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FEB 12 1944

OF THE

AMERICAN FISHERIES
SOCIETY

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NINETEEN HUNDRED FOUR

TRANSACTIONS

AMERICAN
FISHERIES SOCIETY

AT ITS
Thirty-third Annual Meeting
UY 26,27 AND 28; 1904;

At Atlantic City, NV. /.

Officers for 1904-1905.

PPT OSUACILR & ace sarap rn Henry T. Root, Providence, R. I.

Wice-Prestdentic. ote ee C. D. Josxin, Detroit, Mich.

Recording Secretary...... GEORGE F. Peasopy, Appleton, Wis.

Corresponding Secretary, CHARLES G. ATKINS, East Orland, Me.

LP POGSUTCT sw): Gh nisl cece oe eres ee C. W. WILLARD, Westerly, R. I.
ee

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.

WitiiamM HE. MrnHan, Chatwrman, Harrisburg, Pa.
Huewu M. Situ, Washington, D. C.
JOHN D. WuisH, Albany, N. Y.
K. H. Gurr, Hadlyme, Conn.
JAMES A. HENSHALL, Bozeman, Mont.
G. H. Lampson, Baird, Cal.
J. J. STRANAHAN, Bullochville, Ga.

IAGEROSEP ON7 ARAROSIG KEIO Roig etic A Goro CISA G AO cao CICERO IOICICKS oO cree Ie Gori
GD OME Ole CASINO Temata lorena cl cosreParie ee ai chreliele och bale eieteimtsus @isilsileie: sy<
REpOLt OL SommnitLeeson NOMINATIONS ..< 2 lsc icles ersiane

SCIENTIFIC PROCEEDINGS:

A Tribute to Hon. E. E. Bryant,—G. F. Peabody, Appleton,

Danger in Shipping Cans,—M. C. Marsh, U. S. Bureau of
EDT SING Tal OG western tence tis cos Love esgece eel mecha lap ome vege spiah ef ibe cuckis elienis. 16.46

Fish and Game Department of the Universal Exposition of
St o0Wis:— Tarleton El = BEANE eo ciacec sedis e mess ole ons elie res

Notes on Sturgeon Culture in Vermont,—KE. N. Carter.....
Experiments in Feeding Fry,—Dr. James A. Henshall.....

A Year’s Work of the Fisheries Interest in Pennsylvania,—
W. E. Meehan, Commissioner of Fisheries, Pennsylvania

The Whitefish; Some Thoughts on Its Propagation and Pro-
TECHLON——S Wis DO WMT Oe se eaters irate roses Sree oe eN enc cehenatig al/aerret le

Japan, the Paramount Fishing Nation,—Hugh M. Smith...

Construction of Ponds, and Pond Cultural Methods,—J. L.
MVE Aer atrs aciog oa oe cotane fy cole baer oor strata komo se sucuren Rue tsioucisae uotayere stone someaue ls

AMBlanetor bass leomds——b Mis Wea DCRt. ean. <a steces oie sie cle

Some Notes in Connection with the Bass Work at Mill
Greeks Station ——Diwashts Way dellnceecos ses cace we ettrensidiclscsrern es

What I Have Seen of Black Bass,—Samuel Lovejoy,
BMNoehwillel-(Geoneiais merce ke cate arora cease ae eeroie each

Value of Aquatic Plants in Pond Culture,—C. K. Green....
The Utilization of Neglected Fishes,—Charles G. Atkins...

Resume of Work Done During the Past Year in the Rais-
ing of Western Charr in Eastern Waters,—Dr. J. M.
eOUNTNS © Tleremrre ee ra ee ote Mans aes cP ulti, Rte ane eric ee ae e eh ag

The Recent Hatching of Striped Bass and Possibilities with
Other Commercial Species,—S. G. Worth...............

Progress of Experiments in Sponge Culture,—H. F. Moore

Fishery Reminiscences in South America,—John W. Tit-
COMI Bees ca oatoes doesnscs we ckes hele ous a hers Soeucon Vode Chaves, Soe Seen FaINR erstoss es

Sto Le VCMT Stier ieveve. cre ee a, seieierorns cman recital eke wesaies kee chen Rileieeee

<CLOWT FEI EN RUN EIKO a hese Gece nacre REN ce MeO Irn Dn Garey A ery eRe ciclo Ei EER One

PARI.

BUSINESS SESSIONS.

Transactions of the American Fishertes

Society.

Tuesday, July 26, 1904.

Convention called to order at 12 m. by the President, Mr.
Frank N. Clark, of Northville, Michigan, at Young’s Hotel,
Atlantie City, New Jersey, whereupon the following proceedings
were had:

PRESIDENT :—Gentlemen of the American Fisheries Society,
you will please come to order.

Our committee last year added another article to our consti-
tution, on order of business, and therefore we will proceed some-
what differently from what we have previously, following this
order, and the first thing to be taken up is roll call.

Secretary :—As there are over 350 members of the Society,
I suggest that a register of attendance be made.

President :—That is a good suggestion, and will be adopted.

The registered attendance at the meeting of the Society is as
follows:

Atkins, Charles G., Hast Orland, Me.

Baldwin, O. N., U. S. Bureau of Fisheries, San Marcos, Tex.

Bean, Tarleton H., World’s Fair, St. Louis, Mo.

Boardman, W. H., Central Falls, R. I.

Booth, DeWitt C., Spearfish, S. D.

Bower, Seymour, Detroit, Mich.

Bower, Ward T., Baird, Cal.

Bowers, George M., U. S. Commissioner of Fisherves, Wash-
ington, D.C.

Brown, George H., U. S. Bureau of Fisheries, Washington,
EC:

8 Thirty-Third Annual. Meeting

Buller, A. G., Hrie, Pa. :
Buller, H. M., Bellefonte, Pa.

Buller, N. R., Pleasant Mount, Pa.

Buller, William, Corry, Pa.

Capehart, W. R., Avoca, N. C.

Carter, E. N., U. S. Bureau of Fisheries, St. Johnsbury, Vt.
Clark, Frank N., Northville, Mich.

Cobb, Eben W., St. Johnsbury, Vt.

Dean, H. D., U. S. Bureau of Fisheries, Neosho, Mo.
Dennis, Oregon Milton, Baltimore, Md.

Dinsmore, A. H., Hast Orland, Me.

Douredoure, Bernard L., Philadelphia, Pa.
Downing, S. W., Put-in-Bay, O.

Ellis, J. Frank, U.S. Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, D.C.
Evans, Barton D., Harrisburg, Pa.

Finch, George C., Thompsonville, Conn.
Fisher, John F., Chapinville, Vt.

Geer, E. Hart, [/adlyme, Conn.
Green, C. K., Washington, D. C.

Hagert, Edwin, 32 N. Sixth St., Philadelphia, Pa.
Hamburger, J., rie, Pa.

Henshall, James A., Bozeman, Mont.

Hubbard, Waldo, F., Nashua, NV’. H.

1

Jennings, G. E., Fishing Gazette, 203 Broadway, New York
City.

Johnson, F. W., Boston, Mass.

Johnson, Alexander, Hrwin, Tenn.

Joslin, C. D., Detrowt, Mich.

Lambson, G. H., U. S. Bureau of Fisheries, Baird, Cal.
Lane, George F., Silver Lake, Mass.

Leary, J. L., U. S. Bureau of Fisheries, San Marcos, Tec.
Locke, E. F., Woods Hole, Mass.

Lydell, Dwight, Mill Creek, Mich.

Mathewson, George F., Enfield, Conn.

American Fisheries Socvety. 9

Meehan, W. E., Commissioner of Fisheries of Pennsylvania,
Harrisburg, Pa.

Miller, Charles L., Altoona, Pa.

Milligan, J. D., U. S. 8S. Fish Hawk, care of Fish Comnus-
sion, Washington, D.C.

Morton, William P., Providence, R. I.

Noris, J. Olney, President State Game and Fish Protective
Asso., 317 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, Md.

O'Malley, Henry, U. 8S. Bureau of Fisheries, Baker, Wash.

Palmer, T.8., Washington, D.C.
Peabody, George F., Appleton, Wis.

Race, E. E., Green Lake, Me.

Roberts, A. D., Woonsocket, R. I.

Robinson, Robert K., White Sulphur Springs, W. Va.
Root, Henry H., Providence, R. I.

Seagle, George A., Wytheville, Va.

Slade, George P., 309 Broadway, New York City.

Smith, H. M., U. S. Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, D.C.
Stone, Livingston, Cape Vincent, N.Y.

Stranahan, J. J., Bullochville, Ga.

Titecomb, J. W., U. 8S. Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, D.C.
Townsend, Charles H., New York City.
y

Wallich, Claudius, U. S. Bureau of Fisheries, Oregon City,
Oregon. .

Whish, John D., Secretary of Forest, Fish and Game Com-
mission, Albany, N.Y.

Whitaker, A. R., Youngsville, Pa.

Willard, C. W., Westerly, R. I.

Wires, S. P., Duluth, Minn.

Wood, Frank, Hdenton, N. C.

Worth, S. G., Hdenton, N. C.

Dr. Smith: J have an axe to grind! I have not heard that
the society has offered any premium for the member who brings
im the largest number of new members, but if that is the case |
should like my claims to be considered. For a couple of weeks

10 Thirty-Third Annual Meeting

I have been interviewing some of my friends in Washington, and
I have what I think is a respectable lst of new members to
propose.

Dr. Gill, I believe, was one of the founders of the society,
and is very glad to return to our membership. He told me that
he had dropped out because the dues were so small that he could
not remember to pay them. (Laughter. )

In regard to Dr. Palmer, he is in charge of the important
work in game protection now being carried on under the de-
partment of agriculture.

Mr. Chester K. Green is a son of his father. (Applause. )

Mr. Meeham: TI have not as large a list as Dr. Smith has.
I have a list here that I would like to submit, of applicants for
membership. I have sent the names to the secretary, and trust
that they will be acted upon favorably.

President: It is very interesting indeed to have these long
lists, including many noted men in connection with the fishery
interests, and if there are any more we will be glad to receive
them at the present time.

Mr. Robinson: I have a list of names of persons who desire
to become members of the society, and I will file it.

Secretary: The secretary has received through the mail a
number of applications for membership during the last year and
they are subject to election with these other names by the society.
I beg to say as secretary that the work of Dr. Smith is most
encouraging to the society, and I believe many of the members of
the society could bring in like reports if they would interest
themselves sufficiently to present the usefulness of the society
to their friends and those who ought to belong to it, and as
secretary I would ask that every member present would, during
the coming year, make every effort to interest every one who
ought to be interested in this society; and any literature that
they may want to help the matter along I shall be pleased to send
them.

President: The next order of business is reports of officers,
and first the annual address of the president. (Applause. )

American Fisheries Society. if

One year ago you chose to elect me as your presiding officer,
an honor | assure you that I have greatly appreciated.

The assembling of a representative body of men in any
capacity is considered highly proper and generally of much
good. But the gathering of representatives from various parts
of this our country to devise means whereby the whole world, per-
haps, may be benefitted, is an object well worthy of our greatest
and best thinkers. Therefore, I extend my congratulations and.
wish you well in whatever may be done at this the 33d meeting
of the American Fisheries Society, and trust your sojourn here
may be both profitable and pleasant. The surroundings are, to
say the least, pleasant and agreeable to our comfort.

To our energetic secretary we are very much indebted, and
T wish especially to congratulate him on the very valuable report
issued at his hands.

There is still room for congratulations in our increased mem-
bership from 169 in 1898 to 386 in 1903. There should how-
ever, be some action taken towards a still greater increase which
would accure to our own good as well as those outside the fold.

Our meeting at Woods Hole was one of the best ever held but
can we not make this still better? The past year has been one of
trying times for many of those engaged in practical fish culture,
but the tide has been stemmed and a brighter outlook is just
ahead.

Since we last met as a society the grim reaper has invaded
our ranks. While returning from our last meeting Gen. E. E.
Bryant was stricken down. Gen. Bryant, as is well known, was
a great inspiration to our meetings and to the individual mem-
bers of our society as they came in contact with him. A full
report of his life and its connection with the fishery interests of
the United States will be given by our recording secretary, Mr.
Peabody.

Fish culture, so far as it relates to living swimming organ-
isms, is no longer in its infancy in the United States and Cana-
dian provinces. When we are producing upwards of two billion
annually it must be conceded that our factories are running
normally at least, not to say the output cannot be increased with
additional capital.

We still have some hard problems to solve. One especially

12 Thirty-Third Annual Meeting

which your chairman thinks should receive more attention by
both state and national authorities: that of food for these two
billion of living, swimming, helpless fry. More attention should
also be given to controlling the refuse matter that is polluting
the waters and destroying not alone the fry but the feeding and
spawning grounds of both fry and adults.

It will be remembered by the members present at our last
meeting that the time and place for this annual meeting was left
to a committee composed of the president, vice-president and
secretary. This committee met in Chicago on January 15th
and after carefully considering the numerous invitations Atlantic
City was unanimously selected and you are now assembled at the
33d annual meeting of the society, and your chairman trusts we
will have a very successful meeting both im a business and social
way.

Again I wish to express my appreciation of the very dis-
tinguished honor you conferred on me one year ago by electing
me president of your society.

That we may not be longer detaimed, as our programme for
the three days is full to overflowing with interesting and in-
structive papers and discussions, and that we may give them our
best attention and endeavors, your chairman will ask, what is
the pleasure of the meeting ?

We will now hsten to the report of the secretary.

Secretary: If there are any of you who have not already

received the report of the secretary in printed form, 1 should be
pleased to deliver it to you. The printed volume of transactions
constitutes the report of the secretary. I might add however,
that the duties of the secretary have been very much lightened
by the helpful work of the committees and all members who have
had opportunity to lend their aid. The president and treasurer
have come in closest contact with the secretary and have in every
instance been helpful and done all that they could to hghten the
burdens of the secretary.

(Report of secretary adopted. )

Report of treasurer and reports of standing committees
passed for the present.

American Fisheries Society. 13

President: The next matter in the order of business is the
appointment of committees by the president, and I would say
that there are three standing committees to be appointed: one
is the committee of five on nomination of officers for the ensuing
year; another committee to be appointed is a committee of three
on time and place of meeting. In order that these committees
may be able to get to work immediately they will be appointed
now. Heretofore a motion was necessary to appoint these com-
mittees, but now our constitution provides for it. I have tried
to distribute the membership of the committees fairly as to
locality, but I have not got the committees entirely made up.

The committee on nomination will be appointed as follows:

Dr. H. M. Smith, of Washington, D. C.
Seymour Bower, of Detroit, Mich.

W. E. Meeham, of Harrisburg, Penn., and
George F. Mathewson, of Enfield, Conn.

The committee on location will consist of Mr. Johnson, Mr.
Whish, and Mr. Bowers.

I have not yet selected the auditing committee.

Heretofore, also, there has been a committee appointed on
programme, but now that is provided for by the constitution,
and the president and the two secretaries are that committee.
The corresponding secretary, Mr. Ravenel not being here I took
the liberty of appointing Mr. Whish to act for him on the com-
mittee, and it might be well for the committee to present the pro-
gramme at this time.

Mr. Whish: The committee on organization have consulted
as to the programme for this meeting, and with this result: We
meet at noon for the purpose of organization. After we have
duly organized and the preliminary business of the meeting has
been adjusted we adjourn to 2:30 sharp, at which time the
scientific work of the association will begin.

It has been decided not to have any evening sessions but to
give up the evenings to such pleasures as may seem advisable.

Tickets will be provided for the entertainments on the pier
and arrangements will be made for a sail on the ocean tomorrow.

14 — Thirty-Third Annual Meeting

The seeretary, Mr. Peabody, desires very much to have the names
of the gentlemen who want to go on this sail. Some do not
want to go, either because they do not like salt water (or any
water perhaps), (laughter) or because they want to stay on
shore.

The illustrated lectures will be arranged for later, and our
second day’s meeting will take place tomorrow morning at 9:3)
sharp, for the purpose of having this lecture presented in this
room. ‘The lecture will be on the subject of Japanese Fisheries,
by Dr. Hugh M. Smith of the United States Commission at
Washington, and will be illustrated by a series of colored photo-
graphic lantern slides.

Two other lectures with slides are on the programme for
some convenient time to be hereafter fixed.

The remainder of the time of the sessions will be devoted to
scientific matters.

Mr. Titcomb: Allow me to suggest to the committee on
programme, that as far as possible papers on any particular sub-
ject be grouped together. For illustration, let us have a bass
day and a day with the trout or salmon, ete., and in order to
carry that out, if papers have not already been grouped I suggest
that there be selected from the programme the papers whose sub-
jects are so different from those to which I have referred that
they will naturally come in independently. I see for instance
that Dr. Bean is here, and he has a paper on the World’s Fair
and it would come in very appropriately at this time. ! make

this merely as a suggestion.

President: The programme committee have had_ those
matters under consideration and that is why I would like to hear
from the independent papers now and have the bass and trout

papers grouped as suggested.

Mr. Titcomb: It is customary at meetings of this character
to have resolutions submitted for consideration, and to accom-
plish that work in the most approved method, I suggest that
a committee of three on resolutions be appointed by the chair;
and I make the motion, with a proviso, however, that I shall
not be a member of the committee. I have a great deal to do
outside of the regular meetings and am not well.

American Fisheries Society. 15

Motion seconded and carried.

The chair appointed Mr. Boardman of Rhode Island, Mr.
Evans of Pennslyvania, Mr. Carter of Vermont, as members of
the committee on resolutions.

The secretary then submitted the following correspondence
to the society:

Washington, D. C., June 4, 1904.
Mr. George F. Peabody, Appleton, Wisconsin:

Dear Mr. Peabody:—I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your
letter of the first with reference to the meeting of the American
Fisheries Society at Atlantic City on the 26th, 27th and 28th. Noth-
ing would give me greater pleasure than to read a paper as de-
scribed, but I am afraid that even if this subject had not been
thrashed threadbare by the newspapers and magazines, I would not
have the time to do so. I have already prepared and have published
in the souvenir guide of the Government Board, a very complete
description of the exhibit and its objects, so that I am afraid that I
should simply have to read what the members of the society have
seen in half a dozen places already.

Do not put me down for the paper, but if I can attend and have
the time I shall be very glad to help you out. I am sending you
under separate cover a copy of the guide referred to.

Am very anxious to attend the meeting at Atlantic City, as I
enjoy the meetings greatly, but my position here is a peculiar one.
I am employed in the Smithsonian Institution and have charge of
the Fish Commission exhibit at St. Louis, Missouri. Consequently,
as I am obliged to be in St. Louis a certain limited extent of time I
do not absent myself from this office unless it is absolutely neces-
sary during the present year. Very sincerely,

W. DE C. RAVENEL, Corresponding Secretary.

Toronto, June 6, 1904.
George F.. Peabody, Esq., Appleton, Wisconsin:

Dear Sir:—I have your letter of the 2nd, suggesting that I pre-
pare a paper for the next meeting of the Society. I have just re-
turned to the office after a rather severe illness of one month, and I
have not much energy for anything of the kind; but I am picking up,
and perhaps I will in the course of a day or two feel like writing
something. In that case I will let you know. The Association meets
at a period of the year when I am sojourning with my family in the

16 Thirty-Third Annual Meeting

Muskoka district, but I should like very much to attend the meet-
ing, and will make the sacrifice this year if possible, unless I am
feeling too much under the weather. If I decide to write anything I
will adopt your suggestion and furnish a paper on “The License
System and How it Works in Ontario.”

Yours truly,
S. T. BASTEDO, Deputy Commissioner.

Angler’s Association of the St. Lawrence River,

Secretary’s Office.
Alexandria Bay, N. Y., June 10, 1904.

George F. Peabody, Secretary, Appleton, Wisconsin:

My Dear Sir:—Your circular letter advising when the annual
meeting of the American Fisheries Society will be held was re-
ceived. As I am just able to be out from a severe illness of catarrhal
pneumonia I may not be able to attend the meeting, but will try and
have our association represented. We heartily concur in the work
of the Society. We are incorporated and the State Fish, Game and
Forest Commission is interested with us in the work, and I shall try
to have a representative from them. Thanking you for previous
courtesies I remain Sincerely yours,

WILLIAM H. THOMPSON, Secretary.

Waramaug Black Bass Hatchery,
New Preston, Conn., June 15, 1904.

George F.. Peabody, Esq., Appleton, Wisconsin:

My Dear Sir:—Your favor duly received. We are again fairly
successful, having now on hand 150,000 young bass. Have observed
some interesting things in connection with the spawning habits of
the bass this season. Had hoped to be able to prepare a paper but
am so very busy at the hatchery and no prospect of a let up for a
long time, that I fear I cannot find the time. I hope to be able to
attend the meeting of the American Fisheries Society in July and
relate briefly my experience. Our bass have already given us two
distinct Spawnings and the third is now in progress. One male gave
us 10,861 fry, his second spawning, and am today removing the fry
of his third period. This male alone will have given us during the
three spawning periods 20,000 fry. Some other males are doing al-
most aS well, while we have four males that have given us nothing.
They appear to be unable to fertilize the eggs. So far as I can tell,

American Fisheries Society. ALire

these bass were new ones introduced last fall and winter. Our old
bass, particularly the males, are among the most productive in the
ponds. Very respectfully,

HENRY W. BEEMAN.

Upper Downing, Holywell, N. Wales, June 17, 1904.

Dear Sir:—In reply to your circular dated the 4th inst., I have
much pleasure in stating that though it will be impossible for me to
attend the meeting of the American Fisheries Society, which I much
regret, I shall have much pleasure in submitting a paper which I
trust you will use if you think fit.

We have lately on this side formed a society much on the same
lines as the American, called the Salmon and Trout Association,
which I hope may do as good work.

Yours sincerely, J. B. FEILDING.

Groton, N. Y., July 20, 1904.
Mr. George F.. Peabody, Atlantic City, N. J.:

Dear Mr. Peabody:—I regret to say that I cannot attend the
Atlantic City meeting this time and therefore cannot present the
paper I intended. My father died on the 16th and I shall have to be
at home most of this month. I wish you all a very profitable meet-
ing. Truly yours, M. C. MARSH.

Mr. Evans: As it is absolutely necessary for me to leave the
meeting this afternoon it will be impossible for me to serve on
the committee on resolutions, and therefore I ask to be relieved.

President: I will appoint Mr. Dennis in place of Mr. Evans
on the committee on resolutions.

The secretary then read the following communication :

American Museum of Natural History,
New York, June 9, 1904.
To the Honorable George F. Peabody,
Secretary, American Fisheries Society, Appleton, Wis.
Dear Sir:—The American Museum of Natural History extends a
most cordial invitation to the members of the American Fisheries
Society to visit the Museum at such time during their thirty-third
annual meeting as may suit their convenience.
Very respectfully yours, H. C. BUMPUS, Director.

18 Thirty-Third Annual Meeting

Mr. Seymour Bower: I move that we take a recess until

2:30 this afternoon.

Motion seconded and carried.

Meeting called to order at same place, same day, July 26th,

1904, 2:30 p. m., by the president.

The treasurer presented the following report:
oO

To the American Fisheries Society of the United States of America:

Gentlemen:-—I herewith submit my annual report as treasurer

from July 21, 1903, to July 26, 1904:

1903. RECEIPTS.

Julye23—Balanceminetreasunyare eerie citer ete $ 62.65

Received from Baird Memorial Fund........ 98.85

DuesFand: AdniissionwMeese..canias.e eee ae 316.00

Forty-nine Annual Reports sold............. 12:25
$485.75
EXPENDITURES. Voucher.
July 23—Expenses, Mr. Brooks to Woods Hole........ $ 39.25 alt
Aug. 7—500 Stamped Envelopes.................... 10.70 2
Sept. 10—H. D. Goodwin, Stenographer............... 158.20 3
Oct’ 22—=Wer © hiscombewhiveryermc. soe ees occ 1.00 4
Nov. 14—Judd & Detweiler, Washington, D. C......... 7.00 5

1904.

Jan. 6—Post Publishing Co., by Secretary.......... $203.65 6
Jan. 15—500 Stamped Emvelopes.................... 10.70 7
Jan. 26—G. F. Peabody, Sec’y, Envelopes and Stamps. 45.17 8
Jan. 26—G. F. Peabody, Sec’y, Stenographer......... 25.00 8
June? tb—Bilaniks IRECEipUSmesrs eens roel ie tues ie ete iene Ht 9
July 20—G. F. Peabody, Sec’y, Circulars and Stamps. 30.83 10
$532.25

Balance: duemtreasurenam. a- ost ce coreeeocra oleic ece 46.50

Respectfully submitted,
C. W. WILLARD, Treasurer.
Westerly, R. I., July 26, 1904.

Treasurer: I request that this report be referred to an

auditing committee.

American Fisheries Society. 19

President: It will be so referred and I will appoint as that
committee Messrs. Titecomb, Lane and Palmer.

Secretary: The treasurer and myself have in charge the
matter of receiving and expending the funds of the society, and
at the present rate of dues, one dollar, and the present price for
extra copies of the reports, 25 cents each, we are falling behind.
We had hoped that we could carry the business on the basis of
one dollar for membership and dues, but we find that we are
paying more money for our books than we get back. For ex-
ample, the reports cost about 50 cents a piece, and the rule of
the society is that they shall be sold at 25 cents each for addi-
tional copies, and members each receive one copy free. The
matter is now so pressing that it seems very much as though we
should increase the dues for next year (not this year). This
year I have distributed a large number of copies of the tran-
sactions at 25 cents each, and a large number gratis, and I would
recommend that the society raise the dues to $2, commencing
with next year, and that the price of extra copies of the reports
be raised to 50 cents, and I offer that as a resolution.

Mr. Willard: Do we understand that you wish the price of
the books to go into effect one year from now or at the present
time ?

Secretary: We have only a dozen to sell at the present time.

Mr. Willard: As treasurer of the association I have made
an extra effort during the past year to collect in the dues. I
have written personal letters to a great many members who
have been in arrears, and I think I have collected as close as
anybody could. In January last I was obliged to advance to
the society to meet maturing obligations, about $100. Of course
this has been somewhat made up in the meantime as my report
shows, bringing the deficit down to $46.50; but we have been
helped in bringing this down by quite a number of membership
fees from new members coming in for this present year. Being
conversant with the finances of the association I should agree
with Mr. Peabody, that at least after a year from now our dues
should be advanced to at least $1.50 or $2.00. I desire to second
Mr. Peabody’s resolution.

20 Thirty-Third Annual Meeting

President: The resolution is that after this year the dues
be fixed at $2.00 a year. Now it would be proper at this time to
take up that question, and I trust there will be a free and full
discussion of it.

Mr. Meehan: I would like to ask the treasurer what is the
number of members who have not paid up? That will give us
some clue as to what the natural deficit should be.

Mr. Willard: Our present membership is about 375; there
are 37 members who owe for the 1903 dues, there are 35 mem-
bers who owe for the 1903 and 1902 dues and there are 8 mem-
bers who owe for 1901, 1902 and 1903 dues. I have sent out at
least three notices to each of these members and to quite a num-
ber of them I have written personal letters, explaining to them
the cost the society had been put to to get out the reports, etc.,
and urging them to pay up their dues and remain members or
express their desires if they wished to have their names dropped
and in numbers of instances I have had no response whatever.

Mr. Meehan: It appears from the statement of the treas-
urer that even if the annual dues of all members were paid up
there would still be a deficit; that is at $1.00 a year the dues
would not cover expenses. Is that correct Mr. Treasurer—the
natural dues of this association will not pay the natural running
expenses.

Mr. Willard: That is a fact.

Mr. Meehan: Then there is only one thing to do, viz, to
raise the dues.

Mr. Willard: One thing that has helped us out this year
was the $30.00 or $40.00 turned over by the Baird Memorial
Fund Committee. There is no question in my mind but that
with the dues at $1.00 per year we will again fall behind, and the
treasurer will again have to advance the money.

President: It is a good thing we have a good treasurer.
( Applause. )

Mr. Titcomb: J wish to support the resolution. I was
present at Woods Hole, I believe, when the dues were reduced

American Fisheries Society. Pill

to $1.00, and a great many of us thought it was a mistake, as it
has proven to be, at least from a financial point of view.

Some one asked me just before lunch about the matter of
life membership, and I was just looking over the constitution to
ascertain what right we had to change these dues at a meeting of
this character, and I see we can change thee onstitution by a two-
thirds vote, when fifteen members are present, and in connection
with that I will say that there is a provision here whereby any
person may upon a two-thirds vote and a payment of $15.00, be-
come a life member of this association and threafter be exempt
from all annual dues. Possibly there are members enough here
who would lke to take advantage under the circumstances of
this life membership clause, to materially reduce the deficit.
Fifteen dollars is a low price for a life membership in this asso-
ciation.

(The following members thereupon, in accordance with Mr.
Titcomb’s suggestion, announced that they would subscribe for
a life membership in the association. )

Mr. Meehan.

Mr. Douredoure.

Mr. Titcomb.

Superintendents of hatcheries.
(Per Mr. Buller.)

Mr. Seymour Bower: In explanation of the reduction of
the dues at Omaha, I would say that the dues had been $3.00 a
year, and under that rate the membership dwindled to a mere
handful, and the question of increasing membership by lessening
‘dues then arose. I favored $2.00, but the $1.00 men won out.
Three dollars perhaps was too high—$#1.00 is plainly not suffi-
cient—and I therefore support the motion to make the dues
$2.00.

President: I was at the meeting that Mr. Bower speaks of,
and I fought, bled and died for $3.00—I really died—he killed
me. (Laughter.) In fact that was the only question that I ever
did agree on with our friend that has gone. (Mr. Whittaker. )
We tried to keep the dues up to $3.00, and we prophesied at that
time that the society would face a deficit if the dues were reduced

22 Thirty-Third Annual Meeting

to $1.00. However the society might have died under the other
plan, and the proceedings of this meeting as printed by the sec-
retary are alone worth all the dues that we are now assuming.

Mr. Buller: The superintendents of our hatcheries will
apply for life membership. (Applause. )

President: I think if the dues are raised to $2.00 the price
of the life membership ought to be raised.

Secretary: I move an amendment to the constitution strik-
ing out the amount stated in article 2 of $1.00 per year and
inserting $2.00 in heu thereof, so that it will read:

“Any person shall, upon a two-thirds vote and a payment of
$2.00, become a member of this society. In case members do not
pay their dues, which shall be $2.00 per year, and are delinquent
for two years, they shall be notified by the treasurer, and if the
amount due is not paid within a month thereafter, they shall be,
without further notice, dropped from the roll of membership.
Any person can be made an honorary member upon a two-thirds
vote of the members present at any regular meeting.

Any person shall, upon a two-thirds vote, and the payment
of $15.00, become a hfe member of this society, and shall there-

o)

after be exempt from all annual dues.’

Regarding the price of extra copies of proceedings, there is
nothing in the constitution that would have to be changed by
the society.

Motion to adopt resolution made and seconded.
Unanimously carried.

President: Now I would like to offer a resolution and
move its adoption, that the price of the reports be raised from
25 cents to 50 cents to take effect now.

Motion seconded.
Mr. Titeomb: What do the reports cost us?

Secretary: About 50 cents, including stenographer’s ex-

penses.

Motion seconded and unanimously carried.

American Fisheries Society. 23

Mr. Milligan: What are we going to do about that
deficiency? We have a habit in the navy of taking up a collec-
tion under such circumstances. I think it would be a good ides
to pass the hat.

Mr. Meehan: Is the society incorporated under the laws of
any state?

President: I think not.

Mr. Meehan: If the society is not incorporated we are all
hable individually—we had better pass the hat.

Mr. George IF’. Peabody of Appleton, then read a paper en-
titled “A Tribute to Hon. E. EH. Bryant.”

In the absence of Mr. M. C. Marsh, his paper on the subject
of “Danger in Shipping Cans, Notes of an Experiment Made
at the Cold Springs Harbor Hatchery of the New York Forest,
Fish and Game Commission, was filed without reading.

