the Pacific coast to secure salmon eggs 
of the Sacramento variety. Mr. Stone supposed, as did also the 
California Fish Commissioners, that their salmon spawned late in 
October, but to be in ample time he went to McCloud river, one of 
the feeders of the Sacramento, early in September, and immediately 
made the usual preparations to take spawn. The fish were abundant, 
but to his surprise he found that the spawning season was almost 
past, and he was unable to obtain more than 20,000 or 30,000 eggs. 
These were shipped eastward, and are now at the hatching-house of 
Dr. J. H. Slack, in New Jersey. Many of them hatched out on the 
way, and those that survived are destined to the Susquehanna river. 
The eggs are nearly twice the size of “‘salmo-salar.” This fact, and 
the earlier spawning season, and the premature hatching of the eggs, 
are pretty clear indications of a different species. 

Prof. Baird says: ‘The importance of this experiment with Sacra- 
mento fish may be understood from the fact that their breeding 
grounds on the river are ina region of very high summer temperature, 
reaching at noon from 100 degrees to 110 degrees Fahrenheit, for a 
considerable distance. Therefore, while eastern salmon are not 
likely to thrive west of the Connecticut, or at most of the Hudson, there 
is every reason to believe that the Sacramento fish can be introduced 
into nearly if not quite all of our rivers on the Atlantic coast; and 
we have every confidence that the time is not far distant when we 
shall have in the Delaware, the Susquehanna, the Potomac and the 
James an ample supply of these delicious fish, as well asin more 
nothern and eastern waters.” 

Another marked event of the year, and one that ought to have 
been much earlier known, is the introduction of Mr. Brackett’s trays, 
as a substitute for Costie’s boxes and all other contrivances for hatch- 
ing eggs, and keeping them clean while imcubating. Nothing, we 


10 REPORT OF TH& AMERICAN 


think, but the extreme modesty of that gentleman can account for the 
fact that he has kept so useful an invention to himself for four years, 
without patent or herald to proclaim its excellence. It is a simple 
frame made of inch stuff, about eighteen inches square, and lined with a 
wire cloth bottom of eight meshes tothe inch. It just fits into the 
ordinary hatching trough, and is kept up a half inch from the bottom 
by a nail at each corner. This tray is coated with paraffine varnish, 
which makes it proof against all fungus growth. It is very cheap, 
very simple and the best thing we have ever tried for hatching eggs. 
One of these trays will hold two or three thousand eggs. They do 
not get dirty nearly so soon as when resting upon gravel, and, when 
it is necessary to clean them, the tray is lifted from its place, put 
under a fine hose and effectually cleaned in a minute or two. The 
saving of labor is immense. Then it is one of the most convenient 
vessels yet discovered for packing eggs in moss for transportation. 
At least 2,000 can be packed in one of them, and twenty-four of the 
trays can go in one box, very convenient for handling. A large 
number of the eggs moved from Maine to the hatching-house at 
Poquonnoe, Ct., came in these trays, and bore transportation quite 
as well as those coming in smaller packages. These trays are used 
at Bucksport, Me., by Mr. Atkins, and at Poquonnoe, and have given 
great satisfaction. They will unquestionably banish gravel from all 
well appointed hatching-houses, and supersede Costie’s boxes and 
other glass grilles and charcoal boxes for preventing fungus. It can- 
not fail to largely increase the profits of the fish breeder. 

On the whole, we have great occasion for congratulation as we 
review the substantial progress made during the year 1872. 

Quite a large number of gentlemen have joined the association, 
whom we are happy to welcome to our deliberations to-day. 


NATURAL vs. ARTIFICIAL SPAWNING AS PRACTICED 
IN THE CULTURE OF BROOK TROUT. 


By FrepD MATHER. 


Mr. President and Gentlemen of the American Fish Culturists’ 
Association.—Knowing as I do that most if not all of the members 
of this association practice taking the spawn of trout and other fish 
by hand, because they find it most convenient and profitable, it is 
not my intention to offer them any advice on a subject which is so 


FisH CuLTurRists’ ASSOCIATION. 11 


familiar to them ; but as the discussions and proceedings of this body 
of earnest laborers in the comparatively new field of pisciculture are 
published far and wide, for the information of those who look to it 
as the fountain-head of knowlege on the subject, I would like to give 
the results of my own experience and observations, that have extended 
through a period of nearly five years. 

I do not care to enter into a discussion as to the comparative 
health or constitution of fish from eggs taken in either way, 
although it is well known that I believe that the eggs laid in 
the natural manner will produce the hardiest fish, contrary to the 
opinion of some of our most distinguished trout breeders; but 
as I have so many letters from beginners who have failed in both 
ways of taking spawn, I find that there are more difficulties to be 
encountered by the novice than have ever been published. 

The most general complaint is, that it is too much trouble to take 
the eggs of a few fish by hand; that from a pond containing but a 
few hundred fish, there are but very few spawners ripe at a time, and 
the operator goes to the raceway and bags all the fish in it many 
mornings for nothing, and his attendance is required every morning, 
no matter how stormy it may be, and Sundays as well as week days, 
for our trout have not yet been educated up to the point of religious 
observances. 

On the contrary, the one who uses the Ainsworth screens can wait 
a more favorable time, if the day be cold or stormy, as a delay of a 
day or two will make no difference, and there is usually a time in 
each week when the weather is mild enough for the purpose. 

The following is the record, for part of the season, of one of my 
ponds, which contains 300 four-year old fish: 


1872. 
Maracas lint hates ote est2 2 Bes SENAY SARIS GENIN ddl Sse he 6S 1,500 spawn 
ina odveiehtdaya atten Mp elites kisses sais 5,000 ‘ 
Mieens 2 eleven days'after.¢ fs... dsc duces vas o'®. 2550014 
Bee! 7. tensdayeraiters lees a. Gavad eto 128 8,000 < 
oer 20 cieht days atter ...2o.22°% ots seeiae es ess 6,000 “ 
Wee28) cicht days alten 2.00 t hws ss Se ae T5500 cess 
1873. f 
mee level Gave aller. +... ce... ea gs cee es 6,500 
PETOME MING CAS QUEL «Waa ce sists ems we cie'de-s es 2,000 “ 


ee eAC It ORVS ALLO. . csc vs Se vce sews sees ss PLO 


12 Reporv or THE AMERICAN 


This is as far as the record goes this year, but they will probably 
extend the spawning season into March, as they did last year. 

It will be seen that on the 28th of December, after an interval of 
eight days, there were only 1,500 spawn deposited, probably two fish 
in the whole week, and this right in the height of the season, 

The beginner also kills more or less fish, generally move, as there 
is some loss from handling, even by an experienced operator, there- 
fore he should always use the screens, for a while at least. 

The only complaint I hear against the screens is, that the per 
centage of impregnation is not so great as by the hand system; this 
comes mostly from those who are engaged in supplying the spawn to 
those just starting in business. 

This objection is of small value to persons who wish to take it for 
their own use, as the comfort and convenience of the screens will 
far outweigh any consideration of that character. 

I have received letters of inquiry by the score, concerning the 
details of the management of the screens, in the past two years; two 
of them were from experienced hand operators, saying that the per 
centage of impregnation was very low on their screens, and asking 
advice ; and my answer has been, that at my ponds at Honeoye Falls, 
N. Y., I use large gravel, from the size of a black-walnut to a hen’s 
egg, and but lettle of it; hardly a water pail full to a box three feet 
long by two feet wide. 

I often find all the gravel swept into one end of the box, and have 
known the fish to spawn on the bare painted wire and sweep the 
gravel over it, leaving the other end bare. Of course, the only rea- 
son that more eggs are not impregnated is because the milt fails to 
reach them, through becoming too much diluted; and to lessen the 
chance of this, I have the distance between the upper and lower 
screen as small as possible; in some cases they have actually touched, 
from the sagging of the upper screen with its weight of gravel. 
These are the main points, and by observing them more closely my 
per centage of fertilized eggs has increased two and a half per cent 
this season over the average of last year. 

This per centage has varied from eighty and a fourth to ninety- 
two, the average for the part of the season ending at the present 
writing (January 28th, 1873) being eighty-seven and a half. 

By the dry method nearly 100 per cent of all eggs taken can be 
fecundated, which is considered a great saving; but are all the eggs 
taken? Experience has shown that trout often disturbed on the beds 


FisH CuLvuRists’ ASSOCIATION. 13 


will seek another spot, and will sometimes spawn in the middle of 
_ the pond on a bare stone, in preference to the graveled raceway ; and 
may it not often occur that some fish who have a nest in the raceway 
may be in the pond when the haul is made, and will return and 
deposit their spawn after the operators have left? And here the 
question arises, will not the number of eggs lost by both these causes 
nearly if not quite counterbalance the loss of unimpregnated eggs 
taken on the screens ? 


Honroyve Fatts, N. Y. 


ON THE IMPREGNATION OF TROUT EGGS. 
By J. R. DYKEMAN. 


It will be impossible for me to attend the meeting of your associa- 
tion, as I am attending tothe details of the hatching-house myself 
this winter, and my first fish are about at the first feeding stage. In 
the printed report, and in all statements published, it has appeared 
to me that figures were something all trout culturists were afraid 
of. I will give you some of this season’s, up to and including yester- 
day, promising that as far as they go they are as accurate as careful 
counting (not measuring) can make them. My hatching boxes are 
arranged on each side of a distributing box in center of house (boxes 
four and five feet long and fourteen inches wide), in triplets, with 
passages between, so that I have a complete way of keeping any lot 
of 5,000 to 10,000, without danger of intermixing. 

Section No. 1.—Eggs taken from pond No. 3 on Collins’ screens, 
from November 9th to 28th, 1872. Fish mostly from streams in 
neighborhood, about one pound in weight on an average. Total 
number of eggs, 4,559. Unimpregnated, 1,038, or seventy-eight 
per cent good. Commenced to hatch December 25th. Total loss 
of fish np to 9th inst., 1,231, being twenty-eight per cent of total 
eggs, or thirty-five per cent of the impregnated. 


Number of fish died first week after hatching... ............. 136 
Number of fish died second week after hatching.............. 639 
Number of fish died third week after hatching............... 199 
Number of fish died fourth week after hatching.............. 114 
Number of fish died fifth week after hatching................ 88 


Number of fish died sixth week after hatching............... 5D 


14 REPORT OF THE AMERICAN 


Section No. 2.—Eggs taken November 25th and 27th, Ainsworth 
& Collins. Eggs from pond No. 3, and some from pond No. 1. 
My own raising of fish, nearly two years old. Total number of eggs 
taken, 5,254, or sixty-eight per cent impregnated. Unimpregnated, 
1,692. Commenced to hatch December 31st. 


Number of fish died first week after commencing to hatch..... 129 
Number of fish died second week after commencing to hatch... 407 
Number of fish died third week after commencing to hatch. .. 330 
Number of fish died fourth week after commencing to hatch... 58 
Number of fish died fifth week after commencing to hatch..... 1 


Loss of fish to date 1,036, being twenty per cent of whole number, 
or twenty-nine per cent of the impregnated. 

Sections Nos. 3 and 4.—Eggs taken artificially in small quantity of 
water from fish out of pond No. 8, November 25th and 27th. Total 
number of eggs taken 11,523, or forty per cent. Eggs unimpregnated 
4,666. 


Number of fish died first week after commencing to hatch..... 43 
Number of fish died second week after commencing to hatch... 194 
Number of fish died third week after commencing to hatch.... 472 
Number of fish died fourth week after commencing to hatch.... 188 
Number of fish died fifth week after commencing to hatch..... 99 


Total loss of hatched fish to date 996, or nine per cent of total 
number of eggs, or about fifteen per cent of impregnated. 

The above are all that are far enough advanced to tell the pro- 
bable loss up to time of commencing to feed. I think the above 
shows the loss to be principally of weak fish. There were some 
deformities which were taken out and counted with the dead. 

Temperature of water forty-eight and forty-nine. Some fungus 
grew on the wood work of the grills. My boxes are all charred, but 
according to Slack ‘doing no possible harm.” (See page ninety-one 
of his book.) 

I give below the figures of all that are hatched up to date. 

Spawn from pond No. 3. Old fish taken on Collins’ roller screen. 
Total number 21,904, or fifty-eight per cent impregnated. Unimpreg- 
nated 9,303. 

Spawn from young fish of our own raising. Pond No. 1 mixed 
with pond No. 8. Collins’ screen. Total number 17,641, or sixty- 
eight per cent impregnated. Unimpregnated 5,725. 


FisH CULTURISTS’ ASSOCIATION. 15 


Spawn from own rearing of fish nearly two years old, in pond 
No. 1. Ainsworth screens. Total number 4,450, or fifty-one per 
cent impregnated. Unimpregnated 2,142. 

Artificial, taken in small quantities of water, and about one-half 
taken dry. The detailed accounts do not make hardly any difference 
between the two ways of taking; if anything, it isin favor of small 
quantity of water. Total number 35,243, or fifty per cent of impreg- 
nated. Unimpregnated 17,480. 

My fish are not done spawning yet; will get about 6,000 yet. 
Have put in total number 120,609 of my own; from F. Mather 
1,917. Total, 122,526. 

The flow of my spring is 2,500 gallons per minute. It never 
freezes inside my hatching-house, which is well built of stone. 

SurprenspurG, Cumberland county, Penn. 


ON THE FECUNDATION OF FISH. 
By CHARLES BELL. 


I have been for some years past considerably interested in the 
artificial propagation of fish, and I have read every publication on 
the subject that I have had access to, especially those regarding either 
the theory or the practice of artificial impregnation. And, in so 
doing, I: have hit upon one point upon which the writers on pisci- 
culture agree with each other, but do not agree with the best authori- 
ties upon physiology, that is, the “spermatozoa,” or the fecundating 
principle of the seminal fluid of the male fish, and it is to this point 
that I would like to call the attention of the association, as I believe 
it to be of vital importance that we should understand the true nature 
of the “zoésperm.” I find that the general impression among 
writers on pisciculture is, that they are living animal organisms, 
while physiologists concur in the opinion that they are simply fila- 
ments of albuminoid substance. With your permission I will quote 
to you from that admirable little work by Mr. Livingstone Stone, 
entitled “Domesticated Trout,” and from Mr. Fred Mather’s articles 
in the “ Farm and Fireside Journal ;”’ both of these gentlemen are 
practical fish culturists, and undoubted authority upon the subject 
I will also quote from J. P. Dalton, Jr., M. D., Professor of 
Physiology and Microscopie Anatomy in the College of Physicians 
and Surgeons, New York. 


16 REPORT OF THE AMERICAN 


1st. From Mr. Stone, viz.: ‘“ For the benefit of those to whom 

this part of the subject is unfamiliar, I will say that the milt or 
seminal fluid of the male fish consists [or contains, | have forgotten 
the exact language in that case] of innumerable living microscopic 
organisms, called spermatozoa or zodsperms; these millions of infini- 
tesimal creatures, during their brief career in the outer world, are 
endowed with great activity,and jump and plunge about among one 
another with a motion as ceaseless as it is rapid and vigorous.” 
_ From this you will see that Mr. Stone believes them to be living 
animals, but Dr. Dalton does not agree with him in that respect, 
although Mr. Mather does. I will next quote from Mr. Mather’s 
article in the December number of the ‘Farm and Fireside 
Journal;” he says: “As before stated, the egg will absorb milt 
or water for about half an hour, and is, of course, open for impregna- 
tion nearly that length of time; but the animaleule of the milt, 
though they will live in their own fluid we know not how long, will 
die in a few minutes in cold water.” 

In this article Mr. Mather does not hesitate to call the spermatozoa 
animalcule, a title that I do not think appropriate or correct ; but as 
he and Mr. Stone together opprove of the term, I would not venture 
to correct them myself, but I will submit the evidence on both sides 
to the association, and they shall decide, not whether we shall 
call them “ zoésperms” or “animalcule,” but whether they are 
living animals or simply shreds of albumen. 

The following extract is from Dr. Dalton’s “ Treatise on Physi- 
ology,” published in 1859, at Boston : 

“The most remarkable peculiarity of the spermatozoa is their 
very singular and active movement, to which we have already alluded. 
If a drop of fresh seminal fluid be placed under the microscope, the 
numberless minute filaments of which it is composed are seen to be 
in a state of incessant and agitated motion; this movement of the 
spermatozoa, in many species of animals, strongly resembles that of 
the tadpole.” * * * “The tail-like filament constantly keeps up a 
lateral and vibratory motion by which the spermatozoon is driven from 
place to place in the spermatic fluid, just as the fish or tadpole is 
propelled through the water. In other instances, as, for example, in 
the water lizard, the spermatozoa have a continuous writhing or spiral- , 
like movement, which presents a very peculiar and elegant appearance 
when large numbers of them are viewed together; it is the existence 
of this movement that first suggested the name of spermatozoa, to 


FisH CULTURISTS’ ASSOCIATION. 17 


designate the animated filaments of the spermatic fluid, and which 
has led some writers to attribute to them an independent animal 
nature. This is, however, a very erroneous mode of regarding them, 
since they cannot properly be considered as animals, notwithstanding 
the active character of their movement, and the striking resemblance 
which it sometimes presents to a voluntary act. The spermatozoa 
are organic, which are produced in the testicles and constitute a part 
of their tissue, just as the eggs which are produced in the ovaries 
naturally form a part of the texture of these organs; like the egg, 
also, the spermatozoon is destined to be discharged from the organ 
where it grew, and to retain for a certain length of time its vital 
properties. One of the most peculiar of its properties is its power 
of keeping in constant motion, which does not, however, mark it as 
a distinct animal, but only distinguishes it as a peculiar structure 
belonging to a parent organism. The motion of a spermatozoon is 
precisely analogous to that of a ciliated epithelium cell. The move- 
ment of the latter will continue for some hours after it has been 
separated from its mucous membrane, provided its texture be not 
injured nor the process of decomposition allowed to commence. In 
the same manner the movement of the spermatozoon is a characteris- 
tic properly belonging to them, which continues for a certain time, 
even after they have been separated from all connection with the 
body.” 

This, you see, is a direct refutation of the “living organism” 
theory, and I would very much like to have the opinion of the asso- 
ciation upon the subject. 


Honeoye Fats, N. Y. 


FISH CULTURE ABROAD. 
By GEORGE SHEPARD PAGE. 


You are all doubtless familiar with the fact that for many centu- 
ries that wonderfully ingenious people, with whom we are becoming 
somewhat familiar in these times of dear labor, the Chinese, have 
extensively pursued the science of fish culture, indeed making it one 
of the chief industries of several of the principal provinces. They 
economize the immense rice-fields at the season when they are coy- 
ered with water, thus obtaining a double harvest. The species of 
fish cultivated are probably the carp, as the eggs are deposited on 


2 


18 REPORT OF THE AMERICAN 


fagots placed in the water, and these spawn-covered fagots are sold 
in the markets as with us are hens’ eggs. ice and fish form the 
principal food of the Chinese. They are very cheap, hence “ Chinese 
cheap labor.” Success with us in this industry will de much to 
solve one of the most difficult and dangerous problems of the day, 
the labor question. 

The Romans seem to have understood and extensively practiced 
fish culture. They prepared large ponds, opening by canals to the 
sea, through which fish passed seeking the fresh water spawning 
grounds. The parent fish were prevented from returning by flood- 
gates, which barred their progress to the sea, and while their progeny 
were growing they supplied the market. The celebrated salmon- 
breeding establishments in Norway, Scotland and Ireland, seemed to 
have followed much the same plan. From the time of ancient Rome 
we learn nothing of fish culture for several centuries. A little more 
than a hundred years ago, a young German naturalist, ardently 
devoted to the study of nature, was one day lying upon the bank of 
a rippling brook, watching a number of fish engaged in spawning. 
In pairs they had carefully removed the sediment from the gravelly 
bottom, and by pressure of the abdomen upon the pebbles he saw 
the eggs deposited by the females, quickly followed by the milt 
deposit of the male fish. Thought he, why cannot I press the eggs 
and the milt from the fish and hatch them in the little stream near 
my cottage? He did it, and the name of Jacobi will live and be 
honored among the great benefactors of the hnman race. It is but 
fair to state, however, that the honor of first discovering the art of 
artificial impregnation is claimed by several writers for the Monk 
Dom Pinchon, of Rouen, France, in the fourteenth century. Yet 
the science was not pursued practically to any extent, and the rivers 
and lakes of Europe were, by the early part of the present century, 
nearly depopulated of food fishes by the same causes that have so 
thoroughly depleted our own—the erection of impassable dams, the 
refuse of manufactories, and indiscriminate fishing. 

By the year 1849 the question of cheap fish food for the masses 
became of such importance that the French government invested a 
large sum of money in the erection of the first piscicultural establish- 
ment at Huningue; and the grand results of their enlightened policy 
have been felt all over Europe and in our own land. The following 
graphic description, by a distinguished English writer, of the place 
where practical fish culture was first instituted, will be of interest: 


FisH CULTURISTS’ ASSOCIATION. 19 


“The series of buildings at Huningue are admirably adapted to 
the purpose for which they were designed. The group forms a square, 
the entrance portion of which—two lodges—is devoted to the corps 
de garde, and the center has been laid out as a kind of shrubbery, 
and is relieved with two little ponds containing fish. The whole 
establishment, ponds and buildings, occupies a space of eighty acres. 
The suites of buildings comprise, at the sides, two great hatching 
galleries, sixty metres in length and nine metres broad, containing a 
plentiful supply of tanks and egg-boxes; and in the back of the 
square are the library, the laboratory and the residence of the officers. 
The egg-boxes are raised in pyramids, the water flowing from one on 
top into those immediately below. The water supply is derived from 
the springs on the grounds, the Rhine, and the Augrabea streams. The 
water of the higher springs is directed toward the building through 
an underground conduit, while those rising at a lower level are used 
only in small basins and trenches for the experiments in raising fish 
outside. As a general rule, fish are not bred at Huningue, the chiet 
business accomplished there being the collection and distribution of 
their eggs; but there is a large supply of tanks and troughs for the 
purpose of experimenting with such fish as may be kept in the place. 
The waters of the Rhine, being at a higher level than the springs, 
can be employed in the basins. Of course, different qualities of 
water are quite necessary for the success of experiments in acclimati- 
zation carried on so zealously at this establishment. Some fish delight 
in a clear running stream, while others prefer to pass their life in 
sluggish waters. 

“ The course of business at Huningue is as follows: The eggs are 
brought chiefly from Switzerland and Germany, and embrace those of 
the various kinds of trout, the Danube and Rhine salmon, and the 
tender ombre Chevalier (a large char). People are appointed to 
eatch gravid fish of these various kinds, and, having done so, to com- 
municate with the authorities at Huningue, who at once send an 
expert to deprive the fishes of their spawn and bring it to the breed- 
ing or store boxes, where it is carefully tended and daily watched till 
it is ready to be dispatched to some district in want of it.” 

Up to the season of 1863-64 the total number of fresh water fish- 
eggs distributed from Huningue was far above 110,000,000, and 
nearly half of these were of the finer kinds of fish, there being no 
less than 41,000,000 of the eggs of salmon and trout. This great 
establishment passed into the possession of the Germans by the 


20 REPORT OF THE AMERICAN 


cession of the Provinces of Alsace and Lorraine, and is now con- 
ducted on a still grander scale under the auspices of the Deutscher 
Fischerei Verein. This society is the “Fish Culturists’ Association ” 
of the North German Confederation, and among its most active mem- 
bers are Gount Bismark, the Grand Duke, “our Fritz,’ Count 
Munster (a Minister of the Empire), Geo. von Bunsen, Esleben and 
other members of the Parliament, and Prof. Peters, of the University 
of Berlin. Through this agency hundreds of rivers, lakes and ponds 
in Europe are now once more teeming with the most valued species 
of the finny tribe. Many private piscicultural establishments are 
now in active operation in various parts of Europe. Probably many 
of my hearers have visited that interesting feature of romantic 
Heidelberg—the trout ponds. Norway and Sweden are making 
rapid strides in practical fish culture. One of the most important— 
indeed, I may say the most important discovery—in the art, comes 
to us recently from the Governmental Fish-hatching Establishment 
of Russia, the system of dry impregnation. Previously the eggs and 
milt were extruded in a pan of water, and but a comparatively small 
per centage hatched. By the Russian plan the eggs are first pressed 
from the fish into an empty dish, and the milt dropped directly on 
the eggs. Livingston Stone reported at our last annual meeting that 
he had hatched ninety-nine out of one hundred eggs by this process. 

But I must pass rapidly from this continent to England, Scotland 
and Ireland, in order that we may learn the wonderful success 
experienced in bountifully restocking depleted and exhausted rivers 
with the king of the finny tribes, salmo-salar. Twenty-five years ago 
the salmon had been nearly exterminated in most of the rivers of the 
United Kingdom, and only the wealthiest could indulge in the great 
luxury. One of the most noted salmon rivers was the Tay. You are 
well aware that the fishing privileges of Great Britain are nearly 
all private property, and are leased by their owners, either at 
so much for the entire river, or a license is granted to a single 
fisherman with rod or net, for sport or for the market. The lessee of 
the Tay, alarmed by the regular diminution in the number of salmon 
taken, constructed extensive hatching works at Stormonttfield. The 
salmon captured in nets, if ripe, were manipulated and the eggs 
placed in the hatching boxes. If the salmon were not ready to 
spawn, they were liberated in an adjacent pond and retained till the 
proper time. The eggs require about 130 days to hatch. The young 
fry remain in the compartments six weeks, and then run into a small 


FisH CULTuRISTS’ ASSOCIATION. 91 


pond. They are fed on boiled and grated liver. After the first year 
they are turned into another pond in order that the first pond may 
be occupied by the new crop of fry. A third pond is used to receive 
the half of the brood becoming smelts the second year. Three hun- 
dred and fifty thousand eggs are hatched at this establishment annu- 
ally; and as a female salmon will yield about 1,000 eggs for every 
pound she weighs, you will readily see that a small number are 
required to supply the boxes, say twenty-two of fifteen pounds each. 
It is stated that ninety per cent are hatched. Now let us examine 
the practical results: The catch of salmon, and hence the rental of 
the stream, regularly increased. In 1853 the rental was £8,700, 
$43,500 ; 1854, £9,200 ; 1855, £9,900 ; 1858, £11,400 ; 1860, £13,000 ; 
1862, £14,000; 1864, £15,000, $75,000. The river Tay is not much, 
if any, larger than the Passaic in New Jersey, or the Thames in 
Connecticut. The operations at Stormontfield attracted the atten- 
tion of others interested, and the same plan was pursued by Ashworth 
in Ireland, on the Galway ; Cooper on the Owenmore and Arrow 
and Ballysadare; Martin and Gillon on the Dee, and many other 
rivers in England, Scotland and Ireland have been densely repopu- 
lated with salmon. 

The following extract from an account published in the London 
Field, of the success of artificial hatching, and the return of the 
salmon by the way of the salmon ladders erected by Mr. Cooper over 
the previously impassable falls of the Ballysadare, will be heard with 
the deepest interest, especially by those who have not, like our 
enthusiastic veteran angler friend, Thad. Norris, Esq., visited the 
far-off salmon rivers of Canada and Labrador, or been permitted to 
witness the remarkable catch of Charles G. Atkins, Esq., last sum- 
mer, at the mouth of the Penobscot, sixteen salmon, in six weeks, 
taken un-a-wares (in a weirs) with a fly-net: August 24, saw several 
salmon in the hole under the fall of Collooney. September 24, the 
river between Ballysadare and Collooney is now well stocked, salmon 
being visible’in almost every deep hole, and a number being congre- 
grated between Collooney bridge and the hole under the fall. Octo- 
ber 3, seven salmon and one white trout in the pond. October 13 
counted twenty-seven salmon, mostly females, in the Collooney lad- 
der. October 28, three male fish in the ladder; 30th, four male and 
two female fish in the ladder. November 3, sixteen male and eight 
female; 4th, ten fish in the ladder; 5th, nine fish; 6th, seven ditto ; 
7th, eleven ditto, and saw several large fish leaping at the ladder at 


99 REPORT OF THE AMERICAN 


Ballysadare; 9th, twenty-four male and fifteen female fish in the ladder; 
23d, twenty-five male and twenty female fish, ditto, some very large ; 
December 3, thirty male and forty-five female salmon found in the 
ladder. The regular fishing season began in July, when we caught 
868 salmon, and up to the 20th of August 5380 more—in all, 1,398. 
The following year (1858), the number increased wonderfully. 
August 28, at Ballysadare, numbers of salmon in every part of the 
river ; September 1, Collooney ladder literally full of fish ; September 
25, Collooney ladder swarming; October 3 to 6, heavy floods; the 
ladder resembles a steeple chase, as we see them clearing the steps 
in pairs; November 27, great numbers of fish in the ladder. One of 
my men counted 207 salmon in one hour ascending the ladder, and 
Mr. Calbertson has written me saying he reckoned 100 in less than 
half an hour making up the rapids at Ballysadare. On yesterday, 
December 2, there was so many fish in the pond at Collooney, that 
Mr. Leech took up no less than six at once, ina landing net. Decem- 
ber 19, counted nineteen at upper step of ladder in five minutes, 
turned off the water and put up 256 salmon; 11th, counted 102 fish 
jump at the upper step in five minutes; turned off the water; the 
pond actually alive with fish, in general larger and fresher from the 
sea than those of yesterday; put up 246 fish and then stopped, as 
the fish were getting sick in the pond. J ain confident we left 300 
to 400 in the pond. And now, supposing that you can still endure a 
few more such delightful figures, telling us so forcibly that what has 
been done on these small streams in old Ireland, and Scotland and 
England, can be done on a far greater scale in our magnificent river. 
Let me worthily conclude them by the following report of Mr. 
Ainsworth, detailing the catch of salmon before and after the com- 
mencement of his enterprise on the Galway: 1853, number taken, 
1,603 ; 1855, 5,540; 1858, 9,639; 1861, 11,051; 1862, 15,431; 1863, 
17,995 ; 1864, 20,512; and since then the numbers have still increased. 
In 1866 over 1,000 tons of salmon were shipped by the railroads of 
Ireland. Salmon can be purchased in London at twelve cents and 
fifteen cents per pound. 

And now, fellow-members of the American Fish Culturists’ Associa- 
tion, if such wonderful results as these can be obtained abroad, what 
may we not anticipate in the early future for our beloved America. 
Let us labor on until by our exertions we so multiply the salmon, 
the trout, the shad, the black bass, that whosoever will, be he rich 
or pour, may abundantly partake. 


FisH CunTorists’ ASSOCIATION. 23 


FISH CULTURE IN JAPAN AND CHINA. 


Unirep States Consuate, 
Kanacawa, September 5, 1872. 
Hon. Cuariets Hate, 


Assistant Secretary of State, Washington: 


Sir.—Referring to your dispatch No. 60, I have the honor to report, 
that from the best information within my reach I glean the following 
facts : 

In Japan there is no scientific or business method of propagating 
fish. The great abundance of salt-water fish and the fact of but little 
being used which is not previously salted does not seem yet to involve 
the necessity of propagation. A few daimios, chiefly in the sonth and 
also in Kuishin, have transferred live fish when young (not two inches 
long) from river to river, from river to pond, and from pond back to 
river again. They are transferred in small flat vessels of water and 
put into temporary artificial ponds made of puddled clay, only a few 
inches deep, and covered with netting to keep the fish safe from attack 
of birds. The gold-fish are treated in this way, as are also a kind of 
fish called koi, which resemble somewhat carp, but are rounder. They 
are fed on very small worms, dug out of mud at the bottom of stag- 
nant or slow-running ditches. At the end of three weeks or so the 
pond is made to communicate by a channel either with a larger pond 
of old standing, or a river, and the artificial pond is thus emptied of 
its stock. This is done in Hizen and Bingo for ornament of gardens. 

Salmon abound in the rivers on the western coast of Nipon, north 
of this latitude, as do also black bass. Terso and its rivers teem with 
salmon, the fishing for which by net on the sea-shore begins about 
the Ist of September and ends about 27th of November. Fishing 
for salmon by net is at present going on about eighty-five degrees 
north-east from this port on the Pacific coast. 


I have the honor, sir, to be 
Your obedient servant, 
C. O. SHEPARD, 
Consul. 


94 REPORT OF THE AMERICAN 


Unirep Srares ConsuLATE-GENERAL, | 
SHancual, NovemMBer 9, 1872. | 


Hon. Charles Hale, Assistant Secretary of State, Washington : 


Srr.—In response to instruction No. 315, which I have the honor 
to receive in duplicate, I have to say that the practice of the rearing 
of fish in China by artificial means is said to have obtained to some 
extent. Natives and some foreigners long resident in this country 
agree that the art is, or has been, practiced in certain inland districts, 
but as to how, when or in respect of the process, I am yet unable to 
get real information. 

My own observation from traveling in the interior of this province, 
where water communication is second to no other part of China, is, 
that the practices of the natives are adverse to successful culture of 
fish—because they catch at all seasons, even digging in muddy 
creek-beds to obtain the fish, and in spawning season take advantage 
of the resort of the female to fill their nets. 

I have addressed myself to various sources, native and otherwise, 
to learn, if possible, some details, and upon the receipt of such I will 
address the Department accordingly. 


I am, sir, your obedient servant, 


O. B. BRADFORD, 
Vice Consul-General. 


THE NATIVE FISH OF UTAH. 


By A. P. Rockwoop, SUPERINTENDENT OF THE FisH FARM IN SALT LAKE CITY, 
UTAH. 


First, the lake trout, which is of a dark green shade on the back 
and upper part of the sides, gradually becoming lighter toward the 
belly, with black spots on the sides and upper part of the tail. The 
average or medium weight is about four pounds, though they have 
been caught weighing upward of twenty-five pounds. 

Fishermen find full-grown eggs in this fish in February and June. 
They are found principally in or near the fresh-water lakes. 

Second, brook trout, which are found usually in the mountain 
streams. They are of a steel color on the back, which run to silver 
on the belly, with dark red spots on the back and tail. The average 
weight is about one and one-fourth of a pound, increasing to two 
and one half. Full-grown eggs are usually found in June. 


FisH CULTURISTS’ ASSOCIATION. 95 


We have a fish here, called by the fishermen mudlet, of the sucker 
family. This fish ranks next to the trout in quality ; the color 
ranges from a deep red to a dark green, and is nearly as light on the 
belly as the trout. The usual weight is about one and one-half 
pounds, increasing to five pounds. Full-grown spawn is found in 
February and June. From the vent forward, few bones are found ; 
behind the vent there are quite a number of small ones. 

The sucker, the most inferior fish we have, is somewhat lighter 
than the mullet, and nearly the same shape and size, being very 
bony; some portions of the bones are bound in bunches by a circular 
bone. 

The chub, of the perch family, is of a dark lead color on the back, 
and light silver on the belly; the average weight is about one pound, 
increasing to two pounds. These fish are about the same in quality 
as the Atlantic perch; they spawn about the same time as trout. 
The mountain herring, or silver sides, is of a bright silver color ; has 
few bones, and is of good quality, but very scarce. Adults weigh 
from one-quarter to one-half of a pound. 

Occasionally there is a small fish caught, that appears to be one of 
the cat-fish family ; it weighs about two ounces. This fish is very 
scarce, and of inferior quality. 


NATIONAL FISH CULTURE. 


The following is the annual report of Hon. Spencer F. Baird, 
United States Commissioner of Fish and Fisheries, for the year 1872: 
‘ This report was printed early in the present year in another form, 
but it contains so much that is important and interesting on the sub- 
ject of fish culture that no apology is needed for its insertion in con- 
nection with the papers of the association. 

At a meeting of the Assuciation of American Fish Culturists and 
of State Fish Commissioners, held in Albany in February, 1872, it 
was determined to make application to Congress for assistance in 
stocking the greater rivers and lakes of the United States with useful 
food fishes, on the ground that, whatever the several States might be 
willing to do for themselves respectively, they were not ready to 
enter upon any measures the benefit of which would inure partially, 
or perhaps exclusively, to the citizens of other States. 

It was also believed that much remained to be done in the way of 


96 REPORT OF THE AMERICAN 


introducing the best varieties of foreign fish, such as might be espe- 
cially suitable for certain waters to which our domestic species are 
not so well adapted, thus acting on the same principle as that by 
which the Agricultural Department takes measures to procure new 
and desirable kinds of foreign seeds and plants, and disseminates 
them throughout the United States. A committee was elected to 
carry out the wishes of the association, and Congress finally made an 
appropriation of $15,000 for this purpose, the disbursal of which was 
placed in my charge as Commissioner of Fish and Fisheries. As the 
American Fish Culturists’ Association had been so closely connected 
with the measures for obtaining the desired appropriation, I felt it my 
duty to ask their advice as to the initiatory steps to be taken in the 
enterprise, and at my request a special meeting was held in Boston 
in the beginning of June, at which the question was brought up as 
to the species of fish that should first be taken into consideration, 
and the measures most suitable for securing their multiplication. It 
was advised that shad, salmon and white-fish be the kinds first 
attended to, and, after a very full and free interchange of views, and 
receiving many valuable suggestions, I proceeded to Eastport, in 
Maine, which served as my head-quarters until October, both for the 
inquiry into the decrease of the food fishes of the United States, and 
the question of their multiplication. The appropriation was not 
made until early in June, and was not available until the Ist of July, 
and there was, consequently, little time for doing much during the 
year in respect to the introduction of shad. I was so fortunate, how- 
ever, as to engage the services of Mr. Seth Green, of Rochester, and 
Mr. Wm. Clift, of Mystic Bridge, Conn., both experienced fish eul- 
turists. Mr. Green, by permission of the Fish Commissioners of New 
York, obtained a large number of young shad from the State estab- 
lishment near Albany (some hundred thousand), and carrying them 
west, placed a portion in the Alleghany river, at Salamanca, and 
another portion in the upper Mississippi, at St. Paul. A much 
larger number would have been used but for the fact that the season 
on the Hudson lasted only a few days after it was possible to author- 
ize Mr. Green to undertake the work. The season for hatching 
shad in the Connecticut river being rather later than in the Hudson, 
Mr. Clift was able to obtain a large supply, through the kindness of 
the Connecticut Commissioners, and accordingly proceeded with 
several millions to the west. Of these a portion were planted in the 
Alleghany river, and another portion in the White river, at Indiana- 


FisH CULTurRiIstTs’ ASSOCIATION. Or. 


polis, with a view of determining the practicability of transporting 
young shad over long distances in midsummer (a problem already 
experimented upon successfully by Mr. Seth Green, by taking young 
fish from the Hudson to the Sacramento). Mr. Clift started for the 
Rocky Mountains with the remainder of his fry, and, notwithstand- 
ing the intense heat, succeeded in reaching Denver with several 
thousand of living fish, which he placed in the head-waters of the 
Platte. We have much reason to anticipate success in the experi- 
ment of stocking the Mississippi river with shad, since we know that 
the Alabama river has been stocked by the efforts of Dr. Daniel, by 
carrying impregnated eggs from Savannah across to its head-waters ; 
and there are instances, which are detailed fully in my report, of 
their occurring in considerable numbers at the hot springs of the 
Onachita; at Neosha Falls, Kansas ; at the fall of the Ohio, at Louis- 
ville, and in the Wabash river. 

There is little or nothing to interfere with the anticipation that, 
with proper efforts, shad may swarm in the waters of the Mississippi 
valley, including all the tributaries of the gulf, in the course of five 
or six years, in numbers corresponding to those in the Potomac, 
Delaware and other Atlantic coast streams generally. The experi- 
euce of the State of Connecticut in this respect is a case in point. 
The supply of shad in the Connecticut for several years had been 
greatly diminished, as compared with its former usual abundance, 
owing to the reckless methods of fishing. A few years ago the Com- 
missioner of Fisheries of Connecticut undertook the business of 
hatching out the shad, and has been turning out young fish, year by 
year, in increasing numbers, until the aggregate in 1871 amounted 
to about 50,000,000, and in 1872 to 91,000,000. The benefit of this 
action was satisfactorily exhibited in the spring of 1872. Immense 
schools of shad were met at sea, bound for the Connecticut river, and 
the number of fine, marketable fish actually taken in its vicinity was 
so great that they became a drug in the market, scarcely worth more 
than five or ten cents each. This condition of things was, of course, 
not very satisfactory to the fishermen nor the marketmen, who pre- 
ferred larger profits with less trouble; but the boon to the people 
and consumers generally cannot be overestimated. 

I desire to commence operations in regard to the shad at a very 
early period during the year 1873, by impregnating the spawn and 
hatching out the young in all the Atlantic rivers, beginning, perhaps, 
with the St. Johns of Florida, and proceeding, with the advancing 


28 REPORT OF THE AMERICAN 


season, to the streams further and further north, until the work can 
be closed on the Connecticut river. The young fish can be taken 
from the coast, by the lateral lines of railroad, to different points in 
the west and introduced in hundreds of localities; and it is hoped 
that many millions of young fish may thus be started on their own 
way, to become the progenitors of an ultimate supply in the waters 
of the entire Mississippi valley. If authority be granted, similar 
efforts with regard to shad will be made on the great lakes, in con- 
tinuation of the labors of the Commissioners of New York and Ver- 
mont, by whom several thousands of young fish have been planted 
in the tributaries of Lake Champlain and Lake Ontario. The prac- 
ticability of having shad in abundance in the great lakes, cut off from 
access to the sea, is yet to be proved; but an augury of success is 
drawn from the fact that, by reason of discoveries made very recently, 
partly in connection with the United States Commission of Fisheries, 
the waters in the deeper portions of these lakes have been found to 
abound with minute crustaceans which are very similar if not iden- 
tical with those which form the chief sustenance of the shad and also 
of the salmon in the ocean. 

As regards the salmon, time was available to act with more delibe- 
ration, so as to secure more definite results, the spawning season for 
the eastern fish, as is well known, being as late as the end of October 
or the beginning of November. The fact that nearly all the rivers 
of the United States, which formerly abounded with salmon, are now 
destitute of them, made it necessary, of course, to adopt measures for 
obtaining spawn in large quantities. Heretofore the only establish- 
ment in America where these could be purchased was the hatching- 
house belonging to the Canadian government, at Newcastle, in 
Ontario, not far from Toronto, and under the care of Mr. Wilmot. 
The price charged, however, of forty dollars (gold) per thousand, was 
almost prohibitory; and, at any rate, the number that could be 
obtained at any price was too small to be of much value in the pro- 
posed experiment. Accordingly, I adopted three methods for procur- 
ing the desired supply, in which I was encouraged by the fish cul- 
turists at their meeting already referred to. It is known to most 
persons that salmon come from the sea in the early spring, and, enter- 
ing the large rivers, pass high up to their head-waters, remaining 
there for several months before the business of spawning is begun. 
Fat and in good condition at first, they gradually become very poor 
and emaciated, until in the breeding season they are unfit for food. 


FisH CULTURISTS’ ASSOCTATION. 29 


After the eggs are deposited, the salmon return to the sea, or in some 
instances proceed into the large lakes, and there recuperate for future 
operations. Taking advantage of this habit of the fish, Mr. Charles 
G. Atkins, the former Fish Commissioner of the State of Maine, under- 
took, in 1871, the then untried experiment of securing the salmon 
on their first entrance into the river, and penning them up until the 
spawning season in the fall. The living fish were purchased from 
the fishermen, and after remaining in the inclosure until the proper 
season, the operation of taking their spawn was entered upon. His 
success in 1871 induced me to join with the commissioners of several 
of the States in giving to Mr. Atkins the means of carrying on the 
work on a much larger scale, and this was prosecuted with such vigor 
that as many as 600 sound, healthy salmon were secured. The sub- 
sequent operations were successfully conducted, and, as the result, 
Mr. Atkins now has in his hatching-house at Bucksport, Me., on the 
Penobscot, about a million and a half of salmon eggs, which, at the 
prices charged by the Canadian government, would be worth $60,000 
in gold; the actual cost, however, being something less than $8,000 
in currency. Half of these eggs are the property of the United 
States. The European salmon and that of eastern North America 
are believed to belong to the same species, and tbe same variety from 
the Rhine is considered as pre-eminent for the excellence of its fish, 
and tor the sport it affords to the fishermen. Knowing that the 
German government was carrying on the fish establishments at 
Hiiningen (first started by the French, but subsequently, by the for- 
tune of the late war, falling, with the province in which it is situated, 
into the possession of their rival), I applied to some friends connected 
with the German Fisherei-Verein to know upon what terms I could 
obtain a large number of eggs. I was promptly informed that, desi- 
rous of showing their appreciation of the American people, the Ger- 
man government would present the United States 250,000 eggs, and 
that these would be ready at the proper season for transmission. 
Very grateful for this unexpected act of liberality, I ordered an addi- 
tional half million of eggs from the private establishment of Ober- 
burgomeister Schuster, at Freiberg, and engaged the services of Mr. 
Rudolph Hessel, an experienced fish culturist of Germany, to accom- 
pany all these eggs to America, so as to be assured of the best atten- 
tion for them on the voyage. These will probably leave Bremen 
about the 11th of the present month, and be here before its close. 
The magnitude of this transaction may be understood from the fact 


30 REPORT OF THE AMERICAN 


that the weight of eggs in their packings will not be less than 7,500 
pounds.* Desirous of having a still larger number available for the 
experiment with the salmon, I engaged the services of Mr. Living- 
ston Stone, a well known fish culturist, of New Hampshire, and 
directed him to proceed to California with a view of securing eggs of 
the Sacramento species, which is different from that of the Atlantic 
coast, but in its season not inferior in eatable qualities. Although it 
was thought the spawning season of the Sacramento salmon was 
about the same as that of eastern fish, namely, toward the end of 
October, Mr. Stone lost no time in proceeding to the west coast, 
where he placed himself in communication with the California Fish 
Commissioners, and, partly by their advice, selected a locality on the 
McCloud river, a tributary of the upper Sacramento, where he estab- 
lished his hatching-house, and then proceeded to seine the fish which 
were there in great abundance. To his surprise and disappointment 
he found that the spawning season in the McCloud river was actually 
in the early part of September, and he was consequently unable to 
obtain more than 20,000 or 30,000 eggs. These were shipped east- 
_ward, and the greater part of them are now in a thriving condition 
at the establishment of Dr. J. H. Slack, at Bloomsburg, N. J., in pre- 
paration for their transfer to the Susquehanna river. The importance 
of the experiment with the Sacramento fish may be understood from 
the fact that their breeding grounds on that river are in a region of 
very high summer temperature, reaching at noon from 100° to 110° 
Fahrenheit for a considerable distance. Therefore, while the eastern 
salmon is hardly likely to thrive west of the Connecticut river, or, at 
most, of the Hudson, there is every reason to believe that the Sacra- 
mento fish can be introduced into nearly if not quite all the rivers of 
our Atlantic coast ; and we have every confidence that the time is 
not far distant when we shall have in the Delaware, the Susquehanna, 
the Potomac and the James, an ample supply of these delicious fish, 
and northern waters as well as in more eastern. 
I propose to place a large portion of the Penobscot and German 
*salmon eggs in the tributaries of the great lakes, as the fact of the 
occurrence of the natural food of the shad in our lakes, in ample 
quantity, applies equally well to the salmon. It is likewise my 
intention to try the experiment of introducing the salmon and the 
shad into the great Salt Lake of Utah. In this a body of salt water, 
according to Stansbury, of 291 miles in circumference, exclusive of 


* None of these eggs survived. 


7 


FisH CuLTurists’ ASSOCIATION. a1 


offsets, and abounding in low forms of crustacez, and in dipterous 
larvee to an unheard of extent, admirably fitted for feeding myriads 
of any fish that can live in it. That the purely fresh-water species 
of trout and cyprinide are unable to survive therein is not to be 
wondered at; but there seems no good reason to suppose that salmon, 
shad and alewives may not find a perfectly fitting resting place, and 
one where they would in time multiply to an extraordinary degree, 
in consequence of the entire absence of the predaceous fishes, such as 
sharks, blue fish, ete., which tend to keep down their numbers in the 
ocean. The experiment is worth trying, at any rate, and if success- 
ful it will add immeasurably to the food resources of the central por- 
tion of the west. In addition to the genuine salmon ordered from 
Germany, a large number otf hybrids, between the salmon and the 
trout, are expected. It has been established recently in Europe that 
such crosses are not only fertile to a considerable degree, but that the 
fish lose their instinct of wandering to the sea and remain in the 
rivers throughout the year. Here they grow rapidly, more so than 
the perfect fish, and their flesh is highly distinguished for its excel- 
lence. 3 

A beginning has also been made in regard to increasing the supply 
of the white-fish in the lakes, and at present I have about three- 
quarters of a million of eggs, in charge of Mr. N. W. Clarke, at 
Clarkston, Mich. A portion of these, as soon as they have developed 
sufficiently for the purpose, I propose to transmit to the Commis- 
sioners of Fisheries of California, for introduction into the waters of 
the Pacific coast, and another year to take measures for multiplying 
them largely throughout the great lakes. From its situation and 
size, Utah lake appears well adapted for the introduction of white- 
fish and land-locked salmon, and I propose to try the experiment, 
this season, with both species. JI may say, in conclusion, that in all: 
the work I have hitherto prosecuted, I have had the hearty co-opera- 
tion and concurrence of the Fish Commissioners of the several States, 
it being, in my judgment, the best policy to work with and in a large 
part through them. 

The fund appropriated by Congress is not sufficient to meet all the 
expenses of the business, especially that of hatching out and distri- 
buting the young fish; and I have therefore thought it best to limit 
my efforts to obtaining the eggs in sufficient quantities and then to 
turn them over to the State Commissioners, exercising the privilege 


32 REPORT OF THE AMERICAN 


of carrying the subject to its entire conclusion in the waters of such 
States as have not yet appointed Commissioners. 

The efforts of the United States in reference to the introduction of 
useful food fishes should not be limited to the salmonidee already men- 
tioned (to which the various species of trout, salmon, white-fish and 
smelts belong) and to the shad, as many other kinds yet remain for con- 
sideration. The land-locked salmon, the European char, and the smelt, 
will be available for all ponds or lakes of a certain extent and tem- 
perature. In these they will pass the greater part of their time, run- 
ning up into the tributaries or outlets to spawn. The great Danube 
salmon, which sometimes reaches the weight of 100 pounds, would 
find a perfectly suitable residence in the Mississippi river and its 
tributaries, feeding on the worthless chubs, suckers and cat fish so 
abundant therein. The alewife can be propagated to a much greater 
extent than at present. The sterlet, a kind of small sturgeon found 
in the Volga and in Russia, is esteemed far beyond the turbot, will 
thrive in the Mississippi valley and in the lakes. The gourami, an 
East India fish, can be placed to great advantage in the mill-dams, 
ponds, ete., of the south, thriving as it does in very warm water and 
feeding entirely on vegetable matter. It attains a weight of twenty 
pounds or more, grows with great rapidity, and is unsurpassed in the 
excellence of its flesh. Other species could readily be mentioned, 
but I have stated enough to show the prospects before us in the way 
of increasing, to an almost unlimited degree, the food resources of 
our country, and in rendering the productiveness of our waters, in 
this respect, superior, acre to acre, to that of land. Of course, time 
and expenditure of money will be required, but the larger the scale 
of operations the sooner and more effectually the result will be 
accomplished. ‘There is also something still to be done by the United 
States in the way of extending the area of cultivation of lobsters, 
crabs, oysters, ete., if not by actual planting on a larger scale, yet by 
making the necessary experiments and supplying detailed instruction 
for the work. It is not impossible, indeed, that the great Salt Lake 
and other interior bodies of saline waters may be made the nurseries 
of objects such as those mentioned above. 


SPENCER F. BAIRD, 
U. S. Commissioner of Fish and Fisheries. 


FisH CULTURISTS’ ASSOCIATION. 33 


MEMBERS 


OF THE 


AMERICAN FISH CULTURISTS’ ASSOCIATION, 


ORGANIZED, DECEMBER 20TxH, 1870. 


William Clift, Mystic Bridge, Conn. 

Livingston Stone, Charlestown, N. H. 

B. F. Bowles, Springfield, Mass. 

A. S. Collins, Caledonia, N. Y. 

George Shepard Page, No. 10 Warren street, N. Y. 
Dr. Huntington, Watertown, N. Y. 

Fred. Mather, Honeoye Falls, Monroe county, N. Y. 
E. W. Stoughton, Windsor, Vt. 

Richards Bradley, Brattleboro, Vt. 

George H. Jerome, Niles, Mich. 

A. B. Crocker, Norway, Me. 

Edwaid Whitin, Whitinsville, Mass. 

Theodore Shultz, P. O. Box 3141, N. Y. 

T. J. Whitcomb, Springfield, Vt. 

J. D. Bridgman, Bellows Falls, Vt. 

Benjamin Farrar, 12 North Fourth street, St. Louis, Mo. 
George Jewett, M. D., Fitchburg, Mass. 

B. Frank Boyer, Reading, Penn. 

A. C. Rupe, New York. 

A. B. Sprout, Muncey, Penn. 

B. B. Porter, Oakland, Bergen county, N. J. 

M. H. Chrystler, Kinderhook, N. Y. 

Gifford W. Chrystler, Kinderhook, N. Y. 

E. Sterling, M. D., Cleveland, Ohio. 

F. J. Chandler, Alstead, N. H. 

Seth Green, Rochester, N. Y. 

C. H. Farnham, Milton, Ulster county, N. Y. 
Arthur Maginnis, Stanhope, Monroe county, Pa. 


3 


834 MEMBERS OF THE ASSOCIATION. 


James Worrall, Harrisburg, Penn. 

E. B. Paxton, Detroit, Mich. 

A. P. Rockwood, Salt Lake City, Utah. 

Joseph Van Cleve, 46 Franklin street, Newark, N. J. 

Phil. Neidlinger, No. 10 William street, New York city. 

Dr. W. H. Newell, President of the Society of Acclimatization, San 
Francisco, Cal. 


Honorary Members. 
Prof. Spencer F. Baird, U. S. Commissioner of Fisheries, Washing- 
ton, DC: 
Albert S. Bickmore, Superintendent American Museum of Natural 
History, Central Park, N. Y. 
Samuel Wilmot, Newcastle, Ontario, Canada. 


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AT ITS THIRD ANNUAL MEETING, 


FEBRUARY 10, 1874. 


ROCHESTER, N. Y. 
EVENING EXPRESS PRINTING AND ENGRAVING COMPANY. 


1874. 


Amerien 


~~ PROCEEDINGS 


OR) SEE 


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| ish { ulturists \ssociation 


AT ITS THIRD ANNUAL MEETING, 


FEBRUARY 10, 1874. 


ROCHESTER, N. Y. 
EVENING EXPRESS PRINTING AND ENGRAVING COMPANY. 
1874. 


OREO ia. 


R. B. ROOSEVELT, - -— - - President. 


160 Broadway, New York City. 


GEO. S. PAGE, . p x Vice-President. 


10 Warren Street, New York City. 


A. §. COLLINS, - - - - - Secretary. 


Caledonia, Livingston Co., N. Y. 


B. F. BOWLES, - - - - - Treasurer. 


Springfield, Mass. 


EXECU EVCOvIM hie 


H. J. REEDER, - - - - - Easton, Pa. 
M. C. EDMUNDS, - - - - Weston, Vt. 
ALEX. KENT, . - ~ - Baltimore, Md. 
W. F. WHITCHER, - - Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. 


SETH GREEN, - - - Rochester, N. Y. 


ie 


27s LON ee) Bra la 


TRUE SIDA eB. AO. A STZ, 


The third annual meeting of the American Fish Culturists’ Association 
was held on Tuesday, February 10th, 1874, at the office of George 
Shepard Page, No. 10 Warren street, New York City. 

The Association was called to order at 11 o’clock, a. Mm. 

The President of the Association being absent, on motion of A. S. 
Collins, Hon. Robert B. Roosevelt was called to the chair. Mr. 
Roosevelt gave thanks for the honor, and made some interesting state- 
ments about the operations of the N. Y. State Fish Commissioners, 
especially with regard to the shad and the whitefish. 

The record of the last meeting was read and approved. 

The report of the Treasurer was read and accepted. (The papers read 
at the meeting are printed with this report.) 

The Secretary read a paper by Mr. Charles G. Atkins, on Salmon 
Breeding, at Bucksport, Maine. 

All those present interested in Fish Culture were invited to participate 
freely in the discussions. 

On motion of Mr. George Shepard Page, the ‘‘ Forest and Stream,” of 
New York, was made the official paper of the Association. 

Hon. Spencer F. Baird, U. 8. Commissioner of Fisheries, gave a gen- 
eral description of his work for the year. 

Mr. J. W. Milnor read a paper by Nicholas Pike, on the Gourami. 

Mr. Livingston Stone read a paper on his recent experiments in col- 
lecting salmon eggs in California, and on the food fishes of the Pacific 
coast. 

On motion of Mr. F. Mather, the constitution was so amended that the 
list of officers should include a Vice-President. 

-4Messrs. Green, Porter and Kent were appointed a committee to make 
nominations for the ensuing year. 

Recess—One half hour. : 

Mr. B. F. Bowles gave some description of Mr. Stone’s Aquarium 


Car. 


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Ya v4 


Ace. us Report of the American 


Mr. James D. Brewer laid before the meeting a description of a new 
fishway. 

Col. James Worrall, of Pennsylvania, read a paper on Fishways, &c. 

The committee on nominations reported the following : 

For President—R. B. Roosevelt. 

‘¢ Vice-President—George Shepard Page. 

‘ Secretary—A. S. Collins. : 
‘¢ Treasurer—B. F. Bowles. 


no 


¥ 


“© Hxecutive Committee—H. J. Reeder, M. C. Edmunds, Alexander 


Kent. 

The report was adopted. 

Mr. Seth Green read a paper on Fish Culture. 

Mr. Samuel Wilmot, of Newcastle, Canada, made an address on the 
artificial hatching of the commercial fish of this continent. 

Mr. Seth Green made some remarks on carrying live fish. 

Mr. Alexander Kent gave a narrative of his experience in the trans- 
portation of fish. 

Hon. W. F. Whitcher, of Ottawa, Canada, spoke of fish progress in 
Canada. 

On motion of Mr. Stone, all those who had paid $5.00, and signed 
the Constitution, were made members of the Association without further 
action. 

Adjourned till 10 a. m., Wednesday. 


WED TINGE S DAY erp eS ides ile 


Association called to order at 11 a. M. 

Mr. F. Mather spoke of the safe transportation of fish, and gave his 
personal experience. 

Mr. A. B. Lamberton spoke of his observations of the undeveloped 
egos of birds. 

Mr. H. J. Reeder reviewed the operations of the Pennsylvania Fish 
Commissioners, with some very interesting remarks on the Bass. 

Mr. Charles Hallock, editor of ‘‘ Forest and Stream,” spoke of the 
uecessity for some uniform protection law for game and fish. 

An interesting discussion followed about Bass, in which Messrs. Green, 
Reeder, Wilmot and Roosevelt took part. 
_ Mr. Goldsmith, chairman of the Fish Division of the Centennial 
Exhibition at Philadelphia, made a request that this association should 
co-operate with his committee. 


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Fish Culturists’ Association. 5 


An article on Frog Culture, by Seth Green, was read by the 
secretary. 

Recess—one half hour. 

On reassembling, Mr. B. F. Bowles offered the following resolution : 

‘* Recognising the importance of co-operation between the different 
states to secure laws for the better preservation of useful food fishes and 
birds, 

Resolved, That this association use its influence to procure the passage 
of laws in the several states that shall be identical in their objects and 
purposes, to better preserve and promote the increase of all the game 
birds and useful food fishes.” Adopted. 

Dr. Edmunds, of Vermont, spoke of the introduction of salmon into 
Lake Champlain, &c. 

A discussion on food for fish followed, in which Prof. Baird, A. S. 
Collins, Alexander Kent and others took part. 

Mr. E. Blackford, of Fulton market, New York, spoke of the demand 
for trout, and gave statistics of prices and supply of trout and other fish. 
He said that the demand was greatest for cultivated trout, and that they - 
brought the highest price in the market. 

Mr. S. Wilmot spoke of the increase of the salmon in the Miramichi. 

Hon. W. F. Whitcher explained the fact more fully, and gave some 
very interesting statistics of the Salmon Fisheries of Canada. 

Mr. H. J. Reeder moved that the Constitution be amended by striking 
out the last paragraph of Article IJ. Carried. 

The President, Vice-President, and a third to be selected by them, 
were appointed a committee on programme for next meeting. 

On motion of Mr. G. 8. Page, the executive committee was made to 
consist of five, and Messrs. Whitcher and Green were elected to fill 
vacancies. Moved that the Secretary and Treasurer be authorized to 
have the report of the Convention printed. Carried. 

Mr. George 8. Page moved to amend Article II by striking out the 
words ‘‘All Fish Culturists,” and inserting the words ‘‘ any person.” 
Carried. 

Moved and carried that the Secretary be instructed to ask the Fish 
Commissioners of the various states to send to the next annual meeting 
a number of their reports for distribution. 

On motion, the convention adjourned, to meet in New York on the 
second Tuesday in February, 1875. { 

A. S. Corzins, 
Secretary. 


me 
6 ; Report of the American é 


PREASURER Ss) REPORR 


Dr. 
Balance-on. hand Kebsul lth, S73 ee wt -raheicteale te eee ee ae $29 08 
Eleven Memberships..... pinseiy te wees bis is arene Upattaeger a ee eee ee 95 00 
$84 08 

Cr. 
Paid Argus Company for printing Report for 1873............ $57 50: 
Printing programme? and receipts . <\i.cecsie- eiesis esac ee 4 75 
Postage SAA SUATIONENY .F'5:5.9 ose /-/sjacnhorelchascsies eae eens eee 3 00 
Balance on hand Feb. 10th, Co PEAS ALA big SMB A : 18 83 
$84 08 

B. F. Bow es, 
Treasurer. 


CONSTIZUTION. 


ARTICLE I. Name anp OBJECTS. 


The name of this society shall be ‘‘ The American Fish Culturists’ 
Association.” Its objects shall be to promote the cause of Fish Culture ; 
to gather and diffuse information bearing upon its practical success ; the 
interchange of friendly feeling and intercourse among the members of 
the Association ; the uniting and encouraging of the individual interests 
of Fish Culturists. 