Hon. Tarleton H. Bean then read a paper entitled, “Fish
and Game Department of the Universal Exposition at St. Louis.”

Mr. EH. N. Carter read a paper entitled, ““Notes on Sturgeon
Culture in Vermont.”

Dr. James A. Henshall then read a paper entitled, “‘Feeding
Bigysy

Mr. W. HE. Meehan, then read a paper entitled, “A Year’s
Work of the Fisheries Interest in Pennsylvania.”

A recess was taken until next day, July 27, 1904, 9:30 a.m..
same place.

Wednesday, July 27, 1904.
July 27, 1904, 9:30 a. m., convention called to order by the
president.
Mr. Douredoure: | rise to ask whether it would be in order
to offer a resolution that the chair appoint a committee to pre-
pare articles of incorporation and secure a charter. I do this

24. Thirty-Third Annual Meeting

supposing that we are not a chartered organization. J am very
strongly of the opinion that we should be chartered. I would
like to take the sense of the meeting as to that, and so I offer the
resolution that the chair may appoint a committee to prepare
articles of incorporation and secure a charter, and move its
adoption.

Motion seconded.

Mr. Dennis: I should be very glad to prepare your articles
without charge and make them applicable to any state in the
union.

.
Mr. Root: I just wish to ask for information, if we got a
charter would it require a location and place of business, an
office and a meeting at a particular point? We are a sort of a
peripatetic organization, having no state headquarters, and I
suppose these legal gentlemen can tell whether we can obtain a
charter for a moving body such as we are. I presume we can.

Mr. Douredoure: I cannot tell. J am not a lawyer—I am
a poor merchant.

Mr. Joslin: What is the precise question ?

President: ‘The precise question is can we be a legally
organized body with a charter and not have a legal place of
business or office ?

Mr. Joslin: I can only answer for a few of the states in
which I have had occasion to examine the laws, but generally
speaking the laws of the different states require that we shall
have a principal place of business, and at least one annual meet-
ing there, and I would think that at least when you wanted to
amend your constitution or by-laws you would have to go to
that particular place to do it. I wish you to understand how-
ever that an insurance policy does not go with this opinion.

Mr. Dennis: It is required by every state that I have had
any connection with, in the securing of a charter, that the prin-
cipal place of business shall be in a city in that state, but under
the laws of Delaware you can get a charter and a company there
will maintain an office for you and you can have your principal

Or

American Fisheries Society. 2
UV]

place of business wherever you please. And that is the reason
why so many corporations go to Delaware to get their charters.
In my own state for instance, we would have to have the prin-
cipal office there, if incorporated under the laws of Maryland;
but an organization of this sort could get a charter in Delaware
and have their meetings wherever they please.

Mr. Joslin: Also in this state, Connecticut and quite a
number of states.

Mr. Dennis: Yes, but I selected Delaware because they are
more liberal there than in other states.

Mr. Joslin took the chair.

Mr. Clark: The American Fisheries Society has gone along
unincorporated for 33 years. I have been a member 27 years,
and Dr. Bean perhaps longer, and it has seemed to be necessary
here all at once that we be an organized body. Why? ‘That is
what I would like to know. I would make a suggestion, or
possibly an amendment to the motion, that instead of the 3
members of the committee being appointed by the chair to do
this, that the three be appointed to report at our afternoon ses-
sion on the question of the advisability of organizing.

Mr. Douredoure: I will accept the amendment.

President: (Mr. Joslin in chair.) The amendment is
that a committee be appointed to report at the afternoon ses-
sion, or some other session of this body, on the advisability of in-
corporating. The mover of the first motion accepts the amend-
ment so the question is now upon this amendment of Mr. Clark.

Mr. Root: When matters are referred to a committee and
they report, almost invariably the meeting feels called upon to
support the report of that committee. Now I do not want them
to report in favor of a charter; [ do not believe we need it; I
think we are getting too high toned. I would rather see us go
on the way we have been going on for years and years. 1 hope
we are not afraid of being assessed to pay our treasurer.
(Laughter) I do not see the necessity of having a charter; it
involves considerable trouble and expense. I think the matter

26 Thirty-Third Annual Meeting

better be discussed and decided right here, or else ignore the
report of the committee when it comes in (laughter), that is,
be not bound by their opinion either way, so that it can be open
for discussion on the report of the committee.

President: (Mr. Joslin) The society would not be bound
by the report of the committee until the report is adopted.

Mr. Root: Usually they feel under obligations to a com-
mittee that reports, to carry out the recommendations of the
cominittee.

Motion carried.

President Clark in chair: The chair will appoint five on the
committee and will take some time to select them.

Mr. Douredoure: The resolution left the number on the
committee to the discretion of the chairman.

Secretary: Dr. Johnson of Boston has collafed a book that
is most interesting on the subject of fish and contributions have
been made by distinguished men, Dr. Henshall among others,
and this book is an edition de luxe of very large expense, and Dr.
Johnson has kindly brought copies of it here and they will be
on exhibition in the sideroom after this meeting, and this even-
ing and tomorrow. It is a book that I understand has cost over
$10,000 to print, and the society have the opportunity of looking
it over, and if any choose to purchase it I believe it can be pur-
chased at the actual cost of publication, independent of the large
original expense attendant upon securing and arranging the
material.

President: We will now hear the report of the committee
un time and place of meeting.

Mr. Joslin: The time and place have been agreed upon. I
am going to apologize for saying a word which I think devolves
upon me to say. It is rather embarrassing to me to be placed
upon the committee at all, and more particularly to be made
chairman, for this reason: the city of Grand Rapids in my own
state desired very much to have this society meet there, and the
members of the society from Michigan, myself among the num-

American Fisheries Society. ral

ber, were charged with the duty of bringing it there. Now to
put me on as chairman of the committee, and then afterwards
compel me to report in favor of another place is embarrassing.
T think I am privileged to say however, that whenever this society
sees fit to go to Grand Rapids it will never regret having gone
there. I think we have more people interested in protecting
game and fish in that section of the state of Michigan than in
other quarter of the United States of the same area; so that, at
some future time, 1f I am present, I shall expect to get the vote
of this society for Grand Rapids. In the meantime however,
your committee have unanimously agreed upon White Sulphur
Springs, West Virginia, as the place.

As to the time of meeting, we were unable to get a calendar
of next year, so we fixed the time as the last week in July, that
being on the whole the time when superintendents and others
engaged in fish culture have the least to do and can best spare
the time to attend the meeting.

I move the adoption of the report.

Motion seconded and unanimously carried and report
adopted.

The secretary then read a paper by Mr. 8. W. Downing of
Put-in-Bay, O., on the subject of “The White Fish,” some
thoughts on its propagation and protection.

President: That paper is very interesting, and probably I
am more interested in it than many others, although all of the
state commissioners are interested. As Dr. Smith is now ready
for the illustrated lecture we will defer the discussion of Mr.
Downing’s paper until this afternoon, and I trust the gentlemen
will remember the paper, and what it is and what they want to
bring out.

I will appoint as the committee on necessity of organization,
Mr. Joshn and Mr. Dennis, two legal gentlemen, Dr. Bean, Mr.
Douredore and Mr. Root, and I trust that committee will go
over the matter very thoroughly, canvassing the ins and outs,
and give us a report that will be all right.

rau)
@)

Thirty-Third Annual Meeting

Dr. Hugh M. Smith of the United States Fish Commission,
Washington, D. C., then delivered a lecture illustrated with
lantern slides, on Japan, the Paramount Fishing Nation.

A recess was here taken until 2 p. m., same day and same
place.

AFTERNOON SESSION.

Wednesday, July 27th, 1904, 2:30 p. m., meeting called to
order by the president.

President: We will now listen to the report of the auditing
committee.

Mr. Titcomb: Your auditing committee have to say that
we have examined the vouchers of the treasurer which corres-
pond to the statements made by him, and have found everything
correct. Signed by the full committee.

Report of committee received and placed on file.

Secretary: I have just received a letter from Mr. Ravenel,
our corresponding secretary, and he says:

“T regret to say that there is little prospect of my being able
to get to Atlantic City even for a day, as I must go to St. Louis.
Please report to the society for me, stating that I have attended
to all correspondence as corresponding secretary, referred to this
office.

Dr. Bean: This World’s Fair literature which is placed on
the chairs was sent here for distribution among the members of
the society, and includes a map of the grounds and some other
interesting material.

Secretary: I have a letter from one of our members, Mr.
Daniel B. Fearing, of Newport, R. I., who wishes to secure the
first 5th and 8th volumes of the transactions of the American
Fisheries Society to complete his set, and he will give any price
in reason for them. If any of the members having these num-
bers which they wish to dispose of will communicate with me I

will arrange for the transfer.

American Fisheries Society. 29

President: It has been suggested that this afternoon will
be a good time to take up the bass papers and if there is no ob-
jection we will proceed upon that line.

Mr. Lydell: How about the opportunity to discuss the
Whitefish paper ?

President: That is true. The paper by Mr. Downing, the
Whitefish paper, is open for discussion.

Mr. Downing said a good many things there is a great chance
for discussion if the gentlemen wish to discuss them. If there
is nothing to be said on it however, we will take up the bass
subject.

Mr. J. L. Leary, Superintendent of San Marcos, Texas, sta-
tion, then read a paper on the subject of Construction of Ponds
and Pond Cultural Methods.

President: Gentlemen, I think perhaps it would be better
to have a discussion on each paper as it comes up. ‘The paper
is open for discussion now. No doubt many of you have ideas
on the construction of ponds for black bass and other fishes that
would be interesting for us to know.

Mr. Titcomb: Would not that paper of Mr. Lambert’s on
Bass Pond Construction come in well there

it is very short.

President: We will have Mr. Lambert’s paper and it will
be read by Mr. Titcomb.

Mr. Titcomb then read a paper on the subject of a Plan for
Bass Pond, by E. M. Lambert.

Mr. Seymour Bower.then read a paper by Mr. Dwight Lydell
on the subject of Some notes in Connection with the Bass work
at Mill Creek station.

President: Our secretary has a matter that he would like
to bring before the meeting in connection with Dr. Smith’s illus-
trated lecture.

Mr. Peabody: A number of members of the society have
suggested to me the advisability of publishing this very valuable
contribution of Dr. Smith’s, in the coming report, with the illus-

30 Thirty-Third Annual Meeting

trations. This involves an increased expense to our already
overdrawn treasury for this year, and we shall need probably to
earry out this idea, some $50 or $60, and I would like to ask the
co-operation of the meeting in this matter, and I would suggest
that any here who feel able to contribute might call out the
amount of their contributions and have it taken down, and I
might, if there is a deficiency, send out a few notices to some
friends of the society who | know would respond with enough to
make up whatever deficiency there is. If it is your pleasure,
gentlemen, and there are no objections, | would ask that any
here who feel able to make a contribution to please announce it
and let it be taken down now.

President: Just stop for one moment and try to tealize
what this will mean for our proceedings, to have that lecture
printed with illustrations. I think you will have a book there
that you will never want to sell very cheaply, and it seems to
me that the idea of a contribution is a very good one. Of course
our treasurer will hardly stand all of it (laughter) and I hope
the idea of Mr. Peabody’s will be carried out.

The following contributions were then made:

Mr. Peabody $5, Mr. Lydell $1, Mr. Meehan $2, Mr. Wires
$2, Mr. Seymour Bower $1, Mr. Leary $1, N. R. Buller $1, Mr.
Wallich $1, Mr. O’Malley $1, Rhode Island Commission $5,
William Buller $1, H. M. Buller $1, A. G. Buller $1, Mr. Lamb-
son $1, Mr. Ward Bower $1, Mr. Douredoure $2.

Mr. Johnson of Manchester, Iowa, $1; Mr. Seagle $1; Mr.
Mathewson $1; Mr. Stone $1; Mr. Hubbard $1; Mr. Lane $1;
Mr. Downing $1; Mr. Dean $1; Mr. Slade $1; Mr. George M.
Brown $1; Mr. Joslin $1; Dr. Johnson $1; Mr. Robinson $1;
Dr. Henshall $1; Mr. Townsend $1; Mr. Clark $1; Mr. S. G.
Worth $1; M. Booth $1; Mr. Locke $1; Mr. Jones $1; Mr.
Dinsmore $1; Dr. Bean $1; Mr. Whish $2.

President: I think when you get the proceedings published
i nthat form it will be something you would not take $5 for.

We will listen to the report of the committee on nomination

of oftheers.

Oo
—

American Fisheries Society. ‘

Dr. Smith: The committee has the honor to report and does
report unanimously as follows:

In selecting the names of the members whom we desire the
society to consider as officers for the next year, we have been
guided by two general points, first, we recommend no one who is
not present at this meeting, second, we have endeavored to dis-
tribute our little favors as much as possible among the states,
so that among the five officers and seven members of the execu-
tive committee whom we shall present to you, eleven states are
represented.

We have great pleasure in suggesting for president of the
society a gentleman who has been a very faithful member whom
we think you will be more than gratified to honor in this way,
Mr. Henry T. Root, of Providence, R. I. (Great Applause.

For vice-president we recommend and nominate Mr. C. D.
Joslin, of Detroit, Michigan. (Great Applause.)

For recording secretary we have not considered it advisable
to make any change and we submit to you again the name of Mr.
George F. Peabody, of Appleton, Wis. (Applause. )

For corresponding secretary we name Mr. Charles G. Atkins,
of East Orland, Me. (Applause.)

We think that the gentleman who advances $100 every now
and then out of his own pocket to run this society, is certainly
entitled to recognition, and we name for treasurer Mr. C. W.
Willard, of Westerly, R. I. (Great Applause.)

The members of the executive committee whom the nomi-
nating committee have chosen are Mr. Wm. E. Meehan, Chair-
man, Harrisburg, Pa., and the other members are Mr. John D.
Whish, Albany, N. Y.; Mr. E. H. Geer, Hadlyme, Conn.; Dr.
James A. Henshall, Bozeman, Montana; Mr. G. H. Lambson,
Baird, Cal.; Mr. J. J. Stranahan, Bullochville, Ga.; and Mr. H.
M. Smith, District of Columbia.

Mr. Meehan and Mr. Smith are members of the nominating
committee, and they are put on the executive committee be-
cause they were outvoted. (Applause.)

Mr. Titcomb: I move that the report be accepted and
adopted and the secretary be instructed to cast the ballot for the
election of these officers.

(Se)
oo

Thirty-Third Annual Meeting

Motion seconded and unanimously carried, ballot so cast
and officers declared duly elected.

President: 1 want to introduce to you our worthy friend
and president—to be—after this meeting, Mr. Root of Rhode
Island. (Great Applause.)

Mr. Root: Gentlemen, I think there are a great many here,
if Mr. Clark had not pulled me up, who would not have known
who Henry T’. Root was. (Noices—Not much.)

Mr. Root: I will say that I was informed through one of
our leading men on my first arrival here that my name would
probably be mentioned in connection with the office of president.
I tried to dissuade him from using it. I really felt that I was
not the proper person to preside. I do not know personally a
great many who are members of the society, and another thing,
I have arrived at the allotted age of three score years and ten
and think that the burdens of life should be taken easily; though
I do not think this is a very burdensome office. Another thing,
years ago I got tired of hearing declamations when I was a mem-
ber of a good many societies, and I think it is a very poor policy,
and I concluded that if I was ever nominated for an office I
would not decline, and if the people who nominated me had
made a mistake I would throw it back upon them. Now while
I think that you could have done better, and while I know that
you have paid a compliment not to me, but to Rhode Island, in
that light I accept the position, knowing that it is a compliment
to Rhode Island, with a great deal of pleasure. (Applause. )

President: I take great pleasure in introducing our newly
elected vice-president. We know him out there in Michigan,
and before you get through with him you will know him.

Mr. Joslin: I really do not know what to say. This is a
ereat surprise. I am practically a new man among you, al-
though perhaps not new in the business in a sense, but I want
to say to you that to be elected to an office of this kind in such a
society as this is certainly an honor which I thoroughly appre-
ciate, and I thank you most sincerely that you have taken it into
your heads to do a thing of this kind. All I can say further is

American Fishertes Society. 38)

this, that having taken it upon myself to attend the meetings
of this society, I shall continue to do so as long as I live and
have my health, and I will meet you all, or as many of you as
will meet me, every year from this on, not because you have
seen fit to honor me, but because I think it is a good place to be.
because there are a lot of good men here and a lot of good fisher-
men and a lot of men who are engaged, at least as I think, in a
work higher than perhaps you have all thought, in a work of
education—and let me say what I mean by that in a word or
two if I can. A few years ago I was trout fishing on a river
which is pretty well known in the west and by a great many
fishermen in the east, the Au Sable River in Michigan. A num-
ber of men had camped down below where I was encamped, had
fished there for a week or ten days, and when they started for
home six or eight men undertook to carry back to their homes
over 3009 brook trout. Every one of you here knows that such
a feat as that cannot be accomplished. They lost the most of
their brook trout, but that was not all; they belonged to the
genus homo that I have dubbed for the last 25 years as the fish
hog. At that time we had no restrictive laws with reference to
taking away from the stream any number of fish, but such inci-
dents as that have been discussed from time to time, and each
man would tell his neighbor, until the state of Michigan almost
voluntarily, without any instruction from its fish commission,
or even the sportsmen of the state, passed a law limiting the size
of the trout which could be taken, and the number which could
be taken away from the stream though you stayed by it all sum-
mer.

Now the work of you gentlemen here has been to educate the
business man so that when he goes out fishing he does not con-
tinue his business. ‘That is to say, when he is at home in his
office he is engaged in piling one dollar on top of another; when
he gets out into the woods he rarely becomes a sportsman at first ;
he simply changes the things that he is piling top of one another,
and he piles trout instead of dollars! Well, after a few years of
association with men like you, he discovers what he goes into
the woods and along the streams for, viz., to change the current
of his thoughts and to change the current of his blood, and to
make a new man out of him, and he finds that if all he wants in

34 Thirty-Third Annual Meeting

the world is to get fish, the better way is to stay at home and go
to the market and buy them; if he wants to get a new life, and
look upon life in a different way; if he wants to get—what is it,
doctor the urie acid ?

Dr. Johnson: The uric acid. (Laughter.)

Mr. Joslin: If he wants to get the uric acid out of his
blood, let him go into the woods and see the beauty that is
around him; and perhaps each day that he stays in the woods let
him fish an hour or two hours, and then he returns home him-
self an educator, himself a protector of the game and of the fish.
Now I take it that that is the life work which you gentlemen are
really engaged in. You are educating the people to know that
they have all around them the means of subsistence, the means
of pleasure, which will last forever if they will only protect it.

Gentlemen, I thank you again for the honor which you have
conferred upon me. (Great applause.) ,

President: I want to assure Mr. Root that the burdens of
the office are not very heavy, (until of course you get here and
then for a day or two there is something to do) for the reason
that you have a secretary and treasurer who do all the work—
just shift your burdens on them. (Laughter. )

Mr. Meehan: I would like to offer a resolution bearing
somewhat on the business we have just had in hand, and it is as
follows: Resolved that there be appointed by the chair a stand-
ing committee of five on foreign relations, one member of which
shall be the corresponding secretary of the society, whose duty
it shall be to keep informed on the progress of fish culture, fish
protection, and general fishery work in foreign countries, and
to make reports to the society at each annual meeting.

Further resolved that the corresponding secretary be the
chairman of this committee, and that he be authorized and re-
quested to enter into and maintain close relations with the lead-
ing fishery authorities of other countries.

Mr. Peabody: I support the resolution and move that it be

referred to the committee on resolutions.

President: It will be so referred.

American Fisheries Society. BS

Mr. Samuel Lovejoy of Bullochville, Georgia, presented a
paper on the subject of What I have seen of Black Bass.

The secretary then read a paper by Mr. Green on the value
of aquatic plants.

Mr. Titcomb took the chair.

Mr. Charles G. Atkins then read a paper entitled The Utili-
zation of Neglected Fishes.

President: We have tomorrow five papers to be presented
from members that are here, and two of them are illustrated,
and if it is the pleasure of the society they will be given in the
forenoon and then we will try to finish up in the afternoon.

Mr. Joslin: I wish to make a committee report at this time,
of the committee on resolutions, in regard to organizing.

The committee met directly after the meeting of this body
this morning, including the mover of the resolution, and after
some discussion in which all the members of the committee par-
ticipated, we unanimously agreed that the organization was not
desirable, for one reason in particular, and that is, that it would
require at least one meeting a year of the society in some named
place in the articles of association, and as we meet only once a
year it would practically destroy the society itself; and therefore
the committee unanimously report that the resolution be not
adopted, and that we do not organize under any charter or any
laws of any state.

I move the adoption of the report.
Seconded and unanimously carried.

Adjourned to 9:30 a.m. sharp, the next day.

36 Thirty-Third Annual Meeting
Thursday, July 28, 1904.

Same place, July 28th, 9:45 a. m. meeting called to order
by the president.

The president called for the report of the committee on class-
ification of bass.

Mr. Seymour Bower: ‘The committee as a whole is not pre-
pared to make a report. But so far as my personal views are
concerned, as to the grading of bass, I stated them yesterday. I
would divide the fish into fry, advanced fry, baby fingerlings
and fingerling. Advanced fry are fish up to an inch and a
quarter in length; baby fingerlings from one and one quarter to
two inches; or instead of baby fingerlings they might be called
small fingerlings or half fingerlings, whichever term you prefer
to use; and fingerlings from two inches up.

President: I heartily agree with Mr. Bower on this matter ;
but a short time ago I had a letter from Mr. Ravenel, the other
member of this committee, and he said he would like to have
Mr. Bower and me give him our views and he would then ex-
press himself. So I think the matter had better be deferred until
next year, and the committee no doubt will make a full report at
that time.

Dr. F. M. Johnson of Boston, Mass., then gave a resume of
work that he has been doing during the past year in the raising
of western charr in eastern waters.

Dr. Smith: I desire to bring up a little matter that is not
wholly disconnected with the subject that has just been discussed.
This work on fish diseases to which Mr. Whish has referred
marks an epoch in fish culture, and the author of it Prof. Dr.
Bruno Hofer of Munich, is very prominent in fish cultural and
other fishery work in Germany, and I think it would be eminent-
ly proper for this society to elect him an honorary member, and
I propose that we take that action. While on the subject of
honorary members there are two or three other foreigners, prom-
inent in their different lines, whose names I would also like to
recommend for this purpose.

2

oo

American Fisheries Society.

Mr. Charles E. Fryer, supervising inspector of fisheries,
Board of Agriculture and Fisheries, 3 Delahay St., London,
England.

Dr. J. Lawrence-Hamilton, M. R. C. S., 30 Sussex Square,
Brighton, England, who is doing admirable work for the develop-
ment of the fisheries of his country.

Prof. S. Matsubara, President, Imperial Fisheries Institute,
Tokyo, Japan, and Dr. K. Kishenonye, Imperial Fisheries
Bureau, Tokyo, Japan.

The gentlemen were unanimously elected honorary members
of the association.

Dr. Smith: I ask that the secretary notify them of their
election.

President: That will be done.

Mr. 8. G. Worth then read a paper entitled the Recent Hatch-
ing of Striped Bass, and Possibilities with Other Commercial
Species.

Dr. Johnson: I would like to propose as an honorary mem-
ber, Lord Denbigh, Col. of the Honorable Artillery Company,
London, England. He has been doing the same work in Lon-
don that I have been trying to do here. He has put the rainbow
trout in all the parliament ponds; he is a true sportsman and an
enthusiastic gentleman .

Carried and so done.

Mr. Titcomb: It seems to me that this meeting has yot so
far along that we can safely do it, and I therefore propose a vote
of thanks to the retiring officers for their efficient services, as a
result of which we have had such a successful meeting this year.

Motion seconded, put by Mr. Titcomb, and unanimously
carried.

Dr. Smith presented H. F. Moore’s paper on the subject of
Progress of Experiments in Sponge Culture.

President: We will take up Mr. Dinsmore’s paper. He
will give us a short synopsis of his lecture.

38 Thirty-Phird Annual Meeting

Mr. Dinsmore: Mr. President and Gentlemen of the so-
ciety: The particular condition of affairs which exists makes
it pertinent to ask the question, who is getting the best of it at
this time? I escape the difficulty of talking to you and you
escape the difficulty of listening to me. I regret that I am
unable to show you the pictures which I had brought here, ob-
tained through one of the most interesting experiences which
has ever come to me in my connection with the work of the Uni-
ted States Fish Commission, that of collecting black spotted
trout eggs in Yellowstone Park. Doubtless many of you are
familiar with the wonderful character of that country, with its
geysers, its hot springs, its remarkable canons and its great lake
and river systems. When the president came to me and asked
me what I would do in relation to my paper, in consideration of
the fact that we could not have the lantern, I thought I would
read you some portions of my paper referring particularly to fish,
but I think I had better not do it. It is getting late, you are
doubtless somewhat wearied, and I just wish to say that I will
try and be at your meeting next year, and if you care to listen
to me at that time, and see the pictures which I was able to
secure, I will be very glad to show them to you.

President: I want at this time to say that the Hon. George
M. Bowers has been with us all the time. He has not taken
any part in the meeting but he has been with us heart and soul I
know, and we want to hear a word from him.

Mr. Bowers: Mr. Chairman and fellow members of the
American Fisheries Society, when I left Washington I resolved
not to partierpate in the discussions that we might have on this
occasion. I did that for fear that some people might miscon-
strue and accept as official any statement that I might make, but
having witnessed this the most important meeting to my mind,
of our society, I cannot refrain from expressing my gratitude
and my appreciation to each and every one of you for the interest

you have manifested on this occasion.

On behalf of the Bueau of Fisheries as well as the society, I
wish to congratulate our worthy president upon the magnificent
manner in which he has presided. He has proven to be one of

American Fisheries Society. 39

the most successful of parhamentarians, and I am certain a most
excellent disciplinarian. (Applause.)

So many encomiums have been passed upon the secretary
from time to time that I am sure what I have said about the
president applies also to him, (Applause) and under the cir-
cumstances I hardly think it is necessary to throw additional
bouquets at him. I do not feel that it should fall upon me to
deliver the benediction if this is the wind up and the finish, but
I desire to present further too for your consideration, a hope
that it maybe the pleasure of this society to elect Hon. Victor H.
Metcalf, the present secretary of the Department of Commerce
and Labor, as an honorary member.

I thank you gentlemen for your attention. (Applause.)

Mr. Victor H. Metcalf was then unanimously elected hon-
orary member of the society.

Mr. Bowers: I deeply appreciate the fact that you selected
White Sulphur Springs as the place of meeting for next year.
I say this as a West Virginian. I hope that every individual
present, may on that occasion come down into the mountains of
that little mountain state, and I assure you that you will find
some of that old time, genuine southern hospitality, for which
we at least, to some extent have created the impression through-
out the country that we can have and give; we want every mem-
ber here, his friends, uncles, aunts and cousins to come down to
White Sulphur Springs next year. (Applause. )

President: Gentlemen of the American Fisheries Society,
I do not know but what it would be proper for me at this time
to say a word or two, as our honorable commissioner and ex-
president of this society has been so kind as to say what he did,
throwing bouquets, ete.

I have not tried, gentlemen, to distinguish myself at all.
One year ago when you elected me president of this society, I cer-
tainly considered it a very high honor, and I cannot help but
feel still more that it is a very high honor indeed to have been
president of the American Fisheries society. Gentlemen, our
meeting at Woods Hole was certainly a grand one, and you will
perhaps remember in my short talk at the opening of the meet-

40 Thirty-Third Annual Meeting

ing, I asked if we could not make this still better. I do not
want to say that it has been made better, but it does seem to me
that it has been a grand meeting. Here it is almost impossible
to close up our work in three days. I, as well undoubtedly as
some of the older members, Dr. Henshall, Dr. Bean and some
others, can remember the time when we had a hard job to keep
the thing going one day, and we had to meet a little while and
adjourn, but we cannot find time to have any fun here, and I
predict in the very near future we will certainly have to have four
days session instead of three. Our membership is growing and
the American Fisheries Society is certainly growing, and I ap-
preciate it greatly to think I have had the pleasure, and it has
been a pleasure, of presiding at this meeting. I hope I have
done fairly well and I now, after the adjournment of this meet-
ing will take pleasure in stepping down on the floor with the
ex’s and try to have some fun in the argument. The only thing
here that has bothered me has been to keep my chair. It has
been impossible for me to do so all the time, as you have seen,
but I should have hkecd to take part in the argument and discus-
sion of every paper. I thank you gentlemen.

Mr. Titecomb: I do not know but what I am going to take
up a lot of time, if you take the question up, but there is a
standing committee that has not been discharged, on the ques-
tion of the size of fish, and what they shall be called, fry, finger-
lings, yearlings, ete.

President: The two members of the committee that were
here, had a little talk (Mr. Seymour Bower and the President)
and I suggested that we ask that the committee be continued and
report next year because Mr. Ravenel had written me that he
would lke to hear from Mr. Bower and me, and then he would
give his views. He did not ask us to close the matter up. [
would therefore ask that this committee be continued.

President: It has occurred to me all through this meeting,
because the reporters have run to me and run to the secretary,
treasurer, and the individual members, that this society should
have in the future, some one to act as a press secretary. Our
newspapers do not get the report as they should. They give al-
together too much of one thing and not enough of another. Now

American Fisheries Socvety. 41

I think that is a matter that we should take up at our next
meeting, to have some one act as a press secretary. If we could
have some of our newspaper men do that it would be advanta-
geous; because I tell the reporters something, Mr. Peabody does
the same, and they do not get it as they should. I trust mem-
bers will take that matter under consideration and provide for it.

Mr. Titcomb: I move that the incoming president and sec-
retary be authorized to appoint and arrange for a press secre-
tary.

-Motion seconded and carried.

President: 'The committee on foreign relations are Mr.
Atkins, chairman; Mr. Titeomb, Dr. H. M. Smith, Dr. Henshall
and Dr. Johnson.

The report on resolutions was read by the secretary as fol-
lows:

Resolved, that the Society acknowledges with the deepest
appreciation and thanks, the courtesy extended by Mr. James R.
Keenan for the delightful meeting place provided by him for the
meeting of the society, and to Mr. Young for the freedom of his
pier, and the many courtesies extended during the social hours of
the society.

Resolved, that the secretary be directed to send a copy of
these resolutions to Mr. Keenan and to Mr. Young.

Whereas, the awful and final reaper has come into the midst
of the society and removed therefrom Dr. E. Bradley, Dr. Bush-
rod W. James, Mr. 8. L. Griffith and Gen. E. E. Bryant.

Therefore be it resolved by the society that the families of
these members be assured of our heartfelt sympathy, and that
this resolution be spread on the minutes of the society as a spe-
cial mark of respect and sympathy, and that a copy hereof be
sent by the secretary to the members of the respective families
of the decased.

Be it resolved by the American Fisheries Society in meeting
assembled, that the society views with great interest the activity
in the fish culture field of action, the splendid work being done,

42 Thirty-Third Annual Meeting

and the aid given by the American Fish Culturist edited by Mr.
E. N. Carter, and the Fishing Gazette edited by Mr. G. E.
Jennings, and we heartily recommend and endorse both of these
publications to the membership of this society.

The committee on resolutions suggest to the society that the
admirable paper on the life of the late lamented General E. E.
Bryant, prepared and read by the secretary, Mr. George F. Pea-
body, be spread on the minutes as a fitting tribute and memorial
to General Bryant.

The foregoing resolutions were unanimously adopted and the
society then adjourned sine die.

PART i

SCIENTIFIC PROCEEDINGS.

A Tribute to Hon. E. E. Bryant

BY GEORGE F. PEABODY, APPLETON, WIS.

Mr. Peabody: (Before reading paper.) The older mem-
bers of the society who have been in the habit of attending the
meetings, are familiar with the cheery personality of Gen.
Bryant. Those who have not had the pleasure and opportunity
may learn something from what may be said regarding him, of
his hfe and character.