ARTICLE II. Members. 
Any person shall, upon a two-thirds vote of the society, and a pay- 


ment of five dollars, be considered a member of the Association, after 
signing the Constitution. 


ARTICLE II. Orricers. 
The officers of the Association shall be a President, a Vice-President, 
a Secretary and a Treasurer, and shall be elected annually by a majority 


of votes; vacancies occurring during the year may be filled by the 
President. 


ARTICLE IV. Meetrnes. 
The regular meetings of the Association shall be held once a year, the 
time and place being decided upon at the previous meeting. 
ARTICLE V. CuHaneine THE CONSTITUTION. 


The Constitution of the society may be amended, altered or repealed, 
by a two-thirds vote of the members present as any regular meeting. 


Fish Culturists’ Association. i 


REMARKS OF “HON: ROBERT B., ROOSEVELT. 


In thanking you for the honor you have done me in asking me to pre- 
side over the deliberations of the Fish Cultural Association, I cannot do 
better than explain what has been done by the Fishery Commission of 
the State of New York. Ido this with no purpose of arrogating praise 
to myself and with no expectation of giving instruction to gentlemen as 
experienced as yourselves in this special line of knowledge, but with the 
intention of informing the public of what has been effected, and en- 
couraging the skeptical to go and do likewise. 

The New York Fishery Commission was created by an act of the 
Legislature, passed April 22, 1868. Its first duty was to examine the 
condition of the fisheries of the State; these were found to be much run 
down, and in some cases practically exhausted. Salmon no longer 
entered the streams that flow northward into Lake Ontario on the St. 
Lawrence, and which once abounded with them ; white-fish, salmon-trout, 
pike-perch and the other fish of Lake Ontario were much less abundant 
than they had been, while even the shad fisheries of the Hudson were so 
greatly deteriorated that the fishermen were in many instances abandon- 
ing them, and allowing their nets to remain idle. 

I think it may safely be asserted that but for the efforts of the Com- 
missioners in restoring the supply and in restocking the river, the shad 
fisheries would have been wholly abandoned before this. As it is, the 
dearth of fish has been so great that the Commissioners have never been 
able to obtain one quarter as many mature fish on the spawning beds as 
they desired, and hence have effected much less good than they would 
have done if a sufficient number of eggs could have been procured. 

In the spring of 1868 preliminary operations were commenced for 
shad-hatching on the Hudson, but preparations were necessarily delayed 
till so late that little was achieved beyond making a commencement. It 
may be said that about one million of young shad were hatched that year 
and safely turned loose in the upper waters of the river. Not enough to 
produce any perceptible effect. In 1869 about fifteen million shad were 
hatched on the same stream, and from 8,000,000 to 10,000,000 have 
been hatched yearly since ; very much less than the Commissioners would 
have raised if the proper number of spawners were to be had, but as 
many as can be promised until the Legislature shall see fit to pass a law 
as requested by the Commissioner, to establish a weekly close time and 
forbid all shad fishing from Saturday night till Monday morning. In all 
some 50,000,000 of shad have been deposited in the Hudson and the 
yield of fish has been greatly increased in consequence. The price has 
fallen in our markets to a marked degree, and this valuable species of 


a ae ng te 
+ a + eA 
sate tas 


8 Report of the American 


food has been brought within the reach of a large class of our people 
whose poverty previously prevented them from purchasing it. a 

The New York Commissioners claim the credit to have been the first , 
to cultivate white-fish artificially. In 1868 Mr. Seth Green, then one of 
the Commission, obtained a number of white-fish eggs and experimented 

-upon them in various ways and subjected them to various conditions of 
water, manipulation, and so forth. He then established the fact that 
they could be hatched in substantially the same manner as trout. The 

eggs were smaller and more delicate, as were the fry also when brought 
into existence, but otherwise there was no important difference. As the 

- white-fish of the great lakes had been almost exterminated by indefatig- 
able pound fishing, the importance of this discovery was appreciated and 
it was determined to utilize it as far as possible. 

The following year large quantities of the ova were taken and dis- 
tributed throughout the State to all persons who would hatch them, as 
there was at that time no State hatching house. Some however remained 
and these were matured under the care of the Commissioners. In the 
following year about one million of eggs were obtained and distributed 
in the same way, but it was not till 1871, when the State Hatching House 
was completed, that any great strides were made in the increase of this 
fish. Then some two million white-fish and about an equal number of 
salmon-trout were hatched and distributed, and from that time to this 
from two to five millions of each of these varieties have been hatched 
regularly every year. 

The Commissioners also distributed a large number of black bass, 
pike-perch, rock-bass and other valuable fish and restocked many of the 
lakes in this State. They have sent one or more of these varieties 
wherever they were wanted and in sufficient numbers to meet all de- 


' 
| 


“a 


mands. I may safely say that the rivers, lakes, ponds and streams in 
this State are in a fair way of being all thoroughly restocked, and I take 
pride in saying that this has been done at a cost which is absolutely 
trifling. The Commissioners receive no salary, and their expenditures * 
have scarcely, if at all, exceeded $5,000 a year, while the amount of fish- 

food produced must have been worth millions of dollars. They have 
sought to perform these duties in a thoroughly practical, business-like 

way and show a substantial balance to the credit side of their account. 

Tn conclusion, there is one matter which I wish to submit to you, gen- 
tlemen, as practical fish culturists, that is, the advisibility of a rotation 4 
of crops in fish as in agriculture. We all of us know that when a pond = 
is first built it is remarkably productive and the fish grow rapidly. This ) 
has been frequently remarked on Long Island in the building of trout 
preserves. It has also been noticed in many instances where new varie- 


> a. @« | ed 
4 a : : ‘ 


Fish Oulturists’ Association. 9 


ties have been introduced into waters only partially filled by common 


sorts and where they have propagated surprisingly. If it is universally 
true, it is due, I think, to the fact that the enemies of the new species do | 
not exist, while their food, if the locality is adapted to them, is abundant. 


‘Subsequently the enemies increase, by which the food is consumed, and 


so in time the general equipoise of nature is established. I make this 
suggestion, as, if it is well founded, it is of importance in increasing the 
supply of fish food, and may either be confirmed or disproved by your 


experience. 


SS 


SALMON BREEDING. 


The Introduction of Eastern Fish into the Waters of the Pacific Slope, 
together with an Account of Operations at the United States Sal- 
mon Breeding Establishments on the McCloud River, California. 


BY LIVINGSTON STONE. 
Mr. President, and members of the American Fish Culturists’ Association : 
GENTLEMEN :—With your permission I will make a slight deviation 
from the terms of the subject which has been assigned me, and will 
endeavor to give an account both of my operations in California in pro- 
curing salmon ova, and also of the attempt to introduce other varieties 
of fish into the waters of the Pacific slope. 


SEASON OF 1872. 

As many of you are aware, I arrived at the spawning grounds of the 
Sacramento salmon too late year before last to obtain more than a few 
thousand eggs, which were duly shipped eastward, and have since been 
hatched and placed in the Susquehanna River, where I am informed they 
thrive remarkably well. 

After the spawning season of 1872 was over I intended to go to Oregon 
and examine portions of the Columbia River, with a view to learning 
what were the facilities there for procuring salmon eggs. 


INTRODUCING WHITE FISH (Coregonus albus) INTO CALIFORNIA. 

I had previously suggested the idea of introducing white fish into 
California by shipping the eggs across the Continent, and postponed the 
trip to Oregon on receiving a request from Mr. S. R. Throckmorton, of 
the California Fish Commission, to look up a suitable place for the hatch- 
ing of a shipment of white fish eggs, which Professor Baird had promised 


10 Report of the American 


to send as a present to the Californians, and which were already on the 
way. 

In accordance with Mr. Throckmorton’s request, I went in January, 
1873, to Clear Lake, in Lake County, California, in company with Mr. 
John G. Woodbury, my assistant on the McCloud River, and afterwards 
superintendent of the California State Hatching Works, and we finally 
selected a place for the white fish eggs on Kelsey Creek, near Clear Lake, 
where Mr. Woodbury put up suitable hatching works, and where he 
hatched out 25,000 white fish, which he afterwards placed in good condi- 
tion in various portions of Clear Lake. This is the first introduction of 
white fish (Coregonus albus) into the waters of the Pacific slope. 


CALIFORNIA AQUARIUM CAR. 


During the latter part of March I came east with instructions from the 
California Commissioners to bring to California a car load of the best 
varieties of the fishes of the Atlantic slope, the kinds and numbers being 
left to my discretion. This was the beginning of the California aquarium 
car expedition, which came to so unfortunate an end. My plan was to 
take twelve varieties of living fish in the car, and as many of each 
variety as the space at my command in the car would permit. This plan 
was actually carried into practice, and the fish were gathered from the 
Raritan River, Buzzard’s Bay, Massachusetts Bay, the Hudson River, 
Lake Champlain, the Connecticut River, and other points on the eastern 
coast, to the number of twelve varieties, and started on their way across 
the Continent. It was a terrible undertaking. I cannot find words to 
express the care, anxiety, the risks, the labors, and the hardships that it 
involved. Only those who have travelled with living fish can ever know 
what incessant vigilance, what untiring labor, and what constant care 
was required to get together this car load of fish and to keep them alive 
till the time for starting, and to carry them alive, as we did with few ex- 
ceptions, for over five days and nights of consecutive railroad travel. I 
will only say that every one on the car worked actively twenty-one hours 
out of the twenty-four during the whole five days, and had, of course, 
during that time only three hours a day of such rest as he could get with 
the car in motion, and when we came into Omaha the night after the 
accident we all looked as if we had been through a week’s serious illness. 
We were successful, however, to a wholly unexpected degree. The large 
spawning bass and catfish, about 200 in all, were living and in geod 
order. The full grown yellow perch, glass eyed pike, and horn pouts 
did nearly as well. The young perch and glass eyed pike had hardly 
met with any loss. Only seven out of the thousand brook trout had 
died, and what were left were in excellent condition. Not one of the 


ome 


- Fish Culturists’ Association. 11 


tautogs had died. We had 30,000 silver eels, and over a thousand salt 
water eels living and doing well, and a barrel of oysters in perfect con- 
dition. There were forty-one spawning lobsters left, half of which at 
least were likely to survive the rest of the journey, and of all the vari- 
eties taken into the car not one had entirely given out, nor was there 
any serious loss with any except the lobsters, and of these forty-one, as 
just mentioned, were still living. I ought to add here that it was my in- 
tention to take out some shad, and I did actually send for some, but none 
reached the car alive; so of course there were none lost on the ear. 

We were on our sixth day out when the accident happened. The 
whole trip by passenger train time takes but seven days, and we should 
have been in Utah instead of Nebraska, but the arrangements not having 
been perfected for travelling all the way with passenger trains we had in 
consequence met with delays which had made this difference. But the 
circumstance that the fishes were doing so well on the sixth day speaks 
well for their chances of surviving the balance of the journey. 

The accident occurred at the Elkhorn river, thirty miles beyond 
Omaha. The engine, tender and aquarium car went through the treach- 
erous trestle work into about twenty feet of water, with a swift current 
running. The engineer, brakeman, roadmaster, and the three occupants 
of the aquarium car went down with the wreck. The roadmaster, Mr. 
Carey, was killed; the rest of us escaped with bruises. The contents 
of the aquarium car were a total loss to California, every fish escaping 
into the Elkhorn river. The accident took place on Sunday afternoon 
about three o’clock. The next morning just after breakfast I received a 
dispatch from Prof. Baird (a circumstance which shows with what 
promptness our national commissioner is in the habit of acting), to return 


east with my men and make a second attempt to cross the continent with 
shad. 


CROSSING THE CONTINENT WITH SHAD. 


I accordingly returned, and on the night of Wednesday, the 25th of 
June, 1873, left the Hudson river with 40,000 live shad, and reached the 
junction of the Utah railroad on the afternoon of Monday, June 30th, 
with the fish in perfect order. Here I left 5,000 shad for Great Salt 
Lake, and proceeded to California with the remaining 35,000. We 
reached Sacramento City at half-past one on the afternoon of Wednes- 
day, July 2d, with the shad in first rate condition. At ten minutes past 
nine on the evening of the same day we deposited them safely in the 
the Sacramento river at Tehama, the whole expedition, from beginning 
to end, having been a perfect success. 


oe Ne, ER ete eeh ae aes ok ly ol a Se a Ce a 


Ny ager _ Report of the American cS page ; 


SALMON BREEDING ON THE McCLOUD—SEASON OF 1873. 

We began our work on the McCloud river in 1873, on the 18th day of , 
July. The year before, our dwelling house, hatching works, and in fact 
everything appertaining to our camp were located at a considerable dis- 
tance from the river, in order that we might avail ourselves of the use of 
the water from a brook, which at that time, in our inexperience, we con- 
sidered the only safe water we could employ for hatching purposes. The 
disadvantages of this location were very great. The brook water had a 
very fluctuating temperature, besides being limited and insufficient in its 
supply, and sometimes roily. The distance from the river caused a great 
waste of time and labor in going to and from the fishing grounds, which 
was an inconvenience particularly irksome when we had salmon eggs to 
bring to the hatching works; and, to add to the discomforts of the place, 
it was often intolerably hot where our house stood, the mercury frequently 
rising as high as 110 degrees in the shade, and standing for days 

together through the afternoon at 105 degrees. This last year (1873) I> 
resolved to use the river water if possible, so as to bring the fishing 
grounds and hatching works together, and also to obtain a larger and 
more trustworthy supply of hatching water. Accordingly, on arriving at 
the river last summer we moved our house and hatching works from their 
former location down to the bank of the McCloud. and immediately 
began digging a ditch from a higher point of the river to a spot which we 
had previously selected for the hatching house. Although we had before 
this surveyed the ground, and thought the attempt practicable, we found 
so many obstacles to its successful prosecution that we changed base 
once more, and determined to put a large wheel into the river current at 
one of its most rapid portions, and to pump up from the river the water 
intended for the maturing of the salmon eggs. The wheel, which was 
furnished with a series of buckets around its circumference for lifting the 
water, was a perfect success in every respect, and worked the whole 
season to our entire satisfaction. It raised over 6.000 gallons of river 
water an hour, and to such a height that we could have our hatching 
troughs as far from the ground as we pleased, which alone was a great 
convenience. While the wheel was being built, work was pushed with 
all possible dispatch in other departments, so that on the 19th of August 
our dwelling house was finished, the water was running merrily through 
the troughs of the hatching house, several corrals and ponds had been 
built, three or four hundred salmon had been caught and corralled in 
them, and we were ready for the first instalment of salmon eggs. 


OUR CAMP. 
At this point a few words about our camp and work and surroundings 
may perhaps be not inappropriate. The McCloud river, on which the 


Ul 


eh rs ey ,% = 


- United States salmon breeding camp is situated, rises in Mt. Shasta and 
flows through deep and rocky canons for nearly seventy miles to where it 


empties into the Pit river, a tributary of the Sacramento. At our fishing 
grounds it averages from forty to fifty yards in width. It is a rapid, 
foaming stream, and is considered one of the most, if not the most, 
beautiful of the rivers in California. Wherever it is known it is famed 
for its bright sparkling waters, the loveliness of its verdure-covered 
banks, and its wild and magnificent scenery. It is formed by the melt- 
ing snows of Mount Shasta, is clear as crystal, and even under the 
scorching atmosphere of a California summer, at noon, always seems 
icily cold to the taste and touch. Opposite our camp, steep pinnacled 
rocks of gray limestone rise nearly 2,000 feet almost perpendicularly 
from the further edge of the river. In all other directions are hills and 
bluffs of various ‘heights, covered with live oaks, manzinita bushes and 
other California vegetation. 

Along the banks of this sparkling river the different points of our 
salmon breeding camp were strung at various intervals. Our house, where 
we lived and ate and slept, and which formed the central point of the camp, 
was a plain wooden structure of one story and twenty-eight feet in length, 
fronting the river. It consisted of a living room, with several bunks for 
beds, a kitchen and an office, each room opening on the river side out on 
a broad piazza, which almost projected over the water’s edge. About 
sixty rods above the house was the mouth of the abandoned ditch. Fifty 


-rods further down or ten rods above the house, was an Indian rancherie, 


where some of the Indians lived who worked for us. Just below 
the rancherie were two small tents occupied by some of our 


Fish Oulturists’ Association. 13 


7 


party or by Indians working for us. Then ‘came the house itself. — 


Just below the house was a large tent, sixty by thirty feet, enclos- 


ing and covering the hatching works. Next came the flume which 
brought the water from the wheel; then a pond for confining the parent 
salmon; then the wheel itself, always moving night and day, with a 
heavy creaking motion, and lifting its eight buckets of water at each 
revolution. Below the wheel, and about twenty rods further down the 
river bank, was a brush camp belonging to two of our fishermen, two 
corrals for salmon, and the lower fishing grounds, which terminated our 
settlement in that direction. On the other side of the river we had 
nothing but a fishing ground and corral, which were just opposite the 
hatching house. Behind our dwelling was an Indian cemetery, and just 
above the cemetery was our American flag floating at the peak of a fifty 
feet staff. The whole camp as it could be seen in one view from the hills 
on the opposite bank, formed a very pretty and interesting picture. 


14 . Report of the American 


HATCHING APPARATUS AND HATCHING HOUSE. 


Our hatching apparatus was simple but very satisfactory. The wheel, 
which was twelve feet in diameter, with an eleven feet shaft, took the 
water from the river into the flume. The flume carried the water about 
fifty yards to the filtering tanks. The filtering tanks conveyed the water 
in the distributing spout. The distributing spout discharged it into the 
hatching troughs. 

The hatching troughs were placed parallel with each other, at right 
angles with the distributing spout, as is the usual custom in hatching 
houses. There were ten rows of troughs placed in pairs with a passage 
way between each pair, and in each row were three troughs, each 
sixteen feet long, placed end to end, one a little lower than the other, so 
as to give a fall from the first to the second, and from the second to the 
third, of a few inches. The troughs were on an average about breast 
high, and were furnished with covers made by stretching white cotton 
cloth on a light frame of wood. The whole, excluding of course the 
flume and wheel, was surmounted by a large and substantial tent, sixty 
by thirty feet. Most of the eggs rested on the charcoal bottom of the 
troughs, but I used trays to a considerable extent, formed of iron wire 
netting coated with asphaltum, and found them perfectly satisfactory. I 
also used by way of experiment and with Seth Green’s permission, half 
a dozen of his shad hatching boxes, anchoring them in the river current. 
They worked so well that I have no doubt that in a warm climate like 
that of California, salmon eggs could be hatched in these boxes with 
perfectly satisfactory results, which adds another merit to this very simple 
but wonderfully effective invention. The only difficulty which we experi- 
enced in their use was the inconvenience of getting at them and of pick- 
ing out the dead eggs. On account of this inconvenience I would prefer 
the stationary hatching troughs, if I had my choice, but I should feel 
perfectly confident of hatching successfully any number of salmon eggs 
with nothing but the shad boxes. 

The hatching house, or more properly the hatching tent, contained our 
work bench and tools, and was the place where all the carpenters’ work 
was done. It was always in the day time the most bright and cheerful, 
as it was the busiest spot about our pleasant camp. The happy murmur 
of the rippling water, the busy sounds of the workmen’s tools, the bright, 
soft light diffused through the canvas covering of the tent, the cool river 
breeze gently pouring in through the raised walls of the tent, the active 
forms of the workmen, the thought that millions of tiny creatures were 
coming into being under the white covers of the troughs, all these things 
lent a charm to this spot, which made it very attractive and an extremely 


Fish Culturists’ Association. . 15 


pleasant place to be in; and the effect was not lessened by the exhilar- 
ating reflection that every shovel full of sand which formed the whole 
floor of the tent was mixed with gold dust, so that every step we took, 
we were literally treading on golden sands. 


OUR HOUSEHOLD AND WORK. 


Our household consisted permanently of Mr. John G. Woodbury, fore- 
man; Mr. Myron Green, head fisherman ; Mr. Oliver Anderson, man-of- 
all-work, and myself in charge. Our fluctuating force consisted of a 
carpenter, a cook, several fishermen and men-of-all-work, together with 
more or less Indians, making our total number average during the fishing 
season, when I kept on a force every night hauling the seine, about a 
dozen or fifteen hands. 

As it may perhaps seem surprising to some that we could find work for 
so many persons, I will say that on the 18th of July not a shovel full of 
earth had been moved, nor a stick cut on the site of our future camp, and 
by the first of October, seventy-four days after, we had erected our 
dwelling house, hatching works, and other structures belonging to the 
camp, we had caught and confined a thousand salmon, had taken and laid 
down two million eggs, and already packed and shipped eastward nearly 
a million. This we had done in a wild and almost uninhabited country, 
where we had to rely wholly upon ourselves, and either do ourselves what 
was to be done or leave it undone. We could not send out for a black- 
smith or plumber or engineer when we wanted one, as if we were living 
in a town, but had to rely on our own resources for what we wanted or 
go without. This, of course, complicated and extended our work very 
much. 

At all events there was something for all to do every moment, and from 
beginning to end it was as busy a camp as one could wish to see. There 
was not a game of cards or chess or checkers played all the time I was 
there, and every one seemed to realize that the business of the place was 
work, and every one worked accordingly. 


PRESENCE OF INDIANS. 


The presence of the Indians formed a peculiar feature of our came life 
on the McCloud. We were in an Indian country, on a river which had 
never been opened up or inhabited by white men, and which the Indians 
regarded as their own by rights which had descended to them undisturbed 
through their ancestors for centuries back. Indians swarmed about our 
camp all the time. There was hardly a moment in the day when there 
were not more or less of them lounging on or under the piazza.or about 
the tent. 


Tega ot ys Oe S 4 \ ( oe ey 
ae en GN Ne NS | Lee 
wy 


16 | Report of the American 


Occasionally a white horseman or a white straggler on foot, or a news- 
paper reporter from the Modoc country just above us, stopped at our 
door, or stayed over night; but usually we saw twenty Indians to one 
white man. Red faces became more familiar, as they were much more 
common than white ones. Indian words and phrases crept into our 
vocabularies, and became part of our every day language. As a rule the 
Indians were friendly and civil. They had been, however, the last of 
the Californian tribes to yield to the white man’s sway, and the hardest 
to subjugate. They had also succeeded thus far in one way or another in 
keeping white men away from their country. At one time a party of 
miners came down across the Sacramento hills to their river to look for 
gold, but they were waited upon in the morning by three cuiefs and three 
hundred warriors, and summarily escorted out of the country. This sort 
of thing was repeated several times. Still later a party of two Ameri- 
cans and eleven Chinamen came up from the Sacramento river to dig for 
gold, and camped a short distance above the present location of our camp, 
but before morning the McCloud Indians murdered every one of them, 
not leaving one to tell the story. 

A year ago a Mr. Crooks came to the river, and settled a mile or two 
above us, but the Indians murdered him as late as last September, 
while I was there. Thus by one means or another they have kept the 
whites out, so that even now, there is not a single white man living on 
the McCloud river. 

- When we came to the river to erect our house and hatching works, a 
large number of Indians assembled on the opposite bank and spent the 
whole afternoon endeavoring by threats and furious gesticulatious to 
drive us away, and afterwards several of them waited on me and told me 
in their dialect, of which I had learned a little, that this was their river 
and their land, and these were their salmon, and that I was stealing their 
land and salmon; that they had never stolen any thing from the white 
man nor taken his land, and that I ought to go away. Some of them 
were very much excited and very angry while talking. Others went so 
far as to give out threats about my being killed. When I thought of the 
fate of all my predecessors on the McCloud, I did sometimes feel slight 
misgivings, but I adopted a firm and and conciliatory policy with them 
which worked so satisfactorily that I am now perfectly satisfied that none 
of us are in any danger there. I ought also to add that they stand in too 
much fear of the white man to do any open injury. 

I gave the Indians all the salmon which we caught after we had got 
through with them, and I treated them well always, being particularly 
careful to be thoughtful of and attentive to their sick, so that we got, 
along with them very well, and I think really made friends of some of 


” ‘4 \ ¥ - 


ys Ws eh ance: 2 ay 


Fish Culturists’ Association. 17 


them. We found them very serviceable in assisting about our work, 
although they were provokingly freakish. When they worked they 
worked well, but when they did not want to work, they were as obstinate 
as mules or as alevins—those who are accustomed to hatching fish will 
appreciate this last allusion, I know—and then they would not lift a hand 
to help us, however urgent the circumstances might be. I employed them 
to help run the seine, to chop wood, to cook, to build dams, to work in 
the water, to pick out dead eggs, and to do various odd jobs. ‘They were 
especially dexterous and nimble in picking over the eggs. Their slender 
fingers and delicate touch seemed particularly adapted to this light work. 


They could not always resist the temptation to pilfer such little things as 
needles and soap, and sometimes a shirt, but considering the constant 
opportunities they had for stealing on a larger scale, I think they deserve 
a good deal of credit for not taking more than they did. I am of the 
opinion that we should have lost more things in an average white com- 
munity, under the same circumstances. 


INTERESTING CHARACTER OF CAMP LIFE. 


Our life at the camp was exceedingly interesting and pleasant. We 
had a harmonious household, the work progressed satisfactorily, the 
mountain air was invigorating, and the landscapes were beautiful, or 
magnificent, according to the direction in which one looked. Every 
morning we were sure of a cloudless sky and a pleasant day, and 
although a quarter of a mile away the heat was intolerable; nearer the 
river side where we were, it was so tempered by the icy water of the 
McCloud that we knew nothing about it. Every morning also it was a 
matter of new interest to know what luck the seine had had the night 
before, or how many eggs had been taken. 

Almost every day the Indians would bring in a coon or a mink or deer 
or bear skin or at least some bit of news that interested us. The salmon 
were jumping in the river in front of our house, at the rate of a thousand 
an hour, and occasionally we would see an otter playing in the water 
opposite. We frequently saw emigrant wagons dragging wearily along, 
some going from California to Oregon, and some the reverse, both hoping 
to make a change for the better. Twice every twenty-four hours the 
Oregon stage with its six galloping horses made its fast time over the 
stage road on the hills above us, carrying the mail from San Francisco, 
California, to Portland, Oregon, and back. Altogether our life at the 
camp, in spite of hard and persistent work, was interesting and pleasant. 

Our table was usually supplied with venison, trout and salmon grilse ; 
the small grilse of the fall run generally being good eating. We also had 


occasionally quails, squirrels, rabbits and fresh vegetables. Our staples 
2 


f p q 
~ , 


1Sy. Report of the American 


to fall back upon when in want of something better were bacon, potatoes 
and baked beans. We had no fresh domestic meat whatever. 


GAME. 


The McCloud region is a good game country. Deer are very abun- 
dant, especially after the snow on the mountains had driven them down 
into the valleys. Black and cinnamon bears are quite common, and it 
was not unusual to see the track of a grizzly bear, though we did not 
encounter one. California lions are occasionally seen. Quails, gray 
squirrels and jack rabbits were quite common and not very timid. 
Indeed, a bevy of thirty or forty quails, and often more, used to feed 
around the house every day, and several gray squirrels came regularly to 
our table at every meal to be fed. Our Indians could almost always go 
out and get a deer of a morning or afternoon, and any one'is sure to get 
a bear or two who makes a day’s regular hunt for one ten miles up the 
McCloud river in October. 


FROM THE 19tH OF AUGUST TILL THE EGGS WERE SHIPPED. 


To resume the thread of my story, by the 19th of August we turned 
the water through the hatching house, and had the pleasure of seeing 
what I had long looked forward to, a successful hatching apparatus in 
perfect working order in the salmon breeding regions of the Pacific slope. 
There seemed to be something in the very sound of the rippling and 
plashing water to exhilarate our spirits, as it leaped through the troughs 
for the first time. I celebrated the day by collecting our whole force of 
whites and Indians at sunset and raising a large American flag over the 
camp. 

We continued to catch more salmon, and to build more corrals for 
them, and to extend the operations for hatching the eggs. The female 
salmon now begins to show every sign of being nearly ready to spawn, 
and we were daily expecting to find some ripe eggs. We remained, how- 
ever, in this not unpleasant state of excitement and anticipation until 
the 26th of August, when we took the first ripe salmon eggs of the sea- 
son, numbering 25,000. ’ 

Now came a new and unexpected drawback. The salmon confined in 
the corrals had been literally wearing themselves out in their frantic 
endeavors to ascend the river. Every moment, day and night, impelled 
by their irrepressible instinct, they kept jumping and lashing themselves 
against the sides of the enclosures, and now comparatively exhausted by 
their efforts and bruises they were beginning to die from the effect of 
them. Fortunately there were enough more in the river to get eggs from, 
for had we depended on our stock on hand when the first eggs were taken 


we should have obtained a very meagre supply. As it was, I kept on fishing. 


Fish Culturists’ Association. GB 


and replacing the dead salmon with live ones, so that we had no lack of 
eggs, and obtained in the end the full two millions at which number I had 
set my limit. Nothing further occurred to intercept our steady progress. 
We continued to take eggs every twenty-four hours, both night and day, 
and the number in the troughs increased rapidly. 

On the 10th of September, at noon, we had a million eggs laid down. 
On the 14th of September, at daylight, we had a million and a half, and 
on the 22d, at daylight, the quota of two millions was complete. On the 
12th of September the first eye spots were visible in the eggs taken on 
the 26th of August, making sixteen days for the interval between the 
extrusion of the eggs and the appearance of the eye spots, (the formation 
of the choroid pigment.) The water in the river had a temperature of 53 
degrees at sunrise, when the first eggs were taken, but it always rose in 
the hatching troughs during the day, sometimes to 58 degrees, and some- 
times as high as 64 degrees, so that the exact average temperature of the 
water for the whole time cannot be stated. 

On the 20th of September I sent 300,000 eggs to the Atlantic coast, 
and on the 30th of September I went east myself with 600,000 more, 
leaving the camp in charge of Mr. Woodbury. On the 6th of October | 
Mr. Myron Green left camp with a third lot of a quarter of a million, and 
about a week later Mr. Woodbury forwarded the balance of the eggs, 
amounting to another quarter of a million or more. 


RESULTS. 


The results in detail of these shipments have been given in the papers 
several times, so I will only make the following brief statement here: 
Of the 2,000,000 eggs taken and laid down in the hatching troughs, 
nearly one million and a half were shipped eastward and consigned in 
various proportions to Dr. J. H. Slack, New Jersey ; Seth Green, New 
York ; James Duffy, Pennsylvania ; George H. Jerome, Michigan; F. W. 
Webber, Charlestown, N. H.; Charles G. Atkins, Maine; R. G. Pike, 
Connecticut; A. P. Rockwood, Utah; E. A. Brackett, Massachusetts ; 
Dr. J. H. Slack receiving the largest number. Nearly a million arrived 
at their destination alive, and a large proportion of the fish hatched from 
them have since been distributed in various streams and lakes throughout 
the United States. 

PACKING AND SHIPPING THE EGGS 


The taking of the eggs and the maturing of them for shipment was a 
marked success. Indeed, I have never seen a finer lot of salmon eggs 
than we had in the hatching troughs under the mammoth tent at the 
McCloud. Nothing could be wished for, more happy and prosperous than 
our progress up to this point of shipping the eggs. But here came a 


“ r rs 
/ t , vgs , 


20 ; Report of the American 


formidable and threatening difficulty. Between our camp and the waters 
which were awaiting the eggs, there lay a long stretch of 3,000 miles, 
which must be crossed by the young embryos before they could be made 
available for the service for which they were intended. It was enough to 
make the most confident enthusiast falter. We all looked forward to 
this dangerous journey of the eggs with dread. When we packed them 
in the moss and screwed down the covers, it seemed like burying them 
alive, and when we saw the crates containing them, loaded into the 
wagons and sent off to the railroad station, and thought of the almost 
interminable journey, and the ten thousand chances of injury that these 
frail creatures would be exposed to on the way, it seemed nothing less 
than infatuation to expect that they would survive them all, and ever see 
the light again alive. They must go, however, and we packed them as 
well as we could and sent them off. The boxes in which they were 
packed were all two feet square and a foot deep. The eggs were packed 
as usual with first a layer of moss at the bottom of the box, and then a 
layer of eggs, then another layer of moss, then another layer of eggs, and 
so on to the top. Midway, in the interior of each box, there was a thin 
wooden partition to break the force of the superincumbent mass of moss 
and eggs. We packed about 75,000 in a box. When the box was filled 
the cover was screwed down and it was packed with another one of the 
same size in a crate which was three inches and a half larger on all sides 
than the combined bulk of the two boxes enclosed, this intervening space 
being filled with hay to protect the eggs from sudden changes of tempera- 
ture. On the top of the crates was a rack for ice. 

The nearest and only suitable moss that we could hear of was seventy 
miles away, at the sources of the Sacramento river. I accordingly sent 
Mr. Woodbury to Mt. Shasta to procure a supply. He returned in a few 
days with thirty-five bushels of moss, all of which we used in packing. 

The manner of the packing has been made a matter of considerable 
criticism. On this point I will only say that I had but one precedent to 
be guided by, viz: the shipment of salmon eggs from the same place the 
last year. It was reported concerning this consignment, that the eggs 
which did not hatch on the way arrived in excellent order. In a critical 
and difficult undertaking like the one in question, there seemed to be no 
choice between adopting a method which had succeeded, and others which 
had never been tried, so I adhered to the plan of the last year’s ship- 
ment, and packed these eggs in precisely the same way. 

THE METHOD OF PACKING DISCUSSED. 

To give the pro’s and con’s of this method of packing would lead to a 
long discussion, which would perhaps be out of place here, so I will 
simply say that the packing was no hap hazard affair, but the result of 


* 


: 
4 


Aisi: Fish Culturists’ Association. ¢ 21 


careful thought and the exercise of as much foresight in regard to the 
journey as we could bring to bear upon the subject, and even now, after 
plenty of leisure for reflection, I do not know of any other practicable 
method of packing salmon eggs, which are to be sent this overland jour- 
ney without an attendant, which secures as many favorable combinations 
or which is not open to quite as many objections as the one adopted. 
Indeed, I think the results were a decided vindication of the merits of the 
packing. The first lot forwarded in September was undoubtedly destroyed 
by the heat. The second lot arrived in as good order as could be 
expected. The third lot was reported to arrive in excellent condition, 
and the fourth and last lot came the best of all. 

Of those sent to Great Salt Lake, distant a thousand miles, only three 
per cent. were lost. What more could be asked of the packing? A 
method that will carry salmon eggs a thousand miles with a loss of only 
three per cent. cannot be a very bad one. Seth Green reports a loss on 
the 200,000 eggs consigned to him of only eleven per cent. both in trans- 
portation and in hatching. This certainly does not seem to reflect any 
discredit on the packing of the eggs, and when we remember that they 
came from a climate where the mercury stood 110 degrees in the shade, 
and that they were conveyed twenty-two miles in a wagon, to begin with, 
over a very rough mountain road, and after that 3,000 miles by rail, I 
think it is rather creditable to the packing than otherwise. I am open to 
conviction, however, and if there is any better way of packing the salmon 
egos for their overland journey, I should like to know it, and should 
be thankful for any light on the subject. I should be glad to hear the 
subject discussed. 


COST OF THE EGGS. 


The cost of getting the ova and preparing them for transportation was 
about $4,000. There were very nearly 1,500,000 impregnated eggs in 
good condition for shipment. This makes the cost of the eggs at the 
hatching’ works $2.66 a thousand. I think in future with the experience 
that has been acquired, and with the work that has already been accom- 
plished, that it is highly probable that the eggs can be got out at a still 
less expense, and I should not be surprised in the event of the undertak- 
ing being repeated on the McCloud river another year, if 5,000,000 eggs 
could be obtained at a cost of $5,000, or at the rate of a dollar a 
thousand. 

I beg to say in conclusion that the particulars of the first McCloud 
expedition for salmon eggs are printed in the report of the U.S. Fish 
Commission for 1872. The details of the Clear Lake experiment, of 
the overland trip with shad, and the operations on the McCloud river 


22 Report of the American 


last season, will be found in the report of the U. S. Fish Commission for 
1873, and a full account of the aquarium car enterprise in the California 
Fish Commissioners’ report for 1873. 


EXPERIENCES OF A PRACTICAL “Eise 
CULT URIS? 


BY SETH GREEN. 


My first attempt at taking brook trout spawn was in 1864. I took a 
few thousand daily for sixteen days. On the seventeenth I made up my 
mind that I could tell which spawn was impregnated and which was not. 
I counted several hundred and found that I had twenty-five per cent: 
impregnated. I was sure I had to pick out all of the bad ones. I 
did not like the job. About that time Mr. Ainsworth came to my place. 
IT told him what I had discovered. He said that twenty-five per cent. 
was a good percentage as ever had been hatched. I was not long 
in making up my mind. If that was the best that could be 
done, I should not stay in the business long. That night I thought it 
oyer and took a common sense view of it. I had used a good deal of 
water, and but little milt. I made up my mind to try a little water and 
a good deal of milt. I found when sixteen days had come around that I 
had ninety-five per cent. impregnated, and even better. I kept using 
less and less water until I used scarcely any. I kept it a secret, every- 
body wanted my spawn. I sold a great many, and my secret was as 
good as though I had a patent for it. 

I will tell you how I discovered that the sun would kill spawn. The 
spawn in one of my troughs kept dying and in all the others they were 
good. I picked them out for several days and tried several experiments, 
but it was of no use, the spawn kept turning white. So I thought I 
would leave it for two or three days. The third day I learned the cause. 
The sides of my trough were six inches high, and the side shaded one 
half of the trough, and the shady side was all good, but where the sun 
hit they were all bad. I left them a couple of days and scooped them 
out and shaded my window, and I did not have any more trouble from 
the sun. One of the one hundred and one difficulties I had to overcome 
was rats. They left their tracks and I caught them; I took 304 trout 
spawn out of one of their stomachs. 

I must stop telling you the difficulties I had to overcome or I shall not 
have time to tell you about anything else. The year 1867 the Commis- 


- | 
| 
| 


4 ie 


Fish Culturists’ Association.- 23 


sioners of Fisheries of four of the New England States came to my place 
and wished me to go to Holyoke, on the Connecticut river, and see if I 
could make a success in hatching shad artificially. I agreed to go, I - 
arrived at the fishery at South Hadley dam and told the people that I had 
come to hatch shad artificially. They thought I was crazy and treated 
me accordingly. My first experiment in the use of hatching apparatus 
was to build the same kind of troughs that I used for hatching trout, with 
the exception that I slanted some of them a great deal more than I did 
others. I put the spawn in the troughs and I found that in the troughs 
that had the most fall the spawn floated down and out of the end. That 
was the first time that I had discovered how light the shad spawn was. 
It is as light in the water as a bubble is in the air. The next morning I 
came to see my troughs; they were nearly all broken down by some 
malicious person. I fixed some of them so that I kept the spawn in the 
trough ; the next day they were nearly all dead. I could see the fish 
begin to form, but it was suffering for lack of circulation of water. The 
next day they were all dead. I saw what I had to contend with. I saw 
that the spawn needed a great circulation of water, and the difficulty was 
to get some thing that would give them the circulation and not float the 
spawn away. The second day I had a dozen different kinds of hatching 
apparatus. All failed until the sixth day, when I was standing in the 
water with a candle box with a sieve bottom, and tipping it one way and 
another until I tipped the lower edge so that the current struck the bot- 
tom. The spawn began to boil up and kept in motion. The mystery 
was solved! The second day the fish showed life in the eggs, and the 
next day they hatched. I made two trials to see what percentage I could 
hatch. I put ten thousund eggs in the box and hatched all but seven 
eggs. The next trial I hatched all but ten. The Commissioners and 
everybody was delighted—myself in particular. In about fifteen days I 
hatched fifteen millions, and in 1870 the Commissioners of Fisheries 
reported that there was sixty per cent. more shad in the Connecticut river 
than there was in the year 1802, and I believe the fishing has been as 
good every year since. 

In 1869 I experimented in hatching whitefish. I took the spawn in 
the same manner that I do the trout, except that they have to be stirred 
gently for twenty minutes to keep them from sticking together. I have 
hatched a good many every year since that time. I hatched them the 
three first years on gravel and on trays four inches deep in the trough. 
Last year Mr. M. G. Holton invented a hatching box that will be the 
means of stocking all of our great lakes with whitefish and salmon trout: 
equal to their best day, and I believe it can be done in four years. It 
Saves nineteen-twentieths of the room in the size of the house, and can 


24 Report of the American Ra tart oto Beh 


> ‘ . * “TA utr tae* Ade 2. ) oe) Bae 
eon kee fy ; \ VX tr Ses NT Net OW 
H : +s t 


be taken care of with one half the labor required for any hatching appa- 
ratus that I have seen. I have used ten of Holton’s boxes in our State 
Hatching house this winter, and find them a great success in hatching 
salmon, salmon trout, brook trout, and whitefish. 

{ have hatched fifteen different kinds of fish artificially, viz: brook 


_ trout, whitefish, herring, shad, Otsego bass, wall-eyed pike, salmon trout» 


salmon, red side suckers, creek suckers, shiners, white and yellow perch, 
mullet, striped bass, frogs and lobsters. 


———_—_—?e@e—__—_——_ 


SALMON BREEDING ATV SBUCKSPOR i 
BY CHARLES G. ATKINS. 


The method of obtaining salmon eggs pursued at Bucksport is ex- 
tremely artificial. The parent fish are caught in Juue, in the tidal part 
of the Penobscot river, before they have ever entered fresh water, are 
transported in drays overland to a fresh water pond that was never 
naturally frequented by salmon, and in its character is far enough re- 
moved from their ideal haunts, and there confined within an inclosure of 
nets from June till November, are then caught again in traps or seines, 
and deprived of their eggs and milt by artificial manipulatiou, marked 
with metal tags and sent back to the river on drays. The eggs are 
fertilized by mixing the milt with them in a pan without water, and 
and developed on wire cloth trays in wooden troughs, and are for the 
most part packed up in moss and sent away in February and March to 
be hatched elsewhere. 

All previous efforts at the collection of salmon eggs of which I am 
informed were made in the immediate vicinity of the natural spawning 
grounds, and the parent fish were never taken until the near approach of 
the spawning season, when they had been a long time in fresh water. 
At the outset of this experiment, therefore, there were no examples from 
which to learn the best modes of proceeding or to augur success or 
failure, and there were not wanting reasons for thinking the latter quite 
as probable as the former. The unknown quantities in the problem were 
numerous. It was not known whether, of the salmon caught in salt 
water near the mouths of the rivers in early summer, all or in fact any 
were going to produce eggs and milt at the coming spawning season.’ It 
was not known whether they would survive the handling to which they 
must be subjected in capture and transportation, or, if they did survive, 


4 ‘ 
' f Shea hs ' 
le 


. § ; : r 
kt pan Gaia Fish Oulturists’ Association. 25 
whether, from the change from salt to entirely fresh water being prema- 
ture or too sudden, or from the effects of confinement, the normal and 
healthful development of the eggs and milt might not be prevented. 

The inquiry naturally arises, why select a site for operations where all 
these impediments are to be encountered? Why not go to the head- 
waters of the river where salmon go to spawn of their own accord, and 
where they are found at the breeding season with spawn and milt matured 
under natural conditions ? 

These questions received due consideration in the beginning. The 
headwaters of the Penobscot were examined, and the probabilities of 
success in the collection of salmon spawn there were carefully weighed. 
The principal fisheries of the Penobscot-are in the tidal portions of the 
river and bay, and here it seems probable that the majority of the salmon 
that seek to ascend the river are caught. The remainder is still further 
reduced by the fisheries at the dams above Bangor, and after passing Old- 
town they scatter far and wide in nearly all the tributaries. Though 
salmon are caught at several places on the main river and the Matta- 
gamon, it is quite doubtful whether two hundred could be collected at 
any one point. The remoteness of their principal resorts from railroads, 
and indeed good roads of any kind was another serious objection to a 
location on the headwaters of the river. 

The first experiment was therefore tried at Orland, a few miles east 
of the present location in Bucksport. It is unnecessary for me to detail 
the many mishaps and mistakes and final success of the first trial. It is 
enough to state that though in various ways the hundred and ten salmon 
purchased were, before the spawning season arrived, in one way and 
another reduced to the small number of eighteen, those that remained 
suffered in no perceptible degree from the unnatural usage to which they 
had been subjected, and that the excessive mortality among the parent 
salmon was found to be fairly attributable to causes whose operation 
could be prevented. 

Only about 70,000 eggs were obtained, but the success in fecundation 
was flattering, being at the rate of ninety-six per cent.; and the sub- 
sequent development and hatching of the eggs were all that could be 
desired. As the parent fish had been kept in ordinary pond water in an 
enclosure which in midsummer was only fifty feet square and less than 
four feet deep, the healthy state of the eggs is to me a convincing proof 
that no evil result need be anticipated from the confinement itself, and 
that ordinary pond water is well adapted to sustain them. 

In 1872 the site of operations was removed to Spofford’s Pond in 
Bucksport, and the present extensive works undertaken. This is a 
shallow, muddy pond, of about sixty acres in the summer, but spreading 


26 Report of the American 


in the winter over twice that area of meadows. The muddy character of 
the bottom is believed to be of positive advantage, since it tends to deter 
the salmon from spawning in the pond, and impels them to seek the 
brooks where they can be easily caught. The pond lies about a mile 
from the Penobscot river, and as the brook through which it discharges 
its waters is small and has falls too steep for even salmon to climb, it is 
necessary to carry all the breeding salmon from the river to the pond on 
adray. This is of course a disadvantage, but it does not appear to be a 
very serious one. 

The hatching house is near the outlet of the pond, and is supplied with 
water from the stream. No available spring could be found in the 
neighborhood, but the absence of spring water is less to be regretted 
since the majority of the eggs collected here are sent away to be hatched 
in other places, and since general experience seems to indicate that it is 
better to set young salmon at liberty as soon as they begin to feed than to 
attempt to rear them in artificial ponds with artificially prepared food, 
for which purpose spring water would be desirable. 

The proximity of Bucksport to the most productive salmon fisheries of 
the Penobscot renders it the best point at which to collect breeding sal- 
mon. There are within five miles of Bucksport village about fifty weirs 
that yield not far from four thousand salmon per year. In case they were 
wanted probably three quarters of these could be obtained for breeding 
purposes. Thus far a small part of these weirs have furnished all the 
salmon necessary. 

The weirs being made for the purpose of catching alewives, menhaden 
and other small fish as well as salmon, the nets are of so small a mesh 
that salmon never catch in them, and swim to and fro until they are left 
by the retreating tide ou a board floor. In taking them for breeding pur- 
poses, it is necessary to anticipate the fall of the tide by dipping them 
carefully out and placing them carefully in perforated boats in which they 
are conveyed to Bucksport. At Bucksport they are dipped from the 
boats and placed in boxes in which they are carted to the pond. Of 
course with the most careful handling the salmon are sometimes fatally 
injured before they reach the pond, and die soon after. In 1872 one 
hundred were found dead in the pond in the course of the summer, and 
nearly all these in June and July, while the collection was going on, and 
within two weeks after its close. In 1873, out of 652 bought, only 
seventeen were found dead, owing, it is thought, to improved apparatus, 
greater care and increased skill in the persons who handled them. 

Each year preparations have been made to confine the breeding salmon 
within a small enclosure. The first season, 1872, the hedge made for 
the purpose proved quite inadequate, and the salmon being scattered 


” 
¥, 
‘ 


A -% 


Fish Culturists’ Association. AT. 


over the pond a large number escaped capture in the fall, and many of 
them stole into a diminutive tributary, temporarily swollen by heavy 
rains, and laid their eggs before they were discovered. In 1875 the 
enclosure contained about ten acres, and was made by stretching across 
the mouth of a cove a strong net, held down at the bottom by the weight 
of a heavy chain, and at the top tied to stakes several feet above the 
surface of the water. This proved pretty effectual, and but very few 
escaped. 

The inclosure includes the outlet of the pond which is commanded by 
adam. At the spawning season a gate about a foot square is kept open 
and the salmon have free access to it. In their anxiety to find running 
water in which to spawn they run through this gate and fall immediately 
into a trap, which leads them through a long, narrow sluice in a grated 
pen whence they are taken to be manipulated. Natural instincts are not, 
however, strong enough to impel all the salmon to enter this narrow 
place, and seines are used to drive or catch the reluctant. 

The spawning season begins the last week in October and continues 
until the middle of November. ‘These, { think, would be the extreme 
limits with these fish if they had free access to a large, natural spawning 
bed, but under the unnatural conditions to which they are subjected they 
in many cases retain their eggs till a later date. A female confined in a 
pen on a board floor has retained her eggs for three weeks after they were 
ripe. The two sexes are found together at this season, and though no 
attempt has been made to distinguish one sex from another, in June, 
when they are collected, the females have always been found to exceed 
the males in number at the spawning season. In 1875 the ratio of the 
disparity was almost two to one. ‘This is a fortunate circumstance, and 
it would be still better if the disproportion were four to one, for there 
would still be an ample supply of milt. 

The salmon that enter the brook of their own accord after the twenty- 
fifth day of October, are, with very few exceptions, found to be fully ripe, 
and yield at once all of their eggs, except such as lie too far forward to 
be reached by pressure. The number left in each fish after the first 
manipulation is from two to five hundred. The seines have never been 
used to take fish from the ponds earlier than November eighth, so that 
we have no means of knowing the condition of the fish previous to that 
date; but after they were brought into use, the salmon taken in them 
were fully ripe. My observation leads to the conclusion that the ripening 
of the eggs of salmon occurs, in all individuals inhabiting the same 
waters, at about the same time, and that in cases where the eggs are not 
deposited until after November tenth in the latitude of Bucksport, the 
delay is commonly owing to some other circumstance than the im- 
maturity of the eggs. 


\ ~ 


h / 


28 3 Report of the American — 


The mode of fecundation adopted is an imitation of the Russian method, 
differing from it in this point, that the milt is applied directly to the eggs 
and through contact secured before any water is used; while the Russian 


experimenter used to put water with the milt before applying it to the 


egos. I don’t know that there is any advantage in our method, but I 
think it rather safer. It requires no great haste; the pan of eggs and 


milt may even be made to await for many minutes the convenience of 


the operator without detriment. The ratio of fecundation obtained at 
Bucksport by this method is about ninety-eight per cent., and the aver- 
age rate of fecundation in all eggs taken in 1872, including numerous 
experiments, was 96.7 per cent. The average at Oriand in 1871 was 96 
per cent. These results are so satisfactory that I have made no attempt 
to apply any other method except in an experimental way. 

The rate of fecundation is obtained by very careful observation. Ata 
certain stage of the development of a fecund egg, the germ begins to ex- 
pand laterally, sending out a thin fold, which at last completely encloses 
the yolk. At any time during the growth of this fold, the position of its 
advancing margin can be traced by a line of colored oil globules, arrang- 
ed in acircle on the surface of the yolk. This circle is at first quite 
small, and surrounds the colored disk so plainly visible on the upper side 
of the yolk. It enlarges day by day until it divides the surface of the 
yolk into two equal parts. As it progresses beyond this point, it becomes 
smaller, and finally it closes entirely. This process begins, in water of 
the temperature of forty-three degrees F. at about the thirteenth, day and 
is completed in seven or eight days. As it never takes place in an un- 
fecund egg, its occurrence is positive proof of fecundation. To observe 
it, a strong light should be thrown up through the egg, and the most con- 
venient way of effecting this is to place the egg over a hole in a piece of 
sheet metal, and hold itup to a window. To obtain the ratio of fecunda- 
tion, a definite number of eggs is examined from each lot, and the result 
made the basis of a strict calculation. 

The manipulation of the fish is performed at a distance of some twenty 
rods from the hatching house, to which the eggs are carried in pails after 
they have completed the absorption of water. The hatching house is a 
wooden building seventy feet long and twenty-eight wide. <A feed trough 
runs down one side of it, and discharges water into forty hatching troughs 
that run across the room. The feed pipes are of inch-and-a-half lead 
pipe, and are all set into the feed trough at exactly the same height, so 
that if a partial stoppage of water accidentally occurs, what still con- 
tinues to run will be divided amongst all the troughs instead of being 
drawn away from part of them by others at a lower level, as might be the 
case under a different arrangement. The volume of water used is about ten 


am,’ ast Fish Culturists’ Association. ) “39 


thousand gallons per hour. The hatching troughs are a foot wide and 
six inches deep; and the most of them are tweuty-three feet long. They 
rest on the floor, the only position practicable, owing to the low level at 
which we are obliged to bring the water into the building. They are 
quite level from end to end, except four troughs that are inclined four 
inches. The latter have dams at frequent intervals to break and aérate 
the water. 

The eggs are deposited on trays of iron wire cloth tacked to wooden 
frames, and coated with water-proof varnish. ‘This apparatus was first 
recommended to me by Mr. E. A. Brackett, of the Massachusetts Com- 
mission, and has proved exceedingly serviceable. Four nails, projecting 
half an inch from the lower side of the frame of the tray, one at each 
corner, furnish it with legs, which serve to keep it up from the bottom, 
or from the tray beneath it, when, as is generally necessary, the trays are 
placed in tiers one above another to economise space. A single tier of 
trays throughout the trough will contain without crowding, a million and 
a half of salmon eggs, and three tiers, the utmost capacity of the house 
at present, will afford room for four-and-a-half millions. 

The troughs are all fitted with covers, so that there is no occasion to 
exclude light from the room. During the first season the troughs, which 
were then sixty feet long and ran lengthwise the building, were not 
covered, but the windows were covered with white cotton cloth. Too 
much light was thus admitted, and its effect on the eggs, both directly 
and by encouraging the growth of confervoid vegetation in the troughs, 
was the cause of serious mischief. The confervoid spread over the eggs 
in some of the troughs, shut them out from the influence of the pure 
water that was flowing above them, and exposed them to the deadly 
influence of a stratum of stagnant water that had accumulated beneath 
the trays in consequence of the space between them, and the bottoms of 
the troughs being so long and narrow as to prevent the existence of a 
current. A large number of eggs were lost in this way. All those 
difficulties are now remedied, and the present season, with fifty per cent. 
more eggs, the loss up to this date (February 7,)is seventy per cent. less. 

The water used for hatching is very cold, thougu not quite as cold as 
that used by Mr. Leonard at the Sebec Salmon Breeding Works, where 
the temperature has been above thirty-three degrees but three days since 
November 15th. At the Bucksport Hatching House the temperature of 
the water ranges from thirty-two and one-half degrees to thirty-four 
degrees F., through the most of the winter. When the earliest eggs are 
first deposited it is about forty-four degrees F., and before the last of 
those kept here hatch out early in May, it rises again to the same point. 
The lowest temperature of the whole season is experienced in April. when 
the snow and ice are melting. 


eS Report of the American | me * Sy eee 


Development goes on very slowly, and the eggs are not generally in 
the proper state for transportation according to the common standard, 
the coloring of the eyes, until February, at which time the eggs are 
divided amongst the several patrons of the enterprise. Of those falling 
to the share of Maine in 1875, a portion were kept and hatched at 
Bucksport. The most forward of them began to hatch in March, but 
only a few individuals came out then; the fall of temperature that 
accompanied the opening of spring appearing to almost suspend growth. 
The hatching proceeded very slowly until the last week in April when the 
ice was all thawed in the pond above, and the temperature began to rise. 
Ido not know that there is any disadvantage connected with this low 
temperature. On the contrary, I think it quite likely that the delay of 
hatching until April and May is rather advantageous to young fish that 
are to be turned out to seek their own food. Fish hatched out in January 
and grown to the feeding stage in February or early in March, must : 
either be turned out into streams that are so cold as to arrest their growth | 
and keep them a long time small and weak, besides being perhaps lacking 
in natural food, or they must be fed artificially. If the latter course be 
adopted, I fear the fish will be unfitted, to a certain extent, to take care 
of themselves. The natural date of the hatching of salmon in the rivers 
of Maine must correspond closely with the date in the Bucksport Hatch- 
ing House. 


The eggs distributed in 1875, numbering 1,241,800, were sent to every 
State in New England, and alsoto New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, 
Ohio, Michigan, and Wisconsin. The young fish hatched were in every 
instance set at liberty as soon as the yolk sack was absorbed. The whole 
number thus turned out was 876,000. The present season the number 
of eggs distributed will probably exceed 2,200,000, and, unless some 
extraordinary mishap interferes, the number of young fish will be more 
than double that of last year. The distribution is so wide that hardly 
any river receives an adequate stock, but I trust that in some instances 
the number will be sufficient to produce a decided impression. 


mv 
. 


‘ oF . 


ice Fish Oulturisis’ Association. 31 


WORK OF THE U. S. FISH COMMISSION. 


BY SPENCER F. BAIRD. 


The subject of fish-culture and the fisheries continues to increase in _ 
importance, and in view of the economical value of the products of the 
sea and the interior waters, and in the amount of capital and effort 
directed toward their acquisition, this interest is amply justified. 

Several exhibitions during 1873 have been made of fishery products 
and interests, the most important being that at Vienna during the past 
summer. Legislation has also been initiated or continued looking 
toward the judicial determination of the rights of the general public and. 
of the individual, the most important step in this direction being the 
decision of the United States Supreme Court in reference to the obliga- 
tion of the corporation controlling the dam across the Connecticut River 
at Holyoke to construct a suitable fish-way. This river in former years 
abounded in shad and salmon from its mouth to its sources, and fur- 
nished a vast amount of excellent food to a large population. The 
erection of dams along its course obstructed the upward movement of 
the anadromous fish, with the result of finally exterminating the salmon, 
and of reducing the supply of shad to a minimum. The most considera- 
ble of these obstructions, and the first met with above tide-water, was. 
the great dam at Holyoke. An Act of the Massachusetts Legislature, 
authorizing the Fish Commissioners of that State to require the con- 
struction of a fish-way over this dam, was resisted by the company, and 
the case carried successively to the Supreme Courts of Massachusetts and 
of the United States, judgment being given by both tribunals against the 
company, which was thus obliged to yield. A fish-way was constructed 
during 1873 upon the plan of Mr. E. A. Brackett, of Massachusetts, 
which, it is hoped, will answer the purpose in view. 

In no country, however, has the subject of the fisheries and their legal 
relations been more thoroughly considered than in Germany; and a very 
elaborate system of regulations is now under discussion, which it is 
expected, will be the most complete in existence. 

The number of States having Fish Commissioners for the improvement 
and regulation of the fisheries within their borders has been increased 
during the year by the addition of Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Michigan ; 
so that at the present time all the New England and Middle States except 
Delaware, and all the States bordering on the great lakes with the excep- 
tion of Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Minnesota, are provided with 
these important State officers. Movements are in progress, however, 
which it is probable will result during 1874 in the appointment of Com- 


82 | _. Report of the American 


missioners in Minnesota, Illinois, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, 
and possibly Iowa. j 

Numerous statistical publications in reference to the fidhemes of the 
Old World and the New have made their appearance, although mostly 
relating to 1872. We have also a very elaborate communication from 
Dr. Francis Day on the fresh-water fisheries of India, and another by 
the Minister of Marine and the Fisheries of Canada. It is to be 
regretted that no provision is made by the United States government for 
the collection and publication of accurate and exhaustive details on this 
branch of industry, so ably worked up by France, Norway, and other 
foreign nations. 

The special fisheries of the world have been prosecuted with their 
average success. The herring has furnished provision and employment 
for immense numbers of people both in Europe and America. The 
Astrachan herring (Alosa caspica,) a species probably like our fresh- 
water herring or alewife, which was, up to the years 1854 and 1855, only 
used in extracting the oil, has taken a prominent place as a food fish 
since that time. The Russian name, bescheuka (the furious fish,) seems 
to have incited a prejudice against it; but through the efforts of Mr. 
Baer, and a board of commissioners appointed to investigate the fish- 
eries of Russia, the prejudice was largely overcome, and, under the name 
of herring, as a salted fish it has become an important element in the 
Caspian fisheries. In 1858 there were salted in the rivers of Astrachan 
43,000,000 of this fish. The number in 1871 was 140,000,000; and in 
1872, 160,000,000 ; while in 1872 only 30,000 were used for oil. 

The cod fisheries of both the Atlantic and Pacific have also been 
abundantly worked. The occurrence of cod in immense numbers in the 
Pacific is a fact of recent appreciation; and it is satisfactory to know 
that, should the supply from the Atlantic be at all seriously impaired, the 
deficiency can be made up from the Pacific. According to a San Fran- 
cisco journal, 583,000 cod-fish were taken by seven vessels off the coast 
of Alaska in the summer of 1873. No estimate can at present be 
formed of the captures off the Banks of Newfoundland and the coast of 
Norway. New cod banks have lately been discovered off the coast of 
Spitzbergen. 

The trade in frozen herring off the coast of Maine and in the Bay of 
Fundy continues to be of great importance. This comparatively new 
interest has been increasing gradually for many years, and now employs 
a large force during the winter season. The fish are taken in gill-nets 
and immediately frozen, and then shipped to the western markets of 
Portland, Boston, New York, ete. The Bay of Fundy is particularly 
favorable for this trade; and the recent establishment of a signal station 


Fish Culturists’ Association. oo 


at Eastport has been of great moment, by enabling those engaged in the 
business to anticipate the. occurrence of a period of hot or cold weather 
in time to take measures to protect themselves from loss. The applica- 
tion of the signal telegraph in the service of the fisheries in the United 
States is comparatively recent, and promises to be of great benefit by 
communicating information of the occurrence of schools of fish along 
the coast, and of their movements, to those interested in their capture. 

Another application of the signal telegraph is made by the dealers in 
fish both on the lakes and the sea-board, who regulate their orders and 
shipments of fresh fish by the knowledge thus obtained of impending 
atmospheric conditions. 

The American salmon trade continues to increase, and the number of 
establishments engaged in canning and preparing them for market on 
the Columbia River and in Puget Sound becomes larger every year. It 
would almost seem that the vast numbers taken for this purpose must 
soon bring about their extermination, but as yet no perceptible decrease 
is reported. Numbers of these fish are brought fresh to the East in 
refrigerator cars to supply the market earlier than the period during 
which the eastern salmon can be taken. 