I have been asked by the President, and the executive com-
mittee, because of my long acquaintance, to say a few words in
memory of our late President and active member, General HE. E.
Bryant of Wisconsin.

I wish that I were better fitted to perform this duty, and
that I were better able to choose fitting words to express my sor-
row and grief for the loss of such a friend, and my admiration
for his admirable qualities.

A year ago we parted at Providence with one who had en-
deared himself to every member of the American Fisheries So-
ciety with whom he had come in contact.

General Bryant left us to go to his old home in Vermont for a
brief visit, was taken ill, recovered sufficiently to accompany
home his son-in-law (a physician) who came on from Wisconsin
to care for him. ‘The General died suddenly and peacefully in
a sleeping-car between Toronto and Chicago.

As President of the Wisconsin Fish Commission, his interest
in fish culture and encouragement had advanced the commission
and its work to the highest rank.

So interested was the General in the work of the American
Fisheries Society that he attended regularly every meeting, urg-
ing the other members of the commission to attend.

Resolutions adopted by the Rhode Island Fish Commission :
Providence, R. I., Sept. 10, 1903.

At the regular meeting of the Commissioners of Inland Fish-
45

46 Thirty-Third Annual Meeting

eries of Rhode Island held this tenth day of September, 1903, the
attention of the commissioners was called to the fact of the death
of General KE. E. Bryant on the tenth day of August, A. D. 1903,
it was unanimously resolved that the following minute be spread
on our records and that a copy of the same be sent to the family
of the late General E. E. Bryant.

We knew General E. E. Bryant from an acquaintance formed
at four annual meetings of the American Fisheries Society. We
regarded him as easily the peer of any of the members of that
society of able men.

We learned to regard him as a personal friend.

We loved him.

The different associations and societies of which he was a
member must feel that they have lost a strong man.

Words are inadequate to express our heartfelt sympathy for
his family which we hereby extend, in this their great bereave-
ment. Henry T. Root, President.

WiLLiamM P. Moron, Seeretary.

In my years of close association with the General I had grown
to love him, as did all who came in contact with his simple kindly
nature. ‘There was no bitterness in his soul, cheerful always.
His never failing humor lightened every hour spent in his com-
pany.

I cannot do better in speaking of the General than to draw
from the eulogy paid General Bryant by ex-Senator and ex-
Postmaster General William F. Vilas, at a memorial service held
at the Fuller opera house, Madison, Wis., last May, nearly a year
after his death. All that was then said I would say, aye, more of
my dear friend. ;

Here in the presence of a thousand people who had gathered
to do honor to General Bryant, his former law partner and neigh-
bor for thirty years, Senator Vilas, paid a tribute of which few
men are worthy. I shall make a few extracts from this eulogy,
one of the truest, finest, and most beautiful tributes ever paid
a worthy man.

In the Fuller opera house Sunday afternoon, May 29, 1904,
Senator William F. Vilas paid a beautiful and appreciative trib-
ute to his intimate friend of thirty years, the late General E. E.

American Fisheries Society. 47

Bryant. The auditorium was filled, and the tender yet eloquent
eulogy was followed with a sympathetic attention most sincere.
In a corner of the parquet, at the front, the national colors,
folded and draped, were placed .by the patriots of the Lucius
Fairchild post of the Grand Army who came ina body. Deans of
the various departments at the university occupied the stage,
with the speaker, the university glee club, and Dr. C. R. Van
Hise who presided, and boys of the law school, many score, state
officials, members of the supreme and other courts, of the uni-
versity faculty and of the Madison public in general composed
the hundreds who testified their affection for the distinguished
dean by their presence. The exercises were under the auspices of
the university faculty, and were arranged by a committee com-
prised of Professors R. M. Bashford, W. A. Henry and Storm
Bull. The glee club sang sweetly both before and after the ad-
dress. Senator Vilas spoke, it was evident, from th depth of a
heart deeply touched.

SENATOR VILAS’ TRIBUTE.

T address you at the invitation and on behalf of his associates
of the faculty, in attempt to portray the life and commemorate
the excellence of Edwin Eustace Bryant, late dean of the college
of law in the University of Wisconsin. We would testify respect
and affection for this good man lost to us; regardful of his faith-
ful labors in education of men, of his learning, his lofty aims,
his inspirational power, his noble attributes of character; with
love that entwines his cherished memory like a blossoming vine,
rooted in his rich amiability and redolent with the sweetness of
his soul.

The tribute will be prosperous accordingly as the portrait of
the man shall be true, his doings fairly told. For he needs, as
we think, no ascription of virtues not undeniably his own, no
adjectives of mere eulogy; no borrowed plumage or perfumed
speech. He shall be lauded for no majestic greatness of intellect,
no masterful stature among his fellows. But in what he truly
was, noble in spirit, zealous in labor, eager for usefulness to oth-
ers, gentle and sweet in intercourse, self-sacrificing and tender,
seeking always that men might be better and happier for him;

48 Thirty-Third Annual Meeting

there will be found the attributes, in riches, which must worthily
keep his memory green.

What matters it that in not all things he had the power some
other might possess; that in not all undertakings he climbed the
possible heights? Be sure his ideals fell not below the justest
aims; be sure if any rose higher it drew not envy but encourag-
ing cheer from this honest heart whose delight was in good
things well done for men.

Our purpose is no obscuration by clouds of praise, but to
limn in just and clear perspective, the true image of the good
soul which, casting its earthly cerements, has obeyed the master’s
call. Yet my foot trembles on the threshold of trial and desire.
For he was my intimate friend, and for more than thirty years
we footed the path of life in close companionship. I loved him;
I know he loved me.

Beyond the holy circle of family and fraternal tenderness,
none other ever so familiarly permeated all the byways of my
aspirations, purposes, thoughts, and work; none other was so in
and out of me, joyously welcome at every hour, none so cheering,
soothing, helpful, faithful, so honestly to rejoice in things ap-
proved in the doing; alas! not so to palliate shortcoming in ends
or deeds. What would have been, must be, life with no such
friend! What a boon from heaven, at one’s right hand to have
such true and trusty sympathy, tender as woman’s, yet sturdily
strong in intellect and righteous in character to sustain and
share, with unbending spirit, the projects, studies, aspirations,
yea, indignations, which the problems of life force upon every
stirrmg mind! How lghter he the burdens of care, of deep-
moving mediations, when there is a yoke-fellow in trusty inter-
course, to share, with responsive counsel! Earth can proffer, be-
yond the bounds of domestic bliss, no better joy! If by and bye
such ties are renewable, the mortal stroke knocks indeed, at the
door of happiness and heaven.

BOYHOOD.

Bryant was born among the rocky ridges of the Green moun-
tain state, at Milton in Chittenden county.

American Fisheries Society. 49

DEAN OF THE LAW SCHOOL.

Early in 1889 President Chamberlin was seeking a dean for
the college of law. Applying to me to take the post, | pointed to
Bryant as a prize. Senator Spooner, who intimately knew his
fitness, cordially joined in effective commendation; and when
the General came home on the first of May, the crowning work
of his life stood assigned to him. His labor of preparation be-
gan at once; his instructional service with the opening of the
university in the autumn of 1889. Fourteen years of unbroken
continuity followed; how ardent, severe and self-sacrificing few
beyond his household circle entirely realized. I sometimes ad-
monished him that his application was excessive, but with small
effect. His devotion was not simply conscientious; he burned
with appreciation of the high duty his position demanded for
usefulness to the university and to the profession. He saw its
possible value to others far beyond a gratification of personal
ambition, to be worthy in it, indeed, was all his ambition, deeply
feeling it to offer his last and noblest life performance. And he
felt the due measure, and chiefest means, to success in it, was
assiduous, untiring industry, to work with all his might to make
avail of the utmost hmit of his talents. He never paused to
inquire what might be demanded of him, what would be taken
as satisfactory by the governing authorities. The simple ques-
tion was, How can I do more to promote the good end ?

HE WAS TIRELESS AND UNSELFISH.

This fervor of spirit was well illustrated in his assumption
of a class at the capitol. It happened that there were many
ambitious youths in the state’s clerical service who desired in-
struction in the law but were denied by their employment attend-
ance by day upon the lectures of the college of law. One of them,
W. F. Dockery, now resident in St. Louis, may tell the story:

“In the fall of 1891 some fifteen of the employes about the
state capitol, I being one, resolved to read law. Our duties made
it impossible to attend lectures on the hill. Plans to secure the
services of various lawyers and judges in the city to direct us in
our work were suggested. After investigating, our committee
reported the outlook for getting us on a working basis as dis-

50 Thirty-Third Annual Meeting

couraging. Finally, the committee waited on Dean Bryant for
suggestions on ways and means, not for a moment expecting his
services. Without a moment’s hesitation or apparent thought of
the additional labors he was assuming, he said, ‘Go back and tell
the boys I will see them through myself.’ We were jubilant; the
way to the honors and emoluments of the legal profession seemed
cleared of all obstacles. Daily for two years he met us at the
capitol, and helped us over the hard places of the law. Often he
was well nigh exhausted with the burden of the day, but there
was always that genial smile and that kindly light in the eye
which, with the youngster, never fails to put discouragement to
flight. As for remuneration, he would have none of it. ‘The
pleasure it gives me to be able to help you up the first few rounds
of a great profession is worth more than gold and silver to me,’
was his reply.” And Mr. Dockery with other comment, well add:
‘Not the least of the benefits we got out of our law course was
the opportunity of knowing so sunny and lovable a personality.”

The story is characteristic. Appeal to his generous enthu-
slasm was never vain. The auxiliary service so inaugurated he
continued long. It severely wore upon nervous energy. He
pursued it with doubtful wisdom, sacrificing hours demanded
by nature for vital reparation; and was compelled at last to
yield. But that was Bryant—striving to exhaustion.

WONDROUS IN SYMPATHY.

His sympathy with young men was exquisitely keen and
tender. He warmed with admiration and pride to all whose apti-
tude and progress gave promise; to those of good parts but slow
comprehension he was patient, inventive of suggestion, fertile in
illustration, inspiring, and to them naturally weakest yet sin-
cerely ambitious of learning, he was considerate and untiring
in his efforts to aid.

Another writes: “I was working my way through the law
school, had a position down town paying a small amount month-
ly. At the beginning of the second year I had saved but half of
fifty dollars tuition. I asked the dean to accept half and wait
for the balance. He said the matter was beyond his jurisdiction.
‘But, he said, ‘come to my house in the evening and I will give
you my check for fifty dollars and you can let me have it back

ay

American Fisheries Society. 51

when able. I had been a little nervous during the interview,
and when the dear old man laid bare his affection for me in that
generous way, the quick tears sprang and the rest of the inter-
view was hurried and short. I thanked him as best I could and
got out. I made other arrangements to pay the tuition and
might have thought the offer lightly made had not I met the
General in the hallway two days later, when he drew me to a
corner, put his arm across my shoulders, and said, ‘You haven’t
been up to get that check.’ I explained and he assured me that
I must always feel that when in difficulties I could go to him,
he was always ready to help ‘his boys.’ ’

That was, indeed, but simple truth. His benefactions were
many; nor ever, I think, did deserving students lack his aid.
These contributions sometimes “fell on stony ground,” but mis-
takes did not impair the flow of his sympathy or help.

GIVES UP VACATION.

Another form of its manifestation was the surrender of vaca-
tion rest in aid of some behind in work, or who, from necessity,
sought graduation in less than the prescribed time.

An instance from one such: “During the summer vacation of
1890, I, with fourteen other law students, put in three months
with Dean Bryant at his residence, receiving private instruction,
so that we might pass the examination for advancement to the
senior class the following year. Of course we all expected to pay
for his time and trouble, but he absolutely refused any compen-
sation, saying: ‘I was a poor boy once and know how hard it is
to get started in life.” So we all chipped in and bought him a
revolving bookcase, which, by the way, he was badly in need of,
and arranged to have it deliverd during our last recitation at
his house. It was brought in and presented by one of the boys
and I shall never forget the scene. Tears trickled down General
Bryant’s cheeks and he was so overcome by emotion that he was
unable to respond without considerable effort. I am sure Dean
Bryant prized this small token from the boys more than he would
a money consideration for his services.”

NEVER AN UNJUST PENNY.

In all the intercourse of his years with fellow men outside it,

Jt

«
Y
(as)

Thirty-Third Annual Meeting

if he left one enmity to upraid his memory, it was in a scoun-
drel’s heart. For so upright and unexacting was he in all his
dealings that, whatsoever he received of possessions, of happi-
ness, of good fame and honor, came always short of his true
deserving. I dare affirm with no shade of doubt that never in all
his days did he acquire an unjust penny, do an unworthy deed,
receive award of merit not entirely his'due. If, in any error of
judgment, any slip of haste, he mistakenly dropped a word of
harm, quick atonement followed its discovery.

I have recounted as his shining achievement of what men call
greatness: no lustrous triumph in adyocacy at the bar; no
supremacy in the state, no preeminence in arms, no wondrous
writing. But it may be truly said, if all men were as he, the
ereatness of any would be little needed. Among such a people
peace and kindness would discard necessity of warriors, states-
men, courts, officials, requisite now to master passion, fraud and
wrong. Yet though his ambition aimed at lower flights, it led
him where his usefulness to fellow men attained to the best per-
formances his gifts from nature enabled. Could he render better
account for the talent given by the master? A sweeter soul of
human kindness, gentleness, devotion and good will, a spirit of
higher rectitude and purity, the angel of death has rarely ush-
ered to the realms above. If amidst the greedy strifes of earth,
it may not be here a treasure of enduring memory, let us rejoice
in the faith which assures him an eternity of recognition in
heaven.

DANGER IN SHIPPING CANS.

(Notes of experiments made at the Cold Spring Harbor
Hatchery of the New York Forest and Game Commission. )

BY M. C. MARSH, U. 8: BUREAU OF FISHERIES.

Fish culturists and hatchery men generally may be interested
in the following brief summary of experiments made at the Cold
Spring Harbor station of the New York State Commission, with
galvanized iron and brook trout. I do not know that fish cultur-
ists have regarded this material as perfectly harmless but I believe
it is more injurious than is generally supposed. I began with
MeDonald hatching jars using only two fry to the jar, and spring
water at about 61 degrees F., keeping the water cool by standing
the jars in cold running water. There was no change of water
within the jar during the experiment. In the first trial 288
square inches of galvanized iron strips were placed in the jar and
the fry were killed within fifteen hours. In the second trial 144
square inches killed them within twelve hours. In the latter case
the area of galvanized iron exposed to the water was much less
than would be the case were the jar made of or lined with this
material. Under the same conditions but without the galvanized
iron two fry will live for days in one of these jars.

I next tried galvanized iron transportation cans. In general
the result is about the same. Fry are killed within within nine to
twelve hours in such cans when the inside surface is unpainted or
unprotected in any way, and the water stands. It did not make
much difference how much water the can contained. In these
cases only a few fry were used so that the water did not require
artificial aeration during the experiment. A similar can coated
with tar inside, but with the other conditions the same would
hold the fry without loss, for the given time. The cans used,
save in one case, were new, but had been thoroughly washed with
water. In the one old can the fry lived somewhat longer, two
of four fry dying within twelve hours and two within twenty-
one hours.

One trial was made with 300 fry in a can with three gallons

53

These notes were first embodied in a letter from Mr. Marsh to Mr. Whish and by him pre-
sented to the meeting.

54. Thirty-Third Annual Meeting

of water, which was aerated with a dipper every quarter of an
hour. The temperature of the water was kept between 57 de-
grees F. and 59 degrees F. After five hours twenty-one fry had
succumbed, the others were showing distress, and the experiment
was abandoned in order to save the fry. A can painted on the
inside was carried as a control during this experiment, under
exactly the same conditions and of its 300 fry only two were dead
at the end of five hours.

I think one may confidently say that galvanized iron is dan-
gerous for brook trout fry and that therefore galvanized iron
containers unless coated in some way, are to be avoided if the
fry are to be held long in them. Of course if there is a flow of
water the poisonous agent will not become concentrated enough
to do harm, but if the water stands in contact with the metal
something goes in solution and becomes strong enough after sev-
eral hours, more or less, to kill brook trout fry and perhaps other
species. I suppose that it is the zine of the galvanizing process
which comes off. Various conditions probably may modify the
toxicity, as for instance different waters would probably dis-
solve the metal differently, and different galvanizing processes
may perhaps give different results.

I imagine that fish culturists in transporting have lost fry
and possibly larger fish from this cause, perhaps without dis-
covering the real trouble. Often on short trips no trouble may
come and no doubt the conditions sometimes permit without
harm a longer exposure than proved fatal in the few observa-
tions I have made. Moreover fry may gradually become accus-
tomed to water containing zinc. Some of the above experiments
were recently repeated at the St. Louis Exposition and the re-
sults showed a much less injurious effect for the galvanized iron.
But the fry used were taken from the water in which zine had
been slowly accumulating, and analysis showed it had taken up
appreciable quantities of the zine.

FISH AND GAME DEPARTMENT OF THE UNIVER-
SAL EXPOSITION AT ST. LOUIS

BY TARLETON H. BEAN.

The indoor exhibits of the Department of Fish and Game are
combined under the same roof with those of the Forestry De-
partment because of the intimate relationship between the forests
and the waters. This building, known as the Forestry, Fish and
Game Palace, is 300 feet wide and 600 feet long, containing
about four acres of gross space. It is well filled with exhibits
coming within the classification of the Forestry and Fish and
Game Departments in nearly equal portions. As the amount of
space apphed for in these two departments, however, up to the
middle of July, 1904, is 353,451 square feet, and the net exhibit
space in the Palace is scarcely more than 105,000 square feet, it
would be surmised that the displays now installed represent
careful selection.

This eagerness to participate in the competition for awards
at the World’s Fair at St. Louis was characteristic in all the
departments. It has probably never been surpassed at any other
Universal Exposition.

In the Fish and Game Department there are exhibits from
twenty-four foreign countries in the competitive class, besides
those coming from Alaska, the Philippines, the United States
Bureau of Fisheries, and the United States Zoological Park. The
following countries are included in this catagory: Argentine,
Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Ceylon, China, Cuba, Costa
Rica, Egypt, France, Germany, German E, Africa, Great Britain,
Guatemala, Hayti, Honduras, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand,
Nicaragua, Peru, Portugal, Porto Rico, Siam and Venezuela.
The following states have contributed to this department: Ar-
kanas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Kentucky, Louisiana,
Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, New Jersey, New
York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island,
Virginia and Washington.

Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey and Pennsylvania have

55

56 Thirty-Third Annual Meeting

displays of living animals; with the exception of Missouri these
exhibits are confined to fishes and other aquatic forms. Missouri
has a tract of more than two acres west of the Forestry building
on which is located an artificial lake, 200 feet long and 50 feet
wide, around which are installed enclosures for deer, black bear,
beaver, wild cat, puma, coyote, grey wolf, red fox and grey fox.
In connection with this outdoor space a small hunting lodge has
been established in which are to be found a library of literature
relating to hunting and fishing, game trophies, hunting and fish-
ing implements, and other reminders of outdoor sports.

Canada has six live beaver in a pool. ‘These animals have
made themselves entirely at home from the first and have been
an unfailing source of attraction to visitors. Oregon has brought
some hying Mongolian pheasants of the species successfully in-
troduced into that state some years ago. Colorado has a three
months old black bear cub which at present is kept outdoors in
the reservation for Missouri. New Jersey occupies the great
swampy pool in the center of the building for large game and
food fishes of the Atlantic coast. The complete stocking of the
aquaria has been deferred on account of the delay in supplying
cold water for trout, salmon, pikeperch, small mouth bass and
other species which will not live in water of the ordinary sum-
mer temperature of this region. Washington has hatched eggs
of the steel-head trout and now has a supply of these eggs in
storage awaiting the introduction of the cold water system.

The wild game of the world is well represented also by taxi-
dermy, skins, furs, animal products and illustrations. <A single
exhibit of furs, mounted and unmounted rugs, skins, game
trophies, animal traps, etc., occupies a space 80 feet long and 20
feet deep. In the exhibit.of New Zealand is a fine collection of
the heads of red deer and fallow deer, besides the mounted skins
of the brown trout of Europe and the rainbow trout of Califor-
nia, all of which animals have been successfully introduced in
New Zealand within the last thirty years. Among the finest
of the illustrations are the flashhght pictures of wild deer taken
at night in the wilds of Michigan by Hon. George Shiras, 3rd.,
of Pittsburg, the animal paintings of Alexander Pope of Boston,
the taxidermy of H. L. Rand of Worcester, the butterfly mounts
of C. B. Riker of New York, the splendid series of Indian im-

American Fisheries Soctety. 54

plements shown by Mr. Miller of Elgin, Ill. The game trophies
exhibited by Canada, Great Britain, Germany, Ceylon, Egypt,
Venezuela, German East Africa, South Africa, Guatemala and
Mexico are especially noteworthy, while the states of Oregon,
California, Washington, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, New York,
Minnesota, North Carolina, Louisiana, Mississippi, Rhode
Tsland, New Jersey, Colorado, Montana and Virginia contribute
materially to the pleasure and information of visitors.

New Zealand demonstrates effectively what can be done by
intelligent effort on the part of acclimatization societies and
governments when they undertake to increase the fauna of the
country suitable for certain forms of animal life. The intro-
duced fish as well as the deer and other mammals have prospered
beyond all expectation.

In the hunting equipment the department is unusually
strong. ‘The development of the modern breech-loading gun
from the primitive bow-gun through all the various steps of the
wheellock, matchlock, hammer gun and hammerless, is well
shown by the United States Cartridge Company in one of the
best collections of arms to be found in the United States. The
Winchester Repeating Arms Company has established a shot-
proof house west of the Forestry building at which to test the ac-
curacy of the Winchester rifles. This is open to the public for
mspection although no shooting is done except by experts em-
ployed by the exhibitor. Demonstrations are given twice daily,
one in the forenoon and one in the afternoon.

Foreign countries have also played an important part in
this group of exhibits. The gun exhibits of Belgium, France,
Germany, Egypt, Great Britain and other foreign countries are
remarkably full and satisfactory. Great Britain, for example,
has displays from ten of the leading gunmakers of the United
Kingdom, while Belgium and France have fully as many or
more contributing firms, and Egypt has sent a collection of her
native weapons of warfare and the chase. The South African
collection is not now a part of the competitive exhibit but is dis-
played in the Anglo-Boer war concession in a separate museum.

Fishing tackle and other apphances for angling and commer-
cial fishery are very well represented by exhibits from several
foreign countries as well as from the best known manufacturers

58 Thirty-Third Annual Meeting

of the United States. Japan, as usual, has a very complete ex-
hibit in this group. The fishery products have not been placed
in the Palace of Forestry and Fish and Game unless accom-
panied by models showing the methods of preparation. One of
the most instructive live exhibits of this kind is the illustration
of the Alaskan salmon country and of the methods of preparing
salmon shown by the Alaska Packers’ Association of San Fran-
cisco. This includes a waterfall and series of cascades and pools
with mountain and lake in the background and a painted repre-
sentation of a cannery building, boats and vessels, together with
log cabins, a miniature cannery reproducing every detail of the
work and samples of the preserved salmon, together with salads
which are distributed to visitors at certain times during the day.

The apparatus of modern fish culture is shown by Japan,
Pennsylvania and Washington. Great Britain has a splendid
collection of the results of deep sea investigation from the Ma-
rine Biological Laboratory of Liverpool.

Pennsylvania’s display includes a little waterfall running
through a cement canal into a great pool which contains big fish.
Tt has also 35 aquaria for food and game fishes of the state.
Missouri’s tanks are arranged in a sort of grotto. Minnesota
also has a grotto with fifteen large tanks arranged on the two
sides of a fifteen-foot aisle.

The Forestry and Fish and Game Palace is characterized by
its central nave and its ends which are 85 feet wide. This feat-
ure gives opportunity for convenient arrangement of exhibits
and has been fully utilized in the work of installation. The
lighting and ventilation are excellent and the presence and
sound of falling water ada a charm which is not easily forgotten.
The standard of installation is very high, excelling anything of
the kind within the writer’s exposition experience. The popu-
larity of the palace is well attested by the fact that it is always
crowded when the attendance in the grounds is large. This is
shown by the record of July 4, 1904, when the register of the
California exhibit received 1,540 names of visitors. The wide
aisles of the building were completely filled so that it was almost
impossible to stem the passing throng. Representatives of many
foreign countries have expressed their approval of the character
and installation of the exhibits and the general opinion freely

American Fisheries Society. 59

expressed proves that the association of exhibits related to the
forests and the waters is attractive to the public and furnishes
ample opportunities for recreation and study.

It is unfortunate that the component parts of such exhibits
should, for any reason, be widely scattered over the enormous
area occupied by exhibit structures. It would have been far
better if all the exhibits coming within the classification of the
Fish and Game Department had been assembled together; the
opportunity for comparison and study would have been greatly
enlarged. It would indeed be far better if the various depart-
ments of the United States government should joi with their
fellow countrymen and with the people of foreign countries in
friendly competition; in no other way can the lesson of super-
lority be grasped at a glance, and in no other way will the pro-
gress of nations be best promoted.

The Universal Exposition at St. Louis is in the judgment of
persons best prepared to decide, the finest exhibition of the pres-
ent condition of the world’s progress that has ever been seen.
What is true of the Forestry and Fish and Game Departments
is equally true of all other departments of this exposition—the
materials exhibited and the standard of installation are higher
than at any Universal Exposition which has gone before. This
is the deliberate opinion of exposition experts of all countries,
and it will be confirmed by the unanimous verdict of intelligent
visitors.

NOTES ON STURGEON CULTURE IN VERMONT.

E. N. CARTER.

The spawning season of the sturgeon in the Missisquoi, La-
moille and Winooski rivers—all Vermont tributaries to Lake
Champlain—is from the first of May to the middle of June, at
least the main run of these fish appear in the above mentioned
rivers between these dates. In his report for 1901, Mr. Living-
ston Stone, referring to the sturgeon of this lake, says: ‘They
are doubtless spawning somewhere all summer,” and this is also
the opinion of many of the Champlain fishermen, who have
stated to me that late in the fall they have caught female stur-
geon from which the eggs flowed as freely as they do in mid-
summer and earlier. So far as the propagation of this fish is
concerned, however, I think that the above dates may be consid-
ered as marking the time limits of their spawning period.

Their first appearance in the rivers is so sudden, and their
stay on the spawning beds so short—three or four days, only,
being apparently sufficient for the deposit of their eggs—that
every preparation to handle them must be made in due season.

The past spring it was decided that this work—after a lapse
of three years—should again be prosecuted in Vermont by the
United States Bureau of Fisheries. Upon the completion of
the pike perch operations, therefore, arrangements were imme-
diately begun for the collection of sturgeon eggs in both the
Missisquoi and Lamoille rivers, and parties owning the neces-
sary equipment were employed to do the fishing. Nets were
operated in the Missisquoi and at various points in the bay of the
same name, night and day from May 5th to 27th; but during
this period only three sturgeon were captured, while in the same
river and using this method of fishing Mr. Stone three years
before had secured upward of thirty fish. The three taken

this year—a large female which had already spawned, or which

was very green, and two males

were liberated after being held
for ten days.
At the mouth of the Lamoille river a number of nets were
set on May 7th, and fishing was regularly continued in various
60

American Fisheries Society. 61

localities in the river and in Malletts bay until the 26th, during
which time four males and two females were secured. ‘These
were held in crates until the 29th, upon which day the entire lot
was liberated, the females showing no nearer approach to spawn-
ing than when captured. <A heavy rainfall on May 24th caused a
rapid rise in the river, and on the following day the nets were
parted in midstream by the force of the current. It was thought
that this high water would bring a run of fish into the river,
and, as it was impossible to intercept them by means of the nets,
work was discontinued at this point and the necessary equip-
ment, etc., was transferred four miles up the river to what is
known as “Sturgeon Hole,” at West Milton, where Mr. Stone
had taken these fish in large quantities three years before. Here
a man experienced in the “hooking up” method of capturing
sturgeon was employed. Sturgeon Hole is a natural channel, or
break, in the rocks forming the bed of the river just at the foot
of the falls, above the village of West Milton. The spawning
fish he in this hole, which is forty feet deep, and it is impossi-
ble to take them by any other method than this “hooking up,”
as it is locally termed. The equipment used consists of a heavy
hand line, a two-pound sinker, six or eight extra large fish hooks,
and a strong pole eight feet long and about two and a half inches
in diameter at the butt. The hooks are fastened together back to
back, anchor-shape, and then attached to the line at distances
of eight inches, the lowest pair being about this same distance
from the sinker.

The boat in which the fisherman stands having been anchored
to the rocks at a suitable point, the weighted hne is cast into the
swift water at the upper end of the hole, and as soon as it touches
the bottom the hooking-up is begun. This is nothing more than
a succession of yanks, continued while the sinker is being carried
by the current along the length of the channel some seventy-five
feet, with the object of forcing one of the hooks into a sturgeon’s
body. This method sounds extremely barbarous, and it was
anticipated that the fish would be badly torn. As a matter of
fact, however, of the fifteen sturgeon so taken, thirteen were
hooked in the under side of the caudal peduncle, and the others
in the thick portion of some one of the fins. Owing to the great
toughness of the sturgeon’s skin, the wounds inflicted seemed of

62 Thirty-Third Annual Meeting

little consequence, and the fish were none the worse, so far as
could be seen, when they were liberated from the pens three to
six days later.

Of the sturgeons captured in this manner, ten were males
averaging about thirty-five pounds, and the other five were
females of 85, 100, 125, 140 and 150 pounds—estimated weights.

As it was known that the eggs are thrown by the ripe female
sturgeon as soon as she is lifted from the water, a suitable plug
was designed and fastened to the fish as soon as captured. ‘This
gave very good satisfaction. It consisted of an ordinary rubber
nipple; a piece of heavy belting leather six inches long, four
and a half inches wide at the broad end and tapering to two
inches with rounded corners; and a piece of elastic suspender-
webbing two inches wide and of suitable length. The large end
of the nipple is sewed, in an upright position, in the center of
the widest part of the piece of leather and forms the plug. ‘Two
slits, a quarter of an inch apart are cut on each side of the nip-
ple, and under the strips of leather thus formed is drawn the
webbing which is passed around the body of the fish to hold the
plug in position, an ordinary adjustable suspender buckle being
used in connection with this girdle. ‘The smaller end of the
leather back is held well forward by means of a soft laid nen
thread, which is tied around the sturgeon’s body just ahead of the
ventral fins. This is to prevent the plug from shpping back
toward the tail, which it would otherwise do owing to the taper-
ing of the body.

Tt was our good fortune this year not to secure a female that
was ripe at the time of capture, but had we done this it would
have been necessary to plug the vent temporarily with a piece of
cloth, as the rubber plug could only be inserted to advantage
when the fish is in a straight jacket.

In the morning of May 29th it was discovered that one of
the large females had rubbed off the plug, and had ejected the
larger portion of her eggs. (Note: Tape instead of linen thread
used, ete.). She was immediately placed in a straight jacket
and the balance of her eggs secured. These were milted and
allowed to stand in the bucket, in the milt, for 30 minutes, when
they were washed up and a stream of running water from a near-
by brook flowed over them. In the afternoon of the same day

American Fisheries Society. 63

it was found that these eggs were covered with very fine sand, and
they were therefore placed in floating boxes anchored in the
river. From the five females on hand 1,500,000 eggs were se-
cured, and the entire lot was held in the floating boxes.

During the first 24 hours they all presented a fine appear-
ance, and, although in bunches of varying sizes, it seemed that a
fair percentage of them might be hatched. This hope was dis-
pelled on the following morning when it was known that fungus
had already attacked the entire lot. It was practically impossi-
ble to do anything to save them, as they were lke so many
bunches of half dried glue. By June 3rd every egg was dead,
and they were all dumped into the river.