In view of the great increase of the halibut fisheries off the coast of 
the United States, the hardy fishermen of Cape Ann, who more espe- 
cially carry on this branch of industry, are obliged to resort to distant 
seas to obtain a supply; and even Greenland is not too far for their 
efforts. The coast of Iceland, too, has also been visited by a Gloucester 
vessel for this purpose; but, although the halibut were abundant, the 
stormy nature of the region and other impediments rendered it impracti- 
cable to continue the effort. 

A rapidly increasing trade is that connected with the menhaden, 
mossbunker, or pogy, (Brevoortia menhaden,) a large species of the 
herring family valuable for the oil and scrap—the refuse after extracting 
the oil from the boiled fish, which is used in direct applications to the 
land, or in the manufacture of fertilizers. Some idea of the magnitude 
of the interest may be learned from the fact that in 1873 sixty-two 
factories were in operation on the coast of New York and of New England, 
requiring the use of 383 sailing vessels and 20 steamers, the factories 
and vessels employing 2,506 men, with an investment of $2,388,000. 
The total catch of fish amounted to 1,193,100 barrels (250 fish to the 
barrel,) yielding 2,214,800 gallons of oil, and 36,289 tons of guano. 
The oil is used principally in dressing leather, and to some extent in 
rope-making and for painting, but not as yet for lubricating. 

Another increasing fishery in the United States is that relating to the 
sturgeon, which, though abundant, has been but little utilized. thousands 

3 


34 Report of the American 


annually taken in pursuit of other fish having usually been thrown aside 
as worthless. Now several dealers on the lakes, especially the Messrs. 
Schacht, of Sandusky, are entering into the trade, and manufacture 
caviar, isinglass, and dried smoked meat in great quantities. 

The demand for fish-sounds continues very great, and the shores of 
New England and the provinces are carefully gleaned of all air-bladders 
procurable of the cod family. Of the species, the bladder of the hake is 
most sought after, bringing about one dollar a pound, and is used chiefly, 
it is said, in the manufacture of gum-drops. 

The seal fishery during 1875 has also been very productive, the num- 
ber taken at the Fur-Seal Islands in the Behring Sea being up to the 
maximum—namely, 100,000. The seals resort by millions to these 
islands, and it is said that a considerably larger number might be caught 
without any detriment to the trade. The capture of the hair-seals off the 
coasts of Labrador and Newfoundland, although less extensive than 1872, 
has also been a source of great profit. This business is now carried on 
entirely by steamers, of which not less than twenty belonging to New- 
foundland were occupied, some of them getting two full cargoes. The 
largest catch of any vessel, it is believed, was about 42,000; these hav- 


ing been taken in the course of a few weeks, and, from the skins and 
oil, yielding an immense profit. 

The rapid decrease of lobsters on the coast of the United States, and 
the extent of the interest connected with canning them as an article of 
food, has induced a special effort to bring back the supply. The amount 
of this interest may be appreciated when we are told that during 1873 
more than twenty thousand tons of canned lobsters were brought into the 
United States, or shipped elsewhere, from the shores of New Brunswick 
and Nova Scotia alone. An ordinance has been issued by the Canadian 
authorities prohibiting, under severe penalties, the capture of any lobsters 
weighing less than a pound and a half; and Massachusetts will probably 
enact a law prescribing a limit of size—namely, a minimum of eleven 
inches in length. In Maine, the legislation anticipated is that of a close 
time of two or three months in the summer, when none shall be taken, 
but imposing no restriction at other seasons as to size or weight. 

The oyster fisheries, as far as the canning interest is concerned, suffered 
a severe shock during the financial panic, from which it has not yet recoy- 
ered, although the consumption of the oyster while fresh is perhaps as 
great as usual. Vessels now carry entire cargoes from Maryland and 
Virginia to England, where they are becoming an established article of 
trade. 

It will be of interest to announce that the United States Fish Commis- 
sion is experimenting on a method of effectually freeing beds of planted 
oysters from the ravages of the starfish, so destructive to them. 


oon 


: 


Fish Culturists’ Association. 35 


Much valuable information has been obtained in reference to the 


fishery statistics, and the conditions affecting the fisheries generally, by 


the labors of the United States Fish Commission, which continued its 
investigations under the direction of Commissioner, Professor 8. F, 
Baird, assisted by Professor Verrill, on the coast of Maine during the 
summer of 1873. Detailed information was obtained in reference to the 
habits of the herring, cod, and other useful food fishes, which will have 
an important bearing on these interests. Numerous questions in refer- 
ence to the preservation and reproduction of lobsters and oysters were 
also met. One result was the frequent capture of two-year-old shad in 
gillnets many miles out to sea. 

In connection with the subject of the fisheries, the modern methods of 


preserving fresh fish for an indefinite period of time should not be lost 


sight of, especially as their introduction has imparted immense activity 
to the trade in fresh fish, and enables the dealers to supply salmon, shad, 
Spanish mackerel, bluefish, striped bass, etc., at all seasons of the year. 

Of these devices there are two principally in use, one consisting in 
placing the fish in sealed metal boxes in a mixture of ice and salt; and 
the other, much more convenient, being the construction of a chamber 
enclosed within double walls, and filled with the same mixture. The 
fish are placed in the centre apartment, the temperature of which can be 
readily maintained at from eighteen to twenty-five degrees above zero, 
and are preserved indefinitely. It is only necessary to renew the supply 
of the mixture every week or month, according to the mass, and the 
temperature above referred to can be kept up indefinitely. Some estap- 
lishments in New York and elsewhere keep many thousand pounds of fish 
in this way, subject to call at any time. 

The various methods of increasing artificially the supply of fish and 
other marine animals, technically known as Pisciculture, have been prose- 
euted with increasing vigor during the year 1875, the earlier experiences 
warranting the adoption of more enlarged plans for securing the desired 
result. Associations have been formed, and State Commissioners 
appointed, while numerous private establishments have been erected. 
The most important action in this direction is that taken by the United 
States Fish Commission, established in 1871, which is now largely occu- 
pied with this work, in addition to special researches in reference to the 
condition of the fishing interest on the sea-coast and lakes. 

The measures adopted have had more special relation to the multipli- 
cation of shad, salmon, and whitefish ; and in these operations the United 
States Commission was fortunate in securing the assistance of Mr. Seth 
Green, Dr. J. H. Slack, Mr. Livingston Stone, and other fish culturists. 
Its operations have been conducted on a much larger scale than by any 
other nation, and with very gratifying success. 


36 : Report of the American 


With a view of securing a suflicient supply of the eggs of the Cali- 
fornia salmon, Mr. Livingston Stone, as in the previous year, was sent 
out to the United States salmon-breeding camp on the McCloud River, 
near Mt. Shasta, where he obtained about a million and a half of eggs 
which were shipped to the East (a portion to Utah), and about half of 
them successfully hatched out, at various State and private establish- 
ments, and placed in different streams in the Northern, Middle, and 
Western States. The more important waters supplied are several 
streams in Maine and Massachusetts, the Connecticut, Hudson, Dela- 
ware, and Potomac rivers, Lake Champlain, Lake Ontario, Lake Erie, 
and Lake Michigan, and the Ohio River. 

During the year, also, the establishment at Bucksport, Maine, under 
Mr. Atkins, continued its operations, on an enlarged scale and with very 
satisfactory success. While the salmon are seined when wanted on the 
McCloud, at this establishment they are purchased living from the fish- 
ermen, who capture them in weirs in the months of June and July, and 
place them in a large pond, to await the period of reproduction. Here 
they remain until October or November, when the instinct of spawning 
seizes them, and they run down into the outlet of the pond, where the 
hatching works are situated. The spawn is removed by gentle pressure 
into a vessel, and fertilized, and the parent fish returned alive to the 
water, and allowed ultimately to run down to the sea. Previously, 
however, they are marked by a label, so as to determine whether any 
come back again; and in this event to ascertain the growth and increase 
of weight in the interval, their original length and weight being 
recorded. 

These eges are then brought forward to a proper degree of develop- 
ment, and finally distributed to State Commissioners, by whom the 
operation is completed, and the young placed in the public waters of the 
States. It is expected that, as the result of the operations of these two 
establishments during 1873, not far from three million young salmon 
will be planted in the eastern, middle, and northern waters of the United 
States, including those placed in the tributaries of the Great Salt 
Lake. 

Another enterprise of a similar character has been the erection of an 
establishment for the hatching of the eggs of land-locked salmon on 
Sebec Lake, in Maine, in which the Commissioners of Massachusetts 
and Connecticut have united with the United States Commissioner. 
It is hoped that, when this is fairly in operation, a large supply of this 
most valuable food fish will be secured. 

Operations looking toward the multiplication of shad in American 
waters, both on the part of the United States and of some of the States 


ie 


Fish Culturists’ Association. 35 


themselves, have also been conducted on a large scale. The work was 
prosecuted by the United States on many of the coast streams from the 
Savannah River to the Penobscot, and large numbers of young fish were 
not only turned into the water at the points where they were hatched, 
but transferred to tributaries of the Mississippi and of the great lakes. 
A successful shipment was also made to the Sacramento River of 35,000, 
and a small number to the Jordan, a tributary of Great Salt Lake. 

As in previous years, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New York 
carried on similar operations for the benefit of the local waters, while a 
beginning was made in the same direction by the Commissioners of 
Pennsylvania in the Susquehanna River. 

The cultivation of whitefish has also been prosecuted with great zeal, 
particularly by the States of Michigan and New York, while a considera- 
ble number belonging to the United States Commission was sent to the 
Commissioners of California, and by them successfully planted in the 
waters of Clear Lake. 

The operations in connection with whitefish have of late years been 
prosecuted on a very large scale by the State of New York, under the 
direction of Mr. Seth Green. In 1872 the State hatching-house at Cale- 
donia contained about 3,000,000, which were duly planted when hatched. 
The number was less in 1873. In 1872 the United States Commission 
engaged the services of Mr. N. W. Clark, in connection with the white- 
fish eggs, and transmitted about 400,000 to the State Commissioner in 
California. In 1873 the State of Michigan collected a large number of 
these eggs for introduction into its own and adjacent waters. This fish, 
as is well known, is the most important of any species taken in the lakes, 
and it is fortunate that the method of their artificial propagation proves 
successful, and promises so satisfactory results. Only by such a process 
can the numerous waste and drain caused by the fisheries as at present 
prosecuted be met and replaced, an expenditure of ten or fifteen thousand 
dollars per annum being sufficient to secure the return in value of many 
hundred thousand dollars in productive results. 

The discovery of a species of grayling (Thymadllus tricolor) in certain 
rivers of Michigan, has suggested the importance of making this fish more 
widely known, by introducing it into appropriate waters elsewhere. Fish 
of this genus are much esteemed in Europe, both as an article of food 
and as furnishing excellent sport in their capture; and the American 
variety will probably be much sought after when arrangements can be 
made to supply the spawn in suflicient quantity. 

A very important advance in the artificial propagation of fish was made 
by Seth Green and party while in the service of the United States Com- 
mission, in the discovery that striped bass, or rock-fish (Roccus lineatus,) 


\ " es mas at a 
38 Report of the American i eg + Ma 


may be bred as easily and in much the same manner as the shad ; special 
effort will probably be made during the coming year toward increasing 
the sup, ly of this most valuable fish. 


a 


THE FISHWAYS (OF PENNSYLEVA Nis 


BY JAMES WORRALL 


[ Read before the American Fish Culturists’ Association. | 


Some attention having been drawn to the Fishways constructed in the 
Columbia Dam, on the Susquehanna River, in the State of Pennsylvania, 
in consequence of the fact that no work of the kind as yet erected in the 
United States has been known by ocular demonstration to have permitted 
shad (Alosa Prastabilis,) to have passed through it, and having been 
connected with the Pennsylvania Fishways from the commencement of 
_ the restoration movement, the undersigned hopes that a few words in the 
form of a paper, to be read before this Association at its present meet- 
ing, will not be uninteresting as an endeavor toward the establishment 
of the facts as they have occurred. 

The restoration movement in Pennsylvania originated in a Convention 
of citizens, most of them riparian to the Susquehanna, which assembled 
in Harrisburg early in 1866, and while the Legislature was in session. 
A bill was drawn up in this Convention which subsequently became a 
law, requiring Fishways to be erected in the dams of the Susquehanna 
and its tributaries; containing other provisions for the restoration and 
protection of the fisheries ; and providing also for the appointment of a 
Commissioner who was required to be a civil engineer, whose duty it 
was, amongst other prescribed duties. to plan and have these fishways 
constructed. It so happened that vested rights precluded the erection 
of fishways in any dam on the river except the Columbia Dam; so the 
. Commissioner’s attention was exclusively confined to the Columbia Dam. 
The undersigned was appointed Commissioner, under the act, by Gov. 
Curtin, and immediately proceeded to the performance of his duties. 
His only qualification at the time of his appointment was derived from 
his experience as a civil engineer. He did not know the form required 
for such a structure, although he believed himself competent to construct 
the work as soon as the form could be ascertained. The only successful 
fishway at that time known, was the Foster Fishway, and to that, there- 
fore, his attention was naturally directed. Most, if not all the Foster 
Fishways at that time constructed protruded from the dam down stream. 


Fish Culturists’ Association. 39 


j 


In considering the form of a fishway which would invite shad to pass 


through it, after enquiry amongst experienced fishermen and river men, 
the undersigned considered the Foster ladder decidedly objectionable, 
for he ascertained that shad moved more frequently in schools and flocks 
than in pairs or small numbers. He made up his mind then that the 
true form for shad should be capacious in size and as gentle as possible 
ininclination. Further, that it should be so located as that it would be 
easy to find. All these views indicated a cutting into the dam rather 
than a gradus or ladder below it. He was strengthened in this view by 
advice received from Mr. Daniel Shure, at that time Superintendent of 
the dam, and from Major George M. Lanman, (now deceased,) who had 
been engaged in its construction originally. 

Advice was sought on the subject in Massachusetts also, whither he 
repaired and consulted with the Fishery Commissioners of that State, 
but especially with Col. Theodore Lyman. This latter gentleman stated 
that he believed an inclination of 1.10 would be overcome by the shad, 
but agreed otherwise with the undersigned as to the form of the fishway. 
Returning to Pennsylvania, Mr. Shure was consulted again, who also 
recommended 1.10 for the slope. The inclination of 1.15 was however 
eventually adopted, and a simple trough cut into the dam forty feet wide 
at its mouth, narrowing to twenty feet at its inlet by means of three or 
four rectangular offsets ; these being the suggestions of Mr. Shure, who 
believed that they would create eddies and resting places for the fish, 
should they fail in gliding through the whole chute by a single impulsive 
movement. The rise to be overcome was about three feet,* and the 
length of the fishway was consequently forty five feet, obeying the inclina- 
tion of 1.15. The width of the chute was considered very small by the 
undersigned (only forty feet in six thousand eight hundred, the length of 
the dam,) but its cost was to be about $5,000, and the whole affair being 
but an experiment, he hesitated in putting the owners of the dam to a 
greater expense than that for a mere trial of a principle. He felt sure 
that a few fish would ascend the chute and these would soon cause a feel- 
ing in favor of the system which once established would eventually 
induce the Legislature to make ample appropriations for more extended 
works. Thus also the fishway was located near the off shore or right 
bank of the river, in expectation of having another closer to the nigh 
shore or left bank. The work was finished in 1866. In 1867 it was 
looked to with great interest by a few friends of the measure, but it was 
treated with ridicule by most others. The winter of 1866-7 caused an 
abrasion of the dam, and this aiding the fishway, produced a consider- 


*The dam is six feet high, but the floor of the weir is two feet below the top of the 
dam, and its lower end one foot above the bottom of the dam. 


y ‘ 


40 i Report of the American. 


able run of shad above it so that a very fair catch was the consequence. 
This circumstance helped the reputation of the fishway no doubt, nor has 
that fact ever been denied. 

In 1868 the catch was not so great, for there was no abrasion, but the 
catch exceeded the average of former years, and so matters continued, 
the catch always increasing till 1871-2, when the extraordinary catch 
estimated at some 100,000 as against ten, twenty and thirty thousand in 
ordinary seasons occurred on the Susquehanna below the dam. 

Fishing was prohibited by the law of 1866 within half a mile of the 
dam, but local pressure in the Legislature repealed the prohibition, and 
since 1867 fishing has been allowed nominally to within 200 yards of the 
fishway, but actually there has been no prohibition as to distance, so that 
it has endured the most adverse circumstances. A good catch, how- 
ever, was made above the dam in 1871-2, and from that year onward the 
river has been regarded as having been partially reinstated in its fisheries. 

New ‘‘ batteries” have been prepared below Columbia by men who, 
having but small capital, would not have invested in them had they not 
believed that the chances for remuneration were very much improved. 

At Newport, on the Juniata, fifty or sixty miles above the dam, since 
1867, a steady increase has been observed, and in these neighborhoods 
no one believes otherwise than that shad in greater or less numbers 
may be confidently expected every year. 

At Newport, in 1872, the catch was quite small, but that is the only 
year since 1867 in which a decided increase has not been observed there. 
This, however, arose from local causes. The river at their fisheries was. 
too low during the whole season. The fishermen saw the fish but could 
not catch them. But the series of increments met with no real break, 
for at Sunbury, above a second dam, and just below a third one, on the 
Susquehanna, the extraordinary catch of 2,000 was made in 1872. In 
which year there was no abrasion of the Columbia Dam, and 2,000 repre- 
sents a large multiple of the number caught near Sunbury at any period 
in the quarter of a century preceding 1867. 

There are facts current amongst the people of the upper Susquehanna 
and the Juniata, and which are implicitly believed, so much so that 
whereas the restoration movement commenced in utter incredulity and 
ridicule, the Legislature now finds itself encouraged by its constituencies 
riparian to the great rivers in appropriating money for carrying out im- 
provements which have already borne such good fruit. People of Sun- 
bury have stated to the undersigned that previous to 1867 a shad of the 
upper Susquehanna would fetch in their markets always more than a dol-. 
lar and sometimes as high as three, four and five dollars, whereas they 
look for them now every spring and scarcely have to pay more than a 
dollar a pair for them. 


‘ 


Fish Culturists’ Association. At 


.. The people of Maryland riprarian in the lower Susquehanna have 
observed a change for the better in their fisheries. They have done 
nothing to effect this, and the conclusion is inevitable to them that their 
neighbors up the river have been doing something, so that they are now 
exceedingly anxious to know what they shall do to aid and abet in the 
good work. There is scarcely any doubt that a commission will be 
appointed for that State at their present session of the Legislature. The 
abrasions in the Columbia Dam of 1873 were not easier of ascent for the 
shad than those of 1867. Yet the most extravagant claim for the catch 
of 1867 above the Columbia Dam was 20,000, the estimates varying 
between 12,000 and that number. If the fisheries of the river had not 
improved then since 1867 how could 50,000, (the number justly claimed, ) 
be caught in 1873, whilst the utmost amount for 1867 did not exceed 
20,000? In both years every available seine was employed. 

It is entirely fair to infer that a large natural spawning took place year 
after year above the dam in years when there were abrasions of the dam 
as well as in years when there were not. The dam was originally so 
unfortunately located that abrasions have followed each other regularly 
on the recurrence of a severe winter as often before 1866 as since that 
time. But before 1867 there was no regular annual increase. There 
would be a good year and a bad year, due almost alone to the abrasions 
of the dam, the number ascending the navigation chutes being always 
very small, the great bulk of the runs of shad missing their mouths 
probably from their out-of-the-way locations. 

There are navigation chutes in all the dams, yet shad only seem to 
ascend the first and second of them. The Shamokin Dam, just below 
Sunbury, has a large chute in it, yet shad, it may be said, are never 
: caught above that structure. Yet, up to last year it was only about a 
foot higher than the Columbia Dam, say seven feet five inches, the 
Clark’s ferry dam, up the chute of which a few always have passed, being 
seven feet in height. 

- When ordered by the Senate of Pennsylvania in 1871, to make a Report 
on Fishways, the undersigned again called upon his friends, the Massa- 
chusetts Commissioners, and with the experience gained up to that time, 
they agreed with him that the simple inclined trough was the best for low 
dams and shad. The gentler the inclination of course the better. 

* When the Pennsylvania Commission was appointed, with money in 
their hands to construct fishways, they adopted the idea of the inclined 
trough, employing the undersigned as engineer to construct it, and to 
make assurance doubly sure, reduced the inclination from 1.15 to about 
1.35, whilst they added fifty per cent. to the width of the opening in the 
dam. They, however, regard the success of the old chute with incre- 


42 Report of the American 


dulity and hesitate even to prononnce beforehand in favor of the new 
one until shad shall absolutely be taken in nets placed at its head. 

Herewith is submitted a diagram of both the chutes, in plan and in 
profile, in order that a correct idea may be formed as to their form and 
their inclinations. 

[It is impossible to give these diagrams as they would occupy too 
much space. | 

In December, 1873, the Pennsylvania Commissioners, Messrs. Reeder, 
Hewit and Duffy, visited both the chutes when the water as it entered 
them was about four feet in depth, the stage at which the shad are 
usually running in the spring. At this stage the chutes can only be 
approached in a steamer. The inclination of the new chute appeared so 
gentle that it was the unanimous opinion of all on board the vessel, that 
if shad could not ascend that comparatively gentle current they would 
ascend no artificial incline that can be made for them. I have not the 
slightest doubt that shad can and will ascend it. But the old chute was 
also visited, in which they did not express the same confidence. For in the 
first place, the area of the early chute is not one-fourth that of the second, 
whilst the inclination of the first is as 1.15 is to 1.35. Certainly the 
latter structure is much the more easy of ascent. But the effect of the 
two chutes in the water below was very similar. A long stream begin- 
ning in white caps and undulating in diminished graduation, was 
observed below each of them in the line of the axis of the chute, produced 
and plainly preceptible for about two hundred yards below the steeper 
chute and about one hundred and fifty yards below the gentler one. It may 
be mentioned here as a memorandum that the river below the dam, even 
in high water, is not deep. At low water the dam stands on a bottom 
scarcely averaging a foot in depth. And the fishways both fall into 
water at that stage not more than three feet deep, and when the shad 
are running the water below the dam scarcely averages four feet. 

It is well known that shad are always attracted from their very earliest 
infancy by an opposing current; and that they are equally attracted by 
both these currents below the dam can scarcely admit of a doubt. So 
attracted, in the one case 200 yards below the dam and in the other 150 
yards below it, they would undoubtedly stem both currents without prefer- 
ring one to the other. For how could they know what there was to overcome 
at the head? Admitting the fact of the shad entering the currents at all 
the question left to be decided is: Can they overcome the velocity of 
the chutes. There is no hydraulic rule on the subject of water moving 
down inclined planes, which will give the water in either of these chutes 
a greater velocity than ten miles an hour. 

Impeded by friction and by the water below the dam always eudaet 


j Fish Culturists’ Association. 43 


oring to enter the chute, for it must be remembered that if the water 


above were arrested, the water below the dam would back up the chute, 
nearly, if not quite, to the head of the incline, thus impeded, then, the 
velocity must be considerably less than ten miles an hour. It cannot 
indeed, by any possibility, be so great as ten miles an hour. For a body 
falling ir vacuo at the third foot does not exceed that velocity, as the 
rule for falling bodies is Vs 64.333= U where s equals space in feet fallen 
and v the velocity in feet per second. Here the space in feet fallen is 
three, and this subjected to the rules gives about fourteen feet per second 
for the velocity, which is less than ten miles per hour as any school boy 
may easily ascertain with a slate and pencil. Now then can a shad stem 
a current of ten miles an hour? If he can, then either of these chutes 
he can ascend easily, if he will. It is easy to conceive that although the 
shad can ascend a chute, that he may not choose to do so. For he is an 
extremely timorous fish, and unless the chute be made attractive to him 
he may avoid it or be scared away from it. But a chute from forty to 
sixty feet wide ought not to repel him, and one still wider of course 
would be less repulsive. It is fair to suppose that width would attract 
him, and that having in Pennsylvania adopted a capacious width, we are 
at least on the road to a successful fishway. As to the velocity a shad 
attains in swimming, it may, and probably does, reach fifty miles an 
hour. The velocity then of the Pennsylvania chute cannot be an obstacle 
to him. The reason why shad did not ascend the Pennsylvania chutes in 
large numbers is, that they were not there to ascend. Go back of 1867, 
and ascertain when there was any catch of 50,000 shad immediately 
below the Columbia Dam. Come this side of 1867, and in 1871 there 
was a catch of some 100,000 at least, below the dam; and in 1875 we 
have a catch above the dam estimated, no doubt fairly, at 50,000, whilst 
there was an ordinary catch immediately below the dam. As stated then 
the reason why shad did not ascend the fishway in large numbers in the 
early years following 1867 was, that they were not there. They had to © 
be made first, and where were they made? Above the Columbia Dam, 
assuredly, whilst their mothers could not have got there in sufficient 
numbers had they not been aided by the early chute. There is not a 
navigation chute in the river that will not admit shad. But these chutes 
are not located in the right places, they are not in the runways. A few 
get up at Columbia, a few at Clark’s ferry—these are the first two dams, 
but none get up at Shamokin, the third dam, the navigation chute of 
which is as easy as the other two and the dam not more than a foot 
higher. Now both the fishways in the Columbia Dam are well located. 
The earliest runs of shad take the.right centre of the river; the latter 
runs take the left centre of it—(right and left in describing rivers are 


~ < Lape { 


44 Report of the American 


always referred to as looking down stream.) So now we are ready for 
them at both sides, and proper structures thrown out from the navigation 
chutes guiding the shad to their mouths will bring very large runs to 
them. In Pennsylvania then, we are on the way to a good chute for a 
low dam, and if success be assured, it will be easy to accommodate 
things to a high one. The principle is wide capacity and low velocity. 
But velocity increases in a very strong ratio in falling water ; it increases 
about as the square of the fall, and the difficulty of a fishway for a high 
dam is therefore nearly as the square of its height. 

In making a chute then, for a high dam and for shad, you must divide 
it into a series of low dams, thus interrupting the uniformly accelerated 
velocity so that the proportion may be directly as the height, instead of 
as the square of the height nearly. There will be difficulty and expense 
then to be overcome in the case of high dams. Difficulties from freshets, 
difficulties from ice, but American engineers have not often been beaten, 
and it is fair to presume they will not be beaten in this instance. Fish- 
ways have been made which are a success for almost all other kinds of 
migratory fishes. Mr. Brackett’s improvement on Foster’s being perhaps 
the best of them. The timidity of the shad has baffled us a little at the 
outset, but we will yet accommodate him, and fishways will be made as 
attractive to him as to the salmon, the alewife, the rock and the eel. 

The history of this fishery movement will become interesting one of 
these days, and I read this paper in the interest of the truth of that 
history. Its initiation and progressive steps ought to be known and 
understood. There may be mistakes and errors of judgment. Nay, 
there must be, because it is managed by human creatures. But let us 
have as few mistakes and errors as possible. 

I close by saying that the Pennsylvania fishway is believed to be the 
only fishway in the world that has as yet, in appreciable numbers, 
admitted shad; that the first one will not admit as many as the second 
only because it is much smailer and steeper, they both being built on the 
same principle; that that principle is due to consultations held by the 
undersigned, in the first place with Daniel Shure and Geo. M. Lanman, 
of Pennsylvania, the latter now no more, and with Theodore Lyman and 
Mr. Brackett, of Massachusetts, and latterly with H. J. Reeder, James 
Duffy and B. L. Hewit, the present Fishery Commissioners of Penn- 
sylvania, whose orders were obeyed in the construction of the latter 
work. There is no doubt of ultimate success, for we are moving in the 
right direction, even if we have not struck the actual pathway. 


Fish Culturists’ Association. 45 


Ben baie VEE; PRESERVATION (OF "FISH, 


BY CHARLES HALLOCK. 


It is an evident fact that but one general law, identical as to time of 
close season, can ever thoroughly protect the fish, birds or beasts of our 
country. It is perfectly possible to imagine a case where on a river of — 
no great length it may be illegal to catch fish fifty miles from its source 
at certain times in one State, when one hundred miles below in another 
State the catching of such fish would in no way infringe on the fish 
statutes of that State. 

Again, since we owe a great deal to the Canadian Fish Commis- 
sioners, it might frequently happen that rivers rising in the States and 
flowing into the Dominion might be depopulated of fish at their source by 
us while protected in the Provinces, or that exactly the reverse might 
happen. A commercial question enters here into the subject which occa- 
sions no end of dispute and unfortunate consequences. Fish may be 
legally caught in one State at one particular season of the year, then 
shipped and exposed for sale in another State where the time for catch- 
ing such fish may be against the law, and it becomes a nice question to 
decide whether the seller or the purchaser of the fish are acting in contra- 
vention of the law. 

The following is the preamble and resolution offered and accepted by 
the Convention of the American Fish Culturists’ Association, with Mr. 
Hallock’s remarks on presenting them : 

I beg to bring to your notice a subject admitted to be of the greatest 
importance, though I doubt whether it comes fully within the scope of 
this association ; but having heard one of your most distinguished mem- 
bers yesterday assert that, ‘‘ protection must go hand in hand with pro- 
pagation, and that all efforts in breeding fish will be nullified by neglect 
to protect the young fish and fish in spawn by judicious legislation and 
wardenship,” I am encouraged to speak. We set the highest value upon 
provisions and penalties to prevent the use of nets, giant powder, 
coculus indicus, and other devices for the wholesale and indiscriminate 
catching of fish, and for the taking of gravid and spent fish and all un 
seasonable fishing whatsoever, and for the means devised to prevent 
poaching in private or public waters, and for all those wholesale restric 
tions intended to govern angling on leased and open rivers, lakes and 
streams. All these go far towards the consummation of the main objects 
desired to be accomplished, but it is evident that the imperfect operation 
of the existing laws and the great loophole of escape for transgressors 


46 Report of the American 


lies in the fact that game and fish taken in one State may be sold in the 
markets of another State with impunity. 

What is needed, therefore, is such a co-operation of States as will pro- 
cure the enactment of a law which shall make it illegal to expose for sale 
in the markets of one State fish illegally taken in another State within 
the periods for which their taking is prohibited in such States. Some 


such measure is by universal consent acknowledged to be necessary, and 
we are pleased to observe that a draft of a bill with this object in view 
has been presented to the Legislature of Massachusetts by the Massa- 
chusetts Angling Association, of which Dr. J. P. Ordway is the very 
earnest and efficient President, and that the works and efforts of this 
society have been endorsed by the Fish Commissioners of Maine; and 

Wuereas, The Committee of the said Anglers’ Association has, in a 
series of resolutions, invited the co-operation of their sister States, and 
urged the formation of similar associations for this purpose; therefore 
be it 

Resolved, That it is the special province of the American Fish Cul- 
turists’ Association, composed, as it is, of the State Fishery Commis- 
sioners, and the leading Fish Culturists of the country, to promote and 
encourage, either within or outside of its own body, the formation of a. 
similar society as that of Massachusetts, and for the like objects. Also, 
in view of the difficulty that has hitherto attended the identification of 
species by a confusion of local names whereby we are unable to distin- 
guish by the vernacular a trout from a black bass, a pike from a pickerel, 
and a bluefish from a taylor fish, it is of the utmost importance that an 
uniform nomenclature be adopted to enable us to designate each species 
as may be named within and coming under the provisions of any sumptu- 
ary act, so that the same be known and recognized in all those States in- 
cluded within the limits of said act, and that the better to decide upon 
and establish such uniform nomenclature a Committee or Board of Refer- 
ence be formed to be composed of delegates, one from each naturalists” 
and sportmen’s association in each State, whose qualifications shall be 
defined and determined by a convention composed of one delegate from 
each naturalists’ and sportsmen’s association in the States so co-operating, 
and the decision of which Board of Reference or Committee shall be: 
final. 


Fish Culturists’ Association. AT 


MEMBERS OF THE 


PMGERICAN. FISH CULTURISIS AssOCIATION, 


Ambler, Andrew 8S., Danbury, Ct. 
Baird, Spencer F., Washington, D. C. 
Blackford, E. G., New York. 
Bowles, B. F., Springfield, Mass. 
Boyer, B. Frank, Reading, Pa. 
Bradley, Richards, Brattleboro, Vt. 
Bridgman, J. D., Bellows Falls, Vt. 
Burges, Arnold, West Meriden, Ct. 
Chandler, F. J., Alstead, N. H. 
Chrysler, Gifford W., Kinderhook, N. Y. 
Chrysler, M. H., Kinderltook, N. Y. 
Clift, William. Mystic Bridge, Ct. 
Colburn, Chas. S., Pittsford, Vt. 
Collins, A. S., Caledonia, N. Y. 
Crocker, A. B.; Norway,. Maine. 
Edmunds, M. C., Weston, Vt. 
Farnham, C. H., Milton, N. Y. 
Green, Seth, Rochester, N. Y. 
Hallock, Charles, New York. 
Heywood, Levi, Gardner, Mass. 
Holley, W. P., Katonah, N. Y. 
Hunt, J. Daggett, Summit, N. J. 
Huntington, Dr., Watertown, N. Y. 
Jerome, Geo. H , Niles, Mich. 
Jewett, Geo., Fitchburg, Mass. 
Kent, Alex., Baltimore, Md. 
Lamberton, A. B., Rochester, N. Y. 
Ledyard, L. W., Cazenovia, N. Y. 
Lowrey, G. P., Tarrytown, N. Y. 
Maginnis, Arthur, Stanhope, Pa. 
Mann, J. F., Lewistown, Pa. 
Mather Fred, Honeoye Falls, N. Y. 
Neidlinger, Phil., New York. 
Newell, W. H., San Francisco, Cal. 
Page, Geo. S., New York. 

Parker, Wilbur F., Meriden, Ct. 


48 


f > 


Members of the Association. 


Paxton, E. B., Detroit, Mich. 

Porter, B. B., Oakland, N. J. , 

Price, Rodman M., Oakland, N. J. 
Redding, B. B., San Francisco, Cal. 
Redding, Geo. H., Stamford, Ct. 
Reeder, H. J., Easton, Pa. 

Rockwood, A. P., Salt Lake City, Utah. 
Roosevelt, Robert B., New York. 

Rupe, A. C., New York. 

Saltus, Nicholas, New York. 

Shultz, Theodore, New York. 

Sprout, A. B., Muncey, Pa. 

Sterling, E., Cleveland, Ohio. 

Stone, Livingston, Charlestown, N. H. 
Stoughton, E. W., Windsor, Vt. 

Tagg, Henry, Philadelphia, Pa. 
Thomas, H. H., Randolph, N. Y. 

Van Cleve, Joseph, Newark, N. J. 

Van Wyck, J. T., New York. 

Ward, George E., New York. 
Whitcher, W. F., Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. 
Whitcomb, T. J., Springfield, Vt. 
Whitin, Edward, Whitinsville, Mass. 
Wilmot, Samuel, Newcastle, Ontario, Canada. 
Worrall, James, Harrisburg, Pa. 


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AMER PCAN 


AT ITS FOURTH ANNUAL MEETING, 


FEBRUARY 9 & 10, 1875. 


ROCHESTER, N. Y. 
EVENING EXPRESS PRINTING AND ENGRAVING COMPANY. 
4 1875. 


' Assogiation, 


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Tish (iultuvists’ ‘Association, 


AT ITS FOURTH ANNUAL MEETING, 


Mme UARY 2 & 10, 1875: 


ROCHESTER, N. Y. 
EVENING EXPRESS PRINTING AND ENGRAVING COMPANY. 
1875. 


OFFICERS, 1875-6. 


R. B. ROOSEVELT, - - - - President. 
160 Broadway, New York City. 


GEO. S. PAGE, - - - Vice-President. 
* 10 Warren Street, New York City. 
AS COLLINS, - - - - - Secretary. 


Caledonia, Livingston Co., N. Y. 


B. F. BOWLES, - - - - Treasurer. 
Springfield, Mass. 


EXECUTIVE ‘COMI? TE 


H. J. REEDER, - - : Easton, Pa. 

M. C. EDMUNDS, - - - | - Weston, Vt. 

ALEX. KENT, : - - - Baltimore, Md. 

W. F. WHITCHER, - - Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. 

SETH GREEN, - - - - Rochester, N. Y. 
NOTE, 


One of the most useful objects of this association is the discussion of 
plans, theories, &c., at its annual meeting. It is impossible for the 
Secretary to report these discussions, but the Association has now 
authorized the employment of a short hand reporter, so that the next 
report will be printed soon after the meeting and contain a full record 
of all the discussions, &c., occurring during its progress. 


ome eye 


The fourth annual meeting of the American Fish Culturists’ Associa- 
tion was held on Tuesday, February 9th, at the office of George Shepard 
Page, No. 10 Warren street, New York. The meeting was called to 
to order at 11} A. M. by the president, Hon. R. B. Roosevelt. Opening 
address was made by the President. Subject: Improvements and Pro- 
gress in Fish Culture. 

Secretary’s Report read and accepted. 

Treasurer’s Report read and accepted. 

Messrs. Blackford, Mather and Green were appointed as Committee 
on Nominations for the ensuing year. 

Mr. Fred. Mather read a paper on Poisoning and Obstructing the 
Waters. 

Recess—one hour. 


The nominating committee presented the following report : 


For President—R. B. RoosrEve tr. 

For Vice-President—GrorcGcE S. PAGE. 

For Secretary—A. S. Coiirs. 

For Treasurer—B. F. Bow es. 

For Executive Committee—H. J. Reeprer, M. C. Epmunps, ALEx- 

ANDER Kent, W. F. WuitcHer, SETH GREEN. 

The report was adopted. 

A communication from Thaddeus Norris on the Grayling was read by 
Mr. B. F. Bowles. . 

After discussions adjourned to 11 A. M. Wednesday, Feb. 10th. 


Called tu order at 12 M., on Wednesday, Feb. 10th. 

Discussions by various members. 

Mr. Blackford offered resolutions in favor of founding an Aquarium in 
New York city. 

Recess till 2 o’clock P. M. 


4 Report of the American 


After recess, paper read by Samuel Wilmot. 

B. B. Porter moved that the Association fix a price for Stock. Laid 
on table. 

Paper read by Seth Green. 

Paper read by Dr. Salter. 

Mr. Page moved that Article II. of the Constitution be amended by 
making annual dues $3. Carried. Also, that the Secretary be empowered 
to employ a short hand reporter at next annual meeting. Carried. 

Paper read by Prof. Gill. 

Dr. Edmunds moved to rescind the motion of last year appointing the 
‘¢ Forest and Stream” the official paper of the Association. Carried. 

Mr. Hallock spoke of the Grayling, &c. | 

Discussions by various members. 

Moved and carried that the Secretary and Treasurer be appointed a 
committee to print Annual Report. 

Thanks of Association voted to Mr. Page for use of room. 

Adjourned to second Tuesday of February, 1876. 


A, 8. COLLING: 


Secretary. 
TREASURERS REPORT. 
Dr. 
Feb. 10, 1874, Balanceon hand. 722054: c00- e+ eee ee $ 18 83 
Feb. 10 and 11, 1874, 28 new Memberships... 22... 2 -gyeeneee 140 00 
Reb: 10, 1874, 4 Renewals. sg sets sa ele 20 00 
$178 83 
Cr. 
Feb. 20, 1874, Paid Argus Company, Albany, for print- 
ing Report of) (872i) 5 atte. semobinis > Biase -\ are $37 50 
Jan. 1875, Paid Express Printing Company of Rochester, 
printing Report [674 Weer e Soto reenter = «nee 60 00 
Jan 18, 1875, Printing Circulars and Programmes....... 5 7d 
Postage and’ Statiomery.y..- .- i uracil. lamer 3 00 
Balance on hands 'Heb..9;, lodor-e cece eeeeees . ae $72 58 


B. F. BOWLES, 


Treasurer. 


Fish Culturists’ Association. 5 


CONSTITUTION. 


ABTICLE I.—Name anv OBJECTS. 


The name of this society shall be ‘‘ The American Fish Culturists’ 
Association.” Its objects shall be to promote the cause of Fish Culture ; 
to gather and diffuse information bearing upon its practical success; the 
interchange of friendly feeling and intercourse among the members of 
the Association ; the uniting and encouraging of the individual interests 
of Fish Culturists. | 


ARTICLE II.—Mempers. 


Any person shall, upon a two-thirds vote of the society, and a pay- 
ment of three dollars, be considered a member of the Association, after 
signing the Constitution. The annual dues shall be $3.00. 


ARTICLE II.—Orricers. 


The officers of the Association shall be a President, a Vice-President, 
a Secretary and a Treasurer, and shall be elected annually by a majority 
of votes; vacancies occurring during the year may be filled by the 
President. 


‘ 


ARTICLE IV.—MEETINGS. 


The regular meetings of the Association shall be held once a year, the 
time and place being decided upon at the previous meeting. 


ARTICLE V.—CHANGING THE CONSTITUTION. 


The Constitution of the society may be amended, altered or repealed, 
by a two-thirds vote of the members present at any regular meeting. 


6 Report of the American 


ANIM AS VM Nee 


The following is an enlarged Report of the meeting, taken from the 
Forest and Stream, which was then the official organ of the Association : 


The Convention of American Fish Culturists was called to order at 11 
o’clock on Tuesday morning, at the office of its Vice President, G. Shep- 
ard Page. The President, Hon. Robt. B. Roosevelt in the chair. About 
45 members were present, and before the morning adjournment a large 
number of names were added to the list. 

Mr. Roosevelt took occasion to formally open the session by a brief 
address in review of the progress of Fish culture during the year that has 
elapsed since the previous meeting. He rejoiced that this great economic 
interest was everywhere advancing, and failing nowhere ; success in every 
direction. Mr. Green’s expedition to Michigan in quest of grayling and 
their eggs, was a success to be proud of. These fish had been transported 
to the New York State Hatch House at Caledonia, and under the supervis- 
ion of Mr. Collins, these eggs have been hatched, and there are now fish 
three inches long, the product of this venture. © 

The Committee on nominations reported in favor of the old board of 
officers, who were duly elected. 

Mr. Green in referring to Mr. Mather’s paper on the impregnation of 
waters by deleterious matter, coincided with that gentleman, and gave an 
interesting description of his own experiences. 

Dr. Edmunds alluded to the stocking of the Connecticut and stated 
that as far as his knowlege went no great loss of fish has ensued. He 
advocated making new and more stringent laws on the subject. Mr. 
Bowles gave an interesting account of his trip to the Au Sable, and the 
capture of the grayling. He read an interesting letter from Mr. Norris 
regarding the acclimatization of the grayling in Eastern waters. Mr. 
Bowles continued the recital of his experience on the Au Sable, and 
commented on the clearness of the stream, whose fish could be seen in . 
the bottom in water of 20 feet depth. He camped each night in a differ- 
ent place, and found the fish so plentiful as to debar sport. He considers 
the grayling, although the flesh is white and tender, is not equal to the 
trout for the table. 

With regard to grayling and trout in the same stream Mr. Green stated 


Fish Culturists’ Association. 7 
a 
that as the trout spawn in Fall and grayling in Spring, when the grayling 
are small and standing on their ‘‘ tail ends” the trout will ‘‘ go for him 
and take him sure.” 

Mr. Collins had experimented with grayling eggs and hatched them at 
same time as trout, when the grayling were so small and puny that they 
hid in the gravel, and it was difficult to say that there was fish there. 
The same food was used and they ate it before sack was entirely absorbed. 
The experiment as such was successful, and he succeeded in saving 90 
per cent. Mr. Mather for many reasons prefers the grayling to the 
trout—and considers it a question as to which are best for the table; 
require less food and care than trout. The discussion was continued by 
Mr. Green and Mr. Mather. A telegram was received from Mr. Whitcher 
regretting his not being able to come, but the Dominion was worthily 
represented by Mr. Wilmot, who gave a most interesting description 
' regarding his experiences, and referred particularly to the great increase 
of salmon of late years. 

Professor Theo. Gill, of Washington, made some interesting remarks 
regarding the classification of fish, with reference more particularly to 
the grayling. 

Dr Miller discussed the white fish of the lakes, their mode of feeding, 
UC. CLC. - 

The ‘subject of grayling was renewed by various gentlemen interested in 
the subject. Mr. Bowles said this fish was found in Bavaria with a mouth 
like a sucker. Mr. Hallock alluded .to Capt. Bendire as having met 
grayling in Montana; he considered him good authority. 

On motion of Mr. Bowles, the meeting adjourned to meet at same place 
and hour on Wednesday. 


The association resumed its session on Wednesday, at the office of its 
Vice President, Mr. George 8. Page, No. 10 Warren street, Hon. R. B. 
Roosevelt in the chair. Among the gentlemen present were H. J. Reeder 
Fishery Commissioner of Eastern Pennsylvania ; T. B. Ferguson, Fishery 
Commisioner, Baltimore ; Dr. William M. Hudson, Fishery Commission- 
er, Connecticut; M. C. Edmunds, Weston, Vt.; George Shepard Page, 
B. F. Bowles, Springfield, Mass.; C. Van Winkle, Walter Arnold, 
Toronto, Ontario; Prof. Spencer F. Baird, Washington; Dr. Milnor, 
United States Fishery Commissioner ; Eugene G. Blackford; Prof. G. 
Brown Goode, of the Smithsonian Institute; A. S. Collins, Caledonia, 
N. Y.; Samuel Wilmot, Newcastle, Ontario; Seth Green, Rochester ; 
A. G. Roorbeck ; W. F. Parker, Meriden, Conn. ; T. C. Banks, Charles 
Hallock, B. Phillips, Rudolph Hessel, Prof. Gill, Dr. Salter, N. Pike, 


8 Report of the American 


N. W. Park, Detroit; Charles B. Evarts, Vermont; C. H. Raymond, 
President of the Morris County Sportsman’s Club ; Prof. Henry Morton, 
Stevens Institute, Hoboken; Prof. Bickford, American Museum of 
Natural History. 

The proceedings commenced with a recital by Mr. Reeder of his experi- 
ences with the two species of biack bass known as salmoides and nigricans. 
A distinction has been made, he said, with regard to the geographical 
location of these fish ; the general impression being that the salmoides are 
found in Southern waters, while the nigricans are confined to Northern 
rivers. Careful examination has led him to the conclusion that this 
geographical distinction was a mistake, although the difference between 
the two kinds of bass was distinctly marked. Alluding to the scarcity of 
this fish in the waters of Pennsylvania, which had originally been stocked 
from the Potomac, he remarked that he accounted for this circumstance 
in this way: In the early part of July, after the beds were prepared and 
when the spawn was there, they had severe storms, which flooded the 
streams and carried down mud and various kinds of debris. Their theory 
was that the sediment settled on the beds and killed the spawn. He 
would like to hear any suggestion which might be offered as to the loss 
of the young fish. 

Mr. Seth Green thought that what Mr. Reeder had stated would be 
very likely to happen. ‘That on the other hand, if the river had been 
overstocked, it was possible that the natural supply of food being 
exhausted tne fish had eaten their young. 

Mr. Reeder thought the explanation was hardly sufficient inasmuch as 
there was a large quantity of minnows and other fish on which the bass 
could feed. 

Prof. Baird made a brief statement as to the action of the United 
States Commission. Their operations, he said, had been principally 
connected with shad and salmon. Shad were quite plenty both in the 
Hudson and Connecticut rivers, and they have been able to transfer a 
large number of fish to the West. The aggregate distribution was 
between two and three millions, some of which were carried to Ohio, 
Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota and Massachusetts. The German 
Government had forwarded them 250,000 eggs of the Rhine salmon, 
through Mr. Hessel. but nearly all of them died, and in the same way 
their attempt to introduce American shad into German waters had also 
failed. The eggs were forwarded in charge of Mr. Mather and Mr. 
Anderson, but after eleven days they all died. The salmon stations in 

valifornia and in Maine had, Mr. Baird said, been considerably enlarged. 
About 6,000,000 of eggs had been taken in the McCloud River, of which 
1,000,000 or thereabout had been turned into the Sacramento River. 


Fish Culturists’ Association. 9 


About 2,500,000 of California salmon of last year’s production were now 
in the streams for which they were intended. The Bucksport settlement, 
he explained, had also been more successful than usual. 

Mr. Green, in referring to the failure of the New York Commission to 
carry the shad to Germany, stated that the boxes in which the eggs were 
placed were made of tin and zinc, which formed a battery, and the eggs, 
he believed, were killed by the acid thus created. 

Mr. Reeder communicated to the association the substance of a commu- 
nication from Mr. Clark, of Michigan, with regard to the hatching of 
whitefish. He had retarded the hatching of whitefish for 135 days by 
the use of cold water and ice, when necessary, and it occurred to him 
[ Mx. Reeder] that this system might be made effective in the transporta- 
tion of fish across the Atlantic. After they were safely transported, 
they might be then hatched. 

Mr. Green described the way in which the whitefish deposited their 
spawn, which was, in effect, that they scattered it broadcast, while on the 
contrary, he said the salmon trout deposited it in beds, and tried to cover 
it up. 

Mr. Reeder, recurring to the subject of retarding the hatching of white- 
fish, said that Mr. Clark’s plan was to let the water cool to the tempera- 
ture of the atmosphere, and then let it run over the eggs, and, if necessary, 
to cool it with ice. 

The subject of establishing an Aquarium in New York, on the 
principle of that at Brighton, was introduced by Mr. Eugene G. Blatch- 
ford. He represented that the study of ichthyology was attended with 
difficulty, and urged that an opportunity should be given for observing 
the habits of fish in their natural element. This matter had been advo- 
eated in the Times, Appleton’s Journal, and Forest and Stream, and, in 
hope that it would be favorably entertained, he would present a resolution 
on the subject. He then moved a resolution expressing in effect the 
belief of the Fish Culturists’ Association that an Aquarium in the city of 
New York would be a great benefit to science generally, and ichthyology 
in particular, and giving its favorable countenance to any public or 
private measure in that direction. 

Mr. Ward, of Appleton’s Journal, said that having heard that Mr. 
Saville Kent had severed his connection with the Brighton Aquarium, he 
wrote to Mr. Kent with the view of getting his opinion as to the establish- 
ment of an Aquafium in Central Park. He [Mr. Ward] thought if they 
could obtain Mr. Kent’s services, and the endorsement of the public, the 
matter would be fairly in the way of progress. The idea he had in his 
mind was to agitate the question in New York so that some gentleman 
might be willing to come forward and endow an aquarium building in 


10 Report of the American 


Central Park. The financial panic then intervened, and everybody was 
calculating what money he had to keep rather than what he had to spend. 
As far as he knew there was no special scheme on foot. 

Prof. Baird thought a stock company would be desirable as well as 
profitable, although it should be one of the public institutions of the city. 
The stocking of such an aquarium would be a very simple matter. He™ 
would willingly give the use of all his trawls, nets, etc., used in his 
coast work, and could furnish-an abundance of specimens. The Central 
Park authorities, he believed, would facilitate the matter by every 
means in their power, and other attractions might be added to the 
aquarium. 

Mr. B. Phillips, in advocating the establishment of an aquarium, 
referred also to some of the discussions which had occurred the previous 
day in relation to the impregnation of water to such an extent as to alter 
the character or flavor of fish. This appeared to him to be an abstract 
science, something in the nature of the dilettanteism of pisciculture. 
His friend, Mr. Blackford, however, in asking for an aquarium, only 
asked for what would be of the greatest possible utility in the study of 
icthyology. 

Mr. Blackford’s resolution was unanimously adopted by the association. 

Mr. Wilmot, of Ontario, Canada, read an interesting collatement from 
reports which he had submitted to the Canadian Legislature on the 
subject of fish culture. 

A resolution was here introduced with the view of binding fish culturists 
to sell spawn at certain rates, for the purpose of uniformity of prices ; 
bnt most of the members of the association were opposed to it, and it 
was directed to be laid on the table. 


Mr. Green submitted some remarks on the subject of re-stocking our 
used-up streams. 


Dr. G. H. Colton Salter, for many years United States consul at 
various ports in China, entertained the association with a recital of some 
of his experiences with the fish and fishing in that kingdom. 


Prof. Gill, of the Smithsonian Institute, furnished the association with 
a scientific discourse concerning the divisions of the various families of 
fishes found in American waters. With reference to the matter first 
brought forward by Mr. Reeder as to the geographical distinction of the 
species of bass known as the salmoides and nigricans, he said that in his. 
- experiences the latter were found even further South than the salmoides. 


During the day several oil paintings from nature, of trout, salmon trout, 


California salmon, and grayling (the work of Mr. Robert Wiseman), were 
exhibited. 


Fish Culturists’ Asscciation. it 


After some formal resolutions, the thanks of the association were 
tendered to Mr. Page and the other members of the firm for placing the 
room at the disposal of the society. 

The meeting then adjourned. 


Pe SOLU MONS, OF cg .G. BLACKERORD.: 


GrntLemen: It seems to me that the present assemblage, composed 
of gentlemen all devoted to fish culture, many of them representing 
important State interests, some of them distinguished for their great 
scientific acquaintance in natural history,—it strikes me that it might 
not be out of place to introduce before you a subject which I know some 
of you have thought of before, and that is in regard to founding an 
Aquarium in the City of New York. It must be manifest to you, that 
icthyology—its practical study—is surrounded by certain difficulties, 
which do not attend researches in zoology. It may be troublesome to 
obtain live animals, but once a collection made, can be maintained in 
pretty nearly its natural normal conditions ; but with fish it is different ; 
their preservation depends entirely in other and more complex media. 
We do not possess, all of us, those opportunities Professor Baird and 
other gentlemen have, of going to Wood’s Hole or Noank, and watching 
the habits of fish in their native element; and even if we had, I doubt 
_ if we ever could have made such brilliant discoveries as these gentlemen 
have given us. I think we must all agree that it is essential for a better 
acquaintance with icthyology, that there should be an Aquarium, not only 
for practical but for scientific research. I take the liberty of proposing 
that Professor Baird should give us some ideas on this subject. In the 
Times and in Appleton’s Journal, there have appeared a number of 
ably written articles in regard to the founding of an aquarium in New 
York, and it seems that the trouble and expense of an aquarium would 
not be very great. I believe that in time the erection of an aquarium in 
this city, the rival of the one in Brighton, is quite possible. If my 
views meet with a response, I should be glad to propose the following 
resolutions. What I would like, is simply the concurrence of the Fish 
Culturists’ Association, and their endorsement. My resolutions would 
be somewhat as follows : 

Ist. That the Fish Culturists’ Association believe that an Aquarium 
in New York would be of the greatest bencfit to science generally, and to 
icthyology particularly. 

2d. That the Fish Culturists’ Association fully endorse any private 
or public measures which would tend towards the establishment. of an 
Aquarium in New York. 


12 Report of the American 


PRESIDENTS OPENING  ADDEESs: 


GENTLEMEN: In calling the Annual Meeting of the American Fish 
Culturists’ Association to order, I have the pleasure of congratulating you 
upon the progress which has been made during the past year. This great 
economic interest, the artificial production and propagation of fish, has 
been steadily advancing since our last meeting. Success has crowned 
all intelligent efforts; failure has not interrupted the progress or en- 
dangered the final result ; while operations have been extended in several 
new channels, and many fresh and valuable discoveries have been made. 
A wider and more general interest has been awakened among the people, 
commissioners have been appointed in States where the subject had been 
hitherto neglected, and the public are rapidly becoming aroused to the 
importance of the work we have undertaken. 

For the New York Commission of Fisheries, about which I may be 
expected to say a few words in detail, a most substantial gain may be 
reported, and a most flattering augury for the future. Not only have all 
the former methods of procedure been enforced and extended, but several 
new attempts have been made. Early in the spring of the year, Mr. 
Seth Green was dispatched to Michigan to procure, if possible, some of 
the spawn and mature fish of the American grayling, a variety almost, if 
not quite, unknown, both to sportsmen and naturalists in our country 
until lately. There is a difference of opinion among fish culturists as to 
the value of this species, both in an economic and a sporting view, some 
contending that it is inferior to other of our well-known varieties, and 
more difficult to raise; and others claiming that, as it spawns in spring 
at a season of the year unusual among its class, and as it is in excellent 
condition in the fall, when the finest ordinary fresh-water fish are not to 
be taken, it will be a valuable addition to the yield of eastern waters. 
No one, however, can dispute that it is a most interesting subject of 
study, equally to the ichthyologist and to the fish culturist. 

Mr. Green was not so fortunate as he hoped to be, arriving rather late 
at the river inhabited by these fish, and only procured a limited number 
of spawn and a few mature specimens. ‘These were enough, however, 
for the experiment, and with his usual care in transportation, he carried 
them to the State Hatching House in New York from their home in the 
waters of Michigan, with the loss of only two. They were then placed 
in the charge of Mr. Collins, who kindly offered to superintend their 
management, and who hatched the ova very successfully. They grew 
rapidly, and in them we have the nucleus for extending the experiment 


Fish Culturists’ Association. 13 


as far as may hereafter seem desirable. So not only is it settled that 
grayling exist in the waters of the United States, but that they may be 
cultivated in the same way as trout, and introduced into most, if not all, 
of our ordinary trout streams. 

Another rare fish which is this year being hatched artificially for the 
first time, is the blue-backed trout of the Rangeley lake of Maine, the 
salmo Oquossa of naturalists. This variety is supposed to have but a 
limited range of habitat, although it may yet be more generally found in 
the remote lakes of Canada. Little, however, is known about it or its 
habits, except that it spawns in October, appearing in the shallower 
water for that purpose in vast numbers, and that it passes most of its 
time.in the deepest parts of the lake, spending the warm weather there, 
and returning thither as soon as the eggs have been deposited at the 
spawning season. 

Learning that the Commissioners of Maine had obtained some of the 
egos of the salmo Oquossa, and were willing to dispose of a portion, the 
New York Commissioners purchased five thousand, and are now engaged 
hatching them. Unfortunately, the ova did not reach the hatching house 
in very good order, nearly half of them being found to be worthless ; but 
there are enough left for a beginning, and this fish may soon to be added 
to our list of home production, if it shall be found on trial to be of suf- 
ficient value to warrant its general introduction. In two aspects it may 
prove of importance: firstly, for its direct value in the market, and 
secondly, as food for other fish, it being supposed that the great size of 
the Rangeley trout is due to their feeding on the blue-backs. 

The New York Commission made a further but unsuccessful attempt to 
hatch sturgeon. These fish once abounded in the Hudson River, and 
were an acceptable and important, although inexpensive, object of food. 
Their flesh is rich and oleaginous, of a deep yellow color, and somewhat 
resembling meat in taste. Of late years their number has been steadily 
decreasing ; their eggs are sought after, and converted into caviare. But 
to be used in this way they must be immature, as when they are thor- 
oughly ripe they are separate, and cannot be preserved. For fish-cultu- 
ral purposes, however, they are needed in their ripe condition; and as 
each spawner contains a vast number, a million or moye, of eggs, a few 
parents only would be needed. Unfortunately, no mature fish were 
obtained, although the fishing stations were watched assiduously—quite 
an unusual occurrence, as we were assured by the fishermen. Next year, 
however, a different result may be expected, and the propagation of 
sturgeon may be commenced. 

These were all more or less experiments, offering problematic advan- 
tages; but the regular operations of the Commission were pressed as 


14 Report of the American 


energetically as ever under the able superintendence of Mr. Seth Green, 
to whom fish-culture owes such great obligations. White fish, salmon 
trout and shad were hatched in many millions. Black bass and Oswego 
bass, with their allied species, were distributed. Barren lakes and 
streams were re-stocked, no application being denied, and no demand 
not being filled to the utmost. The returns from these proceedings in 
previous years began to make themselves apparent. From every direc- 
tion came reports that waters which had long been unproductive and 
worthless, were beginning to yield, and, in some instances, were already 
yielding abundantly. Wherever fish had been placed, they seem to have 
thriven, and the care taken to select the proper varieties for each lake or 
stream was rewarded. 

These operations were not experiments, and to them the attention of 
the New York Commission was mainly directed, although some experi- 
ments appeared to promise well. The shad, for instance, which were 
placed in the Genesee river lived and grew to a fair size. Many had 
been taken of a pound weight, and a few even much larger. But the 
question was not yet answered as to whether they would spawn when 
wholly confined to fresh water. In protecting and hatching artificially 


impregnated ova, as well as in re-stocking streams which have been - 


depleted by neglect or overfishing, the fish-culturist ‘acts with certainty 
and confidence ; but the acclimatization of new varieties to unaccustomed 
waters is always an uncertainty. 

This, gentlemen, is in a few words a report of what has been done in 
the State of New York. I think it is encouraging. I know that as much 
or more has been effected in other States either under their Commissions 


or by private enterprise. 


POISONING AND OBSTRUCTING THE WATERS: 


BY FRED. MATHER. 


From all over the land there is a murmur of complaint about the pol- 
lution of our creeks and rivers by manufacturing companies, dyeing 
establishments, saw mills, and the like; and while the general Govern- 
ment, States and individuals are working to re-stock our nearly exhausted 
rivers, lakes and streams, this pollution is allowed to go on unheeded 
and unchecked. 


The murmur is gradually getting louder, and we will ere long, we ~ 


, 
a 


. 
* 


Fish Culturists’ Association. Ty 


hope, reach the ears of our legislators in a tone loud enough to attract 
their immediate attention. 

The flowing waters, and the large lakes are part of our public domain, 
and no man, or body of men, should be allowed to defile them; yet it 
has been done almost without protest for years past, and will continue to 
be practiced for years to come, unless the attention of the people is 
called to it in a manner that shows to them that their vital interests are 
affected by it, and that the efforts of their Fish Commissioners, who are 
trying to increase their supply of food, are being continually thwarted 
by the greed of a few men, who, to save themselves the expense of drain- 
ing their poisonous refuse into the soil, where it might be rendered harm- 
less in Nature’s laboratory, make sewers of our brooks and rivers. So 
also the dweller on small streams is cut off from his supply of fish, 
which have always ascended his brook, by the miller who has just built a 
dam across it lower down. The State of New York has a law covering 
the latter case, but it needs enforcing sadly. It provides that ‘*every 
person building or maintaining adam upon any of the fluvial waters of this 
State, which dam is higher than two feet, shall likewise build and main- 
tain during the months of March, April, May, September, October and 
November, for the purpose of the passage of fish, a sluiceway in the 
said channel at least one foot in depth at the edge of the dam, and 
of proper width, with four inch-square cross pieces upon the bottom of 
the sluiceway three feet apart, which sluiceway shall be placed at an 
angle of not more than seven degrees, and extending entirely to the run- 
ning water below the dam, and said sluiceway shall be protected on each 
side by an apron at least one foot in height, to confine the water therein.” 