After handling these sturgeon eggs, it is almost incredible to
me that they can be permanently separated and made to work in
jars, like pike perch and whitefish eggs, as was done by Mr.
Stone in his work with the sturgeon several years ago. A num-
ber of the ordinary Macdonald jars were on hand for use in this
way, but owing to the poor quality and insufficient quantity of
the only available water supply they were not brought into ser-
vice. ‘The eggs from one of the large sturgeon were stripped
into a wooden pail, and, after being thoroughly milted, were
stirred with the hand continuously for forty minutes. As long
as the eggs were agitated in this manner they remained separate,
but when water was added and they were “washed up” the ex-
pected adhesion took place, and when allowed to sink to the bot-
tom of the bucket they immediately formed into a mass. This
mass could, of course, be broken up into small bunches, but many
eggs were ruptured in the process. It may be possible that could
the eggs have been placed directly in the jars in the milt, their
separation might have been accomplished. This is one of the
methods that it is hoped can be tried another year.

When stripping the above lot of eggs, it was noticed that
when they flowed over the sides of the bucket they adhered most
tenaciously, and in a single compact layer. It was later found
impossible to remove these with a strong stream of water from
an ordinary garden hose. I therefore believe that as the eggs
flow from the fish they can be made to pass over thin boards, then
milted, and afterwards held in some wire mesh receptacle in a
swift current of water.

64 Thirty-Third Annual Meeting

DISCUSSION.

Mr. Carter: Before reading what I have here I should like’

to say that it is not in any sense a paper on Sturgeon Culture, in
the ordinary sense of the word, but rather a few notes on some
work I have been doing in Vermont during the past spring.

During the reading of his paper Mr. Carter said:

I have here two pictures of a ninety-pound sturgeon contain-
ing eggs, which I will hand around, just to show the size of the
fish we handle.

Mr. Titcomb: Is that a ripe sturgeon ?

Mr. Carter: No. We concluded after she was opened that
she was within three or four days of being ripe.

Later on during the reading of the paper Mr. Carter said:

We found that a linen thread held the plug in position better
than any other material that we had.

(Near the end of the paper.)

The floating boxes were fry carrying baskets, having thin
board sides and perforated bottoms and ends, and we anchored
these in the river.

(At the end of the paper): We allowed about 50,000 eggs
to the quart.

President: This paper is now open for discussion. Those
that have been interested in trying to collect sturgeon’s eggs will
doubtless have something to say on this matter.

Mr. Meehan: Pennsylvania has met with no success what-
ever in trying to hatch sturgeon eggs. One trouble we found
was in securing the two sexes. There has been an alarming de-
crease in the number of sturgeon in our waters, and for two years
our superintendents have endeavored to get males and females
in order that we might undertake the work of propagation.
Last spring they succeeded in getting several females but did
not get a single male. Sturgeon culture :s a question that is in-
teresting the department of fisheries in Pennsylvania exceeding-

ae

i Salt

65 (See page 64)

aA

American Fisheries Society. 67

iv, and if anyone has had any other experience we would like
to hear it, and also would like to hear from Mr. Stone, who has
had considerable to do along this hne.

Mr. Carter: I do not mean to infer by what I read that I
doubted Mr. Stone’s statement that he separated his eggs. I
know that he did succeed in separating them in jars at Swantan
and West Milton also, but it was impossible for me to do so.

Mr. Titcomb: I would hke to have Mr. Stone explain how
he did it. He is our expert on sturgeon, I believe.

Mr. Stone: The few sturgeon eggs that we took and suc-
ceeded in hatching we treated the same way as we usually treat
pike-perch eggs, by using mud, sand, muck, or something of that
kind; we did not have any difficulty in separating them when we
treated them in the way we did pike-perch eggs. In fact we
had no trouble with them whatever. We put them in jars and
they hatched out all right.

I do not think there need be any trouble about hatching
sturgeon eggs if you can get them impregnated. ‘The trouble is
to find a female and male at the same time so that you can have
milt to impregnate the eggs with. I have hunted sturgeon for
many years in Lake Ontario, Lake Champlain, Missisquivi river
and Lamoille river the Delaware river and Delaware Bay, and
the only place that I know of anywhere in the country where you
can get sturgeon eggs and impregnate them, is in the “Sturgeon
Hole” of the Lamoille river, that Mr. Carter mentions.

The sturgeon come up there at a certain time in large num-
bers and continue spawning there for twenty-four to forty-eight
hours; and if you can get them right there in the sturgeon hole
while they are spawning you can get males and females that are
both ripe, and if vou can do that you can impregnate the eggs
and hatch them.

Mr. Titcomb: Do you mean they come every year the same
day?

Mr. Stone: Pretty nearly. It depends upon the tempera-
ture of the water—it must be at least 66 degrees. When the
temperature of the water rises to 66 degrees the sturgeon will

68 Thirty-Third Annual Meeting

come up, collect in great quantities there and spawn, and both
sexes can be caught ripe at the same time.

Mr. Meehan: I would like to ask Mr. Stone whether he has
ever found ripe eggs and held those eggs in an attempt to ferti-
lize them later, keeping them for example all the way from one
to forty-eight days.

Mr. Stone: No, all were impregnated at once.

Mr. Carter: The substance stuck to the eggs so that I could
not wash them up. They formed a sticky mass like little pieces
of half dried glue. ‘They stuck to the sides of the bucket, and to
anything at all that was put in there, and it was impossible to
break them apart without rupturing a great many eggs.

As to the time to look for the sturgeon, you may expect them
there from the 25th of May, on—they have been found ripe
until the middle of June, I understand, in the sturgeon hole.
At the mouth of the river they look for the blossoming of the
shad-trees to determine the date of ripeness of the fish; and some
farmers think when the apple-trees are in blossom the fish should
be ripe. We also looked for a water temperature, of from 66
degrees to 69 degrees, but none of those conditions seemed to
bring along the ripe fish. I later found them in the sturgeon
hole when they came up during the high water.

Since taking up this work I have succeeded in securing some
pamphlets from Washington relating the experiences of some
German fish culturists in handling sturgeon eggs, and they had
the same experience that I did, viz., that of having the eggs
stick badly to almost anything they came in contact with, but IL
believe they have been successful in a number of instances.

Mr. Jones: I would like to inquire what the method of
measuring sturgeon eggs was and whether or not there was any
variation between the eggs taken from different sized fish.

Mr. Stone: We used to count the number of the eggs in a
fluid ounce in the ordinary way. Mr. Carter says he counted
50,000 to the quart. ;

The eggs used to vary very much indeed. Sometimes we
would get eggs that were twice as large as others that were taken

and sometimes they often varied very considerably.

American Fisheries Society. 69

Mr. Worth: Were the eggs all one color, or were there any
markings on them ?

Mr. Stone: They seemed to be all alike, but they are very
much marked you know. They have very curious markings.

Mr. Worth: I never had the pleasure of seeing but one lot,
and there were so few left in the fish that I don’t know whether
they were in normal condition or not; but it strikes me that
they were of a dull grayish color in general and that there was a
dark central spot—black. That was on the Delaware River.

Mr. Stone: That is about it.

Mr. Carter: The eggs we had varied from a dark alive to a
light brown, and were comparatively small when they came from
the fish—I mean that they were probably an eighth of an inch
in diameter, but after being in water for a while they seemed to
swell. It is was not exactly a swelling process either, but this
gelatinous-like substance seemed to form about the eggs, and
the thickness of the substance was about equal to the diameter
of the egg; so the egg was about three times as large after this
process took place in the water as it was when it came from the
fish. I do not know that there is any “gray” about it—this
gelatinous substance is transparent and very sticky. As stated
in my paper, they stuck to the side of the bucket and to boards
so tenaciously that when we held them under the hose, with
which we siphoned the water out of a pond above, thus obtaining
a 15 foot fall, we could not force them off the side of the bucket.
I presume in nature they stick to rocks, logs, ete., in the same
way.

President: Having had a little experience in this matter
years ago, it might perhaps be well to bring it up, although I
think it is published in some of our earlier reports. One of our
superintendents now in South America, was foreman at our
Alpena station from 1883 to 1887; and some experiments with
sturgeon were made on Detroit River during that time. We
did not succeed in catching any sturgeon that were full of eggs
We got some that had partially spawned out, and we got a few
of the eggs. There was no difficulty whatever, as Mr. Stone

70 Thirty-Third Annual Meeting

says, in impregnating those eggs and in getting a good impreg-
nation. I think our record will show a hatch of something like
90 per cent. I think Mr. Carter is mistaken in his estimate of
50,000 eges to the quart; and his own later remarks would lead
one to that conclusion; for eggs one-eighth of an inch in dia-
meter will not go 50,000 to the quart. It is true that that is
about the size of them, and they enlarge shghtly I think. (Mr.
Carter said three times.) That was not my experience. We found
that where they originally ran eight to the inch after they had be-
come enlarged and water-hardened they would run about six to
the inch. Their color after they are impregnated and water-
hardened and have come up in shape, is that of white-fish eggs,
such as we can get up in the northern waters of the Great
Lakes—a little on the yellow order, but clear and transparent ; of
course as the fish develop in the eggs you can see them moving
right along the same as in the shad and white-fish. They are
as easy to hatch as the grayling egg or white-fish eg

(oye
fo}

Mr. Carter: Did you put those eggs in the jars as soon as
they were impregnated ?

President: We did not hatch them in jars.
Q. How did you prevent the sticking?

A. There was no trouble about their adhering at all—any
more than there is in pike-perch eggs. The eggs should be
looked after carefully from the time they are taken away until
they are impregnated and water-filled.

(). How long does it take to water-fill them ?

A. Do you mean after the eggs are taken?

OeN Yes:

A. I could not tell you, but the eggs were taken on Detroit
Ziver, and when they came to us they were brought to the
hatchery in from six to ten hours after they were first taken, and
were then put on trout trays and hatched. Some of them were
hatched in the river in the old fashioned Seth Green floating

box.

American Fisheries Society. "3

Mr. Carter: One of our lots of eggs was stirred forty min-
utes and they were thus kept separate, but just as soon as the
stirring ceased they would stick.

Mr. Clark: How long afterwards did they stick ?

A. Until they were all lost—we could not spread them out
at all. I think the time to spread them is when they are first
taken.

Mr. Buller: What method do you use in expressing the
eges from the female fish ?

President: I cannot tell you.

Mr. Stone: We found we did not have to use any method at
all. (Laughter.)

The sturgeon of the Delaware River is an entirely different
fish from the sturgeon of the great lakes and Lake Champlain.
It is called acipenser sturio, while that of the great lakes is called
acipenser rubicundus. A sturio is a sluggish fish, while a
rubicundus is a very active and powerful fish.

At one time on Cisco River we caught a ripe female weigh-
ing 140 pounds, which was a very powerful fish. It took three
of us to get her out of the water, and no sooner was she taken out
than with one flirt of her tail to the left she disposed of nearly
half of her eggs, and with another flirt to the left she threw
out the other half. (Laughter. )

Mr Jones: How does Mr. Carter reconcile his estimate of
50,000 eggs to the quart, with his statement as to their size?
There must be an error there.

Mr. Carter: Our eggs were counted very hurriedly. I sup-
posed they were counted accurately, but even then we did not
get as many eggs from one of these sturgeons as they are com-
monly supposed to yield. A sturgeon is supposed to yield a
million or a million and a half of eggs, but we did not get over
half that number.

Mr. Titecomb: What do you mean by the expression, “num-
ber of eggs that a sturgeon is supposed to yield ?”

74. Thirty-Third Annual Meeting

Mr. Carter: I referred to the statements given in the Man-
ual of Fish Culture.

Mr. Titecomb: Does that refer to the rubicundus ?

Mr. Carter: I suppose it refers to the kind of sturgeon
handled by fish culturists.

cs?

Mr. Jones: Did you measure those eggs

oO
co]

Mr. Carter: We measured half a pint and estimated the
balance from that measurement as being 50,000 to the quart.
We had to do our work very hurriedly and were not prepared to
handle the eggs as we thought they should be handled.

Mr. Lydell: I have had a little experience with sturgeon—
very limited though. It was my good luck to have the fish com-
mission send me down the Detroit River ten or twelve years ago
to experiment with sturgeon. I was very successful in getting
a ripe female and ripe male within a few minutes of each other,
and they both came ashore at the same time. I immediately
plugged the female with my handkerchief, took the milt out of
the male, mushed it up with a stick like a potato masher, and
left it until I got the female ready. And the method I used for
getting her eggs was taking a big butcher knife and letting the
eggs all fall into a tub, and then I poured the milt in and stirred
for 84 of an hour, then the eggs were put in hatching boxes and
we hatched something like 185,000, and had no trouble in keep-
ing them from adhering.

Mr. Titcomb: Did you use flat buckets ?

Mr. Lydell: No, we used the Seth Green’ hatching boxes;
we put about half a quart in a box and had a row of boxes half
a mile long. (Laughter). The little fish I noticed were drop-
ping through the meshes in the boxes, so I got some wire and
held some of them until the fish commission got a professor
there, but when he got there they were all hatched and in the
river.

Mr. Jones: How do you arrive at your conclusion of 185,-
090 fish hatched ?

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American Fisheries Society.

Mr. Lydell: I did not measure them at all. It is stated
that 1,500,000 eggs can be obtained from one sturgeon, and I
claim only 185,000, and I do not think when I make such a
modest estimate as that, that I should be called on for a count.
I think fully 90 per cent hatched. It is so long ago that I do
not think I could recall the method we used for measurement,
but I know we measured the eggs and counted them. I think
it was nine to the inch. The report of this work is contained
where in the Michigan Fish Commission report. [I would not
somewhere in the Michigan Fish Commission report. I would
not say as to the 185,000—it may have been 365,000,000.
(Laughter. )

President: The records as to Detroit River were not printed
in the report of the United States Fish Commission, but there
was an accurate record of the size of the eggs and number of
eggs we got, kept, and it seems to me now it is something lke

Mr. Lydell: I thought at that time that the hatching of the
sturgeon was the simplest matter I ever ran up against—all I
had to have was a butcher knife, two tubs and a couple of stur-
geon. (Laughter. )

EXPERIMENTS IN FEEDING FRY.

BY DR. JAMES A. HENSHALL.

In compliance with a suggestion from the secretary of the
society I offer a brief paper in continuation of the subject of
experimental feeding of grayling and other fry; but as the
period has been so short from the hatching of the fry until the
preparation of this paper, I have not much additional informa-
tion to offer.

It is a self evident proposition that by following Nature’s
methods as closely as possible in fish culture, we will be more
successful than by putting into practice mere abstract and the-
oretical ideas. And this can be accomplished only by closely
observing Nature’s ways, and preserving as nearly as possible,
natural conditions.

In accordance with this principle it is a wise plan to begin
the feeding of fry before the yolk-sac is entirely absorbed, for
it is reasonable to suppose that fry at that stage are as much in-
clined to feed as sea-anemones and certain mollusks that are,
like Prometheus, firmly bound to a rock, and only obtain their
food from the water flowing over them. By this method of feed-
ing, the fry are much stronger when the sac is finally absorbed,
and in better condition to take and assimilate artificial food.
This applies more particularly to fry that are supplied with
water flowing directly from springs, which contains no natural
food. This method, I think, is now the common practice, and
has been followed for several years. Where stream water is
utilized in hatcheries, it contains more or less natural food, and,
so far as it goes, is one of the conditions observed in Nature.

At the last meeting of the society I presented a brief paper
on feeding alevins with blood, and also on feeding it to free-
swimming grayling fry. These experiments were quite success-
ful last year and were continued the present season, and blood,
ground with liver in a power chopper, was also more eagerly
taken by trout fry than when liver and water emulsion was
furnished.

~ s6e—

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American Fisheries Society.

As the fry of all the trout species swim in a horizontal posi-
tion, and seek their food on the surface, in mid-water and at
the bottom of the trough, the common practice of feeding liver
emulsion with a feather is more successful than any plan yet
proposed. On the other hand grayling fry swim in an inclined
position with the head upward, apparently seeking their food at
the surface. This is no doubt the case as they do not feed from
the bottom of the trough, and this would suggest some other
plan of feeding them.

It is well-known to close observers that fry in natural waters
are constantly picking at the leaves and fronds of water plants,
evidently feeding on small organisms that have found lodgment
there. In accordance with this fact, and in imitation of one of
Nature’s provisions, bunches of water cress, which had been pre-
viously dipped in blood or a mixture of blood and liver emul-
sion, were suspended in the hatching troughs. The experiment
was tolerably successful, for it was found that the grayling fry
at once resorted to the plants and began picking off the food.

As the troughs were needed for black-spotted trout eggs from
the auxiliary station the grayling fry were transferred to nur-
sery ponds, where large bunches of cress and other water plants
were suspended and on which the food was deposited. The
ponds were supplied with creek water, in which the fry found
their natural food, but they continued their attention to the
cress to some extent. This plan will be continued until they are
old and large enough to be fed the same as trout fry; the food
however, will be placed on the plants instead of being thrown on
the surface. As blood and liver emulsion does not adhere to the
leaves and stems of the plants as long as desired, it is proposed,
another season, to mix the food with gelatine of pig’s feet or
other gelatinous substance to obviate that contingency.

I contemplated using spleen or milt, as I thought it would
prove more adhesive than liver, but found it difficult to reduce
beef milt fine enough in the chopping mill owing to its fibrous
nature. Another season it 1s proposed to experiment with sheep
or hog milt, as I am convinced that it will prove a desirable food
for grayling fry in the earliest swimming stage.

Before removing grayling fry from the hatchery, the nursery
ponds are prepared for their reception a month or two in ad-

78 Thirty-Third Annual Meeting

vance, by keeping them filled with creek water with a sluggish
current, in order to favor an accumulation of the small organ-
isms natural to the stream.

DISCUSSION.

Mr. Titcomb: That is a very interesting paper, as was Dr,
Henshall’s previous paper on feeding blood. I do not know
whether I gathered fully one point, and therefore raise this in-
quiry: the principal point, Doctor, in the feeding described in
this paper, is not in the class of food but in the method of giy-
ing it, is not that true?

Dr. Henshall: Yes, to a certam extent. The paper on
blood was complete as far as it went.

(). You continue the same food ?

A. Yes, but now I have a little different method of pre-
senting it.

Mr. Jones: I would like to ask how the cost of blood com-
pares with the cost of beef liver.

Dr. Henshall: I pay nothing for the blood.
Mr. Jones: It is pretty cheap then. (Laughter.)

Dr. Henshall: I have a butcher who understands how to
do it. The blood must be stirred very carefully just as soon as |
it is taken from the animal, until it is reduced to a homegeneous
mixture.

Mr. Jones: We pay 31% cents a pound for beef liver, and |
if we can get the blood at a less cost we shall be glad to use it.

Dr. Henshall: I pay 3 cents a pound for liver, and I “set
em up” to the butcher once in a while for the blood. (Laughter. )

Mr. Cobb: He speaks of the different ways in which the
trout and grayling take their food. He says he would use this
method of feeding until they will take food the same as trout.
How long will this different method be required ?

American Fisheries Society. 79

Dr. Henshall: The grayling are very small when hatched
—about like whitefish fry or shad fry in size; but after being
fed for five or six weeks you can feed them liver emulsion, and
after that they will soon outgrow the trout.

Mr. Cobb: I refer to the position of the food. The larger
grayling will take their food in any place they find it, will they
not?

A. Why, yes, after they get to be about six weeks old; but
they are always fed on the surface, and I am trying to devise
some plan of mixing liver emulsion with something that will
cause it to float longer, but I have not succeeded.

Mr. Seymour Bower: [I desire to present for the considera-
tion of the members a model of an automatic fry feeder. It is
a very simple thing; in fact its extreme simplicity is one of the
main points of recommendation. It is entirely practical, we
have tried it, and although we have only used it about a month
there is a marked difference in the growth of the fry in the
trough where the device is used and in the trough at the side
Ot it.

The device was invented by a man who is really new at the
business, having been employed by us only a short time, and havy-
ing had no previous experience in this work.

(Mr. Bower then described the feeder as follows) :

This feeder piece dips down into the food and at every revo-
lution of the overshot wheel the small cup spits out a little liver
emulsion from the aperture shown in the device. Of course the
amount of food thrown out is regulated by the size of the cup.
It is necessary to give this some speed, otherwise it won’t throw
the food through the aperture. By the use of this device you
can put your food in, go away and leave it and it will not choke
or clog. It requires almost no extra water to run it. If the
trough is twelve or fifteen feet long it will be well to set up a
second feeder in the center of the trough. We think it is the
best thing of the kind we ever tried.

This apparatus consists of a food-containing box on the in-
side of which are placed blocks extending the whole length of

80 Thirty-Third Annual Meeting

the box down to the floor of the box, starting an inch and a half
from the top, leaving a flat floor an inch wide and extending the
length of the box. This makes the interior of the box which
holds the food, V shaped.

The axis extends through the box sidewise three-fourths of
an inch from the top and is held in position by a pin at the
right hand and a shoulder at the left.

A small scoop spoon is attached to the center of the axis which
is caused to revolve by means of a four-bladed water-wheel at-
tached to the shoulder.

The box has a cover.

An opening in front of the box is made both in the cover and
in the bottom of the box, through which the food is thrown by
the spoon.

A diagram of the box is given on the opposite page.

Mr. Meehan: We have used a similar device to accomplish
the same end, for two or three years.

American Fisheries Society. 81

G.—Axis or shaft.
H.—Set pin.
I.—Paddle-wheel.
J.—Shoulder.

A.—Cover to feeding box.
B.—Handle.

C.—Bottom.

E.—End of axis.
F.—Scoop spoon.

A YEAR’S WORK OF THE FISHERIES INTEREST IN
PENNSYLVANIA.

BY W. E. MEEHAN, COMMISSIONER OF FISHERIES, PENNSYLVANIA.

Under an act of the legislature of Pennsylvania approved
April 2, 1903, the Fish Commission of that commonwealth was
abolished and in its place was created a Department of Fisheries.
The Act went in to effeet on June 1, 1903, and with its begin-
ning may be recorded a new era in fish cultural and fish protec-
tive work in Pennsylvania.

In abolishing the Fish Commission and in creating a De-
partment of Fisheries no fault was found with the former. It
had done good work in fish culture; but it was felt that the work
of fish culture and fish protection had outgrown the system, and
that greater effectiveness in both branches would be secured
by making the change and placing the work under one
responsible head. The old Fish Commission was composed of
six members, three of whom have been retained under the new
Act. By the change the fish work of Pennsylvania has been
given greater importance. The head of the department being in
effect. a member of the Governor’s Cabinet, with a rank equal to
that of any other head of Department in the Government of the
commonwealth.

By the provisions of the Act creating the Department of
Fisheries, there was an official termed the Commissioner of Fish-
eries, and four citizens, who, together with the Commissioner of
Fisheries, constitute an advisory board, known as a Fishery Com-
mission. These four men are in effect members of a cabinet of
the Commissioner and its work is as important as that of the
Commissioner himself. The Commissioner receives a salary of
$3,000 a year and his reasonable expenses. He is entitled to a
clerk and stenographer. The clerk under the act is secretary of
the Board of Fishery Commission. ‘The four members of the
Board of Fishery Commission receive no salary, but are paid
their reasonable expenses. The Board meets quarterly.

The Commissioner of Fisheries, by virtue of his office, is

82

American Fisheries Society. 83

President and Treasurer of the Board of Fishery Commission.
He is also chief Superintendent with full charge of all the state
hatcheries. He is also chief Warden, with general charge of that
branch of the service.

When the department went into effect there were four hatch-
eries in Pennsylvania belonging to the commonwealth. ‘l'wo
were owned by Pennsylvania and two were on leased ground.
The two former were located at Erie and Corry. The two latter
at Allentown and Bristol. The hatchery at Erie was for the
propagation of lake fishes, propagated by the jar system. The
hatchery at Corry was chiefly for the hatching of brook trout,
although experiments had been conducted there in the culture
of small-mouth bass and yellow perch. ‘The hatchery at Allen-
town was for the propagation of brook trout exclusively, and the
one at Bristol for the hatching of shad. The shad hatchery at
Bristol had not been in operation for about four years, owing to
an insufficient appropriation. Under an act of the legislature,
known as the General Appropriation Act, $15,000 was given the
new department for the establishment of two new hatcheries,
one in Central Pennsylvania and one in Eastern Pennsylvania.
Unfortunately no additional appropriation was made for the
maintenance of the two new establishments.

One of the first acts of the new department was to get rid of
the two leased properties at Allentown and Bristol. The former
had long been in an unsatisfactory condition, being in a delapi-
dated state, and generally far beneath the requirements of the
work. ‘This was done by making one of the new hatcheries a
trout station and establishing it in Bellefonte, Centre County.
The other was to locate the river station on the Delaware river at
Torresdale in Philadelphia County on ten acres of land, fur-
nished by the City of Philadelphia.

Prominent people in the City of Philadelphia, taking a deep
interest in the fish cultural work of the commonwealth, suc-
ceeded in interesting councilmen and others to an enthusiastic
point on the subject, and in addition to the land furnished, the
city councils made an appropriation of $5,000 with which to
assist in putting the new station in working order. <A further
and heavier appropriation is promised by members connected
with the municipality next winter. We thus have the unique

84 Thirty-Third Annual Meeting

exhibition of a city taking an active part in helping along the
fishery interests of a commonwealth. This may be regarded as one
of the great pieces of work accomplished by the Department of
Fisheries in its first year’s work. There are indications that
some other cities in Pennsylvania will take a similar substantial
interest.

The department is also an advocate of the establishment of a
large aquarium for the display, chiefly, of Pennsylvania fishes,
and it has again succeeded in interesting the City of Philadel-
phia in the project. A movement is now on foot for the munici-
pal authorities to appropriate a sum of money for building an
aquarium either in Fairmount Park or on the Torresdale hatch-
ery site with the exhibit of the department at the St. Louis expo-
sition as a nucleus.

The Bellefonte hatchery was located early in July and with-
in four months buildings were erected, ponds were constructed,
the hatchery in operation, and more than two million and a half
of trout turned out before the close of the season. There are
twenty-three acres of land in this hatchery. All but three acres
of which will be devoted to brook trout work. It is estimated
that there is available there eight thousand gallons of spring
water per minute, more than twelve hundred of which flow di-
rectly out of a spring into the hatching house, and the remainder
from a stream which has its origin in two or three springs less
than twelve hundred yards away and with a temperature on the
hottest day in summer of fifty degrees.

The second hatchery authorized by the legislature was located
in Wayne County at a place called Pleasant Mount on the head-
waters of the Lackawaxen river. An early winter prevented any
work being done until the spring. It is designed to have this
hatchery chiefly for the culture of smallmouth black bass, yellow-
perch, pickerel and for experimental work in rearing Atlantic
salmon to maturity for breeding purposes, following the experi-
ments in this particular of the United States Bureau of Fish-
eries. There is a small hatching house for brook trout, with
only fifteen troughs, but with three tiers of nursery ponds of a
design contrived by the superintendent of the station, Mr.
Nathan R. Buller. By this contrivance it is expected that over
a million trout can be turned out from Wayne County, annu-

American Fisheries Society. 85
y

ally. There are twenty acres of land in the Wayne County tract,
two ponds of an acre and a quarter, each are being constructed
for smallmouth bass. ‘Two large ponds for yellow-perch have
been completed and other ponds are either finished or under con-
struction for other species of fish.

It should be stated that the twenty-three acres of land at
Bellefonte and the twenty acres of land in Wayne County were
made a free gift to the state for fish cultural purposes by citi-
zens of Centre County and Wayne County with the exception of
two acres at Bellefonte and four acres in Wayne County, which
were purchased. The three acres of ground at Bellefonte not
accounted for is to be used for the propagation of smallmouth
bass.

The five hatcheries under the control of the Department of
Fisheries are all, with the exception of Wayne, in operation.
That is to say, fish have been hatched and distributed therefrom.

Perhaps the most comprehensive method of placing before
the Society the work accomplished by the department during the
year will be, first, to give it in summary form, as follows:

Department of Fisheries established June 1, 1903.

Began the experiment of rearing whitefish fry in ponds, so
that when planted they may take better care of themselves.

Hatched and planted nearly one hundred millions fish in
Pennsylvania waters, including whitefish, lake herring, wall-
eyed pike, blue pike, yellow perch, blackbass, sunfish, gold fish,
brook trout, lake trout and bull-frogs in the shape of tadpoles.

Established Bellefonte hatchery and had it in operation with-
in four months.

Established a hatchery at Pleasant Mount, Wayne County,
for blackbass and interior lake game fishes and began the con-
struction of the necessary ponds.

Induced the councils of Philadelphia to turn over to the
Department of Fisheries a tract of ten acres at Torresdale on the
Delaware river for the propagation of river fishes.

Induced the councils of Philadephia to appropriate five thou-
sand dollars towards putting the Torresdale hatchery in opera-
tion.

Aroused public sentiment to a point, where active steps are
being taken to establish an aquarium in Philadelphia.

86 Thirty-Third Annual Meeting

Aroused public sentiment to the point of taking steps for the
establishment of an aquarium at Corry, Pa.

Introduced system of limited apprenticeships in fish cultural
work in the state hatcheries and appointed thereto young men
from public high schools.

Arranged for the hearty co-operation of the Fish Commis-
sioners of New Jersey to better protect the Delaware river from
unlawful fishing.

Took part in successful efforts for a convention of Canada
and states bordering on the Great Lakes for more nearly uniform
regulations governing the commercial fishing in those waters.

Established the practice of sending out published bulletins
whenever there is anything of general interest to those affiliated
in advancement of fish culture.

Introduced nursery ponds in the trout hatcheries, the con-
trivance of one of the superintendents, thereby increasing the
capacity of the stations from two to three fold without apprecia-
ble expense excepting for breeding fish.

Introduced more economical methods for the transportation
of green eggs from the spawning grounds to the hatcheries.

Began the hatching of tadpoles with the idea of encouraging
farmers to undertake frog culture, now known to be a coming
valuable industry.

Undertook for the first time the culture of lake trout on a
large seale, the eggs being gathered from wild fish in Lake Erie.

Undertook the propagation of goldfish for distribution in the
pubhe schools for educational purposes.

Brought to a successful conclusion experiments of the Fish
Commission in smallmouth black bass culture.

Began experiments in rearing Atlantic salmon in ponds to
maturity, from which to breed fry for stocking the Delaware
river.

Succeeded in forming a state organization of Fish Protective
Clubs and Societies in the various counties, to give wider interest
in fish protective work and to give greater assistance to the De-
partment of Fisheries.

reorganized the fishwarden service and placed it on an effec-
tive basis with the results that up to the 20th of July the fish-
wardens and constables had made 457 arrests; secured 314 con-

2)
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American Fisheries Society.

nw

victions: and had fines imposed to the amount of $12,780, of
which sum $9,001 were collected, and those who refused to pay
their fines sent to jail for one day for each dollar of fine unpaid.

The Erie hatchery was made nearly self-supporting from the
collection of license fees from fishermen on the lake.

Sufficient money was collected from illegal fishermen to oper-
ate one hatchery for one year. This is made possible through
the department’s receiving one-half the fines collected, less five
per cent which go to the county treasurer. The other half of the
fines go to the wardens making the arrests.

Reorganized the constable service in the capacity of these
officers, as ex-officio fishwardens.

Conducted experiments for the extermination of German
carp from the waters of the commonwealth as a dangerous and
destructive fish.

Built additional ponds at the Corry hatchery for the expan-
sion of its trout work.

Established a Press Bureau by which the work of the depart-
ment is kept constantly before the public in Pennsylvania with
the consequent arousing of strong public sentiment in favor of
a great expansion in both fish cultural and fish protective work
and which has brought forth a strong demand in all parts of
Pennsylvania for the legislature to build and maintain hateh-
eries for the cultivation of black bass and other suitable fishes
which will produce at least an equal number of each species as
the state now produces of brook trout, namely, six millions or
more.