The penalty for non-compliance with this act is $25 for each month’s 
violation. 

This is a recognition of the rights of the people to have unobstructed 
passage for their fish; but in regard to poisoning, the New York law 
says :— 

‘* No persons shall place in any fresh water stream, lake, or pond, 
without the consent of the owner, any lime or other deleterious substance 
with intent thereby to injure, poisoa, or catch fish, nor place in any pond 
or lake stocked with, or inhabited by trout, bass, pike, pickerel or sun- 
fish, any drug or deleterious substance with intent to destroy such trout 
or other fish.” 

This is a ‘‘misdemeanor,” and is punishable by $100 fine in addition to 
any damage done. The weakness of this section is in not including 
rivers, in the words, ‘‘with intent to d stroy such trout or other fish.” 


Any vagabond can get out of this by declaring that he only wanted to 


16 Report of the American 


kill vegetation, snakes or turtles. The amendments of 1872 provide, 
sec. 18 :— 

‘¢ No person or corporation shall throw, or deposit any coal tar, refuse 
from gas houses, or other deleterious substances, or cause the same to 
run or flow into, or upon any of the rivers, lakes, ponds or streams of 
this State, under a penalty of $50 for each offence, in addition to liability 
for all damage he may have done: but this section shall not apply to 
‘streams of flowing water which constitute the motive power of the 
machinery for manufacturing establishments, where it is necessary for 
the manufacturing purposes carried on in such establishments, to throw 
from, or run the refuse matter and material thereof into such stream.” 

The last clause emasculates the whole section, and makes a mockery of 
all legislation on the subject. I have seen the dead fish in the bayous 
(or creeks as they are improperly called) below Albany on the west side 
of the Hudson from the refuse of the Analine works, which came in 
through the city sewers. 

It is ahard matter to poison a large river like the Hudson, and do it 
thoroughly from end to end, a fact that we may be devoutly thankful for ; 
but in times of low water in that river I have no doubt that the baleful 
influence of Albany’s dye and chemical works extends to the shad hatch- 
ing grounds, ten miles below. 

In the report of the Maine Fishery Commission for 1873, page 13, 
they say, in speaking of the shad fishery on the Kennebec :— 

‘+A careful exploration by Mr. Brown for the spawning ground of the 
shad at Topsham and Brunswick discovered that they had been driven 
from their old haunts by the refuse turned into the river by the Perkins. 
paper mill.” 

Last season while at Holyoke, Mass., I made a few enquiries to learn. 
if possible to what extent, if any, the shad grounds on the Connecticut 
were affected by the refuse of the mills immediat:ly above, on the same 
side of the river with them. Being then engaged in transporting shad 
fry from there to the tributaries of the Mississippi and the Great Lakes, 
for the United States Fish Commission, I had no opportunity to investi- 
gate the effect of the poisons, but developed the following facts in regard 
to their amount. Just below the great dam, and within five hundred feet 
of the fishway, are three large factories, the first of these is the Carew 
Paper Company; second, the Hampshire Paper Company ; third, the. 
Glasgow Gingham Company. ‘The first two discharge from one to two 
tons of chloride of lime per day, each; while the amount of dye stuffs, 
etc., emptied into the river by the latter will probably make the entire 
amount of villainous ingredients foot up to between four and five tons 
per day of chloride of lime, acids and dye stuff. The fishery and spawn- 


Fish Culturists’ Association. 17 


ing grounds are about half a mile below, in a bend where a greater por- 
tion of this must be carried. This, in connection with from thirty to 
forty miles on the other side of the river, which are discharging (or were 
in July last) into the canals, or river, the same substances in greater or 
less quantity, must have a terrible effect upon the fish, especially those 
yet in the embryo stage. 

A well informed angler says :— 


‘““They say that fish that are poisoned with chloride of lime will 
recover; but it is not so, except perhaps in very slight cases. There is 
so much water in the Connecticut that a large fish may get out of a pois- 
oned streak in a short time, but not so with newly hatched fry, who 
might be caught in it, and who would have to swim perhaps several times 
their own length to find pure water.” 


That the substances mentioned are sleadly poisons to fish is very evi- 
dent ; the only thing to be taken into consideration, is the amount of such 
poison as compared to the volume of water and its consequent dilution. 
On the subject of ordinary sewage from cities, I am not prepared to 
speak ; by ‘‘ordinary sewage” please understand the drainage of private 
houses, water closets, wash of streets, and other things, not including 
factories using dyeing and bleaching chemicals. That this is regarded 
as poisonous to fish in England is evident by the following article from 
“Land and Water,” of Nov. 14, 1874 :— 


‘‘Cray River Poitiution.—Vague rumors have reached me (not 
through an exactly official channel) that the sewage now running into 
the Cray is to be carried in a sewer or sewers to an outfall about two 
miles north of Dartford. Now, though I am in no way connected with, 
and have no claim to the attention of the sanitary authorities who have 
the matter in hand, I do hope that they will bestow some thought 
on what follows before taking such a course as this. Next session, 
there is every reason to believe that Parliament will pass a comprehensive 
measure for the prevention of pollution of rivers. Is it not probable 
that this bill will deal with mouths and estuaries as with upper waters? 
If so, will it not include Dartford (and Barking too, for that matter) ? 
This seems to be the only just, straightforward way of dealing with the mat- 
ter. It would in the case of the Barking outfall involve great alterations, 
and many different interests would be concerned in such a change ; but 
why not? The end of this note may supply a solution of this question. 
Otherwise, no one would know where the functions of the Act would ter- 
minate. Every interested person would view the question through his own 
spectacles, and there would be no end of litigation. I say again, as I 


have already said in your columns, either use your sewage on land in 
2 


18 Report of the American 


season, or precipitate it altogether, but do not let it foul water, either in 
lake, river or sea. There is no excuse for harboring refuse and beastli- 
ness about us, as there are several really practical and workable processes 
available for the treatment of sewage and refuse; notably the Uni- 
versal Charcoal and Sewage Company. This company utilize by carbon- - 
ization all vegetable and animal refuse, as street sweepings, etc., of 
towns and villages, and with that they state that they are able to precip- 
itate the sewage so thoroughly that fish will live for months in the efflu- 
ent water. Knowing the powers of charcoal, I quite believe all this. 
Moreover, the manure produced by this process is very rich, as is attested 
by scientific evidence of no mean order. This company are quite pre- 
pared, on the one hand, to get rid of all offal and unsalable street refuse ; 
and on the other, to precipitate sewage so that the effluent is perfectly 
harmless. Now all this is very satisfactory, and demands a fair and 
impartial trial by some really expért scientist. Be this how it may, and 
not for a moment laying claim to any such title, if the company think fit 
to send me some of their charcoal I shall be very happy to put it to a 
severe test, and acquaint your readers with the result. In speaking thus 
of the above company, I mean by no word of mine to disparage any 
others; many are very valuable, and many experiments must be made 
on various kinds, and samples of sewage, in order to determine that 
which may be most applicable in individual circumstances. All I would 
say to everybody at work at sewage is, don’t go and run it away down 
rivers, estuaries or seas; do something with it, or at any rate try every 
experiment before doing so. Sewage varies, and must be treated accord- 
ingly. For my own part, I do not believe that taking out and utilizing the 
Cray sewage would cost one shilling more (on both sides of the river) 
than to run it out into the outfall at Dartford. For instance, I know that 
within about half a mile on either side of this house, there is one house on 
one side and eight or nine on the other. All these can use either earth 
or charcoal; but must be made to do so—prejudice is so strong in favor 
of old methods. What we want is a pure river and river bed; this latter 
we can hardly expect for some time under any circumstances, as there is 
a very great and dense mass of filth in the river, but, if all unite, north 
and west, and without petty considerations of self interest, and without 
any spirit of Bumbledom, we may have it at last.” 


Another writer in the same paper says :— 

‘¢ The surface of our rivers appear as if covered with oil or other fat 
substance. May this not be caused by the manures now put on the land, 
making the fish so shy and timid? It would be worth the while of our 
Fishery Commissioners to inquire into it while at the pollutious inquiry.” 


Be 


Fish Culturists’ Association. 19 


This subject is new to us, but is well worthy our attention. So far, 
we have bent our energies to producing fish in vast numbers, with but 
little consideration of the many delicate conditions necessary to their 
future growth; and in my opinion, if the rivers were as pure to-day as 
when our forefathers landed on Plymouth Rock, there would now be the 


- game immense shoals of salmon, shad and alewives ascending our rivers 


that there were then, multiplied tenfold by our methods of artificial 
propagation. 


STOCKING DEPLETED WATERS. 


BY SETH GREEN. 


GENTLEMEN :—I have been worrying fry brain for the last twelve years 
in studying out the art of fish culture and the best way to stock our 
depleted waters. In the year 1837 I commenced fishing as a business, 
and followed it until 1860. I had sometimes as many as one hundred 
men in my employ in taking and seliing fish. I did my fishing with all 
kinds of nets and lines, and in all kinds of waters, and had as good 
suecess as any other fisherman in those days. When the weather was so 
that any boat could live on the lake, my boat was sure to be there with 
an early start. I have been capsized, and have ridden some time on the 
bottom of my boat. I did not like it, but preferred it to not having 
anything to ride on. I have rowed eighteen hours without getting off 
my seat, and pulled every stroke for my life. The boat had stern way 
on her six hours of the eighteen, with every man pulling his best. I was 
fishing in Lake Ontario at the time, at a point four miles above the mouth 
of the Genesee River. We started from shore at three in the morning, 
in an open boat twenty feet long and seven feet beam; myself, two men 
and a boy comprising the crew. The lines were set twelve miles out in 
the lake, and I was fishing for salmon trout, with set lines. I reached 
my buoy at seven o’clock that morning, and had taken up four miles of 
line when it blew so hard that the line broke. I started for shore with 
the wind dead ahead and blowing a gale, and reached there at three 
o’clock the next morning, landing at Braddock’s Bay, three miles from 
my éabin and forty rods. from a fish shanty. I sent one of my crew to 
wake up the men; in about five minutes more I sent asother man, and in 
about five minutes more myself and boy started for the same shanty. I 


20 Report of the American 


had got about half way to it when I found one of my men lying on the 
sand fast asleep in a pouring rain. I got him to his feet, went to the 
shanty, and found the door open and the legs of my first messenger 
sticking out over the threshold, and he, too, was fast asleep. After 
pulling the latch string he had fallen in without waking the fishermen in 
the hut. We got the latter up, and stowed ourselves away in their warm 
beds, and that was the last any of us knew for the next twelve hours. I 
took, or caused to be taken, from a half ton to three tons of fish daily for 
twenty years of the early part of my life, and think I know all the devices 
for taking fish, from a pin hook to a pound net. I have used all of them, 
and have probably done as much toward cleaning out the waters of this 
State as any man, and that is the reason, I suppose, why people think I 
should know some thing about restocking these waters. The great secret 
in this work is in putting fish in the waters suited to them. Many bodies 
of water are suited to kinds of fish that never were in them before, but 
all waters are not fit for all kinds of fish, and you might better put them 
on the land than in water not suited to them; they will not thrive. The 
waters into which you put fish must have the right kind of food for them, 
and you must know if it is there, and it is a mistaken idea that some 
people have that fish will live on water; they cannot any more than you 
can live on air. 

Many of the States have fish commissioners, and this State has three— 
Goy. Seymour, Robt. B. Roosevelt and Edward M. Smith. I am their 
superintendent, and being one of the oldest in the business. and having 
probably seen as much of it from the bottom to the top as any, I take 
the liberty to give you my opinion of what kind of men you want for fish 
commissioners. You want wealthy, public spirited men—three such men. 
The superintendent must be a practical fisherman, who knows how to 
take all kinds of fish in all sorts of inland waters, and if you can get a man 
who is a fish culturist as well as a fisherman, all the better. If you have 
to employ a man who has but one of these qualifications, the fisherman is 
the more valuable. You must know how to take fish to have them for 
stocking your waters. I, of course, think our State the model one in 
these respects. The commissioners and myself have been operating 
together for the last six years, and never have had any discord that we 
did not settle at the time. We get together once a year, lay our plans, 
and then live up to them. There was a time when I thought I knew 
more than they did about the business; but they have caught up 
with me and I don’t know but what they are a little ahead, for they know 
all that I do, besides what they have learned from everybody else. We 
have now practical knowledge enough to stock all our waters, but the 
great secret is to do it in the right way. All our used up shad rivers can 


Fish Oulturists’ Association. 21 


surely be stocked again, and become as productive as in their best 
days ; and the quicker it is done the better, for they are getting poorer 
every year. 

In the year 1868 I was in Washington, and hatched a few shad in 
Gen. Spinner’s office. I told him I could stock the Potomac with young 
shad, and in three years they would be as plenty in that stream as they 
ever were. He asked me how much it would cost. I said $2,500 would 
do it. He said he could get an appropriation from the Government, and 
we went to the Capitol and told the members our story. They presented 
a bill, and one of the members objected to it; that was the end of it, and 
Gen. Spinner was one of the maddest men I ever saw. He said it was the 
greatest calamity to the country that had happened in this generation, 
and so it was. If he had obtained the $2,500 appropriation the Poto- 
mac River would to-day be the greatest shad river in the world. At that 
time I was the only man who had ever hatched shad to know anything 
practically about it, and did it all with my own hands. Now it is differ- 
ent. I have eight practical men, and every one of them is able to run a 
shad hatching establishment. There is but one other in the country 
who can, and that is Charles Smith, who was with me at Holyoke in 1867. 
Shad hatching is a trade by itself. A man may know how to hatch other 
kinds of fish, and make a perfect failure in hatching shad. He may know 
how to hatch shad in a running stream, and fail in tidal waters ; but there 
is enough known about it now to restock all our shad rivers, and in a few 
years make them equal to their best days, if the work is well arranged. 
The next great thing to be done is to stock all our larger lakes with sal- 
mon trout and whitefish. We have been hatching these for the last 
seven years, and I know that our great lakes can be abundantly stocked 
ina few years. The Canadian Government would probably assist, as 
they have eminent fish culturists, who know the benefit both countries 
would derive from the wark, Even if one side was willing, and the other 
not, the undertaking would pay millions of dollars to either. Let each 
side, then, go to work on its own hook, for as soon as one side begins 
the other will surely follow. If we begin first, we cannot do so much 
that the Canadians will not try to out do us, and vice versa. Much 
valuable time is lost by waiting. 

Three years ago I took as many salmon trout spawn with four men as 
I secured last Fall with twelve, andif the fish decrease in the same ratio 
for a few years more it will take a long time to stock the lakes again. 
The black, Oswego, and rock bass, and the wall-eyed pike are valuable 
for stocking our inland waters. It is well enough to exchange spawn 
with the old countries without going to much expense in doing it. We 
have as fine varieties of fish in this country as there are in any other. A 


22 Report of the American 


good deal has been said about the carp for stocking some of our waters ; 
but if Iam rightfully informed it is a coarse fish, about equal to our 
mullet. The Oswego bass is much to be preferred for the table, is a fast 
breeder, and wili live in any waters that the carp can exist in. We 
want done only what we know is practical, and do not want expensive 
experiments ; our commissioners say to us, we want to expend the peo- 
ple’s money for what we know to be for the greatest good to the great- 
est number, and there is plenty of work to do before we can spend time 
in experiments. Let us stock our waters with fish; there is no trouble 
doing it, unless we switch off to some other work which does not belong 
to the one we have commenced. If we turn aside we shall soon find 
that the people will refuse appropriations, and the work will be stopped, 
for there is not a dollar of the people’s money spent but some one discovers 
what it was expended for, whether for the purpose to which it was appro- 
priated or not. Let us keep the confidence of the people. 

When I went to the Connecticut and Hudson rivers and told the peo- 
ple I was going to hatch shad eggs, and make shad plenty and cheap, I 
was hooted at; being looked upon by some as a lunatic, and by others 
as arogue. Mr. James Mull, who owns the fishery where we do our 
shad hatching for this State, told me last Summer that he sent a dozen 
gentlemen to talk with me and see if they could make out what kind of 
a character I was. All thought I was insane or an impostor, and I was 
treated as such the first year on the Hudson and Connecticut tivers. 
Some of my visitors told Mr. Mull on their return, that I might be 
insane, but was no fool. It is different now, and they don’t hoot at me, 
but take my hand with a warmth that gladdens my heart. I have a set 
of men with me who are practical fishermen and practical fish culturists. 
I think they are as good as any in the country, and are capable of super- 
intending operations in any State. They are not writers, but are honest, 
and have education enough to keep an account of all they do. They are 
deserving of better places and more wages than our commissioners can 
afford to pay them. They have been taught economy, and practice it. 


Fish Culturists’ Association. 23 


ROUACUrT eRe AND PISH “PROTEC LION: 


BY SAMUEL WILMOT, NEWCASTLE, ONTARIO. 


In submitting this paper, on some of the points in fish culture, to the 
American Fish Culturists’ Association, now assembled, I shall endeavor 
to be as brief as possible; yet there are so many interesting subjects 
connected with the science of aquaculture that it will be almost impossi- 
ble to control the matter without affecting its general interests. My 
object at this time, however, will be to touch upon the importance of the 
science as a whole, and to show why there should be judicious laws passed 
to preserve fish at certain seasons, and also endeavor to answer the 
question so frequently put by the skeptically inclined, *‘ Why resort to 
artificial breeding of fish; and why not allow them to breed in their own 
natural way ?” 

When we consider the importance of this new branch of industry, both 
as ameans of producing cheap and wholesome food, as well as individ- 
ual and general wealth among the people among whom it has been 
introduced, it is gratifying to find that a knowledge of its principles is 
gradually becoming more and more generally diffused, so that we may 
safely look forward to the time when no country can be found wherein 
the science of pisciculture is totally neglected. 

Independent of the pleasure and instruction which fish culture, on a 
small scale, has afforded to amateurs and others who have employed their 
time and means in adding another luxury to their tables, much profit has 
been realized by utilizing springs and small streams of water on private 
properties. And in both the old and the new world we may see that 
the various governments have chosen the most scientific and practical 
men of the day to find means whereby the vast areas of water, which 
cover three-fourths of the earth’s surface, may be made to produce 
inexhaustible supplies of food and riches ; so that, through man’s intelli- 
gence and industry, aquaculture may become the successful rival of its 
sister art, agriculture. 

The introducing and acclimatizing of many of the better and scarcer 
kinds of fish has been achieved through the instrumentality of this new 
agent. It is now an indisputable fact that some of the kinds of fish 
that were transported in the egg state from Scotland to Australia and 
New Zealand are found to be acclimatized to the waters of the Southern 
Hemisphere, where they were hitherto wholly unknown. 

In a similar manner fish fry and eggs from the waters of the Atlantic 


24 Report of the American 


coast have been successfully carried across the continent by the overland 
route, and planted in those of the Pacific coast, and vice versa. Through 
the praiseworthy efforts of Prof. Baird and Livingston Stone, the salmon 
of the Pacific coast are being sown broadcast into the streams of the 
Eastern States of the Union. In Canada, also, there has been introduced 
certain hitherto unknown fishes from Britain. These efforts, successful 
in their application, are only the forerunners of what will yet be largely 
brought about through the study of practical fish culture. And ne doubt 
when the science becomes more generally diffused, the importation and 
exportation of the more valuable kinds of fishes will form no inconsider* 
able traffic between countries whose interests may require an improvement 
in that branch of commerce. 

France has always taken a very great interest in the artificial propaga- 
tion of fish as an easy means of producing cheap food for her people. 
The immense grounds which were laid out, and the buildings which were 
erected at Hunningue, are strong and convincing evidences of this fact. 
And although by the fate of war the province in which the large French 
piscicultural works were established was ceded to Prussia, she has since 
that period commenced again the founding of another fish breeding 
establishment in another portion of her territory. Prussia is also 
extending the works which came into her hands by the act of cession. 

In Great Britain the enterprise has been entered into with great zeal, 
and with marked success, large fortunes having been amassed by indi- 
viduals from the increased productions of old fishery grounds through 
artificial methods of propagation. In other countries of Europe, and in 
Asia, fish culture is now successfully adopted also ; and throughout almost 
the whole of the old world the science is making its beneficial effects felt 
by the masses of the people in the greater supply of wholesome food. 

Nothing, however, has given a stronger impetus to fish culture at the 
present time than the hearty and zealous manner in which the local 
legislatures of many of the States, as well as the Federal Government of 
America, have entered into the work of encouraging the growth and 
improvement of the piscine wealth within their territories. Not only 
have large grants of money been made by individual States to assist 
their fishery commissioners in restocking depleted waters, but the Federal 
Government at Washington makes very liberal grants fiom the treasury 
to aid in what has been considered a great national work. 

As a result of the united efforts of the State legisiatures and General 
Government, a large salmon breeding establishment has been built in 
Maine, under the superintendence of Mr. Atkins, which has admirably 
answered the purpose for which it was constructed, and quite equal to the 
most sanguine expectations of its projectors. In like manner has the 


Fish Culturists’ Association. 25 


great salmon ‘*‘ Bonanza” of the McLeod River been discovered by Mr. 
Stone, where immense works have been erected. From each of these 
establishments millions of eggs and fry are being distributed annually 
throughout all parts of the Union. Over and above this public recogni- 
tion, many millions of dollars are now employed in the work of fish 
culture from private sources by the people of the Republic. 

It may not be amiss to state that, within the same period of time, in no 
country has fish culture made greater progress then in the Dominion of 
Canada. From its first inception at Newcastle, in the Province of 
Ontario, it has made rapid strides throughout America. Its operations 
there have ensured the artificial propagation of the more important 
commercial fishes of this country, and at the present time, through the 
wisdom of the Canadian Government, there are no less than five salmon 
breeding establishments founded within its territory, all of which are in 
practical working condition, each with a capacity for containing many 
millions of ova. Other institutions of a similar nature are also in 
contemplation of being built during next season by the Canadian 
authorities. 

Reference being made here to the Neweastle fish breeding works: in 
Ontario, it will not be taken in the light of self-laudation for me, the 
sole originator of that institution, to state that from it has sprung all of 
the national and State fish breeding establishments on this continent. 

Fish culture having now become both a popular and successful indus- 
try in the United States and Canada, it is of importance that it should be 
vigorously carried on. The once many famous rivers in both of these 
countries have now become very much reduced in their supplies of sal- 
mon and other fish. This falling off is also experienced in the countless 
lakes and their innumerable tributaries everywhere throughout the land. 
Both demand early attention in order to prevent the final extermination 
of an article of food which it is now almost impossible to sustain in the 
natural way alone. A judicious application of the natural and artificial 
methods of propagation, together with thorough protection during the 
close seasons, would soon reproduce in those waters a large supply of fish, 
both for domestic purposes and foreign trade. The outlay required to 
achieve this object will be found to be trifling indeed in comparison to the 
ultimate benefits that would assuredly flow from its application. 

Having made a few remarks upon the auestion of fish culture in a gen- 
eral way, it will not be amiss to refer to the necessity of wise legislation 
for the protection and preservation of fish at certain seasons of the year, 
more particularly during the close or spawning season. 

The sea fisheries, from the unlimited field which they cover, and the 
extensive area in which the natural production of fishes is carried on, do 


26 Report of the American 


not require such peculiar laws for their preservation, or for close seasons 
being set apart for spawning, as are necessary in the inland fisheries. 

There is a period when fish are in season, and when they should be 
taken by legitimate means. There is another period when they are out 
of season, and then should be protected by all legitimate means. They 
are in season after they have fully recovered from the prostrating and 
exhaustive effects of spawning, and when found upon their feeding 
grounds putting fat upon the body. At this time, though the eggs and 
milt are in the ovaries, they are so minute as to take little if any nourish- 
ment from the system, all of the food taken forming fat and muscle. 
They are out of season when they have left their feeding grounds, and 
have reached their spawning beds, and are in the act of spawning. The 
egos and the milt at this period having absorbed from the body of the 
fish most of the fat which had been previously put on, becomes enlarged 
to the full size, and are mature and ripe for being deposited. 

In the egg will be noticed a fatty substance, resembling small glob- 
ules of oil, which is provided by nature for the nourishment and growth 
of the embryo fish during incubation, and is the food contained in the 
sac attached to the young fry for several days after emerging from the 
shell. This drain of fat from the parent fish into the egg and milt, and 
the prostrating effects of spawning, causes it to become lean and lank 
in condition, and therefore foul, out of season, and actually unfit for 
food. The killing and eating of fish at this particular period should be 
strictly prohibited by law. It is not less repugnant to common sense 
than it would be to kill our domestic animals in an advanced state of 
pregnancy, or for some time afterwards. Why, then should people con- 
jure up the belief that fish do not come under the same laws of nature as 
other animals? 

It is also of importance to remember that nearly all fish, during the 
spawning season, become very dull, and are in a semi-lethargic state, 
and, generally speaking, consume little or no food whilst performing this 
work of nature. Salmon eat nothing whatever at this time, neither do 
they take food within their stomachs from the time of leaving salt water 
till after they have perforned the work of spawning, even should the 
time of their migration extend over a period of six months, or longer. 
At the end of their long journey, and from eating nothing since leaving 
the sea, they become changed in color, their former rich red flesh now 
becomes a flabby white, their bodies are frequently covered with wounds 
and sores, parasites begin to prey upon them, a fungoid growth sets in, 
and great numbers die. 

Mankind, from his overweening selfishness, is not satisfied with killing 
these fish in the earlier seasons, when they are fat and wholesome, and 


~~ 


Fish Culturists’ Association. 27 


well adapted for food and commerce, but would (were it not for an inter- 
position of some kind) relentlessly pursue and kill them up to the close 
of the year, whilst in the very act of spawning, and in the foul condition 
just related. It is also to be noted that at this time salmon, from their 
sluggishness, and from having resorted to the smaller streams on shal- 
low, gravelly beds, become more easy prey for their lawless pursuers, 
who care nothing for nature’s command to ‘‘ increase and multiply,” nor 
object to foul and unwholesome food, kill indiscriminately, with every sort 
of device, every fish that may be found. This barbarous practice, hay- 
ing hitherto so generally prevailed, has in numerous instances totally 
exterminated many of the better kinds of fish from most of the waters of 
the older settled parts of Canada and the United States. 

Many persons are very skeptical as to the actual necessity for close 
seasons, or any other protection for fish, and consider legislation on the. 
subject altogether superfluous. They know nothing of their habits and 
nature, beyond the fact that they form delicious food, and cannot there- 
fore see why they should not be taken and eaten at all times and in all 
seasons. In order that seasonable and wholesome fish may be had in 
our markets and at our tables at all times and at all seasons, nature has 
made this wise provision, namely: That the spawning season is not at 
the same time of year with all fish ; some kinds of fish collect in shallow 
waters and in rivers to deposit their ova in the Spring months, and 
others in the Fall. By this means a succession of fish can be taken in 
season throughout the whole year. It only becomes necessary, then. 
that wise and discriminating regulations should be made to assist the 
laws of nature, to give to the people of this country, not only for the 
present time, but also for the future, a bountiful supply of wholesome 
fish food. 

From the few facts just mentioned respecting the nature of salmon and 
other fish, and the tendency in man to destroy them, it is easy for any 
person possessing ordinary intelligence, and not selfishly prejudiced to 
the contrary, to infer how necessary and important it is that all fish 
should be protected by proper legislation at proper seasons, and also 
that all persons should be legally prohibited from killing or selling that 
which is foul and unfit for food. 

Having explained the great necessity for passing laws in relation to 
the preservation of fish at certain seasons of the year, it will be necessary 
now to meet the question, Why resort to artificial means for the propa 
gation of fish; why not allow them to produce their young in the usua. 
way? 

In contrasting the artificial with the natural method, the superiority of 
the former over the latter system will be easily understood, even by the 


28 Report of the American 


great masses of the people, who are as yet wholly uninformed as to the 
novel science of artificial fish culture, not long since introduced into 
the country. 

It has been advanced by naturalists of an early period, and upheld by 
eminent writers of modern times, that not more than one per cent. of the 
ova laid in the natural way ever becomes a living fish. But in the 
present day it is possible, by artificial propagation, to rear from eighty 
to ninety living fish from every hundred eggs, which larger increase is 
actually needed for restocking the waters of the country with fish of such 
various kinds as may be required in various places, and for supplying in 
part the increasing demand in the markets of the country for fish food. 

As we have chosen to illustrate the necessity for legal enactments for 
the protection of fish by introducing the salmon, we shall continue to 
take the same fish for an example while we explain the modus operandi 
of laying and hatching out of the fish spawn in the natural way, and 
relate the many difficulties which beset the eggs at the time of their 
deposit by the parent fish, and through the process of incubation, and 
until they are hatched out in the rivers or other waters. It may be 
observed that these operations are performed at different times and . 
places by the various kinds of fish. 

Salmon, after leaving their feeding grounds, will, after the somewhat 
lengthened migration previously mentioned, reach their spawning 
grounds far up river, or, in some instances, if very late in the season, 
near at hand above tideway. A suitable gravelly bottom, rapid part of 
the stream, is selected, where the female fish commences, by writhing 
movements of her body, to displace the stones and gravel in order to 
form the bed in which she may lay her eggs. 

In this work she is very much aided by the swift current of the water, 
which helps to move the gravel down stream that is being displaced by 
the exertions of the fish. In this way a hollow spot is dug out, and a 
small hillock of stones is formed just below. Into this scooped-out bed 
the fish, by contortions and strong muscular action of the body, ejects a 
portion of the mature ova, many of which sink to the bottom amongst 
the gravel, whilst numbers are carried below and far beyond the bed by 
the current. The little ledge of gravel just above the bed is again dis- 
turbed, and the stones in the act of falling are, by the action of the fish, 
assisted by the swift water, carried down over the eggs, thus partially 
covering them, and hiding many of them from sight, and also from many 
of their numerous enemies. 

This operation of spawning will take from two to three days to a week, 
and sometimes longer, depending much upon the lateness of the season, 
and also the flow of water in the stream at the time. Should the season 


Fish Culturists’ Association. 29 


be dry, and the water low, the fish will rest in the deep pools below, 
waiting for the water to rise in the rapids, that they may be enabled to 
get upon the shallows to form their beds. 

All this time the eggs are maturing, and at last, late in the season, 
unable to retain the ova any longer, they will rush up at the first freshet, 
and in.some instances lay the whole of their eggs in one or two nights. 

During the time in which the female is engaged in depositing her eggs, 
she will generally be accompanied by a male fish, who performs very 
little, if any, of the labor in forming a bed; he is constantly hovering 
about just below the female, and when she is in the act of laying her 
eggs he will run alongside, and, by a muscular movement of his body, 
eject some of his milt, which, if perchance it touches the egg, 
impregnates it. 