All of the work accomplished by the department has been on
less than $23,000. Of this sum $12,500 was from an appropria-
tion for fish cultural purposes and expenses of running the de-
partment, three thousand dollars from license fees from com-
mercial fishermen and fishbaskets and two thousand dollars from
fines and five thousand dollars from an appropriation to pay the
salaries and expenses of wardens. Of course this does not in-
clude fifteen thousand dollars appropriated for the building of
two new hatcheries.

In consequence of the aroused public sentiment and the satis-
faction, which members of the legislature have expressed, there
is a prospect of a hberal appropriation for next year’s work.

88 Thirty-Third Annual Meeting

In the summary above no note has been made of a very im-
portant movement inaugurated by the department, which has
every prospect of reaching a satisfactory conclusion next winter,
namely: the abolition of water pollution. For years efforts were
made by the Fish Commission and others to have laws enacted
which would put a stop to this great evil and which was doing
more than anything else to destroy fish life in the waters of the
commonwealth. Every effort, however, met with crushing de-
feat through the work of industrial establishments and people
interested in their maintenance. It was charged and maintained
that all bills introduced were too drastic and would result in the
extermination of many industries with accumulated capital of
millions of dollars and would even put some small cities and
towns out of business, in other words ruin them financially. The
new Department of Fisheries made a careful investigation and
found many of the allegations true. It took the stand at once,
on completing investigation, that the Department of Fisheries,
or the commonwealth of Pennsylvania should not destroy any
vested industry. On the other hand, that it was not right for
these same industries to destroy the fish. It felt also that where
industries were established in good faith and under laws which
existed, that it was not just for the commonwealth, or for the
department to advocate the enactment of laws, which would in
effect put an undue burden on those interests. It found the
great majority of the owners of industries were in full accord
and were ready to support any measure which would in the
future prevent the pollution of water and the consequent de-
struction of fish, provided, it did not practically ruin them or
unduly interfere with the existing legal rights. After careful
study of the whole situation the department has prepared a bill
to meet the issue, and at the same time conform with decisions
of the Supreme Court on this very matter. It is a bill to which
a large number of manufacturers and persons engaged in pur-
suits, in which there is waste, dangerous to fish life, express their
approval of and which they have promised to support. It has
also met the approval of every legislator to whom the draft of
the bill has been submitted. In effect it provides that hereafter
no new industry shall permit any substance deleterious to fish
life to flow into any stream, and that wherever the Department

American Fisheries Society. 89

of Fisheries and the State Board of Health shall unite in declar-
ing that any existing pollution is destructive to fish life and at
the same time injurious to human life and animal life, that the
nuisance shall be abolished at the jot expense of the common-
wealth and the owner of the establishment from which the poi-
sonous substance flows into the stream. By this means, if the
bill becomes a law, there will be no new water pollution and ex-
isting pollution will gradually be eliminated.

The department feels that one of the very important matters
which has engaged its attention has been the experiments to rid
the waters of the German carp. On investigating the condition
of the waters in Pennsylvania in which fish existed, it found a
deplorable state of affairs, excepting in the trout streams. Ex-
ception also ought to be made to Lake Erie and the shad fisheries
on the Delaware. Everywhere there were reports accompanied
by strong proof of a rapidly diminishing supply of many valua-
ble fishes, notably the smallmouth bass. Until less than ten
vears ago all the principal streams in Pennsylvania were well
filled with this fine game fish, as well as other game and food
fishes of a lesser reputation. Careful investigation showed that
the causes of the diminishing supply were probably from waste-
ful methods of fishing and the destructive habits of the German
carp. Nearly all the waters are literally alive with this inferior
food fish, which few people, excepting two classes of the people,
will eat. One for the sake of economy and the other because the
fish can be killed in conformity with certain religious rites. The
department did not attempt and does not attempt to belittle the
importance of the German carp as an industry in the market,
but it finds that this value does not outweigh the damage which
the fish does to other forms of fish hfe. It has been proven be-
yond a shadow of a doubt that the German carp is the most de-
structive fish in Pennsylvania. One carp of twenty pounds
weight was recently caught with more than three quarts of
spawn of valuable lake fishes within it; and hundreds of other
specimens have been captured that show nearly as bad a record
for spawn-ating habits. There is almost a universal demand
throughout the commonwealth for the extermination of the fish
and the legislature has very wisely, the department believes, de-
clared the German carp an outlaw to the extent of imposing a .

90) Thirty-Third Annual Meeting

fine of $100 on any person, who plants the fish in any waters in
the commonwealth. There are other charges equally grave
against the German carp, which the department has found to be
well founded and which will explain the abnormally rapid di-
minishing of the black bass supply in the Pennsylvania waters.
It has therefore prepared a bill for presentation at the next ses-
sion of the legislature towards the reduction in numbers of the
German carp and, if possible, its eradication from the common-
wealth.

The relations between the old Fish Commission and the
United States Fish Commission were for many years very close
and the Department of Fisheries has labored to make that rela-
tionship even closer and more cordial, and it has been met with
the warmest kind of response. The department feels that much
which has been accomplished during the last year was through
the hearty assistance of the United States Bureau of Fisheries.
I cannot close this paper without referring to its work in yellow-
perch culture and in blue-pike culture. The blue-pike fishing
is today the most important industry of the fishermen who go out
on Lake Erie from the City of Erie, and the fishermen attribute
the abundance of that species of fish to the millions of fry which
Pennsylvania hatches annually and plants in that body of water.
It also observed that the demand for yellow perch in the Erie,
Philadelphia and Pittsburg markets is increasing with each year
and further, that there is a corresponding decrease in the supply.
The Fish Commission had noticed the same thing and four or
five years ago began to propagate yellow-perch in a small way.
The department has made preparations to hatch the fish on a
large scale. This year it hatched about two millions, which is
but a tithe of the number contemplated and required.

Tn addition to the work enumerated the Department of Fish-
eries undertook to make an exhibit of the fishery resources of
Pennsylvania at the World’s Fair in St. Louis. It secured four
thousand square feet of space, erected thereon thirty-five aquaria,
ranging from four to six feet each and the remainder of the
space was occupied by nets, angling appliances, mounted speci-
mens of creatures which prey upon fishes and other objects of
interest associated with the fisheries work. ‘The department re-
egrets that the live fish exhibit was not as successful as it hoped.

American Fisheries Society. on

The disappointment was due in the estimation of the department
to the water. Dr. Tarleton H. Bean, who is in charge of the
Forestry, Fish and Game Building made every effort to meet the
requirements of a good live fish exhibit, and hence any disap-
pointment cannot be placed on his shoulders. The water of the
Mississippi river, it need scarcely be said, is, in its normal condi-
tion unfit for high grade fishes, such as Pennsylvania has in its
lakes and mountain streams. Filtered water at the best cannot
be considered as entirely fulfilling the needs of fishes like the
brook trout for example, and chemically filtered water is among
the most objectionable of methods employed for purification, and
the water of the Mississippi furnished for the aquaria was fil-
tered, it is said, by both lime and alum. As a consequence most
of the first supply of fish sent to the exposition died with dis-
couraging promptness. Through the efforts of Dr. Bean the
water was subsequently filtered by the alum process in a manner
which permits the maintenance of fish hfe. Unfortunately about
the time that this was corrected the weather became very warm
and the temperature of the water arose to a point where a num-
ber of species of Pennsylvania fishes could not live and also at a
time when some of the species taken in the second load were
about spawning. As a consequence on the Fourth of July there
were only sixteen species out of the original thirty-two still alive,
and the majority were such hardy species as the catfishes, and
the carps, and some of the surviving species had only one or two
specimens. Dr. Bean had arranged for a refrigerating plant at
the beginning of the exposition in order that there might be a
good supply of cold water; but unfortunately the person, or par-
ties, who had the contract, for installing the cold water appa-
ratus, failed to do the work and the exposition officials neglected
to compel him to do so. Subsequently Dr. Bean succeeded in
inducting the exposition officials to put in a refrigerating plant,
and when it is completed it is hoped that Pennsylvania’s display
of fishes at the World’s Fair may be representative of its fish life.

92 Thirty-Third Annual Meeting

DISCUSSION OF MR. MEEHAN’S PAPER.

Mr. Meehan: This paper was written at the suggestion of
one of the officers of the society.

The secretary, Mr. Peabody: I would like to ask Mr. Mee-
han a question: Is the head of this new order of things in the
management of the fisheries department of Pennsylvania prac-
tically alone responsible, excepting that four times a year are
held meetings of the four commissioners ?

Mr. Meehan: That is practically the fact, yes sir. The
Board of Fisheries Commission have certain duties to perform,
both of protective work and general work, but the management
of and responsibility for all work of the department is on the
shoulders of the commissioner of fisheries.

Mr. Peabody: This is a very important matter, I think. I
know in our state and in the state of Michigan we have studied
the question of how to make a fish commission most effective,
and also the question of associating the protection of fish with
the propagation of fish. In Wisconsin we have settled the matter
to our own satisfaction that they should not be associated to-
gether, and therefore we have distinct departments.

Mr. Meehan: Our department is distinct from game or any-

thing else—it is fisheries only.

Q. But you do protect your fish, I understand ?
A. Yes, that is true:

Mr. Peabody: I think your state stands alone in this new
method. It is very interesting to know how successful vou have
been in your work; and you tell how many fry etc., you have dis-
tributed; but I presume there has not sufficient time elapsed to
determine what the results, even in restocking your waters and
managing this department under this one head, are, as | under-
stand you have been running under plan but one year.

Mr. Meehan: Only one year.

Mr. Peabody: This goes out in the publication of the society
and naturally will attract considerable attention. I think many

American Fisheries Society. 93

states in the union are looking to better their system of fish prop-
agation (at least to better the administration part of it) and if
your plan is a good one, others will want it.

I should think a fish commission that met only four times a
year would be absent minded. I believe such a commission should
meet oftener and get more closely in touch with the work of the
executive branch such as that done by the superintendents of
hatcheries and other superintendents.

Mr. Meehan: I think the members of the Board of Fisheries
Commission who are all present except one, will bear me out in
the statement that they are quite able to keep in touch with the
work of the department.

As to the time when this new order of things was inaugu-
rated I stated in my paper that it was begun a year ago.

Mr. Peabody: We have here representatives from New York
and Michigan and also Rhode Island and Connecticut and other
states, that have fish commissions quite like the one in Wiscon-
sin, and I would like to hear this matter discussed by them.

Mr. Meehan: There is a danger in a matter of this kind,
and that is the danger of politics. If you have but one man
there is more likelihood of his being pulled or swayed than if
you have half a dozen. There is many a man looking for a job
who would see in the salary of the commissionership of fisheries,
that it had a certain salary, and would say, “it is good” whether
he knew anything about the work or not.

Mr. Peabody: That danger might be averted if we were al-
ways as successful in choosing a political commissioner as when
the President chose Mr. Bowers who has proved to be one of the
most efficient and capable United States Fish Commissioners
that we have ever had. (Great applause.)

Dr. Bean: I am from New York and I would lke to say
something about this carp (great laughter and applause) which
my friend from Pennsylvania has declared an outlaw. I have no
objection to his calling the carp names, but I want to ask Com-
missioner Meehan why he limits this outlawry to the carp, when
Pennsylvania has 160 kinds of fish and nearly one-third of them

94 Thirty-Third Annual Meeting

belong to the carp family and are inverterate spawn eaters ? Why
not include the catfish, sturgeon and the western trout—the
Dolly Varden—known to all the west coast as the worst spawn
eater in the whole list?

Mr. Meehan: We do not have him in Pennsylvania.

Dr. Bean: You have the rainbow trout which is another
guilty one. ‘There is another spawn eater that consumes great
quantities of the eggs of the shad; shall we outlaw him? I
refer to the homo sapiens. (Laughter. )

Of course he is not a fish, but he goes around among the
fish and we have got to treat all people alike it seems to me.
There is a little bit of a thing in Pennsylvania called the Miller’s
Thumb; he is not as big as a miller’s thumb, but his capacity for
trout eggs and fry is marvelous. Some years ago the Commis-
sioner of Fisheries of the United States had a live Miller’s
Thumb down in Washington in an aquarian, and that little
fellow ate about 20 trout fry inside of a minute and was still
hungry. We have this Miller’s Thumb, or blob, or fresh water
sculpin, all over Pennsylvania. Of the 160 varieties of fish in
Pennsylvania, 100 are fond of eggs. Let us extend this business
and get rid of them.

The carp is of course a spawn eater—is an interloper; but
the people of New York see fit to buy a quarter of a million
dollars’ worth from Illinois every year; but that cut’s no figure !
The Delaware fishermen beg for opportunity to catch them—but
that makes no difference! The people of Great South Bay,
Long Island, are crazy about the crap, but never mind that!
The greatest difficulty I have had with my boatmen there has
been to get him off the carp grounds—he was so fond of it! Per-
haps it was because they are fond of eggs and he was too—a
bond of sympathy between them. (Laughter. )

We ought not to go about the destruction of carp in this
wholesale way. It may be true that we ought not to have intro-
duced carp; I think there is a great deal of “acclimatization” so
called that had better be left alone; but we have the carp; the
fishermen get a lot of money out of him; and it is only fair if we
are going to apply legislation to this fish, that we undertake also
to get rid of all the minnows, suckers, blobs, and every other

American Fisheries Society. 95

spawn eater in existence. That is a logical conclusion, and
discrimination is unfair.

Mr. Meehan: Perhaps the reason why legislation has not
been taken against these other fishes the gentleman has men-
tioned, is, that God put them here in the beginning, while the
German carp is an introduced fish, and nature in arranging this
matter did not contemplate the unwarranted interference of
man, and when the German carp was placed in these waters the
balance was broken. I know very well that we have other fishes
that are spawn eaters. We know that the eel is destructive, the
lamprey will even enter the shad to get at the spawn; nature
provided for that. Speaking of the shad alone, if it were not
for the upsetting of the balance established by nature, we know
very well that the rivers would be filled with shad everywhere.

In regard to the Dolly Varden trout, we do not have it in
Pennsylvania unless it has been put in by the national govern-
ment, and we will not propagate it, and will propagate no intro-
duced fish that we believe to be very destructive.

I have nothing in particular against the German carp: I do
not want to eat it—I would sooner eat monkey veal; (Laughter )
but I do want to say that while it is a fish that undoubtedly holds
a place in the market, while it has a large sale, and while we sell
it in Pennsylvania markets to an amount running up to nearly
$100,000 a year in Philadelphia and Pittsburg, yet there is con-
siderable evidence to show that it has destroyed fish that would
be worth more money to us. Black bass is worth more to us in
Pennsylvania in dollars and cents than the German carp ever
could be, and so far as its use for game and food purposes is
concerned, the black bass is far superior to the fish that we
have put under the ban of the law.

The German carp not only eats spawn but is destroying in
many sections of the country, plants that. form hiding places
for other fishes. Other counts can also be brought against the
carp. I have heard it said that there has been no specific evi-
dence brought against the German carp. Now I have seen plenty
of specific evidence; I can bring volumes of it from my office,
on the destructiveness of that fish. I have seen what the fish
have done at various times. I have nothing particular against

96 Thirty-Third Annual Meeting

the German carp, except as to that one thing; I am not calling
it names; I am stating the hard, cold fact that the legislature of
Pennsylvania has practically declared it an outlaw by prohibit-
ing the planting of it any longer in our waters.

Dr. Johnson: I cannot enter into an argument like this and
call myself anything but a neophyte; but perhaps I stand on a
fair, even ground, and for once I can heartily coincide with the
gentleman from Pennsylvania, and I take issue at the sweep-
stakes expressed by the gentleman from New York. It is true
that if we begin to exterminate a dangerous factor it would seem
to me, as in medicine and in surgery, it is necessary to take per-
haps one evil at a time, and take what appears to us to be the
greatest evil. If we attempt to kill out every sort of fish that
eats spawn, in a very little time we would have nothing left but
water.

I do not take issue against the German carp, because in the
first place he is a foreigner. He has been introduced in this
country, and there was no necessity of it, as far as I can find by
reading, or by hearing you gentlemen speak of it.

Now I believe it is right to declare war against him. I am
looking at it, gentlemen, not alone from the standpoint of being
interested in a very humble way in the propagation or culture
of other fishes, but I am looking at it a bit, I might say, from
the standpoint of a sportsman. In New Hampshire where I
have established a series of ponds which I will speak to you
about later, I have seen the brooks depleted, I have seen the
ponds bereft, not through enemies piscatorial, but for the want
of good laws. I have seen on the other hand, I should say, as
great a need in some of the ponds of some of the smaller fish,
which no doubt eat spawn when they have a chance, but in turn
they are preyed upon by the fish that we call our game fish of
America, by the fish that appeals to the sportsman who goes to
the woods simple and solely for the recreation, and I hope not
for the kill alone. Every protection offered to our game fish
in any state I should heartily recommend. If we find that in
the various experiments that we have succeeded in eradicating
such an evil as the German carp has proven itself to be, then we
can begin with other species and slowly but surely relieve our

American Fisheries Society. 97

waters of the natural enemies of the spawning fish classed as
game fish, and the ones we care most about to catch. (Applause. )

Mr. Stranahan: I have seen a half pound black bass whip
and drive off a 10 pound carp. I do not believe the carp is
destructive to the black bass; and in either event he has come to
stay. Pennsylvania cannot cut much figure in his extermina-
tion, no matter how much she spends.

Mr. Meehan: I have also seen a black bass drive away a
German carp and while he was busily engaged in that occupation
another carp destroyed the nest that the bass had been guarding.

Mr. Leary: I have seen sun perch drive a tremendous carp
from its nest. ‘The idea of a carp taking eggs from a black bass
nest is almost incredible. The carp will take an abandoned
nest and will undoubtedly eat a great many eggs; but I have 12
big carp in ponds where I am propagating crappie and we never
get any crap from this pond showing that the crappie destroy
the carp, not the carp the crappie. Suppose you take all these
spawn eaters away, what are your bass going to eat? I! will
answer the question—they will eat one another.

Mr. Atkins: I would like to ask whether Mr. Meehan re-
gards the extermination of the carp as practicable.

Mr. Meehan: No sir, I do not think it can be done. Jike
certain races of people it is impossible to get rid of them. They
are with us to stay.

Mt. Atkins: If it is impossible to exterminate them, I
should judge the next best thing would be to eat them. (Ap-
lause and laughter. )

Mr. Titcomb: I did not intend to say anything on this
carp question. It has been threshed over at every meeting and
still it comes up. I was only going to say that it seems to
resolve itself into a sectional question; it is a sectional issue.
For instance, with our present knowledge of the carp we would
not ship them to the waters of Maine, or the waters of Pennsyl-
vania, but there are a great many states in the union where the
carp today is a very valuable food fish and where the people enjoy

98 Thirty-Third Annual Meeting

it on the table; there are places even where they enjoy it as a
game fish to catch with hook and line. ‘The United States Bur-
eau of Fisheries continues to receive applications for carp, which,
owing to this feeling in certain sections of the country and
among the influential classes of sportsmen perhaps, are not dis-
tributed any longer; the people who have asked for them then
refuse to take any other fish in many instances, and are often
quite indignant because they cannot have the carp. Some of
them persist until they find out where they can secure the carp,
and take them to their own private ponds. But all through the
west there are waters that can be made very useful by the intro-
duction of the carp, and which otherwise are practically unpro-
ductive. I think I have told this story once, before the society,
but I will tell it again. When I was president of a fish and
game association, all of the members sportsmen, some of them
commissioners from the New England states, others commission-
ers of fisheries from Canada, 224 in number, we sat down to a
table on one occasion and ate carp under the name of baked red
snapper; most of them knew they were not eating baked red
snapper; some of the old lake fishermen told me they thought
they were eating white fish; another one said pike-perch; all
declared them delicious. “As you know, a rose would smell as
sweet by any other name.”

Mr. Meehan: You must have had Rhine wine sauce.
(Laughter. )

Dr. Smith: Mr Meehan has given us an interesting ac-
count of the wonderful amount of work a state can do in one
short year, but it appears to me that he has accomplished too
much, and that it would be better if three-quarters of that work
could be turned over to states that now do nothing. But our
admiration for the Pennsylvania Fish Commissioner and for
Pennsylvania fish work does not. extend to his black bass, more
especially to the small mouth variety; for a black bass (and a
small mouth black bass in particular) that would be disturbed in
the shghtest degree by a carp, is not worthy of further considera-
tion. (Laughter. )

Mr. Miller: A friend of mine while standing on a bridge

——a

American Fisheries Society. 99

looking down into a creek on one occasion saw a sight which
goes to show what a smart fish the carp is. The maneuver of
the carp referred to in this instance rivals the strategy of the
Russians and Japanese in their present warfare. My friend
looking down into the creek was watching a female bass guard-
ing its spawn, noticed nine carp preceeding in parade in front of
the bass, not one of the carp seemed to pay any attention to the
bass until the last one was almost directly opposite the bass,
when that carp made a dive for the spawn, and although the
bass was only half the size of the carp it showed fight, and while
the bass was fighting the offending carp, the other eight carp
immediately turned in and gobbled up the entire spawn. ‘This
was just a little strategy on the part of the nine. They had
planned the whole thing before they started to eat that spawn.
(Laughter. )

Secretary: I would like to ask Mr. Meehan if the story that
the carp is responsible for the Johnstown flood is true.
(Laughter. )

Mr. Meehan: It might be.

Mr. Whish: I take great pleasure in listening to these dis-
cussions and forming my own conclusions; and my conclusion
on the carp question is, that the American fish culturist, (not
the worthy paper of that name but the individual) has received
an important lesson from the German carp. He has heard a
great deal about the German carp abroad and he brought it over
here. I do not know anything about the habits of the German
carp abroad, but his habits here are not those of a gentleman
among fishes. In our state we have tried to get rid of the carp
in some of our waters in this way: We gave a permit to one city
council to use the seines of the commission for the purpose of
relieving a river of that fish. They took out a carload a day for
twelve days, without any appreciable effect on the supply, and
then gave it up. In New York, those of us who are interested in
the culture of the better class of food fishes as well as of game
fishes regret that the carp ever was put in our waters. It would
be my judgment, that if carp were to be planted again in this
country, with the present knowledge which people have of the
carp, its range would be decidedly limited.

100 Thirty-Third Annual Meeting

Possibly the carp is fit for food. Personally I do not like his
looks as a fish and I do not like the looks of the people I have
seen buying him in the market. I believe he is a cheap food
for a cheap people, and that we ought to teach those people to
live on a good American diet, so that they may become better
citizens. I do not think we can make good people out of cheap
food. (Laughter.)

Now this little matter of commissions is something we have
had experience with over in New York state. We have had com-
missions of five, six and seven, and now have a commission of
one. It is my judgment that the single headed commission is
the best commission, and I will tell you why. The commissioner
is a business man and he does not know anything about the scien-
tific aspect of fish culture. He treats the whole hatchery system,
forestry system and game protection system exactly as he treats
his own business; he expects to get results from each one of
those departments, and if he does not he calls up the gentleman
in charge of the delinquent department and wants to know why.
In one case he called up a gentleman in charge of a hatchery,
who did not seem to be holding up his end, and there is a better
man in that place now. (Applause. )

The wonderful success of our United States Commissioner of
Fisheries is largely due to the fact that he is an organizer. He
gets a first class lot of men for important places and therefore
gets first class results—and that is what the people want—too.
Put a scientific man at the head of a business enterprise and as a
rule science does not bear out its reputation. It is all right for
looking into the problems of life, but for getting the cash to work
out those problems, it is not worth a cent. Let a scientific man
go before a legislative committee and tell them in a general way
what they ought to do, and the committee will say, “Look here,
you want so much money, what are you going to get out of your
work for it that we can tell the tax payers about?” And the
scientist is not usually ready with the answer. So it seems to
me that when you get down to a business enterprise—and that
is what fish culture is, if it is anything; it is the running of a
manufacturing plant to produce food for the people—you get
the best results from having a trained, active, alert business man
as your commissioner, and he will look out that his associates

American Fisheries Society. 101

are men who will get results. That is the way it has worked out
in the state of New York. We are too busy over there to pay
much attention to the manner in which other states are conduct-
ing their work, though we follow them pretty closely and some-
times get some valuable information from them; but our ex-
perience has been as I have told you.

Mr. Lydell: I only wish to say that I wish Mr. Bartlett was
here. (Applause and laughter.) He would show these enemies
of the carp where they are at in four minutes. I think the carp
was sent here as a blessing for poor people. The carp are here
to stay and all the barrels of money we can open will not destroy
them. I lke them and am going to keep on eating them!

(Laughter. )

Mr. Joslin: What I don’t know about carp is a great deal
more than I have been told here this afternoon (Laughter) but
I wanted to say this: nearly two years ago there were bills intro-
duced in the Michigan legislature to allow the licensing of carp
fishing or seining. ‘They finally resolved themselves into one
bill allowing seining for carp along the Detroit River, which with
the St. Clair River and Lake St. Clair connect Lake Huron with
Lake Erie. I did not know anything about whether carp ought
to be seined out or not, and a committee on fishing and fisheries
were good enough to invite the fish commissioners to come out
and tell them what we thought about it. Well we did not think
anything about it because we did not know anything about it—
whether it ought to be done or ought not to be done. Then
came certain people, (who some of them I should judge had been
to Pennsylvania) and told us what a destructive fish the German
carp was. It seemed to me that representing the fish commis-
sion at these meetings I ought to find out if I could in what way
the German carp is more destructive than other fish. This I
tried to do and I am obliged to say, Mr. President, that after
attending seven or eight meetings and after cross-examining
every one making these statements, I never got from one of them
a single definite bit of evidence that the German carp was more
destructive of our food fishes in and around Michigan than any
other fish of that nature. Now the fish commission have its con-
sent to a bill passing which would allow the seining of German

102 Thirty-Third Annual Meeting

carp along the St. Clair River and on the shores of Lake St.
Clair, and in a portion of Detroit River which borders on the
state of Michigan. I have taken occasion this summer to inquire
of the carp fishermen as to what they have found, and more par-
ticularly with regard to what effect the German carp has had on
the spawning beds of the small mouth bass. Along the shores of
Lake St. Clair are probably as many spawning beds of the black
bass as can be found anywhere. The gentleman who has done
the most of the seining for carp told me that there were so few
carp in and around the black bass spawning beds that he did not
think it was worth while to run a seine there. Now I have not
investigated it, gentlemen, to see whether that is true or not,
but I know the man and he is a straight-forward, truth telling
man.

It is true that there were some small fishermen who took ad-
vantage of the law and they would run their seines along the
black bass beds for the purpose of seining the male bass guarding
the beds, but they were few in number; and so far as I know
(and I think the game wardens will bear me out in so saying)
the carp fishermen in seining for their fish for the eastern market
do not go where the black bass congregate, and that would lead
me to believe that the carp are not particularly destructive of
the black bass.

Something has been said about the formation of fish com-
missions. I have for a long time been personally of the belief
that the consolidation of the work of a fish, forest and game
commission is a natural one. As our lands are denuded of the
forests we all know that the streams become affected, and it seems
to me that the officer or board having charge of these matters is
naturally very closely allied to and connected with the officer or
board which has charge of the propagation of fish, and ought to
have charge of the enforcement of the laws for their protection ;
and while it is not the case in the state of Michigan it has
seemed to me that that was the logical, natural way, Mr. Presi-
dent. The three members of the commission meet about twice
a month, after having first selected, as we think, as good a man
for superintendent as can be found anywhere; and when we get
together we ask him what ought to be done for the next two
weeks or a month as the case may be. He tells us what ought to

2

American Fisheries Society. 103

be done and then we order it done. (Laughter and applause.)
That is really the size of the work of the Michigan fish commis-
sion. In other words, laying aside levity, what we have striven
to do is to get as good men as could be found in any part of the
country to do the work that we are called upon to do and then
see that they do it. (Applause.)

THE WHITEFISH; SOME THOUGHTS ON ITS PRO-
PAGATION AND PROTECTION.

BY 8. W. DOWNING.

In attempting to write an article upon this subject, I am
aware that the first question that a majority of the members at
this meeting will ask themselves is, “After all these years, and
after all that has been written upon the subject, what does he
expect to get by threshing over that pile of old straw.”

Well I will make no apology for the endeavor, but will ex-
cuse myself as the Irishman did who was learning to be a brake-
man on a passenger train.

It was his first trip, and in order that he should learn to call
out the names of the stations, etc., the quicker, he was in-
structed to follow the older brakeman through the train and
repeat the names after him.

At the first station the old brakeman came through and sang
out, “Ferylhill; change for Hartlepool, Stockton and Middle-
borough; change for Spennymoor, Coxhoe and Trimdon; keep
your seats going north.”

Pat strode after him and shouted in a still louder voice:
“Fareyhill: change for Dahore, Umphump, Tootalooral, Dider-
ham; change for Coxcomb, Moorham, Findham, Coldham ; kape
your seats where you are.”

The conductor called him aside and showed him the right
names on the time-table.

Pat removed his cap and said politely, “Thank you sor. I
caught onto the music, but begorra, I didn’t just catch the
worrds.”

Now I have the music all right, and if I fail in producing
just the right words to express myself, you will have to lay the
blame to our worthy secretary, because he said “write about
whitefish,” and of course there was nothing else for me to do.

It will not be necessary for me to give the general description,
range local and scientific names, ete., as this can all be found
elsewhere, and no better name can be found for this best of all

104

American Fisheries Society. 105

merchantable fresh water fish than just plain ‘“‘whitefish,” and
beginning with that I will try to give you some of the details of
the work of propagating this fish as it is carried on at the Put-
in-Bay station.

The whitefish, like many other fishes, is migratory; its real
home being in the deeper waters at the lower end of the lake,
where it stays in summer presumably for the purpose of remain-
ing in the cool water and where the food supply is more abundant
and in winter, because that portion of the lake rarely if ever
freezes over so as to exclude the air, and the temperature of the
water at the bottom never falls as low as at the upper end of the
lake where the water is shoaler.

About the first of October as the spawning season approaches,
the instinct of reproduction prompts it to commence its journey
to the shoaler waters at the upper end of the lake where it goes
for the purpose of depositing its eggs.

The whole upper end of the lake is dotted with shoals and
reefs which are the natural spawning grounds of the whitefish,
and as the spawning season in Lake Erie begins from about
November 5th to 17th, about the first of this month they com-
mence settling in around the reefs, gradually working their way
nearer, until by about the 10th, they have gathered onto the reefs
in schools and the spawning season commences.

It is at this time that the work of collecting the eggs for this
station commences and men employed for the purpose, are sent
out into the different localities or fields, where fishing is carried
on, each man being provided with a keg, a pail, a tin dipper and
a common tin milk pan.

Upon arriving at the fishery a man goes out with each boat,
and as fast as the fish are taken on board they are examined by
the spawner and the eggs taken from the live fish. In doing
this work what is known as the “dry method” is followed: The
the pan which they would do if the pan were entirely dry; the
egos of the female are then extruded into the pan by a gentle
but firm pressure of the operator’s hand passing down over the
belly of the fish; after the eggs are all secured in this way, a
male fish is used in the same manner, the milt from the male
being extruded over the eggs in the pan, males enough being
used to insure a portion of the milt coming in contact with every

106 Thirty-Third Annual Meeting

egg in the pan, and to insure this the operator thoroughly but
carefully mixes them, using either his bare hand or the tail of a
small fish for the purpose.

After the eggs and milt have been thoroughly mixed a little
water is added the pan allowed to stand a few seconds, and then
if the fish are not coming too fast, the eggs are carefully washed
free of all milt, after which they are placed in the keg which has
been partly filled with water, and thus the process goes on until
the entire catch of fish has been handled. But in case the spawn-
ing fish are coming into the boat too fast to admit of each pan
of eggs being washed by itself, which is often the case, they are
emptied into the keg milt and all, and the washing deferred until
the eggs have all been taken, when they are all washed at once,
the water being changed until the eggs are not only clean and
free of all milt and any other foreign substance, but until the
eggs have so far hardened that there is no longer any danger of
adhesion and the eggs becoming caked in the keg or other recep-
tacle used.

After the eggs are taken in the manner described, if the field
in which they are taken is near the station, they are brought in
and if sufficiently hardened they are placed in the jars, other-
wise they are left in the kegs and the water carefully changed as
often as once an hour until such time as they are fully hardened
when they are placed in the jars.

While the eggs taken in the fields remote from the station
are first hardened and then placed upon cotton flannel trays, the
trays placed in a case and shipped to the station. The cases used
at this station contain twenty one trays each, the trays being
eighteen inches square outside measurement.

Formerly if the eggs had to be held in the field any length
of time before shipping, it was the custom to sprinkle the eggs
on the trays every day or two, but if the operator is not situated
so that he can take the eggs off the trays and wash them and
also the trays thoroughly, and repack them again, we think it
better to leave them dry.

The objection to the sprinkling is, that the bottom eggs be-
come bedded in the flannel and the wetting causes the eggs to
form a slime which soon sours, the eggs become mouldy and

American Fisheries Society. 107

several good eggs adhere to each dead one and soon all are
spoiled.

White fish eggs are hatched in glass jars holding about six
and a half quarts each, about four and a half quarts of eggs be-
ing carried in each jar, and to produce the necessary current to
prevent the eggs from matting in the bottom about one gallon of
water per minute is used.

The time required for incubation is from 128 to 150 days,
the length of time depending upon the temperature of the water.
With water at an average temperature of 3414 degrees F. 144
days were required for the eggs to hatch during the past winter.

When the hatching commences, as fast as the fry break out
of the shells they flow upward with the current and pour out of
the spout of the jar into the trough below, and eventually find
their way down into the large fry tanks which are provided with
fine brass wire screens placed across the lower end of the tanks
within a few inches of the overflow, this allows the water to pass
out but the fry are retained.

The fry are than dipped from the tanks placed in cans or
kegs provided for the purpose, taken out on a steamer and
hberated in the lake, care being taken to place the fry upon the
spawning beds where nature would have hatched the eggs had
they been deposited by the fish.

Care is also taken to distribute the fry over as large an area
as possible so as to avoid putting so many in one locality that
there will be a scarcity of food for them, the fry from the Put-
in-Bay station being distributed over an area of about eighty
square miles.

So much for the propagation of the white fish, and we will
now turn our attention to the subject of protection, not that we
expect to say anything which will throw much light upon the
matter ourself, but we may be able to say something that will
lead to a discussion of the subject by those present who can en-
lighten us, and also those who shall read the report of the pro-
ceedings of this meeting.

A great number of laws have been passed by the legislatures
of the different states bordering upon the Great Lakes, some of
them wise and some otherwise, but no doubt all were passed with
the very best intent for the protection of the different fishes.

108 Thirty-Third Annual Meeting

Some states have laws providing a closed season during the
spawning period, others have laws prohibiting the taking of fish
in certain localities during the spawning period, ete., all no
doubt intended to work the best results toward the perpetuation
of the fishing industry and the supply of food fish for the com-
monwealth.

Let us first examine the merits of the closed season for white-
fish. If the whitefish like the basses, sunfishes and some others,
were nest builders, paired and fertilized a large per cent of their
eggs, and then cared for them until they hatched, and then pro-
tected their young until the fry could care for themselves, then
the closed season would no doubt work to the best advantage and
accomplish all that is expected of it.

But such is not the case, on the contrary the whitefish is what
may be termed a school spawner, swimming over the shoals in
schools or singly as the case may, and depositing their eggs hap-
hazard regardless of whether there is a male fish within close
proximity or not, and the logical result of this careless manner
of procedure is, that but a very small per cent of the eggs thus
deposited are fertilized, and as these eggs he upon the bottom
from 128 to 150 days, it naturally follows that a great many are
destroyed by becoming covered with silt, moss and other filth,
and still more are lost by being eaten by other fishes, water liz-
ards, water fowl, ete., and it is safe to say that not one per cent
of the eggs deposited naturally produce fry, and this one per
cent stand no better chance of living and growing to the edible
size than those produced by the fish culturist and judiciously
planted.

The average number of eggs produced by each female white-
fish is about 36,000, and the fish culturist hatches an average of
eighty per cent, or something over 28,000 fry to the fish is pro-
duced, while if this same fish deposits her eggs on the reefs, but
one per cent, or 360 fry are produced, giving a difference of
27,640 fry in favor of the fish culturist, or for every million of
fry produced naturally, the fish culturist produces eighty mil-
hons.

It is however claimed by the advocates of the closed season
that not all the fish taken upon the reefs are ripe, and that no
eggs can be taken from the green fish, this is true and it is

American Fisheries Society. 109

equally true that no eggs can be obtained from any of the fish
caught before the spawning season.

But it is a fact that of the fish caught on the reefs during
the spawning season, from fifty to seventy per cent are spawning,
and putting it at the lowest estimate, we then have an increase
over nature of about 13,829 fry to the fish, or where nature pro-
duces 1,000,000 fry we produce 40,000,000, besides giving em-
ployment to hundreds of men, and furnishing a supply of the
very best food to the people.

Now if the above statements are borne out by the facts, and it
is a good thing to have a closed season at all, why would it not
be better to prohibit fishing during the months of July and Au-
gust, at a time when it is next to impossible to get the fish to
market in a wholesome condition, and allow the fish to be taken
during the spawning season, when the greater per cent of the
eggs can be secured and hatched and the resulting fry returned
to the water, thus securing to a certainty the perpetuation of the
industry, and furnishing a large supply of one of the most whole-
some foods that nature has bestowed upon man ?

At the close of our meeting at Woods Hole last year, a num-
ber of us were permitted to visit several of the private trout
farms where they make a business of rearing fish for market,
and supplying eggs and fry to others who are going into the busi-
ness or who are desirous of stocking streams, and it was noticed
that at each place the plant was equipped with a hatchery, rear-
ing ponds and all the equipment necessary to carry on the work
of propagation.

Now, if it is better to have a closed season in order to let the
fish reproduce, why have these men gone to all the trouble and
expense of erecting hatcheries, supplying themselves with appa-
ratus, ete., for the work? Why not, when they have the fish, the
stream and everything under their own control, keep away and
allow the fish to reproduce in a natural manner and in large
quantities? Why? Because these men are in it for profit and
they know that if they trust to nature their stock will be ex-
tremely small, and their profits correspondingly light.

But, says the protectionist, “Do you not then believe in any
form of protection for the fishing industry?” Certainly we do.
We believe in having laws made for the protection of the fish, and

110 Thirty-Third Annual Meeting

believe in having said laws made very simple and binding so that
there shall be no misunderstanding, and after they are made have
them strictly enforced with a penalty sufficiently heavy to effect-
ually prohibit the probability of the same person committing the
second offence.

However we realize that it is a pretty hard proposition to
enact a general law for the protection of the fishing industry of
the Great Lakes that will not work an injustice to some one, as
the local conditions are so varied, that the regulations which
would be all right and just in one locality, if enforced in another
would drive the fishermen out of business.

But we believe that a law might be enacted and made inter-
state and international which would work a hardship to no one,
be just to all alike and yet be almost a perfect protection to the
industry, and that would be to simply have a size limit, making
the limit large enough for each variety of fish, so that every fish
retained for market or for the table shall have had a chance to
spawn at least once, all fish under the size mit to be returned
to the water with the least injury possible.

With such a law, with a heavy penalty for having undersized
fish in one’s possession, with a fearless officer stationed in each
port where fish are brought for sale to enforce it, so that the
slaughter of immature fish would be effectually stopped, and the
work of propagation still carried on to the fullest degree, we
believe that but a short time would elapse until the effect would
be plainly seen and the lakes again teeming with all kinds, and
especially with this the best of all fresh water fishes.

JAPAN, THE PARAMOUNT FISHING NATION.*
BY HUGH M. SMITH.

[ABSTRACT]

When Fish Commissioner Bowers directed me to go to Japan
to look into the fisheries and related industries, and thus con-
ferred on me the honor of being the first American detailed for
this service, I was already aware of the general importance of
the fishing industry of that country and was well informed on
some of its phases; but I was not prepared for the wonderful
developments which I met with in all parts of Japan. Quickly
dispelled were any lingering doubts | may have had as to
whether I could learn anything of really practical application
to the United States fisheries, and before I left I was firmly con-
vineed that there is no country from which we and other western
nations may learn more about fishing matters.

My unfamiliarity with the language might have been a seri-
ous drawback, but it really proved a blessing; for the Japanese
government came to my relief in a most unlooked for and most
generous manner. Experts of the Imperial Fisheries Bureau,
some of whom I had already met in America, were detailed one
after another to act as guides, companions and interpreters; and
on my entire visit, during which I travelled 5,000 miles within
the country, | was accompanied by officials well acquainted with
the different regions and their fisheries. Furthermore, in every
province where fisheries were to be inspected the local govern-
ment received orders from Tokyo to make advance arrangements
for the foreigner’s coming, and to detail an assistant in the fish-
ery department to remain with the party as long as it was in that
particular province.

In asserting that Japan is the leading fishing nation, I am
aware that its fisheries are exceeded in value by those of two or
three other countries, but Japan is pre-eminent—

1. In the actual number of people making a livelihood by
fishing.

2. In the relative numbers of persons engaged compared
with the total population.

* This article, with accompanying illustrations, is published by permission of Hon. Geo. M.
Bowers, U. S. Commissioner of Fisheries.

111

112 Thirty-Third Annual Meeting

3. In the relative importance of fishery products in the
domestic economy.

4. In the ingenuity and skill shown by the people in devis-
ing and using fishing appliances and in preparing fishery pro-
ducts.

5. In the extent to which all kinds of water products are
utilized.

6. In the zeal displayed by the government in promoting
the interests of the fishing population.

Complete statistics of the Japanese fisheries have not been
published, and many details that one would like to know are
inaccessible. Statistics of the catch, however, are fairly com-
plete and are alone sufficient to place Japan in the front rank of
the fishing nations. The annual value of the water products
is now about $30,000,000. ‘The fishing vessels and boats number
nearly 500,000, of which about 18,000 are more than 30 feet
long, and 85,000 additional are more than 18 feet long.

One-twentieth of the entire population is fishermen. The
latest figures available give 940,000 professional fishermen and
1,400,000 who devote a part of their time to fishing and a part
to agriculture or other pursuits, a total of 2,340,000, as against
150,000 in the United States.

The factors which underlie Japan’s greatness as a fishing
nation are numerous, and some of them have already been sug-
gested, such as the ingenuity and industry of the race, and the
spirit of frugality which results in the saving of every product
of the water. The geographical features have, of course, been
potent in developing the fisheries—the numerous islands and the
great length of the coast lne (estimated at 30,000 kilometers)
bringing a large part of the population within easy reach of
the sea, so that there is scarcely any part of the empire where
fresh fish may not be had daily and this too without the aid of
railroads and ice. The extension of the empire diagonally
through 385 degrees of latitude and 38 degrees of longitude is
accompanied by a wonderful variety of water life, upward of
1,000 species of fishes being already known, and other classes
being correspondingly well represented. ‘To all of this is to be
added a great abundance of most useful products, some peculiar
to the inshore waters, others high-sea species which come close

American Fisheries Socvety. 113;

to the coast in immense droves and are perpetually renewed,
owing to the presence of water several thousand fathoms deep
within a few miles of the main land.

To the attitude of the government must be attributed no
small share in the development of the fisheries. Since the Re-
storation, the control of the industry has been vested largely in
the central government; and everything has been done that the
most enlightened civilization could require to promote the wel-
fare of the fishermen and the growth of the business. With
characteristic progressiveness, officials have been sent’ to America
and other countries from time to time to study fishing and fish
culture, and the best methods of foreign lands have been adopted
by the Japanese so far as applicable to local conditions. The
Imperial Fisheries Bureau, a branch of the Department of Agri-
culture and Commerce, is splendidly organized and ably ad-
ministered by specialists in biology, fish culture, economic fish-
eries, and law who can hold their own in any gathering. The
work is conducted on modern lines, with great stress laid on
scientific investigation as the basis for fishery legislation and
promotion.

The imperial government, and the various local governments,
appreciate the importance of experimental and biological sta-
tions in connection with the fisheries, and many such stations
have been established and are now doing excellent work. Most
of the stations or laboratories are completely equipped with can-
ning and other apparatus, and experiments are constantly in
progress to develop methods of preserving all kinds of aquatic
products.

An institution to which the Japanese can point with great
pride, and about which I should like to talk at some length did
time permit, is the Imperial Fisheries Institute, located in the
outskirts of Tokyo, on Tokyo Bay. I had the honor of being
permitted to give a talk before the faculty and students of the
institute on the fishery work of the United States. Upon be-
ing shown about the place and seeing something of the equip-
ment and methods, | was completely overwhelmed, and had no
hesitation in asserting that no other country had a similar
institution which could compare with this one in comprehensive-
ness of curriculum, thoroughness of instruction, and complete-

114 Thirty-Third Annual Meeting

ness of equipment. The plant covers nearly 9 acres, of which
the dock occupies 14% acres and the buildings over 2 acres. The
work extends over three years, and has three courses, any one of
which may be selected for special study by students in their third
year, each course occupying 10 full months. The department
of fishing includes the following subjects in its regular curricu-
lum: Methods of fishing, navigation, seamanship, ship-build-
ing, meteorology, oceanography, applied mechanics, applied
zoology, appled botany, mathematics, law, economics, book-
keeping, elementary fisheries technology, and English. The
department of fisheries technology has special instruction in
marine food products, marine industrial products, bacteriology,
applied mechanics, industrial chemistry, chemical analysis, ap-
plied zoology, applied botany, law, economics, bookkeeping and
English. In the department of pisciculture, the subjects are
fresh-water culture, salt-water culture, protection of fish, embry-
ology, bacteriology, oceanography, chemistry, applied zoology,
applied botany, law, economics, bookkeeping, and English. Pro-
vision is made for post-graduate investigations and for various
special technical inquiries. The institute has an annual income
from the government amounting to $70,000, and several minor
funds; and has numerous graduates, most of whom obtain excel-
lent positions as directors of fishing, fish-curing, and fish-cul-
tural establishments.

The Japanese Fisheries Society deserves mention. It was or-
ganized about 25 years ago, and has done excellent work directly
and in co-operation with the government. It publishes a month-
ly journal, and has 4,979 members.

It will, of course, be impossible in a short time to do more
than present a brief general outline of the Japanese fisheries,
and then to note particularly a few of the more attractive or
important branches or phases of the industry.

While the Japanese high-sea fisheries, for cod, halibut,
whales, fur-seals, etc., are important, and while the river and
lake fisheries yield considerable quantities of products, the shore
fisheries alone give to Japan its prominent and unique position
as a fishing nation.

Of the most valuable products, many are identical with or
similar to ours, the principal difference in the fisheries of the

American Fisheries Society. 115

two countries being in the relative extent to which particular
animals are utilized. Herring is king of fishes in Japan, just
as it is in some European countries and in the world considered
asa whole. This fish is worth $4,000,000 yearly to the Japanese,
and is particularly abundant in the northern provinces. Next
in importance come the sardines, valued at $3,700,000; they
are extensively canned, and are also eaten fresh and sun-dried.
Their bonito, very similar to ours, ranks third in value, the an-
nual sales being $2,000,000. It is prepared in a peculiar way,
and is always kept on hand as an emergency ration in Japanese
houses. A fish similar to our scup or red snapper and known as
the tai is the favorite fish for fresh consumption, and is worth
about $2,000,000 yearly. Other prominent products are mack-
erel ($1,000,000), tunny or horse-mackerel ($900,000), amber-
fish or yellow-tail ($1,000,000), squid and cuttle-fish ($1,500,-
000), anchovies ($800,000), prawn ($700,000), and salmon
($600,000).

The Japanese have no fisheries comparable with our shad,
alewife, menhaden, striped bass, white-fish, pike perch, lake
trout, soft crab, lobster and sponge fisheries. Their oyster and
clam fisheries are insignificant by comparison with ours; so, too,
are their salmon, mullet, cod, halibut, whale and other fisheries.
On the other hand our herring, sardine, anchovy, yellow-tail,
tunny, squid, prawn, abalone, shark, bonito, and sea-weed fish-
eries are trivial compared with theirs; and we have no cuttle-
fish, sea-cucumber, and coral fisheries. The recent growth of
the Japanese coral fishery has been marked, and the Mediterra-
nean corals which for centuries have monopolized the world’s
markets have already taken second place; much of the Italian
output of coral ornaments is now made from imported Japanese
raw products.

For weeks at a time I was away from towns having Euro-
pean hotels, and lived at Japanese inns in strictly native style,
sleeping on the floor, receiving callers while kneeling on the
floor, and eating while sitting cross-legged on the floor before
miniature tables, my wants supplied by more polite waitresses
than one ever meets in any other land. <A typical Japanese meal
abounds in products of the water, and is replete with surprises
to the unsophisticated foreigner. This is particularly true of
the smaller fishing villages where I passed many days.

116 Thirty-Third Annual Meeting

When it comes to eating water products, the Japanese have
few prejudices. If any species of fish are discarded, they must
be very few indeed and I learned of none. Among their
commonest, cheapest and most wholesome food-fishes are sharks,
which are brought into the markets and butchered much after
the manner of beef in our country. For some reason we do not
knowingly eat sharks, and thereby miss a good deal. As some
of you are doubtless aware, the dog-fishes, which go in such im-
mense droves on our east coast and are so destructive, are excel-
lent when fresh or canned; and I predict that the day will come
when these and other sharks will be regularly seen in our mark-
ets.

Raw fish is one of the national foods. I acknowledge that
my repugnance to it was great, but it was overcome with the first
dish, for as prepared and served by the Japanese the thin, cold,
boneless slices of perfectly fresh tai or mackerel, taken with chop
sticks and dipped in soy-bean sauce, are delicious.

Other articles which I have eaten at a single full-course din-
ner are fish soup, fried fish, baked fish, fried eels and rice,
pickled eggs of sea-urchins, dried octopus or squid, boiled aba-
lone, sea-weed jelly, and shredded whale cartilage, pickled.

A characteristic scene in the larger coast towns is a crowd of
men, women and children searching and scraping and digging
with hand, or stick, or rake, on the shores at low tide for any
little fish, or shell, or crab, or bit of sea-weed that may serve as
food. In Yokohoma, where I first saw this practice, swarms of
poor people appear on the beach at each period of low water,
and seldom fail to carry home with them enough of the bounty
of the sea to serve for several meals. A very striking sight is
some times afforded by the bright garments of the women and
girls, who even though their kimonos may be plain, usually affect
gay obis and underskirts. At low tide, boats resort to the marshes
and bars for the purpose of gathering any kinds of products that
may have been stranded or that may be accessible by wading.

Fishing vessels and boats are of various patterns, according
to the region, fishery, etc.; but all those used in marine fishing
are alike in being very strongly and heavily built, many being
almost clumsy from our standpoint. They are often constructed
throughout without the use of nails, and are not painted. The

American Fisheries Society. 117

boats are for the most part arranged for sculling instead of
rowing, and their crews are large. Human labor is one of the
cheapest commodities in Japan. It is no uncommon thing to
find eight to twelve men constituting a boat’s crew, whereas with
us a similar boat and fishery would require only three or four
men. ‘The sails are frequently of the junk rig, and sometimes
consist of five or six upright widths of straw matting loosely
laced together.

The fishermen venture far off shore in small open boats,

FISHING BOATS WITH LARGE CREWS.

sometimes as much as 75 miles, in quest of certain pelagic fishes.
The first intimation I had of the proximity of the Japanese coast
on the voyage from San Francisco was the sight of small fishing
junks, many of them with women in their crews.

The Japanese fishermen are hardy, ingenious, capable, sober,
brave and patriotic. In view of recent developments in Man-
churia, Korea, and on the seas, it is proper to mention that the
prowess of the Japanese on land and water is due in no small
degree to the skill, bravery and loyalty of the fishermen. When

118 Thirty-Third Annual Meeting

volunteers were called for to take vessels into Port Arthur for
the purpose of blocking the channel, those who insisted most
strongly on being allowed to go to almost certain death were the
coast fishermen; and in every naval achievement of the present
war, the fishermen in the navy have played a prominent part.
Ingenious and important uses are made of many products
which with us are mere curiosities. Nothing would seem to us
to be of less value than the dried strings of egg-cases of whelks
which are so common on our sandy shores; and yet, in Japan, I

IMMENSE BAMBOO BAIT-BASKETS.

saw many street vendors with push-carts loaded with these ob-
jects, dyed a bright red or other color and tastefully arranged
on masses of wet sea-weed; and I saw many half-grown girls
buying them and making a blowing noise by putting them be-
tween their tongue and palate.

In a town near Tokyo, I saw a shop devoted to the manufac-
ture and sale of lanterns made from the dried skins of swell-fish.
In the Loo-choo Islands, water snakes are a common article of
food. They are prepared for market by drying in an extended
or shghtly wavy position. Those I saw were about a yard long.

= ew ee

hee

American Fisheries Socvety. 119

The bamboo plant, which grows all over the country and is
widely cultivated, is useful in the fisheries in numerous ways.
Live-cars or baskets for sardines and other small fishes employed
as bait in the line fisheries are usually made of bamboo. Some
of them are colossal; one I saw drying on the beach in a southern
province was 10 feet in diameter.

The Japanese have a great many national holidays. One of
them is devoted to girls, and another, in May, is the special
property of boys. Besides the games and festivities which per-
tain especially to boys, a peculiar feature of this holiday is the
throwing to the breeze, from nearly every house, of hollow paper
and cloth fishes, some of them 20 feet long.

The octopus or devil-fish is abundant, and is an important
food-product, although my personal opinion is that it does not
appeal strongly to the American palate. The octopus is caught
im various ways, one of the most interesting of which is by the
use of earthen-ware pots, which are lowered to the bottom by
means of cords; they are entered by the octopuses, which having
insinuated themselves are reluctant to withdraw, so that the pots
may be pulled to the surface before the animals try to escape.
I bring up this fishery in order to refer to a very ingenious corol-
lary, which was first mentioned to me by a professor in the impe-
rial university and later verified by myself. More than a century
ago a vessel laden with a very valuable cargo of porcelains from
Korea destined for the imperial household was wrecked in the
Inland Sea; the captain and other officers did what seems to have
been a favorite amusement of the olden days, namely, they com-
mitted suicide just before the vessel sank in deep water. Re-
cently the fishermen have been recovering pieces of this pottery,
which now has an appreciated value, by tying strings to octo-
puses and lowering them in the vicinity of the wreck. The ani-
mals enter the vessels and retain their hold of them while being
drawn to the surface. Several pieces of this porcelain which I
saw were gems, seeming but little the worse for their prolonged
submergence.

Japan has an abundance of frogs. Every one of the million
or more rice fields, with its numerous ditches, is a natural frog
farm, and the croaking of frogs is the characteristic sound out-
side the cities; but, singularly enough in a country where few

120 Thirty-Third Annual Meeting

resources are neglected, frogs have no market value and are
never used except as delicacies for sick children. On thinking
about this matter, however, it has occurred to me that perhaps
the frogs are much more valuable as destroyers of insects injuri-
ous to the rice plant than they would be as food. In the rice
ditches and reservoirs, carp are very extensively grown, and vari-
ous small fishes also occur and are caught with scoop nets or
short seines.

The cultivation of water products has gone hand in hand
with the development of the fisheries, and in certain lines has
attained greater perfection and extent than in any other coun-
try. The culture of terrapin, which with us is an unsolved prob-
lem and has only recently been seriously approached, has been
very successfully carried on for years by the Japanese. I visited
a terrapin farm near ‘Tokyo where 40,000 young were hatched
last year and 10,000 large terrapins were reared and sold at an
average price of 40 cents a pound. The Japanese oysters are of
excellent quality, and are extensively and ingeniously cultivated,
as shown in a special report recently issued by the Bureau of
Fisheries. The artificial propagation of food-fishes is not as yet
important and is practically restricted to salmon in the island
of Hokkaido and to carp in all sections.

The fish whose cultivation engages more people than any
other species is the gold fish. The attention given to this species
illustrates one of the characteristic racial features of the Jap-
namely, the love for the purely beautiful or ornamental
which pervades all classes, and the time and money they bestow
on things that appeal to the esthetic rather than to the mer-
cenary and practical, notwithstanding a large part of the popu-
lation is and always has been pitifully poor in this world’s goods.
The demand for gold-fish appears to be without limit, and every
year the output shows a substantial increase. Many thousand
people make a livelihood by growing gold-fish for market, and
hundreds of peddlers carry the fish through the streets and along
the roads in wooden tubs suspended from a shoulder-bar. ‘The
leading gold-fish center is Koriyama, not far from the ancient
capital city of Nara. Here are 350 independent breeding estab-
lishments, whose yearly output runs far up into the millions.
One farm at which I spent some time was started 140 years ago,

anese

American Fisheries Socvety. 121

at first for the mere pleasure of the owner, but later it became a
commercial enterprise and is now very profitable.

The history and methods of gold-fish culture in Japan make
a very interesting subject to the fish-culturist, biologist and eth-
nologist; and I wish I had time to dwell on it. Some of the
American ideas as to the way in which the different varieties
are produced are preposterous and caused much mirth among the
Japanese when I mentioned them. On this point I need only
say that the results are due to selection and feeding, through
many generations, beginning with the wild, carp-colored form
which is abundant in lakes and ponds.

A branch of the fisheries in which Japan far surpasses all
other countries as regards both extent and methods is the sea-
weed industry. In the United States, notwithstanding our long
coast line and sea-weed resources not inferior to Japan’s, the
annual crop of marine vegetables is worth only $40,000, whereas
in Japan these products are worth not less than $2,000,000, and
are exceeded in value by only four animal products of the fisher-
ies. Many kinds of alge are gathered, and many uses are made
of them. The local consumption is enormous, yet large quanti-
ties of prepared sea-weeds are exported to China, America,
Europe and elsewhere.

One of the most valuable kinds of sea-weeds is the kelp, or
Laminaria, which is taken in immense quantities on the more
northern coasts, particularly in the island of Hokkaido. The
fishermen go out in small boats and gather the weeds from the
rocks by means of long-handled wooden hooks. The plants are
spread flat on the beaches to dry, and when thoroughly cured
are packed in bundles and sent to manufacturers in various parts
of the empire, by whom it is prepared for market in a great
variety of ways, under the geneval name of kombu. Kombu is
one of the staple foods of the country, entering into the dietary
of almost every family and being eaten alone as a vegetable or
as a seasoning for meats, fish, stews, etc. One of the commonest
methods of preparation is to dye the dried fronds with a solution
of copper sulphate or a green aniline stain, for the same reason
that French peas are dyed, and then cut them into long shreds
which, when dry, resemble the so-called “Spanish moss” that
festoons trees in the Southern States. After the shredded weed

122 Thirty-Third Annual Meeting

is thoroughly dried in the open air, it is baled for shipment,
much of it going to China. This business has been carried on

t

ae,

SS
SSS

Sta

.

GATHERING KELP IN HOKKAIDO.

since about 1730; employs thousands of men, women and chil-
dren; and is worth from $500,000 to $1,000,000 a year.
Various alge with soft, pulpy fronds are dried by the fisher-

American Fisheries Society. 1

men and sold to dealers for manufacture into a kind of glue.
The weeds are soaked in fresh water, made into thin, loose-
meshed sheets, and rolled hke Japanese matting. When ready
for use, such sheets are boiled in fresh water, and the pasty mass
resulting is employed as a starch for clothing, in stiffening
fabrics, In cementing walls and tiles, and in other ways. This
business dates from about 1670, and is now conducted in over
100 establishments.

A very interesting and valuable sea-weed product, and the

BARS OF VEGETABLE ISINGLASS.

one with which Americans and Europeans are most concerned,
is vegetable isinglass, or agar-agar. It is made from weeds rich
in jelly by boiling in fresh water and straining the pulpy mass
through coarse cloths. For convenience in handling, the pulp is
formed into slender sticks about a foot long, which are used lo-
eally in making food-jellies or are exported to Europe and Amer-
ica for use of bacteriologists in making culture media; or the
pulp is molded into bars a foot long and 114 inches square,
which are sold almost exclusively in Holland for use in clarify-

124 Thirty-Third Annual Meeting

ing liquors. The Japanese name for this product is kanten,
meaning “cold weather,” in allusion to the fact that it can only
be prepared during winter, as a low temperature is necessary for
the solidification of the jelly. Five hundred establishments are
devoted to its manufacture, and the output in 1902 was 3,000,-
000 pounds, valued at $750,000. The identical alga from which

vi
SS== wy
SSS ltr. S a:

PLANTING BRUSH ON WHICH THE LAVER IS TO GROW.

the Japanese make their kanten abounds on our coasts, but not
a piece of it is now utilized. I cannot believe that our coastwise
inhabitants will much longer neglect this valuable resource,
which yields a high-priced, easily-made product whose gelatiniz-
ing properties exceed those of any other known substance.

American Fisheries Society. 125

One other sea-weed must be referred to because the supply
comes almost entirely from planted grounds, and in the culti-
vation of marine vegetables the Japanese stand alone. In all
parts of the world there occurs a red alga known to British and
Americans as laver, which was formerly a popular food in the
British Isles and sparingly eaten in the United States. From a

YUM
WW i

YY) Wy Yt] WY HULA
=

LYNNE Wh TE vl |

yrs

SPREADING AND DRYING LAVER ON MATS.

very remote period the Japanese have utilized this plant, and
for centuries—just how long is not known—have carried on an
ingenious form of cultivation. In fall, arrangements for the
sea-weed crop are made by sinking into the muddy bottoms of
bays numerous bundles of brush or bamboo. These bundles,
which are prepared on shore and taken to the grounds at low

126 Thirty-Third Annual Meeting

tide, are planted in regular lines, deep holes being made for them
by means of an elongated conical wooden frame, with handles,
which is forced into the mud by the weight of the fisherman. The
brush intercepts and affords an attachment for the sea-weed
spores, which grow so rapidly that by January the plants have
attained their full size and the cutting of the crop begins. The
plants die about the time of the vernal equinox, and the active
business is at a standstill until the ensuing autumn. The best
grounds for the cultivation of laver are in Tokyo Bay, and are

YELLOW-TAIL NET AND BOATS.

leased by the government. In 1901 the area planted with brush
was 951 acres, and the value of the crop was over $148,000, or
$156 an acre. In 1903 the same area yielded $300,000, or over
$310 an acre. The total area of cultivated grounds in the whole
of Japan is about 2,300 acres, and the value of the sea-
weeds grown thereon is $400,000 to $500,000. About 3,500
families are engaged in this form of aquiculture. Small quanti-
ties of the laver are eaten fresh, but most of it is sun-dried before
it reaches the consumer. The weeds are washed, picked, sorted,

4
;
;
}

Ae

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American Fisheries Society. 127

and then chopped fine by hand; and the wet, chopped pieces are
spread on small bamboo mats and pressed by hand into thin
sheets, the mats being placed on inclined frames in the open air.
When drying is complete, the sheets are stripped from the mats,
piled and pressed, and tied into small bundles for market. This
product has numerous culinary uses, and is found in every Jap-
anese kitchen.