It does not necessarily follow that the female shall be accompanied by 
the male in the act of spawning, for often it is found that she will lay her 
egos without the presence of a male fish. It frequently happens that 
whilst she may be deeply engaged in her work, several male fish will be 
fighting together to gain the superiority of place. Whilst thus engaged, 
the female, bent upon her work, is depositing her ova without the vivify- 
ing fluid coming in contact with them. Whilst this operation of laying 
the ova is going on, the bed is generally surrounded by various kinds of 
small, predacious fish, watching every opportunity to prey upon the eggs 
as they flow from the female, or as they settle in the bed or drift 
beyond it. 

Trout cause great havoc in this way; nor is this fondness for the eggs 
to be laid to the trout alone, for young salmon (parrs), chubs, eels, and 
almost every other kind of small fish, are lying in wait to perform the 
same act of destruction of the ova. It is a mere matter of mastery which 
shall get the lion’s share. 

Those of the eggs that shall have escaped these perils, together with 
those that have received the fecundating fluid, will be found embedded in 
the gravel, where they remain (should they escape all other dangers) 
during a period of from five to six months of the coldest season of the 
year, namely, from October till the following April or May. Various 
kinds of insects, water bugs, and innumerable aquatic animals, whose 
nature it is to lie hidden underneath the gravel and stones at the bottoms 
of streams, whilst groping about for food, come upon these salmon beds, 
and, perforating the soft, filmy covering of the egg, with their needle-like 
teeth and sharp claws, destroy vast numbers of them. 

Add to this a great number lost by decay, for all those which have not 
received the vitalizing fluid die, and, becoming putrid, there grows upon 
them a species of fungus, which, spreading its grasping web, catches in 


30 Report of the American 


its poisonous folds any adjoining eggs, killing them at once. This 
insidious growth works great destruction to the semi-incubated egg. 
Clusters of a hundred and more are thus sometimes found in the crevices 
of the larger gravel in a putrid state. This great scourge of the ova is 
very difficult to overcome, even in the purest water, and where the 
greatest attention is given to prevent its growth. 

Another great loss of the ova takes place during the long and inclem- 
ent winter months, from the formation of anchor ice, which, in shallow 
parts of rivers and streams, prevails to such an extent as to become one 
solid mass, in many instances forcing the stream out of the channel in 
which it flowed during the autumn. The eggs thus having lost their 
covering of water, become frozen and die. Great destruction is also 
caused by the shifting and shoving of ice from the effects of heavy 
freshets. Whole sections where salmon beds had been made are some- 
times swept away, and become so changed as to leave no vestige of their 
original formation. 

The remnant of the eggs which may have escaped destruction from the 
above mentioned sources will in April and May hatch out and become 
young fry. At this time they are helpless in the extreme, lying prone on 
their sides, with a large bag or umbilical sac attached to their bodies. 
In this stage of their existence they remain about five or six weeks, until 
by a process of absorption, brought about by an increased warmth of 
the water in Spring, the sac hitherto attached to the body disappears, . 
and the little fish, now symmetrically formed, begin to roam about in a 
lively manner in search of food. From the time of emerging from the 
shell up to the present time they are still an easy prey for their numerous 
enemies. 

The difficulties above enumerated, which beset the egg from the time 
when it was first laid up to the period of its hatching out into a young 
fish, though somewhat numerous, are by no means all that it has to 
encounter. There is to be added the destruction by aquatic birds, pollu-. 
ted water, deleterious substances of various kinds, which are constantly 
thrown into the streams from manufacturing establishments, saw dust 
and rubbish from saw mills, washings from barn yards and turnpike 
roads, natural and artificial manures, and other foreign substances used 
upon the soil in farming, draining, ete. All flowing more or less at 
times into the streams, and settling upon these beds, so pollute the water 
and otherwise injuriously affect them, as to cause immense losses to fish 
eggs, and also to the newly hatched out, and as undeveloped and very 
delicate fry. 

Of the eggs thus deposited, scarcely one in a hundred ever produces a 
living fish. Yet withal, fish are so prolific in their nature that there 


’ Fish Culturists’ Association. 31 


would still be enough for supplying the waters in abundance, and also a 
sufficiency to relieve the wants of a considerable portion of mankind, 
were it not for the ruthless and barbarous manner in which they are 
killed by man, irrespective of the seasons in which they are foul and 
unclean for food, and of the time also in which they are in the act of lay- 
ing their eggs for producing their young. 

Having now shown the manner in which the ova are laid by the parent 
fish in the natural way, and described the numerous sources from which 
great destruction results to the egg by that system, it will be necessary 
to fully explain the method adopted by the artificial propagation of fish. 

For this purpose we will commence at the time at which the parent fish 
shall have reached the spawning grounds in the river or other water, and 
when the ova and milt have become mature, the eggs are then taken 
from the female by the operator in as gentle and careful a manner as 
possible. There are three methods practiced in securing the adult fish, 
male and female, for this purpose. One is to catch them by means of 
nets whilst they are upon the shallows, and if, found ripe at the time, to 
then and there carefully extract the ova and milt from them. This will 
be found a difficult procedure, both in the netting of the fish, and also in 
the uncertainty of afterwards finding them perfectly ripe for spawning, 
and should not be adopted unless it be impossible to procure them by 
other means. Another plan is to catch such numbers of the adult fish as 
may be required at the time of their migration up rivers during the 
summer months, by means of small meshed nets, and carefully put them 
into ponds or enclosures, and there securely kept until they become 
mature for laying their eggs. The other method, which from the 
beginning has been used at the Newcastle establishments in Ontario, is 
by erecting a reception house alongside of the stream (through which a 
sufficient body of water is made to pass), into which the parent fish, on 
their journey up stream, are enticed to enter through peculiarly formed 
traps, from whence they cannot return or escape. 

This building is divided into several compartments, and the different 
sexes are placed in different pens, so that they can be more readily 
noticed and selected for manipulating purposes. When they are found 
to be ripe, a female is taken out of the water and held over a tin pan or 
other vessel, and the eggs are extracted from the vent by a gentle pressure 
of the hand lengthwise along the abdomen. A male is then taken, and 
the same operation is performed, and the milt or semen which is taken 
from him is mixed with the eggs in the pan by gently stirring together 
with the hand, or by a tremulous shake of the vessel. By this means 
every egg will have come into contact with the fecundating fluid of the 
male, and unless from some natural defect, either in the egg or the milt, 


32 Report of the American ‘ 


all of the ova will become impregnated. The pan or vessel containing 
the eggs is then laid aside for a short time, and in order to ascer- 
tain the quantity they are measured out by means of a little measure, 
made to contain a certain number, and then placed upon the breeding 
trays; they are then laid in the hatching troughs, through which a con- 
stant flow of water from the stream is made torun. Here the eggs are 
allowed to remain during the whole period of their incubation, namely, 
from October and November till the following April and May. 

During this time they are closely watched, and should any of the ova, 
from want of impregnation, or from any other cause, become bad, they 
will turn an opaque white color, and being easily noticed are removed by 
means of forceps, or other instruments adapted for the purpose. Should 
these white, or dead, eggs be kept too long, they will become putrid, and 
a fungus will begin to grow upon them; this would seriously affect and 
destroy all adjoining eggs. 

Should any sediment or other deleterious substance settle upon the 
ova during the time of hatching, it is immediately washed off by sprink- 
ling water upon them with an ordinary gardener’s watering can. By 
this means they are kept clean and free from filth of all kinds. No frost 
is allowed to penetrate the building, and the flow of water is regulated 
at pleasure by taps leading into each of the series of troughs through- 
out the entire building. At the entrance of each trough perforated 
screens are placed to prevent the possibility of small fish entering them. 
In this thoroughly protected state the ova are kept until the young fish 
emerge from the shell, generally in April and May, after which time also, 
and until the umbilical sac is wholly absorbed, they are carefully watched 
and protected. , 

In May and June the fry will have become beautifully developed, 
active little fish, and should be turned into the rivers or other waters 
which are required to be restocked ; or at this time they may be placed 
in ponds of living water, and regularly fed until they become parrs, and 
afterwards smolts. At this latter stage they make their first migration 
to the sea, or other large body of water, where they become grilse, and 
afterwards salmon. 

The modus operandi pursued in the artificial impregnation of fish eggs 
and the rearing of fry being somewhat minutely described, it only 
remains now to draw a contrast between the natural and artificial meth- 
ods of propagating fish. In the latter there is no possibility of losing either 
the egg or the milt by being swept out of or beyond the pan or artificial 
bed in which they were placed by hand, as would be the case when laid 
by the parent fish in the rapid waters of rivers and streams. In the one 
case a few moments will suffice to relieve the fish of the whole burden 


Fish Culturists’ Association. 33 


of eggs which she carries in her body, when she is set free and at liberty 
in the river; in the other, days and weeks, sometimes, are occupied in 
the prostrating effects of laying the eggs. : 

It will appear equally clear that every egg put in the pan or vessel 
must necessarily come in contact with some portion of the vitalizing fluid 
of the male, and become impregnated, whilst great numbers that are laid 
in the streams by the female, without the presence of the male, are 
wholly lost. Neither will there be found in the artificial beds hoards of 
predacious fish, waiting eagerly to devour the eggs as they are dropped ; 
nor will trout, parrs, chubs, or eels be found there, seeking which may 
get the lion’s share; and aquatic birds cannot gratify their appetizing 
desire for fresh eggs within the precincts of the breeding room. Again, 
the ova are not subjected to injurious bruising and crushing from stones 
and gravel falling upon them in the act of being laid in the rough bot- 
toms of streams. ‘This danger is avoided in the artificial breeding beds, 
where neither stones or gravel are used or permitted, the eggs being 
placed upon smooth perforated zinc or wire, or glass trays in single 
layers, and not in clusters. 

During the six months in which the eggs are undergoing the process 
of hatching, no insects, water beetles, bugs, or aquatic animals con- 
stantly on the alert for food in the gravel beds of rivers, can possibly 
attack or perforate the fish eggs in their snug and well protected beds in 
the artificial breeding room. Clusters of dead ova, spreading their insid- 
ious fungoid growth to every adjoining egg, are not permitted here, for 
when the ova presents the white opaque color of dcath it is immediately 
picked out and cast away by the person in charge, and all fungoid 
growth thereby stopped. 

The baneful effects of all kinds of sediment and of deleterious sub- 
stances from mills, manufactories, manures, etc., are all regularly and 

systematically cleaned from the eggs when resting upon them; neither 
anchor ice, nor ice floes, nor freshets, destroy or sweep them away when 
thus properly cared for. Here, from the fostering care and protection 
afforded them, a vastly greater number of eggs produce living fish. 
Well may it be said, that ‘‘from the cradle to the grave, the salmon has 
but one constant succession of remorseless enemies,” and ‘‘that not 
exceeding one per cent. of the ova laid in the natural way ever produces 
a living animal.” Contrast these statements with the artificial system, 
and the gratifying result is an increase of at least seventy-five per cent., 
and eyen this average is overcome at the present time at the several 
Canadian and American fish breeding establishments, where, at their 
commencement a few years ago, only thirty and forty per cent. were 


obtained; but now, from the close application and well devised experi- 
3 


54 Report of the American 


ments, ninety per cent of the ova laid down has produced living 
fish and not in small numbers either, but amounting in several instances 
at some of these establishments to millions of fish in one season. 

These statements, founded as they are upon facts, ought to show 
clearly, even to the hitherto doubtful and prejudiced individual, the great 
superiority of the one system over the other; and when it is shown by 
the application of ordinary intelligence and industry an increase of sev- 
enty to eighty per cent. of one of the natural produets of the waters of 
the country can be brought about by this improved method, it ought not 
to be viewed in any other light than that of wisdom and economy on the 
part of the people and the governments of Canada and the United States 
to generally adopt it. 

Perhaps in no part of the globe can there be found so wide a field for 
successfully carrying on this new industry of propagating fish, both by 
natural and artificial process, as in the territory of the United States and 
in Canada. ‘The limpid waters of the many large rivers and multitudes 
of smaller streams, the immense inland seas of pure fresh water and the 
numerous inlets and bays to be found everywhere along their extensive 
maritime coasts, are sources for yielding wealth that cannot be surpassed. 
And now that the people and the governments are becoming more alive 
to the great benefits which are to be obtained from the inland and coast 
fisheries of their respective countries, every effort should be put forth by 
those in power not only to sustain, but also to increase and multiply the 
products of those extensive nurseries by a vigorous application of such 
means as will best conduce to the growth and expansion of the piscine 
wealth of the two countries. 


PISH  CUL@URE) Oe ame YANG-TSE-KIANG-— 
THE, SAMLI, -OR: CEIINES E VSRees 


BY G H. COTTON SALTER, 
Ex-United States Consul to the Treaty Ports of the Yang-tse-Kiang, China. 


In 1862 I occupied 150 days in going from New York to Shanghai in 
the ‘‘Ocean Charger” ; to-day, thanks to the steam lines, we can connect 
the two cities in forty to forty-five days. As we approach the China 
coast we find the water very muddy, caused by the vast flow of the 


Fish Culturists’ Association. 35) 


Yang-tse, carrying with it an immense amount of earthy deposit. In 
fact, islands are formed and new shoals are discovered every year, 
necessitating constant surveys of the channel. 

I should call the Yang-tse-Kiang not only the great shad river, but 
the great fish river of the globe; so vast and of such majestic propor- 
tions, that the Chinese familiarly and poetically speak of it as the ‘*Child 
of the Ocean.” I have explored it in my little yacht, the ‘‘ Faustine, 
about 1,000 miles from its mouth. 

I believe Prof. Baird, of the Smithsonian Institute, and the United 
States Fish Commissioner, has in view the stocking of the Mississippi 
with shad ; but the question has arisen, Will the shad ascend the river to 
any great distance, in view of the very muddy character of the water? 
I reply that the Yang-tse-Kiang is very muddy, the color of thick pea 
soup, yet the samli (shad) we found there in great numbers. They are 
of superior flavor, of great size, are held in great favor by both rich and 
poor, and are sent from the river to all parts of the vast empire in large 
vessels, made of earthenware, called cangs. The Chinese have a very 
ancient custom of sending the first large shad of the season to the 
Emperor at Peking, and the custom requires that the Emperor should 
send the lucky fellow a hundred taels of sycee (silver), about $150 gold. 

The people of China hold in great reverence anything in the way of 
fish, flesh or fowl, which contributes largely to their support, and they 
ascribe especial virtues to the medicinal properties of the oil of the shad, 
considering it almost a specific for affections of the air passages, and 
in its early stages, a positive cure even for consumption. 

I will remark here that agriculture is looked upon in China as a most 
exalted calling. Once a year the Emperor visits the Temple of Agri- 
culture, at Peking, a building on a stupendous scale, takes a golden 
plough and makes a long furrow. This old custom is intended to convey 
to the minds of all the people the idea that the tilling of the soil is a 
pursuit fit for an Emperor. Next to agriculture, my researches show 
they place pisciculture. They give it this place because the proper study 
of it, the constant stocking of the lakes, the rivers and streams with 
fish, supplies the vast population—estimated by many geographers at 
500,000,000 of souls—with an abundance of healthy food, keeps them 
contented with their lot, and therefore prolongs their lives and their 
spheres of usefulness. I have had the samli served on my table nearly 
1,000 miles from the Pacific Ocean, while sailing on this great river. 
This, I believe, will be considered an important fact, as showing the 
probability of stocking our great rivers at long distances from the sea. 

The dense population of the empire has stimulated ingenuity to the 
highest degree, and it is fair to assume that, with a continuous 


36 Report of the American 

experience of at least forty centuriés, they must have discovered and put 
to practical use all the methods and appliances of pisciculture as prac- 
tised by the Caucasian race. I am aware that European and American 
scientists hold fast to the theory that we are wholly indebted to Jacobi, 
of Hoenhausen. and after that to Joseph Remi, of Bressi, for the theory 
as well as the practice of artificial impregnation; but I believe the 
Chinese discovered, centuries ago, the same system of manipulating the 
ova and the milt by artificial methods. The Chinese ‘show wonderful 
ingenuity and inexhaustible patience in securing the eggs after impreg- 
nation, in raising the infants, and in filling the lakes, rivers and streams 
with the best and most profitable species, as well as sending the fish to 
the most distant portions of that vast empire of eighteen provinces, any 
one of which has a population perhaps greater than the whole United 
States. They are very particular about catching their food fish; if small 
ones are caught, they are returned to the water to increase. This is the 
effect of long custom, to them more powerful than any written code ; 
they save where we waste. They have several ingenious methods of 
driving the fish to the nets by arranging a cordon of boats at one end of 
the pond or lake, and beating tom-toms and gongs in unison, so that the 
finny tribe, alarmed by the din and noise, swim away from it, and are 
eaught in the meshes of the nets at the other end. The practice of 
employing that unwieldy bird, the cormorant, as a fish catcher, is curious 
as well as original. To describe the process would take up too much of 
your space. 

It may be proper to ask here, Of what use is all this labor in stocking 
our exhausted water-courses with fish, if we still permit all the scourge 
of our cities and towns, all the liquid poisons from our manufacturing: 
establishments, to kill the fish after you have taken so much pains to 
hatch them? Mr. Seth Green and Mr. Fred Mather have spoken well 
and vigorously on the subject. Our laws are notoriously defective, yet 
the Chinese show the greatest care in keeping the waters free from taint 
and poison. There the all-powerful custom, the unwritten law, deeply 
graven on the hearts of the people, is all sufficient, hence their rivers are 
probably as full of fish to-day as they were 4,000 years ago. We, 
with the recklessness that characterizes our race, introduce the foul filth 
of our sewers at our very bed sides, through the vents of our marble 
basins. We pour all this liquid excrement into our rivers—millions on 
millions of tons every year—which, if placed on our fields, would make 
the waste spots bloom with beauty, and then we send to the Chincha 
Islands for guano. We call our race civilized, and the Mongolian 
savage. In China, every atom of this human excrement, as well as the 
deposits of animals, is saved. It is carried away from the houses each 


Fish Culturists’ Association. 57 


day, and in adjacent villages the earth system is carried on, and has 
been carried on for centuries. The intelligent foreigner in China is 
constantly amused at the claims of these so-called modern inventions— 
earth-closets, for example. In the curious boat life of the empire— 
thousands born, living and dying on boats—you will see the same care 
of the excrement, liquids and solids being saved and sold. In the 
valley of the Yang-tse, under this system, three crops are raised during 
the year; in fact. in no other way could the vast mass of people exist. 

I may mention as an equally curious, instructive and interesting fact, 
the artificial incubation of fowls, carried on in every village of the 
empire. You meet flocks of tiny geese and ducks going to water led by 
little boys, with the familiar bamboo wand, and another flock of small 
chicks, numbering a hundred or more, going to pasture led in the same 
way. In fact, there is wonderful accord between the beasts of the field, 
the birds of the air, the fishes of the sea, and the average Chinaman, 
who, patient and plodding, talks to all these creatures of God’s vast 
domain, and brings himself to their level, or they rise to his, in a way 
utterly unknown to the more fiery or more aggressive Cancasian. 

The amount of phosphorus contained in certain fishes used for food has 
led many scientists to assume that a fish diet has a tendency to increase 
the activity of the brain, and hence is the only suitable diet for persons 
who tax the brains cells for long and continuous periods. This, I think, 
was a favorite theory of the great naturalist, Louis Agassiz, and many 
persons believe he was the author of the theory. I found in China that 
the literary class believed that a farinaceous and fish diet was more suit- 
able for them than one composed of flesh; that while the former supplied 
the waste of the system as well as nourished it, the latter made the blood 
gross and heavy, and hence unfitted the system for severe mental toil. 

I once visited a high official, living on the borders of the famed Tung- 
ting Lake, the great lake of China. His home was about 800 miles from 
the Pacific Ocean, in the very heart of the empire. After partaking of 
his generous hospitality, and smoking the pipe of friendship, I asked 
him if the Chinese philosophers of the ancient days attributed any spec- 
ial properties to a fish diet as a brain producer and brain invigorator. 
He smiled pleasantly, and begged me to follow him to the. Hall of Ances- 
try—the sacred spot—the temple in the house of every Chinese gentle- 
man in good circumstances. The walls were coyered with numerous 


lengthy scrolls, commemorating the virtues of his long line of ancestors» 
going back, as he told me, to a period long before the birth of Jesus 
Christ. ‘* Here,” he said, pointing to an ancient scroll, ‘‘ ig one of the 
tablets our family hold in especial reverence. It tells the story of one 
whose life was deyoted to the poor, the sick, and the distressed. He 


38 Report of the American 


was a great philosopher, a great scientist, and a great astronomer, and 
among his most literary productions was one on the ‘ Uses and Abuses 
of Food.’ He gave a special chapter to fish diet, and maintained that 
it was particularly adapted to students and men of letters.” The theory 
of Agassiz is a very old one, and I was often reminded in China of 
the trite adage, ‘‘ there is nothing new under the sun.” 

The society, I believe, are aware that I propose to return to China 
with a view of a thorough exploration of the Yang-tse Kiang, and I 
hope to send the American Fish Culturists’ Association some interesting 
facts about the samli on the upper Yang-tse Kiang. I believe I shall 
find the fish three thousand miles from the Pacific Ocean. 


ON THE ACCLIMATIZATION OF THE MICHIGEAa 
GRAYLING IN EASYERN WATERS: 


BY THADDEUS NORRIS. 


In considering the practicability of the project, it is of importance 
that we bear in mind the peculiarities of the waters the grayling naturally 
inhabits, and the characteristics of those into which we would introduce 
it. Let us in the first place, therefore, refer to the streams which are its 
present habitat. 

That portion of Michigan lying between the two great lakes, and 
extending from the 44th parallel to the straits of Mackinaw, is nearly 
level, or at least but slightly rolling. There is a gradual but almost 
imperceptible rise of some six or eight hundred feet from the shores of 
either lake to the highest points of the interior of the State. The surface, 
and for many feet down, is of coarse loose white sand, and underlying 
this, as far as my observations have enabled me to judge, is a stratum of 
tough clay. There being but little water shed, it is natural to suppose 
that the rains quickly percolating through the sand, and being arrested 
by the impervious clay, necessarily form small underground water 
courses, which in greater or less volume find opening into the rivers and 
creeks. ‘These rivulets, as a general rule, are so far beneath the surface 
as to be but slightly affected by the heats of summer or frosts of winter. 
The water of the streams may therefore not inappropriately be termed 
‘* spring water,” and are of very uniform temperature, cold—so to speak 
—in summer, and never freezing over in winter. 


1 


Fish Culturists’ Association. 39 


Many of the grayling streams—and there are few without them—have 
their origin in lakes abounding in pickerel, bass and yellow perch; and 
although the outlets are as warm as the lakes where they debouch, the 
temperature is so quickly reduced by the small affluents already men- 
tioned, that in a short distance they become cold enough for grayling. 
Grayling are not found in the lakes, or pickerel, bass and perch in the 
streams flowing from them; and a somewhat anomalous facet is that trout 
are not often found in the grayling streams—grayling, as a general rule, 
being almost the only fish of any importance. In water of such uniform 
temperature, insect life is abundant at all seasons—the work of pro- 
creation being kept up as well in winter asin summer. One of the few 
instances of this kind in the east can be observed in Caledonia Creek, in 
the State of New York. 

In that part of Michigan where grayling are found, the country is so 
nearly level, that the banks have but a few feet elevation above the 
surface of the streams, so that they appear bank-full; and there being 
but slight water-shed, they are subject to but slight rise or fall—pursuing 
their courses with strong, but smooth and uniform, flow. 

Such are the natural homes of the grayling; and although I would not 
discourage a rigorous prosecution of the experiment of introducing it in 
the east, where, in our part of the Union, I would ask, can we provide it 
such habitat? Certainly not in our rocky, mountainous regions, where 
we go for trout, or in the Adirondacks, or in Maine or New Hampshire— 
the only waters we have at all like those of Michigan, and the few 
streams flowing from large limestone springs. 

In many respects the habits of the grayling are the reverse of those of 
our trout. The former spawn in April, the latter in November. The 
trout will wriggle into the smallest tributary, while the grayling spawns 
uniformly in the wide open stream. As to its excellence for the table, 
it does not compare with the trout; as a sporting fish, it is not a whit 
inferior. To run the Au Sable, sitting in the bow of a fairy-like shell of 
a boat, with Len Jewel and his setting pole in the stern, to direct its 
course, whipping its smooth, rapidly-gliding pools, is the ne plus ultra 
of fly-fishing. 


40 Report of the American 


ON THE PENNSYLVANIA FISH-WAYS. 


BY JAMES WORRALL. 


During the early spring and summer of 1874, we carefully observed 
the working of our structure. We have no doubt at all but that large 
numbers of shad passed through it during high water in the Susquehanna. 
At least three thousand shad were caught above the Columbia dam in the 
Susquehanna river during that season. This being of course but a small 
percentage of the number of fish which actually crossed over the dam. 

During the fall of 1874 large quantities of the small shad, which were 
the hatching of the spawn deposited above the dam by the fish which made 
the transit during the last summer, were constantly seen making their 
way down the stream to the sea. We are consequently led to believe 
that we have attained a measure of success in the erection of our fish-way 
as a transit for shad in advance of any that has ever been reached in the 
history of fisheries in this country or the old world. We are firmly 
convinced that our fish-way, as it stood in 1874, was operative in a high 
stage of water; we are just as firmly convinced that during a low stage 
of water our fish-way was inoperative and inefficient. During the fall of 
the past year we attempted the alteration of the fish-ways so as, if posi- 
ble, to make it available for the purpose of allowing a free transit of 
shad at all seasons and at all stages of the water. To accomplish this 
we had the floor of the fish-way torn up for the distance of 100 feet and 
lowered, so as to carry the toe of the fish-way considerably below the 
surface of the water. 

The run of shad in the season of: 1874 commenced on the 11th day 
of May, and fishing, to any considerable extent at Havre de Grace, the 
mouth of the river, ceased on the 20th. Thus making the run of fish 
but a little more then a week from which the entire upper river was to 
have been supplied. Rain did not occur in this region until late in 
June or until the beginning of July. So drouth may be said to have 
set in at that early day, even during the fishing season. ‘The river at 
once commenced falling, and the result was that the reaction natural to 
low water occurred whilst still the fish were running. The stage 
that low water reached was lower than that seen in many years. This 
state of the water left the toe of our fish-way on a level with the water in 
the pool below the dam. The water descending the fish-way, acquired 
sufficient velocity to make a deep hollow in the water of the pool below, 
and to create a large reactionary wave. ‘This reaction undoubtedly 


~~ 3 = 


Fish Culturists’ Association. 4] 


_ prevented the ascent of any fish in that stage of water. We therefore 
deemed it advisable to alter the work so as to remove this objection. 
The plane or floor was torn up, and the toe of the fish-way lowered about 
two feet six inches, so that it should be below the lowest water that had 
occurred in the river for the last half century. While this operation was 
being performed, the abutments or side walls of the fish-way were 
strengthened by increasing their thickness. This was done at the desire 
of the company owning the dam, ‘who thought the work somewhat 
endangered by leaving them at the old dimensions, and the law prescrib- 
ing that the dam was not ‘‘to be injured for the purpose for which it was 
constructed,” by the introduction of the fish-way. 

In addition to this, the flooring of the fish-way was purposely rough- 
ened to give it more the character of the bottom of the stream. On each 
side of the deck or floor a space of ten feet was paved with rough stones, 
and the middle of the flooring was interspersed with piles of slab and 
plank placed at irregular intervals, so that the water, in passing through, 
should have a likeness to an interrupted current of a natural fall. 


42 Report of the American 


MEMBERS OF THE 


AMERICAN. FISH, CULTURISTS’ ASSOCLATICTS 


Ambler, Andrew S., Danbury, Ct. 
Anderson, A. A., Bloomsbury, N. J. 
Baird, Spencer F., Washington, D. C. 
Blackford, E. G., New York City. 
Bowles, B. F., Springfield, Mass. 
Boyer, B. Frank, Reading, Pa. 
Bradley, Richards, Brattleboro, Vt. 
Brewer, J. D., Muncey, Pa. 
Bridgman, J. D., Bellows Falls, Vt. 
Burges, Arnold, West Meriden, Ct. 
Bush, John T., Niagara Falls, Canada. 
Chandler, FE... Alstead ior. 
Chrysler, Gifford W., Kinderhook, N. Y. 
Chrysler. M. H., Kkinderhook, N. Y. 
Clift, William, Mystic Bridge, Ct. 
Colburn, Charles S., Pittsford, Vt. 
Collins, A. S., Caledonia, N. Y. 
Crocker, A. B., Norway, Maine. 
Edmunds, M. C., Weston, Vt. 
Evarts. Charles B., Windsor, Vt. 
Farnham, C. H., Milton, N. Y. 
Farrar, Benjamin, St. Louis, Mo. 
Ferguson, T. B., Annapolis, Md. 
Gill, Theodore, Washington, D. C. 
Goode, G. Brown, Washington, D. C. 
Green, Seth Rochester, N. Y. 
Hallock, Charles, New York City. 
Hessel, Rudolph, Offenburg, Germany. 
Heywood, Levi, Gardner, Mass. 
Holley, W. P., Katonah, N. Y. 
Hooper, H. H., Charlestown, N. H. 
Hunt, J. Daggett, Summit, N. J. 
Huntington, Dr., Watertown, N. Y. 
Jerome, George H., Niles, Mich. 
Jewett, George, Fitchburg, Mass. 
Kent, Alexander, Baltimore, Md. 


Fish Culturists’ Association. 


Lamberton, Alexander B., Rochester, N. Y. 
Ledyard, L. W., Cazenovia, N. Y. 
Lees, Edward M., Westport, Conn. 
Lowrey, G. P., Tarrytown, N. Y. 
Maginnis, Arthur, Stanhope, Pa. 
Malcomson, A. Bell, Jr., New York City. 
Mann, J. F., Lewiston, Pa. 

Mather, Fred, Honeoye Falls, N. Y. 
Milner, James W., Washington, D. C. 
Neidlinger, Phil., New York City. 
Newell, W. H., San Francisco, Cal. 
Page, George 8., New York City. 
Parker, Wilbur F., Meriden, Ct. 
Paxton, E. B., Detroit, Mich. 

Phillips, B., Brooklyn, N. Y. 

Porter, B. B., Oakland, N. J. 

Price, Rodman M., Oakland, N. J. 
Redding, B. B., San Francisco, Cal. 
Redding, George H., Stamford, Ct. 
Reeder, H. J., Easton, Pa. 

Rockwood, A. P., Salt Lake City, Utah. 
Roosevelt, Robert B., New York City. 
Rupe, A. C., New York City. 

Saltus, Nicholas, New York City. 
Shultz, Theodore, New York City. 
Sprout, A. B., Muncey, Pa. 

Sterling, E., Cleveland, Ohio. 

Stone, Livingston, Charlestown, N. H. 
Stoughton, E. W., Windsor, Vt. 

Tagg, Henry, Philadelphia, Pa. 
Thomas, H. H., Randolph, N. Y. 

Van Cleve, Joseph, Newark, N. J. 

Van Wyck, J. T., New York City. 
Ward, George E., New York City. 
Whitcher, W. F., Ottawa, ‘Ontario, Canada. 
Whitcomb, T. J., Springfield, Vt. 
Whitin, Edward, Whitinsville, Mass. 


Wilmot, Samuel, Newcastle, Ontario, Canada. 


Worrall, James, Harrisburg, Pa. 


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