Reference has already been made to the importance of the
amber-fish, or yellow-tail. Along the southern shores of Shikoku,

ONE OF THE BOATS IN THE YELLOW-TAIL FISHERY.

one of the five main islands, the taking of yellow-tails is the
chief fishery, requiring a large outlay of capital and employing
many men. ‘The apparatus used is a huge bag net, with long
straight wings. When a school of fish has entered the net, the
boats close in, the fish are driven into the bag, and are finally
pocketed. I believe I am safe in saying that the yellow-tail nets
are larger than any other set-nets in the world and require the
services of more men. Each net is tended by 25 or 30 boats, in-
cluding a look-out boat with an elevated perch; and 150 to 200

128 Thirty-Third Annual Meeting

men are in constant attendance. A net which I visited and saw
drawn had two wings, each 3,000 feet long, one of them extend-
ing to the shore; the bag was 900 feet long, 250 feet wide at its
mouth, and 125 feet deep. During a season of 2% months, this
net had stocked $50,000, which was an ordinary catch. On one
occasion 10,000 yellow-tails, averaging 20 pounds each, were
taken at one haul. There is only one yellow-tail net in each vil-
lage, and in many cases it is almost the sole source of wealth to
a community. In five or six years some of the poorest and mean-
est villages have been made rich and undergone striking internal
improvements as the result of the establishment of yellow-tail
fishing. When the haul of the net in question was completed
and we were about to steam away, the captain of the crew came
alongside and presented a fine yellow-tail, a large tai, and several
bonito, which were cooked on the run back to port.

Of all the fresh-water fishes of Japan none is more interest-
ing than the ayu, or dwarf salmon. It is found in the mountain
rivers throughout the empire. and is an important food and
game species. Its introduction into certain American waters
would be very desirable, and I strongly recommend that its ac-
climatization be attempted. Following are some of the points
in the life history of this really remarkable fish, about which
very little has been written:

It spawns in fall, at night, in the lower courses of rivers, on
gravelly riffles. The eggs are attached to the gravel, and imme-
diately after attachment the outer shell ruptures and becomes
everted. Hatching takes place in three or four days, and the
young go to sea, remaining in the vicinity of the rivers until
spring, by which time they have become two or three inches long.
Then they run up the streams, going to the upper waters and
reaching full size by August. In the young fish less than two
inches in length, there are conical teeth ih the jaws, and cope-
pods, flies and insects generally are eaten; fish about two inches
long lose their teeth, they cease to eat animal food, papillae
especially adapted for scraping alge from stones develop on
the lips, and ever afterward alge constitute the sole food. The
species reaches maturity when five inches long, and its maximum
length is a little over ten inches. When just a year old, it drops
down stream, spawns and dies.

American Fisheries Society. 129

The ayu takes the fly readily, and is caught for market in
various kinds of contrivances, but the most interesting fishery is
that carried on with trained cormorants. Most of you have doubt-
less heard of this fishery but perhaps you have thought, as I did,
that it was a good deal of a myth. With us cormorants are about
the most useless of all water birds; but from a very remote an-
tiquity—certainly for 1,000 years—the Japanese have employed
cormorants for catching ayu on some of the clear mountain
streams.

At the time of my visit to the most celebrated of the cormo-
rant fishing villages, in the outskirts of the large city of Gifu,
the outlook for fish was not good and the fishermen had decided
not to go out that day; but the governor of the province had been
notified of my coming by the central authorities in Tokyo, and
did something which would be quite unthinkable on the part of

a governor of one of our states—he ordered the fishermen to fish,

and they did so! He also had taken for me an excellent and
unique series of photographs from which the illustrations have
been made.

The most expert of the cormorant fishermen and trainers,
whose ancestors for many generations had engaged in this fishery
in the same locality, attired himself in the peculiar dress of the
profession for the purpose of giving a special exhibition of his
birds and the method of handling them. In preparing the birds
for fishing, the first step is to put a cord around the lower part
of the gullet, so that the fish which they catch may not pass be-
yond a point whence they may be resurrected. You ean readily
understand that it is a delicate operation, as too tight a cord will
injure the bird and too loose a one will enable it to swallow the
fish. The cormorants are controlled by a cord about 14 or 15 feet
long attached at the back of the neck, the first part of the cord
consisting of a stiff piece of whalebone upwards of a foot long,
the function of which in preventing the tangling of the cord is
easily understood.

The boats are of a special type, being long, narrow dugouts,
propelled primarily by paddles, but when en route to the fishing
erounds a sail is often used. Unfortunately for the photog-
rapher, the fishing is done at might, and you can see on the screen
not the real operations but only imitations. Late in the after-

130 Thirty-Third Annual Meeting

noon the boats start for a place in the river where fishing will
begin, the cormorants stowed away in pairs in large, circular
bamboo baskets. The fishing grounds cover many miles, and
successive sections of the river are fished nightly, some stretches

CHIEF OF THE CORMORANT FISHERMEN.

of several thousand yards being set aside as imperial preserves
where no fishing is permitted.

Each boat has a crew of four men and a complement of six-
teen cormorants. As soon as darkness prevails, a blazing fire of
pine wood is kindled in the iron basket over-hanging the bow of
the boat. The birds are dropped overboard and the boats drift

American Fisheries Society. 131

down stream in a line, each guided by two men. The captain
manages twelve cormorants and his assistant four. With the
birds diving and darting in all directions, those of different boats
mingling, it is a wonder that they do not soon become inextrica-
bly tangled; but so skillfully are they managed that the lines

A TRAINED FISHING CORMORANT.

rarely become fouled. In a surprisingly short time the cormo-
rants’ gullets begin to bulge with fish; when they are well-filled,
the birds are pulled up to the gunwale of the boat one by one
and their catch is gently squeezed out into baskets, the fish
usually being still alive. This is continued for several hours,

132 Thirty-Third Annual Meeting

and each cormorant may have filled its pouch fifteen to twenty
times.

A spirit of intense enthusiasm fills men and birds alike; and
the shouts of the fishermen, the croaking of the birds, the rush
of the mountain stream, the splashing and creaking of the pad-
dles, the hissing of the embers as they fall into the water, the
weird lights and shadows, combine to make a performance which
a westerner is not likely soon to forget.

Spectators usually go to the fishing grounds in a kind of

CORMORANT FISHERMEN BOUND FOR THE FISHING GROUNDS.

barge, illuminated by the soft hght of lanterns and well stocked
with eatablés, which are daintily served by dainty maids. On
the mght when I had this unique experience, the boats averaged
800 fish ‘apiece, and the seven boats in whose operations I was

particularly interested caught fish worth $150—a very large sum
to Japanese fishermen. ‘he catch was largely ayu, four to eight
inches long, some of which I had for breakfast next day. The
highest praise for these fish which I feel safe in proclaiming is
that they were as delicious as brook trout.

American Fisheries Society. 133

Shima is the Rhode Island of Japan, being the smallest of all
the Japanese provinces; and it has been celebrated from the
earliest times, not for its clam bakes, but for its women divers,
who are among the most expert of their class and among the
most interesting people of Japan, inheriting through many gen-
erations an aptitude for water hfe which makes them veritable
human ducks. During a considerable part of the year they are
in the water from five to seven hours daily, coming out about
three times to warm themselves by fires kindled on the shore.

DEMONSTRATION OF CORMORANT FISHING.

The chief objects of their pursuit are pearl oysters, which
abound in the clear, cold waters of this province. Gradually the
valuable pearl-oyster grounds have passed into the possession of
one proprietor, who is engaged in the growing of pearls by arti-
ficial means and employs most of the divers. Those of ordinary
ability receive the munificent salary of ten to twenty cents a day;
but the most expert, like those clad in white who are giving a
special exhibition for my benefit, are paid as much as thirty
cents. Each diver has a tub in which the pearl-oysters are
dropped as they are brought up. The average length of time the

134 Thirty-Third Annual Meeting

divers remain down is a little less than a minute, and the maxi-
mum about 144 minutes, during which time they collect four to
six oysters. One girl will gather 300 to 500 shells in a day, in
water four to six fathoms deep. On coming up and preparing.
to make another plunge, they make a prolonged, shrill whistling
sound, produced by the deep and rapid inspiratory effort. When
fifty or more divers are in the water at one time in a small area,
their peculiar whisthng is almost incessant.

Not the least interesting thing about these women ?s their

WOMEN DIVERS, PROVINCE OF SHIMA.

personal appearance. They are extremely hardy and powerful,
and even the responsibilities of maternity interfere with their
occupation for only a short time; but they age very quickly ; their
skin becomes rough and coarse; their hair turns red; and ex-
treme ugliness is their inevitable lot. When not in the water,
they are attending to their scarcely less arduous work in the
fields. They support the male members of their households, who
pass their days in lazing, smoking, and chess-playing, and are in
all respects inferior to the women.

American Fisheries Society. 135

The proprietor in question has patented a method of induc-
ing an artificial growth of pearls in these mollusks, and has built
up an exceedingly important business. He employes 100 people,
has about 100 acres under active cultivation and many hundred
acres on which to draw for his supply of mullusks for inocula-
tion, and has about 144 million of pearl-bearing oysters on the
beds all the time.

The pearls thus produced have a fine luster, and are mark-
eted in all parts of the world. Of ten pearl-oysters which I was

BOAT-LOAD OF EXPERT DIVERS.

permitted to take at random from one of the planted beds, seven
contained merchantable pearls.

A fishery station in the southern part of Shikoku, where [
spent several delightful and profitable days, was built two years
ago by the local government for the special purpose of develop-
ing new methods of fishing and of preserving fishery products.
Its working staff consists of a director, eight assistants and thirty
fishermen. A noteworthy feature of this station is that it is lo-
eated.on a tract of ground bought by the commercial fishermen

136 Thirty-Third Annual Meeting

and presented to the government for the purpose. Has any-
thing of this kind ever happened in the United States ?

An important business in parts of Japan, more especially
in the south and on the shores of the beautiful Inland Sea, is
the manufacture of salt from sea water. Many thousand persons
are engaged, and the salt thus made is used in the fisheries and
for most other purposes, there being very little rock salt em-
ployed. The salt fields are on about the same level as the sea,
and are intersected by ditches in which the tide flows. The sur-

é

'T pest ar
eee

A FISHERY EXPERIMENT STATION.

face is hard, level and sandy. Water from the ditches is
sprinkled by hand over the floor, and then, in order to promote
evaporation, men rake the wet sand with a kind of harrow. The
sprinkling and stirring of the sand continue until it can take up
no more salt; it is then scraped into piles by means of long
pieces of wood drawn by the workmen, and put into bins, of
which each field has many arranged in long rows. ‘The sand is
then thoroughly washed with sea water, and the concentrated
brine resulting collects in vats beneath the bins. From the vats

American Fisheries Society. 137

the brine is poured in a sluice or flume and transferred to large
reservoirs under cover. As required it is poured on large, shal-
low sheet-iron trays under which is a hot coal fire, and the water
is driven off by boiling.

Events are moving swiftly in Japan. The Japan of a few
years ago is not the Japan of today, and the Japan of the near
future will not be the Japan of the present. In its fisheries, as
in its entire industrial and social life, this land of the Yankees

SALT FIELD, SHORE OF INLAND SEA.

of the east is responding all too quickly to the pace set by the
Yankees of the west; and whatever the outcome of the present
unfortunate war, the changes in existing conditions will be ac-
celerated. We can not say what developments in the commercial
affairs of the nation the present generation or the next may see;
but who can doubt that Japan will continue to be our teacher in
many things, and that her fisheries and other industries will
become even more important at home and to the world at large ?

138 Thirty-Third Annual Meeting
DISCUSSION OF DR. SMITH’S LECTURE. t

At the conclusion of the lecture Dr. Smith said, “I shall be
glad to answer any questions that you may desire to put to me on
this subject.”

President Clark: When you are speaking of gold fish do you
mean to tell us that they are used for food as well as for orna-
ment ?

SALT FIELD, SHORE OF INLAND SEA.

Dr. Smith: They are used exclusively for ornament. It is a
common sight, even in the houses of the poorest peasants to find
a little goldfish globe suspended from the doorway or the ceil-
ing. (Applause. )

CORSTRUCTION OF PONDS AND POND CULTU-
RAL METHODS.

BY J. L. LEARY.

There has been so much said relative to the construction of
ponds and pond cultural methods that it seems but very little
additional can be written or suggested along this line that will
prove of value to the practical fish culturist, yet those of us who
have built ponds have discovered mistakes made in construction
as well as experience has shown errors in cultural methods and
the room for improvement therein.

The first great essential to successful pond building is abund-
ance of water. I am safe in making the assertion that few pond
building ventures have been made that were entirely satisfactory
in this respect. We felt confident the supply of water was
ample for all needs only to find after our ponds were con-
structed, nine times out of ten, that this necessary element of
success was inadequate to supply the demand.

The course of supply in most cases does not matter so that
it is abundant. It may be spring, artesian, taken from some
stream, or stored from rain and snow fall. All will answer
though of course the purer and clearer the water the better as it
adds materially to pleasure and success with the work, but bear
in mind it is water—water
you need.

just twice as much as you think

As to pond site it is necessarily secondary to water and must
be located as near the supply as possible to avoid the expense
of long conduits, ditches, or flumes. Where artesian wells are
the source of supply and so located that heavy rain storms do not
affect them it does away with long flumes or conduits that other-
wise must be used to prevent disaster by flooding the ponds and
consequent loss of fish. Most of the eligible pond sites are
subjected to this danger of overflow and every precaution should
be taken to guard against danger from this source. The most
secure place is the center of some low flat, or swamp is not ob-
jectionable, with the supply of water from spring or spring
branch. |! would build my pond or ponds in the center of flat

139

140 Thirty-Third Annual Meeting

or swamp, making them narrow enough to leave wide spaces on
either side, with banks not less than eight feet on top and thirty-
five feet wide at base. There is one precaution often neglected
in building bonds and that is the foundation or bed for your
banks. Be sure that all grass, weeds, and roots are removed
and that the earth is well broken as this allows the dirt of the
banks to assimilate with the foundation, leaving no seam for
seepage which is a source of annoyance and often develops into
a dangerous leak. At the level of water held in ponds I would
construct drainways to take off the surplus water of heavy rain
storms. A good plan is to closely observe during heavy rains
the amount of water that flows over the intended pond site and
by this means you can calculate very closely the amount of water
it will be necessary to divert. Extended flats or swampy places
have great advantages for pond building. One is nearly always
assured of an abundant supply of water and such a site is less
hable to danger from overflows than the narrow gorge of the
hillside. Then, too, on such a site you are nearly always as-
sured of an abundant growth of aquatic plants which adds much
to the value of the ponds. . Where artesian water can be relied
upon you can build on the most convenient or desirable location.

Where it is desired to supply ponds with water by diverting
part of a stream, although an abundance of water may be assured
at all times, it is too often the most dangerous of all locations,
as well as the most expensive. Such ponds are more liable to
disaster from overflow than other locations. Either you have
an expensive dam to build in order to divert the water or it is
necessary to tap the stream, if a flowing one, some distance
above your pond site and carry the water through a ditch or
raceway, and as most streams are liable to get out of their banks
at times this proves a source of danger.

The shape of a pond may conform to its situation, making it
wide in one place, narrow in another, with symmetrical curves
that add much to its beauty without impairing its usefulness.

As to the bottoms nothing uniform is desirable—shallows
here and there with little islands covered with aquatic plants
also add to the attractiveness and as these shallows may be coy-
ered with sand and gravel they make ideal spawning grounds
for the fish. If the ponds are for commercial purposes or the

American Fisheries Society. 141

rearing of great numbers of young fish is desired these irregu-
larities should all drain to the draw-off which may be by
natural drainage or if so situated that this is not feasible can be
pumped out with a small gasoline pumping plant, that being
about the cheapest power used.

This emptying of ponds is only needed for pond cultural
work. Should the writer ever build more ponds he will have
them of not less than one acre each, with irregular bottoms and
long sloping inside banks, the bottoms not so irregular as to
interfere with seining but having many shoal places for spawn-
ing grounds as well as basking and feeding places for the young
fish. While ponds built on the above lines are well adapted to
all fresh water fish they would be ideal for black bass, crappie,
strawberry bass, and in fact all of the sunfish family.

Various methods are suggested and practiced by fish cul-
turists, each no doubt thinking his own plan the best.

While good ponds with an abundance of water are the first
needs yet the importance of choice brood fish cannot be over
estimated. The mistake that many fish culturists make is over
stocking the pond and this should be carefully guarded against.
This may vary with climate but taking one acre as a pond basis
thirty pairs of fair sized black bass, two and one half to three
pounds each, and fifty pairs might not be an extreme. One
hundred pairs of the following fish: Crappie, rock bass, straw-
berry bass, and twenty pairs of channel catfish or carp.

If the output is for commercial purposes some fifteen or
twenty nursery ponds or pools will be needed. These should be
eight by twenty by two feet deep, with concrete sides and bot-
toms. The drainage should be perfect allowing them to be
cleaned at all times. The water supplying these ponds should
be carried by piping and each pool provided with a separate inlet
and outlet. The result of various experiments made with black
bass shows that no young should be transferred to nursery pools
under three-fourths to one inch long as they can then take small
particles of food prepared or collected for them. Should the
brood ponds be well supplied with natural food the young fish
should remain until they can readily take prepared food and
small minnows. The best food for most fish is the flesh of fish
and the best being the flesh of crawfish, in fact the flesh of any
fish so that it is fresh.

142 Thirty-Third Annual Meeting

My method of preparation is as follows: A white pine
chopping block two inches thick as large as desired, a sharp
butcher knife, a piece of metal sheet steel with perforations 1-32
of an inch and a glass or porcelain bowl are the articles required
for the work. The tails of the crawfish are skinned and the
flesh of the other fish skinned and boned, then chopped with the
knife upon the board, keeping knife and board wet it can be
chopped very fine and screened through the metal sheet into the
bowl and thinned to the consistency of cream with water. This
is fed to the young fish once a day or oftener if necessary.

The method of transferring young fish from brood ponds I
described at some length at our meeting last year.

A PLAN FOR BASS PONDS.
BY E. M. LAMBERT.

I beg to submit herewith a plan for bass ponds which com-
bines the advantage of a large pond for breeding and small
ponds to facilitate drawing and cleaning, together with a greater
depth of water over the entire pond than is possible in a large
pond built on the plan at present followed in this Bureau. The
material used in the construction of the subdivisions and out-
side walls, shown in the accompanying drawing, is wood—con-
erete, brick or stone can be used instead. The outside walls are
built eighteen inches to twenty-four inches higher than the sub-
divisions, so that when it is desired to convert the four small
ponds into one large one, eighteen inches to twenty-four inches
of dam boards are inserted in the four outlets and the water
rises over the sub-divisions.

Each pond is supplied with a separate inlet and outlet, so
that when the water is dropped to the low level a circulation
can be maintained as desired. By this arrangement the pond
can be drawn down in installments, a great advantage when
distribution time arrives. Frequently at the Wytheville station
we have found it necessary to draw our largest pond, over two
acres, in order to procure 500 or 600 bass to make up a car load.
This requires several days, when the pond is full of plant, and
a consequent loss of fish, especially in the months of August
and September when the water is warm, on account of the fact
that in drawing a large pond a long stretch of water line is con-
stantly receding and leaving the fish high and dry, necessitating
a large number of men to keep them picked up. Your troubles
are not over then, as storage room must be provided for the sur-
plus fish, where they will have food and the required tempera-
ture of water until needed for future shipments.

With the subdivided pond the water can be brought to the
low level in the series and each sub-division drawn as needed.

Removing plants from a large pond is a very slow undertak-
ing, it cannot be wheeled out on barrows, or hauled on wagon, on
account of the soft bottom. This labor is considerably eliminated

143

Thirty-Third Annual Meeting

144

by the sub-division, on the top of which is spiked a twelve inch

running board over which barrows can be run to remove the

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plant or silt, should it become necessary at any time to remove

the latter.

A fence built of one-half inch by two inch pickets runs the

American Fisheries Society. 145

entire length of the series, cutting off the nesting grounds so that
the large fish are confined to a limited area. One end of the
picket is driven into the mud, the other rising to a level of, or a
foot above, the outside walls. Gates wide enough to pass a
wheelbarrow are set in over each sub-division.

Any size or shape pond can be subdivided in this manner,
and can then be used as one large or as a series of small ponds.

Discussion of the papers of Mr. Leary and Mr. Lambert.

Mr. Titcomb: (Before reading Mr. Lambert’s paper) I
recently visited the Wytheville station, and while talking with a
fish culturist there he presented a new idea on the construction
of ponds for the propagation of bass, and I requested him to
make a drawing and some specifications. Now this paper he
did not send for the use of the society, but it seemed to me an
idea which possibly might be worked out and become of value to
us, and I have therefore taken the lhberty to present it at this
time.

(At the conclusion of the paper). I have here the drawing
which he has made to give the idea. It can be modified in many
ways, but as you have learned from the paper, the chief idea is
to have a series of small ponds which can be overflowed, and
when overflowed form one large pond, drawing down that pond
you reduce your fish into as many small ponds as you have parti-
tions, and can take them out at your leisure.

Mr. Leary: I think the plan is quite elaborate, for as soon
as you draw your ponds, the fish all go to the upper ends anyway
and you can get most of them by seining. Bass do not follow
the water, they work against it. So I do not think there would
really be any advantage in these partitions, although there might
be. But all fish travel against the current, and the minute you
commence to draw a pond all your fish seek the way the water is
coming from and go against it, and your fish go to the upper
end of your pond, so that you would have to resort to seining.
Anyway you can seine as many as you want and leave the balance.
All stations should have good nursery ponds. And if you can-
not use all your fish at once, you can hold them over two or three
weeks. That is the way I do—still the plan offers some ad-
vantages under certain circumstances.

146 Thirty-Third Annual Meeting

Mr. Titcomb: You can have a supply in each one of those
small ponds.

Q. You can have extra inlets to each of the small ponds?

A. You can have as many inlets as necessary, and supply
each small pond separately. You reduce your large pond to a
series of nursery ponds, practically.

Mr. Stranahan: ‘This plan would not be at all feasible with
us. We can always get out all the fish we want to make a ship-
ment. We made extensive and quite expensive experiments in
- fencing off, using chicken wire, to separate our adults from our
fry, and it was an abject and complete failure, and resulted in
the breaking up of our schools. The parent bass would come
along the fence with his brood, a portion would get through and
get separated, and schools were broken up long before they ought
to be, and we had just to remove the fence. It resulted in the loss
of a good many thousand fry for us two years ago, and we
abandoned the idea, entirely.

Mr. Lydell: I would like to ask Mr. Leary why he needs so
much water. Is it on account of its being so warm in your
locality ?

Mr. Leary: The temperature gets very high, and we have
to keep up a fair standard of fullness. We have nine months of
summer.

Mr. Stranahan: Nearer twelve.

President Clark: I would lke to say a word or two, be-
cause our experience this year has not been the same as Mr.
Leary’s. You remember a year ago at the Woods Hole meeting,
T told you that I was an infant in bass culture, and I think I
am about in the second grade in the school—and I find that what
experience we have had has been a little different from that of
Messrs. Leary, Lydell, and Bower. I do not find that bass run
up the current at all. They go down in the kettle especially
small-mouth bass.

Mr. Leary: I referred to the large-mouth bass.

President Clark: I do not see any reason why we should

American Fisheries Society. 147

have ponds like those referred to by Mr. Titcomb, because in
the large ponds they all go down in the kettle as you draw the
pond down, and no fish become stranded on the sides. We did
not have any such experience this year as has been described.
The water was very muddy, and still they went down with the
water.

Mr. Leary: I remarked that they will go against the cur-
rent until they find that they will get stranded and then they
take the back current. I never draw a pond until October, but
the fish naturally go towards the inlet until they find that they
will become stranded, and then they work backwards, and we get
all of our last fish when we draw the ponds, right at the draw.

President Clark: In speaking of water for bass ponds, like
Mr. Lydell, I do not see why it is necessary to have a larger
amount of water for bass; we can give them any quantity de-
sired; but we shut the water down to the lowest limit and still
give them water; and I find that it works better that way than
any other, and I think the fish will increase faster.

Mr. Leary: You mean you do not have a great overflow to
your ponds.

President Clark: That is true.

Mr. Leary: Neither do we; and during the spawning sea-
son it is better to cut it entirely out. I think you misunder-
stood that part of my paper.

President Clark: You mentioned the large supply of water.

Mr. Leary: But we need a large supply for we have nine
months of summer. With the evaporation and absorption we
have nothing but earth bottoms and banks to our ponds, and my
bass are different from yours. Like Texas steers they want a
lot of water and room.

Mr. Clark: Mr. Leary speaks of the nursery ponds and
placing his fish therein and keeping them one, two, three, and
four weeks, or any number of weeks. He must have to supply
artificial food at that time.

148 Thirty-Third Annual Meeting

Mr. Leary: Yes. I did not say that was necessary—I say
if you have fish left over from shipment, put them in your
nursery pools and keep them. We have in the upper part of
the river where I am located, a very large supply of minnows
this year.

Mr. Clark: But with the younger fish would you not keep
them in the larger pond and distribute them from these if you
had plenty of food, in preference to taking them out and plac-
ing them in nursery ponds?

Mr.-Leary: Yes. I said if you had abundance of food in
your ponds let them stay longer. It is only when your ponds
are exhausted of food that you should take them out.

President Clark: Speaking only of the large fish?

Mr. Leary: No, the small fish too—never take fry or very
small fish from their natural conditions; if you do a loss will
follow.

Mr. Stranahan: After three years of careful experimenting
we have concluded it was a bad practice to move small fry like
that (indicating fry from three-fourths to an inch in length) to
fry ponds unless we are going to move them from the ponds
within two or three days. If the male fish has abandoned the
brood and it has become broken up into half a dozen little
schools, they will become scattered around over the pond; and if
we are not going to make shipments for two or three days, we
take the little fellows out and put them in a small pond; but if
they are going to be held a week or so, with all the feeding we
can do we cannot succeed in saving very many of them. We will
lose ninety per cent a week, if they are an inch long.

Mr. Lydell: I am afraid that we are going to get mixed
up. These gentlemen from the south are talking about large-
mouth bass and you and I are speaking of small-mouth bass.
We move our small-mouth bass to a nursery pond as soon as
they rise up from the bed and commence to take food. They
claim they cannot do that and do it successfully, but they are
speaking of the large-mouth variety. The large-mouth bass that
I have had experience with this year we moved to our nursery

American Fisheries Society. 149

ponds when about one and one-fourth inches long. I did not
see that that hurt them a particle, although we would not take
them smaller. But they are talking of large-mouth bass and we
of small-mouh bass and we are liable to get confused.

You said, Mr. President, that you were in the second stage
in progress in bass culture. I think the whole of us are about
in the baby fingerling stage in bass culture, and I think we will
have a lot of hard work to do before we get up to the yearling
stage.

Dr. Johnson: There is a simple question perhaps which
has puzzled me, which is an important factor, and that is the
care of the wire. What has been found to be the best coating to
put on your wire? All wires will rust, and as soon as they get
rusted they hold debris. I have found fish commissioners of
different states suggesting different things. I would like to
know from authorities if there is any one particular thing that
can be put on to the wires that will preserve their integrity. In
my own very small pond on each gateway I have very fine wires,
as I am dealing with small fish; and I protected that wire to a
certain extent by making a V out in front of it, with large mesh
wire, and using a small platform which gave me a place to stand
on, and from which casting is more easy, and the wire being
strong in the winter when the ice comes it is pushed to one side.
There is a thick oil, a petroleum product, that works fairly well,
until it gets rubbed off. Further, an expensive way of getting
over the difficulty is to have double sets of screens and when one
gets very dirty put in a fresh one; but there ought to be some-
thing to coat the wires with, and that problem enters into every
pond where you have any screening.

Mr. Leary: We screen all of our outlets with perforated
zinc sheets.

Dr. Johnson: Suppose you use wire, what would you coat
it with?

Mr. Leary: I have never found any wire that would stand
except galvanized wire.

Dr. Johnson: That I have used.

150 Thirty-Third Annual Meeting

Mr. Leary: That don’t stand in our climate. We have
heavy limestone water with magnesia and iron and nothing can
be used as a coating that will last, but for our outlets we use
perforated zinc sheets exclusively.

Mr. Stranahan: We believe the cheapest course is to use
brass or copper wire entirely. We have never found anything
that we can coat with that will not come off.

Mr. Dean: Why use wire instead of zinc?

Mr. Stranahan: Well, it was on hand partly when I went
there—secondly because it gives a little bit more surface, but
we do not need much wire. We calculate to cut our water down
so that we won’t have much overflow at any season of the year.

Mr. Dean: The great thing in favor of zinc is that it cleans
easier than wire.

Mr. Leary: It: does.

Mr. Dean: And won’t clog up so quickly, and if you coat
perforated zinc with turpentine asphalt it will withstand the
action of almost any water, although there are minerals that will
eat it. There is something in the water at our place that will
eat it out after a while, but a zinc screen will last on an average
of two years in our waters.

Mr. Lydell: I have found in my experience that the best
wire preservative is asphaltum and tar, half and half, and put it
onto your wire when it is at the boiling point. It will preserve
your wire for several years and will become very hard and after
being applied and dried it is very hard to get off from the wire.

Mr. N. R. Buller: I have found that pure coal tar with
proper proportions of red lead and white litharge and turpentine
put on boiling hot is the best covering. It is not easily rubbed
off and lasts two or three years.

Mr. Dean: The Harrington King Perforating Company of
Chicago have a bronze metal they claim is practically everlast-
ing in almost any weather.

President Clark: We use ordinary galvanized wire for our

American Fisheries Society. 151

ponds, coated with asphaltum. It is put on when necessary to
renew. It will last from one and one-half to three years, and
this wire as you know costs from five to seven cents a square foot.
I think if it was used it would be found the cheapest and best.
Zine costs a great deal more and the galvanized wire answers the
purpose.

Mr. N. R. Buller: I use the galvanized wire altogether, but
I think with the addition of red lead and white litharge to the
plain asphaltum it becomes harder than it does in its natural
state and will last a year or two longer than if we use the pure
asphaltum as a coating.

SOME NOTES IN CONNECTION WITH THE BASS
WORK AT MILL CREEK STATION.

BY DWIGHT LYDELL.

The output of bass from the Mill Creek Station and aux-
ihary ponds during the season now practically closed, was as
follows: Small mouth fry, 82,000; small mouth baby fingerlings
and fingerlings, 24,000; large mouth advanced fry, 452,000;
large mouth baby fingerlings and fingerlings, 88,500, all as per
sizes herewith shown.

As the subject of propagating bass was pretty well threshed
over at our last two meetings, there is perhaps little to add at
this time, at least in my own experience, that is new, but I in-
vite your attention to one or two points that may be of interest
and value. First, in regard to the construction of spawning
boxes and the setting of the same, for small mouth bass. ‘Two
years ago, at the Put-in-Bay meeting, I recommended a box en-
closed or protected on three sides, leaving only one side open for
the entrance of the spawners. In practice, however, I find that
the three-sided box is too restricted and that it is much better
to have two sides open than one, to allow more room and greater
freedom for the circling and maneuvering of the spawning pair.
By experiment I also found that a single row of beds placed
twenty feet apart around a pond will turn out more fry than a
double row with twice as many breeding fish, and the reason is
apparent. In single rows there is little or no occasion or nec-
essity for the fish to pass close to one bed in order to reach
another, hence there is much less jealously, friction and scrap-
ping.

That the male small mouth bass will mate twice in a season
and take care of two successive broods of fry, was demonstrated
beyond doubt at Mill Creek this season. ‘Twenty nests, twenty
males and twenty-eight females were placed in pond number
three. On May 4th fourteen beds were spawned on, of which
thirteen were productive. May 27th, twenty-three days after
spawning, the fry were removed and shipped or transferred to
rearing ponds. On May 29th, nine of the beds from which the

152

American Fisheries Society. 153

first hatchings had been taken two days before, were reoc-
cupied and spawned upon. All of these nests proved productive
though the average per nest was smaller than the first crop.
Owing to warmer weather and water, the fry from the second
spawning were ready for the screens June 6th, or only eight
days after the eggs were laid. Here, then, were twenty-three
nests of eggs in the two crops, all productive but one, and only
twenty male and twenty-eight female bass in the pond; so that
at least three males must have mated a second time, while, ap-
parently five females did not spawn at all.

In regard to the shipping stage for young bass, I think that
they should not be sent out as fry, that is, at the swimming up
point. The large-mouth fry are extremely small and helpless
at first, and while the small-mouth fry are much larger, the
instinct of fear is undeveloped, and this, in connection with their
color, a jet black, makes them a conspicious and easy prey for
their enemies. They should be held at least until they have as-
sumed the color and form of mature fish, a period of ten days to
three weeks in our locality. Beyond this point, however, there
is danger of losses by cannibalism, increasing as the disparity
in rate of growth becomes more marked. We recently had this
experience at Mill Creek, in a pond of small-mouths held until
forty to sixty days old. Fingerlings were opened and found to
contain two or three undigested bass of about half-fingerling
size, while one greedy fellow was actually seen to seize his own
tail and swallow himself. It is evident that the young in rear-
ing ponds should be thinned out and shipments commenced as
soon as they are one and one-half inches in length; otherwise
the increasing demand for food soon overreaches the food-pro-
ducing capacity of the pond. I believe that it is not profitable
to hold them very long after there is much variation in size, at
least until we have learned how to provide their natural food, or
a substitute, in sufficient volume for their needs. ‘This season
we discovered that there was a great deal of food in the ponds,
suitable for fingerlings, that was made available only when the
vegetation was raked up and washed out. By stirring up the
bottom and raking out the chara and other vegetation and rins-
ing it off, a surprising quantity of food, chiefly very small
shrimp, was driven from cover—*“‘flushed” so to speak, for the

154 Thirty-Third Annual Meeting

benefit of the hungry little bass. And the bass soon learned
what it all meant, congregating in schools whenever and wher-
ever the rake was set in motion, much the same as a lot of
chickens come running from every direction at a familiar call
that means, “dinner is ready.”

A word as to food for the adult or stock bass. We have found
that liver in the summer and minnows in the fall and spring
answer the purpose very well and keep the fish in good condition.
Recently I have found that blood makes excellent food for bass,
although of course we have not fed it to any extent, owing to
scarcity of the raw material in my locality. To one quart of
blood, fresh and warm from the animal, I add two rennet tablets
(known as “Junket” tablets,) previously dissolved in water. The
blood soon coagulates or curdles, changing to a mass about the
consistency of gelatine or thick jelly, which may be cut into
strips or cubes just the same as liver. The bass take it with
great relish, and if any falls to the bottom and not picked up, it
soon dissolves or disappears, leaving no foul matter in the pond.
I don’t know whether this method of preparing blood for fish
food is new to others or not, but it is new to me, and was sug-
gested on witnessing the action of rennet in converting warm
milk into curd.

Considerable has been said in the past about handling adult
bass in the spring, with reference to the effect of handling and
transportation on spawning and hatching results. So far as
large-mouth bass are concerned, our experience is that it makes
little or no difference what time the stock fish are caught and
brought in from outside waters. During the season just past
we took a number of adult large-mouths from the Saginaw river
that were nearly ready to spawn, transported them to Mill Creek,
a distance of about one hundred and forty miles, and secured ex-
cellent hatching results. Some of these fish spawned the third
day after arrival, and produced a fine lot of fry. This suggests
the possibility of artificial propagation, and right here I wish
to inquire if anyone has tried to strip and fertilize the eggs of
large-mouth bass.

But what has been said on this point about the large-mouth
bass does not apply at all to small-mouths. Our recent experi-
ence in transferring the latter from outside waters to the station

American Fisheries Society. 155

ponds only confirms what has been stated before, namely, that
the fish must be caught and placed in the ponds in the fall and
not in the spring. A year ago last spring we were a little short
of small-mouth breeders, so we took fifty adults from an inland
lake and transferred them to a pond at Mill Creek. These fish
did not mate nor show any indications of doing so, and not one
of them spawned. Late in August I opened some of the females
and found that most of the current crop of eggs had been cast
and that the eggs remaining were very soft and apparently ready
to slough away. Eggs for this season’s spawning were also in
sight. The influence of a suspension of the spawning function
through transporting in the spring, appears also to reach for-
ward to the next season, for this same pond had only six pro-
ductive beds during the season just closed. Involved in the
propagation of small-mouth bass are many perplexities and un-
certainties, but if there is any one feature concerning which a
definite rule may be laid down, it is that the adults must be
brought to their spawning quarters seven or eight months in ad-
vance of the spawning season; this gives them time to become
familiar with their suroundings and to get acquainted with each
other before it is time to select their mates, build their nests,
do their courting, get married and settle down to the business
of multiplying and replenishing the waters. But if for any
reason the union proves unfruitful, as is too often the case, and
there is a tendency towards “race suicide,” then is your recource-
ful man in charge ever ready with a convincing bunch of theories
explaining it all and pointing out exactly what he proposes to
do “next season.” On the other hand, if the bass haven’t spawned
on Friday or the 13th of the month, and no one about the place
has seen the new moon over his left shoulder, in short if all
hoodoos have been sidetracked and the angel of good luck hovers
gently o’er the scene, impelling the parent stock to cover them-
selves with glory and their nests with a goodly bunch of fertile
germs, then may the superintendent of a station smile serenely,
throw a large and fragrant bouquet at himself, look wise and say,
SL DON AT?’

156 Thirty-Third Annual Meeting

(Preliminary to reading of Mr. Lydell’s paper.)

Mr. Seymour Bower: I wish to say that Mr. Lydell does not
claim that this short article rises to the dignity of a formal
paper. It is merely a few scattering notes hastily thrown to-
gether at the eleventh hour and fifty-ninth minute.

(Speaking, after reading first paragraph. )

The Michigan Fish Commission has recently established a
new bass station at Drayton Plains. It is not at present very
far advanced towards completion, but from this station we dis-
tributed this season about 165,000 advanced fry and fingerlings,
mostly large-mouth, in addition to the output from Mill Creek.
And right here I desire to explain how we grade our fish, what
we mean by fry, fingerlings, ete.

A. By fry we mean fish that have just risen from the bed;
that is, they have risen up so that they are going to remain up,
and have not taken any food, or practically none.

B. By advanced fry we mean fish three-fourth to one and
one-fourth inches in length regardless of age.

C. By baby fingerlings we mean fish one and one-fourth to
two inches in length, also regardless of age.

D. By fingerlings we mean fish two inches long up to what-
ever size they may attain at the end of the shipping season.

(At the conclusion of the paper.) In this connection I want
to call attention to one or two bottles of specimens that we
brought here. You will probably all look at them before we ad-
journ.

Here is a bottle of fish that I wish you would all look at, be-
cause they are all of an age—we know that—we drew the pond
this spring and prepared it for a nursery pond, and no fish were
put in there, adult or small, except 50,000 small-mouthed fry.
At the age of sixty-five days these specimens, representing ex-
tremes, show the disparity in growth. Some specimens will
weigh fifty times as much as others of exactly the same age! Of
course that pond was overstocked, undoubtedly, but it shows
what a great difference there is in the growth.

American Fisheries Society. 157

Mr. Lydell: I do not think it is overstocked now. (Laugh-
ter. )

Mr. Bower: Here is another specimen of small-mouth bass
with a large-mouth bass recently removed from its stomach.

Here is another bottle containing a large-mouth bass that had
just recently swallowed another bass. The stomach is distended
and distorted.

Mr. Jordan in some of his writings has quite a good deal to
say about the voracity of Pacific salmon, and indeed they are
wonderful feeders and growers; but I think that in the earlier
stages at least they are not in the same class with large-mouth
bass, or even with the small-mouth bass. He says that a salmon
never eats except when it is hungry, which is all the time, and
then it eats a little between meals for its stomach’s sake.
(Laughter.) ‘To show the difference in growth I exhibit to you
a specimen of Pacific salmon fifty days old, and you can com-
pare this specimen with bass of the same age and find the former
to be very much smaller. I do not think there is a fish that
swims that is so avaricious as the bass in its earliest stages. In
fact, if I were asked by anyone to suggest a design for a combina-
tion of greed, voracity and gluttony I would call attention to the
bass as being the best emblem of that combination possible to be
obtained.

Dr. Johnson: I do not want to do all the talking but I want
to learn a little bit more, for I came down here rather as a stu-
dent than a teacher. This question about preparation of blood
is interesting, but why is it necessary to add rennet to blood?
Is it to make it more digestible, or to make a stronger coagulum
only ?

There is one little point in these so-called artificial foods that
rather surprises me, which has not been touched upon at all, in
the preparation. It would seem to me that the addition of ordi-
nary salt would be beneficial in a great many ways. Now we
know that trouts are very fond of anything that is salt. I have
proven that simply by trying to get the best of a fish hog that I
once ran into who each and every day always selected a certain
pool and would not let me fish in it. I did not want many of his
fish, but I wanted his room, and his disappearance once in a

158 Thirty-Third Annual Meeting

while, and I did want to cast my flies into that one particular
pool. I would not ask him for it, but I took my canoe and an-
chored it quite a little distance above him, but I did not anchor
it with a stone. I anchored it with a bag of rock salt, and as
soon as the salt began to dissolve I made my cast around my
canoe, and the fish all left the pool and followed the salt up; so
I got the best of that one particular fish hog that I was fighting,
and it showed me clearly that fish love salt. Another thing they
love is sugar, and both of those things are good for a trout. When
a trout does not rise well to the fly, if vou are whipping a pool
(this I am afraid is talking the sportsman, still it might give a
hint as to the feeding, etc.), you take vaseline that you have
mixed sugar with, and smear your fly with it, and it will leave
a trail on the water which will often attract a big fish. He will
follow up the sweet place and take the fly, as he thinks it is a
sugar plum. We all know a trout will run into salt water for
food. I believe that the salvelinus runs down out of his fresh
water bogs into the sea and remains there because he gets more
food, and returns every year to his home. He soon gets accli-
matized to the brackish water with a certain amount of salt in it.
We are apt to forget the essential thing, it seems to me, in feed-
ing fish, as we do in feeding human beings. I have always
claimed (and pardon me for talking medicine just a moment)
that we made our mistakes as physicians in this world too often
—very much too often—by doing one thing or the other as far
as diet is concerned. We concentrate the diet list down to mo-
notony or we push our poor patients into some devilish theory
which eliminates lots of good food that they ought to be taking.
More patients have been killed in diabetes alone by putting them
on a rigid diet list, than by giving them plenty to eat and drink.
My patients get better under a broader diet list. So we choke
down our fishes, never thinking what they want and need; we
give them a monotony of food, and that monotony in itself, I
believe, brings about deleterious changes both as far as their
flavor and taste go, and as far as diseases go.

Now we have left out one thing that is necessary to diges-
tion. All fish have pepsin enough, all fish have good strong gas-
tric juices, strong enough to digest the living animal. Take two
frogs for instance, poke the leg of one frog into the other chap’s

American Fisheries Society. 159

stomach, and he will digest the webbing, and even the bones of
the living frog. That shows that the gastric juice is strong
enough. Now if we can incorporate salt into food, liver or whal
not, we will make that very food much more digestible, conse-
quently much more easily assimilated, and will eradicate utterly
certain bad effects that would come from giving the food alone;
and I should say that you can get a coagulum out of fresh blood
quickly enough so that it will be held together, and that it would
be better to add salt, in my opinion, in moderation, than it would
be to add a peptonoid.

Dr. Henshall: I think salt is pretty generally used by fish
eulturists. I put considerable salt in iver when ground, and in
addition to that I salt all my ponds once a week.

Mr. Lydell: I wish to say that the use of this rennet was
especially to hold the liver together in a solid mass so that you
could cut it into strips. Taking it cold and cutting it into strips
it will break up and the bass won’t take it; but by making it solid
I cut it up into strips two or three inches long and a quarter of
an inch thick, and it can be stretched like rubber, and it won’t
break, and the bass take it readily; but take a square or round
piece of blood and throw it out to the bass and they won’t take it.
The bass want something that will start to move, hke a worm,
when it sinks, and that is the only reason we use this rennet.

Mr. Seymour Bower: In our trout hatchery at Paris we use
food at the present time in which there are a good many differ-
ent elements. It is composed of shorts, corn meal, Bowker’s ani-
mal meal, and a definite proportion of salt.

We feed it all summer to our adult trout, alternating this
food with liver. It is known as Lane’s food. Mr. Lane can tell
you all about it.

Mr. Lane: Mr. Bower has given you the receipt. He has
perhaps not given you the exact way of making it, but it was
given at this meeting two different years, and you will find it
in the last reports. We use a certain amount of salt, which has
proven to be beneficial to trout. I do not know as I have any-
thing new to say on this question.

160 Thirty-Third Annual Meeting

President Clark: While I hate to prolong the discussion,
I want to say a word or two on the bass question, because there
are some things that our old bass culturists like Mr. Stranahan
and Mr. Lydell have not touched upon at all. We have only had
this one year’s experience with bass, and small-mouth at that. I
have some notes on the matter but nothing in the form of a
paper, and I will just refer to them occasionally.

We placed twenty-eight pairs of adult bass in our ponds, and
from these we succeeded in finding eighteen nests, out of which
thirteen produced fish. We did not find the eggs and the nest
until after we went over to the station of the Michigan Fish
Commission and examined the beds there, then we came back
and found the eggs—we did not find them before—whether they
spawned during those eight or ten hours while we were gone or
not I could not say. Possibly we did not know what to look for
exactly. However they hatched out and we screened the fish at
the proper time when they came up from the bottom of the nest,
and we took some of the young bass out of the nest and placed
them in another pond. Previous to the spawning, however, we had
sorted the bass, as Mr. Lydell says, and placed in one pond these
twenty-eight pairs, as we supposed, and took a surplus of seven
males, as we supposed, and placed them in another pond. In
that pond we counted and placed 8,500 fry of a certain size and
took 9,700 out—I do not think any of you can beat that. (Ap-
plause.) The only way I can account for it is that the seven sup-
posedly male bass were not all males. However, when we drew
the pond down there was no indication whatever of any old nests.
We took 9,700 ‘out and the fish culturist estimated there were
still 2,000 to 4,000 left in the pond. After we reached that point
I told him the experiment was ended. |

Another thing that has not been touched upon by the bass
culturists is the movement of the fry and baby fingerlings. We
had an experience this year that I have never heard anybody
touch upon. After the screens were lifted and we let the balance
of the fry go, in perhaps twenty-four to thirty-six hours, the bulk
of those little black fry were all around the edge of the pond.
This pond is about 175 by 200 feet. They stayed there until
about forty days old and grew very rapidly.

We have a growth here in the specimens presented, of five-

American Fisheries Society. 161

eights of an inch in only four days, from the 27th to the 31st
days. And these fish were not sorted out but just simply taken
as they came, in a small seine.

Now, after about this size (indicating fish forty days old)
these fish disappeared from the edges of the pond and were prac-
tically gone. Once ina while you would find a stray fish, but the
bulk of them had gone out to deep water. They were growing
very rapidly. They came back in a certain number of days, which
my notes here will give—I think about six or seven days—to the
edge of the pond, and we found these fish, forty-six days old—
you can see them readily (indicating specimens). There may
be some in the middle of the pond—t! don’t know how that is.
Now as nearly as we could find out, in hunting for food, these

fish went from the edge of the pond into deeper water—either °

following food or after another kind of food

and they probably
found that food, and at this size (indicating) they came back to
the edge of the pond. What for? For food, because here we find
some ten days older and there is practically no difference in the
size. That is my theory of it gentlemen.

- Therefore I have come to the conclusion that bass should be
distributed at the earliest age possible, as baby fingerlings. They
have grown rapidly up to this time and are still growing; but
when they came back to find this other food, it is not in the pond,
and they then begin eating each other up, therefore I think this
is the proper age to distribute the small-mouth bass, when they
are baby fingerlings, or fingerlings, if you please. I think when
small-mouth bass are that size, they will take care of themselves
as well as if larger. ‘That has been our experience this year.
From the twenty-eight nests thirteen were productive, from these
we distributed 15,000 or 20,000 fry, and we still have fish in the
ponds, but they are gradually growing less and less. I do not
expect to take 1,000 fish out of these ponds when it comes fall.
I think with the present arrangement of our ponds we will be
able to turn out half a million fingerling bass, but I do not think
it advisable to hold them unless you have an immense pond area.
Nothing that you can have at any ordinary station will warrant
holding the fish, for the food is not there in quantities and the
fish will eat each other up; but for the younger stages we have
an abundance of food, and I think you will find it true in almost

162 Thirty-Third Annual Meeting

all cases, that the time to ship bass is in the baby fingerling or
fingerling stage.

President Clark produced seven bottles of small-mouth bass
as follows:

1. Northville station, small-mouth bass, ten days old, June
7, 1904, specimens about half inch long.

%. Same twenty-one days old, June 18, 1904, an inch long.

3. Same twenty-seven days old, June 24, 1904, one and one-
half inch long.

4. Thirty-one days old, June 28, 1904, about one and three-
fourths inches long.

5. Forty days old, July 7, 1904, about two inches long.

6. Forty-six days old, July 12, 1904, about two and one-
fourth inches long.

7. Fifty-six days old, July 22, 1904, about two and one-
half inches long.

Mr. Brown: I want to ask if you have any idea after you
have distributed the fish to the citizens how many of the fish
have been taken out in the middle of the lake and deposited and
consequently your work nullified; or what has been done to edu-
cate the people as to the proper place to put the fish? I have
personally seen so much ignorance displayed in the disposition
of trout and bass that have been delivered to people for distribu-
tion, that I have sometimes felt almost discouraged. J! think
there ought to be concerted action used in furnishing informa-
tion, both by circulars and papers, as to where the bass should be
placed.

Mr. Seymour Bower: As far as our commission is concerned
it is not our fault if the fish are not placed in the proper places.
We send out a notification in advance, advising date of delivery,
with full directions where to place them, and we have a label on
the top of each can that repeats the same directions. We cannot
control the fish after they leave our hands, and no doubt in some
cases the fish are wasted, but I think that the great majority of

American Fisheries Society. 163

applicants who take the trouble and pains to drive to the streams,
and who lke to fish pretty well themselves are therefore inter-
ested in getting the best results, will follow the instructions we
give them. Of course it would be an excellent idea if all the
sportsmen’s papers would publish that information once a year,
and it would help a great deal, no doubt.

Mr. Lydell: Iam afraid Mr. Bower did not carry that sug-
gestion far enough. He says he sends them a letter and also di-
rections on the can. In addition to that when the messenger
leaves the Mill Creek station he has a folder six inches by eight,
in his pocket, folded up three times, and on the back of that in
2)

and
when he opens the folder the customer sees that legend; he can

large flaming letters it says, “Directions for planting bass,

see it clear across the room; and one of those is handed to each
appheant for bass, by the messenger when he delivers the fish.

Mr. Titcomb: I want to ask one question, and then I want
to touch on Mr. Brown’s question.

How many bass did you have in that pond that you do not
expect to get a thousand out in the fall, and how many are there
now ?

President: Of course I cannot tell now but when we counted
the 8,500 where we took 9,700 out, my estimate on those fish was
between 50,000 and 69,000 at least. It is a positive fact that
they are certainly eating each other up.

Mr. Titcomb: No doubt of it. I think the question raised
by Mr. Brown is important. It has been my experience that it
is almost impossible to get these applicants for fish to read any
directions when they get the fish; they won’t look at the direc-
tions on the can. If it was not for the expense, I would advocate
having the bureau of fisheries plant its own fish, have the mes-
sengers carry them and put them into the waters. Of course we
do that with the great proportion of our commercial fishes,
but in assigning bass and trout and fish of that character we do
not. But the applicants always receive general directions about
planting fish in the notice which is sent out with the other par-
ticulars after their application has been filed.

164 Thirty-Third Annual Meeting

President Clark: I received instructions from Mr. Titcomb
to hold these fish for fall distribution.

Mr. Lydell: I think in regard to planting those fish the
same as you do. About the time they leave the shore and disap-
pear is the time to get them out and plant them. Of those fish
that we have there of the various sizes of the same age, there
were about 50,000 put into this pond. I think if we had shipped
them at the size you recommended we would have shipped 40,000
or 45,000 out of that pond—perhaps more. We did not do it and
commenced shipping a couple of weeks later; and we have
shipped 10,000 or 12,000 and there are probably 4,000 or 5,000
left in the pond, and I doubt if there will be a thousand of those
there this fall. The smallest fish in that vial are a great deal
smaller than they were about two weeks ago. One of the em-
ployes at the hatcheries wanted to know what was the matter
with the fish in pond No. 1. I said, “Nothing.” He said, ‘They
are getting smaller.” I said, “We have grown them up to finger-
ling and we are going to grow them back to fry, and start all over
again.” (Laughter.) I do not think those smallest fish have
advanced a particle in a month, and then is when they ought to
have been shipped. I think the time to plant these fish is when

they are baby fingerling, or fingerling.

Mr. Stranahan: We have found by carefully watching our
shipments into Florida, Alabama and Mississippi, in the hands
of pretty good men, such as Mr. Cunningham and Mr. Brown
who have been directed to observe the results carefully, that we
could do the best work and get rid of our fish (and we had to get
rid of them or overstock our ponds) by planting that smallest
size which you have there, which is about an inch long. We can
handle a thousand black bass in a ten-gallon can of that size, and
where we have taken them right out and counted an estimated
thousand we have found 1,300. You are pretty apt to under-
estimate such small fish, and my opinion is for the large-mouth
bass south, that a size if anything a little smaller than your
smallest lot, is the best size to be shipped, becasue of the large
numbers that can be handled and of the great success we have
had in handling small fry. We have gone long distances without
the use of very much ice.

American Fisheries Society. 165

President Clark: In what we have distributed this year we
have only carried 250 to the can, and have been quite successful.
We want them in as good condition when they get to their desti-
nation as when they start. Three hundred did not work very
well. ‘Two hundred and fifty to a ten-gallon can we actually
counted.

Mr. Baldwin: How many hours could Mr. Stranahan carry
a thousand black bass to the can ?

Mr. Stranahan: The black bass that we have usually shipped,
as I say, are somewhat smaller than those shipped by Mr. Clark.
We carry them three days. Of course that requires the use of a
considerable amount of ice. Mr. Brown and Mr. Cunningham
both were our messengers this year, and they report that they had
better luck with the black bass three-fourths of an inch long, on
long trips, than with those that were longer.

Mr. Baldwin: ! would lke to ask Mr.. Clark how far he
would carry his 250 to a ten-gallon can successfully.

Mr. Clark: The longest trip was twenty-nine hours from the
time the messenger started from the station.

Q. That is the size you call fry?

A. No sir, baby fingerling.

Q. What length?

A. Well, they are an inch and a quarter.

Mr. Baldwin: I do a good deal of that kind of work.

President Clark: They are from twenty-seven to forty days

old.

Mr. Baldwin: (To Mr. Stranahan) You put a thousand to
acan. Now in those seventy-two hours how many dead fish do
you have ?

Mr. Stranahan: Practically none.
Q. Do you count your fish when you start out?

A. We count batches.

166 Thirty-Third Annual Meeting

Mr. Baldwin: I handled 107,000 this year, and took them
out, and I think my loss was 200. Every fish is counted out to
me before I leave the station, and every fish I lose over five is
reported to Washington. You take a thousand fish like those
(three-fourths of an inch), I cannot do it without loss in our

Texas climate.

Mr. Stranahan: I can only tell you what our messenger’s
reports say. Mr. Cunningham started to write a paper but did
not finish it, on the method of carrying large numbers of fry
without loss.

Mr. Baldwin: In Texas waters if you carry fish three to six
inches long, fifty to the can, twenty-eight hours, it is impossible
to get through successfully. I carry about seven and one-half
gallons of water in a can, but the fish that I carry, one hundred
to the can, run about two inches or more in length. Of course
we have a great many lay-overs there and a great many changes,
but I cannot carry a thousand to a can. I have carried as high
as thirty-eight cans of fish in one baggage car in Texas sixty-
eight hours, and those thirty-eight cans only contained 6,800
fish, and that is why I asked the question.

Then in Texas you cannot change water. I never change the
water, do you?

Mr. Stranahan: It is not necessary. We do not want it
changed. We use lots of ice.

Mr. Baldwin: I am very much interested in this work and I
would like to know if anybody can beat me carrying fish. I want
some pointers. Every fish that I carry is counted. You know
there is a vast difference between estimating fish and counting
them, and every fish that I carry is counted to me by the employes
of the San Marcos station, and I get a receipt for them, and I
have had men count them on me. They do not always take my
word—that is the point I wanted to make—actual count. I wish
to add that I am talking about large-mouth bass and assume the
gentlemen from the north are talking about small-mouth bass,
which might make some difference.

Mr. Stranahan: In all of our small fish we estimate them,

2

American Fisheries Society. 16)

but I believe we over-estimate rather than under-estimate. When
they put up ten or fifteen cans with a thousand of those tittle
fish in, they do not know which one of these cans will be taken
out and counted. They have been taken out at least once a week
and frequently oftener, and counted. I counted a can myself
this summer, and there were over 1,300 fish in it. I ordered
the men to be careful not to over-estimate, and very seldom do
they run under 1,000.

Mr. Seymour Bower: This question of the size of bass seems
to resolve itself into whether it is better to plant 50,000 an inch
long, or an inch and a half, or 2,000 or 3,000 about two inches

long
plant the larger number. When the bass have reached a certain

3,000 or 4,000 perhaps. It seems to me it is better to

age and average one to two inches in length, they either require
a different kind of food, another type of food that the ordinary
pond does not furnish, or else they have exhausted the daphnia
and small crustacean life they subsist on from the begimning.
The ordinary pond does not furnish the larger type of food,
hence it is not profitable to carry them longer, as they commence
to prey on one another. It is the only food they have.

Mr. Titcomb: This question has been brought up in such a
way that perhaps I ought to say what the policy of the bureau of
fishery is with reference to the distribution of the black bass. It
is necessary to consider it in all its phases. Now, today, we do
so, and since the last meeting—in fact before the last meeting—
we began distributing the black bass when they were very young,
so far as possible. We have these stations scattered over the dif-
ferent parts of the country, and we have applicants still more
widely scattered. Some of these applicants can be supplied by
sending messengers in baggage cars with cans of fish; others
can only be economically supplied by sending the bass along with
other species of fish in carload lots for a thousand miles or two
thousand miles even. ‘Therefore we cannot set a time or regu-
late the time of distribution exactly by the size of the fish. Tf it
were possible for the Bureau of Fisheries to distribute the bass
from all its stations at the time considered by it most suitable, it
would distribute when they are the size mentioned by Mr. Clark.
We would begin distributing even when the bass is only ten days

168 Thirty-Third Annual Meeting

old. They are then fully developed young bass, well able to take
care of themselves, and if you begin distributing at that age,
you cannot get rid of all your bass before they are twenty or
thirty days old, and in the meantime they are eating themselves
up. In the Texas station Mr. Leary begins distributing early in
the spring and he is distributing fish all summer, but he cannot
be regulated by the size; for they grow so fast he cannot get rid
of them soon enough. His messengers are taking fish out from
the 18th of April on.

(). What were the size of the bass on the 18th of April?

Mr. Leary: Nearly two inches long—from an inch and a
half to two inches.

(). Could you not begin a little earlier then, advantage-
ously ?

A. Yes, I suppose I might.

Q. You could get out more fish.

A. If numbers count for anything I could get out a great
many more, but I do not know whether we should have to sacri-
fice results or not.

Q. Don’t you think those small fish in a large body of water
are less liable to eat each other up than they are in the small
ponds where you have them ?

A. There is something in that, but I prefer to plant a larger

fish.
President Clark: Why?

Mr. Leary: That has been my experience, and experience
teaches us pretty nearly when we are right. All of my plants
have given perfect satisfaction, and all the ponds that we have
stocked have choice supplies of fish, and I do not believe it would
have been so if we had put in fry or very small fish that the
sun perch and catfish would eatch or could destroy. It is an
established fact that every pond contains sun perch and catfish,
and without a doubt they would catch those little fellows.

American Fisheries Society. 169

Mr. Titcomb: In connection with the naming of the time
for distribution, of course where a station puts out a number of
species you have to consider that to some extent. Mr. Clark has
been directed to hold one pond of his bass after distributing the
others at the size we considered most suitable. The reason for
that is, that we have filled all our applications in his territory
and have some applications from distant points which we hope
to be able to fill from his station, in connection with other distri-
butions in the fall. We hope that there will be enough of those
fish left to do this, and we feel that we can afford to sacrifice
through cannabalism at least half or even more of the stock he
has on hand, provided we can at that time have available a sup-
ply of bass to carry to our more distant points.

In discussing how many fish are being carried to a can, I
think Mr. Baldwin and Stranahan have not had in mind exactly
the size or age of the fish they were carrying; and in pursuing
the discussion in connection with Mr. Clark’s work we must
consider that Mr. Clark’s waters are much colder than those of
the south, and that he is dealing with the small-mouth bass in-
stead of the large-mouth bass.

Mr. Lydell: I would say in regard to distributing bass we
distribute 250 to the can, baby fingerling, from Mill Creek, and
have no trouble in carrying them; but they are carried in spring
water of about 58 degrees temperature.

In regard to planting those small fish, Mr. Bower instructed
me to plant baby fingerling; he said that is was much better to
plant 40,000 of them than to plant 10,000 of such a conglomera-
tion of sizes as are shown here.

WHAT I HAVE SEEN OF BLACK BASS.

BY SAMUEL LOVEJOY, OF BULLOCHYVILLE, .GEORGIA.

Five years ago we began feeding our adult bass with cut
mullet. We throw our feed into the pond and the bass take it
readily. I have seen taken out of the same pond eleven tubs of
pollywogs. I have seen fingerlings swimming within a distance
of ten inches of the adults which paid no attention to them; but
if we catch a fingering and throw him back into the pond he
will be caught before he strikes the water. The same way with
the pollywogs. Therefore to feed adult bass by throwing the
feed in the pond to them will stop cannabalism. At the same
time if we put new or wild fish in the pond they will catch the
fingerlings for a while until they learn to eat from the hand. I
have seen some few adults dash into a school of fry. The new
ones before they learn to take the food stay around in the shallow
water, while the tame ones swim in the deep water where we feed
them. I have seen more baby fingerlings taken out of ponds
where fingerlings were scattered all over the pond, than where
there were no fingerlings. I think that wild adults do more
harm in eating fry than fingerlings do. I believe fry of the same
school (the overgrown ones) will eat each other. I have seen
yearlings swallow fish very near their size when thrown among
them as we feed them. Then you can put the same sized min-
nows in the pond and let them swim up to the bass and they will
not pay any attention to them. ! think that it is caused by
feeding from the hand. I beheve that feeding from the hand
by throwing the food into the pond will go a long ways towards
stopping cannabalism.

DISCUSSION.

Mr. Stranahan: This paper is by one of my assistants, a
colored man.

Mr. Lydell: I have had no experience in feeding fry, but I
have had experience in the feeding of adults. You take the
seine and seine the minnows out of the pond, go up on the bank,
throw them out into the pond, and they are readily taken.

170

American Fisheries Socvety. al

Whether it is due to lack of swiftness in pursuing the minnows
or not, I do not know, but there are worlds of minnows in the
pond, but the larger fish do not get them.

President: Do you kill the minnows?

Mr. Lydell: Yes, or feed them alive. Probably they could
not catch them when they were in the pond naturally.

Mr. Stranahan: I would say to brother Lydell that I do
not think that it is the only reason, because they cannot catch
minnows, for the reason that we propagate tadpoles in enormous
quantities, taking sometimes out of an acre pond seyen or eight
washtubs full of tadpoles in the fall when we draw the pond
down; and it is one of our main sources of food supply. You can
see the tadpoles numerously among the bass, which pay no atten-
tion to them, but seine out a pailful and throw them in and the
bass will take them until their bellies are absolutely distended.

I believe Mr. Lovejoy is correct in many of his observations.
Abundant feeding is the best means of preventing cannabalism ;
then later when that danger is over, cut the feeding down.

Mr. Lydell: We have worlds of tadpoles in Mill Creek, but
not with the adult bass. We get probably half a pailful of large
sized tadpoles in a seining. I think they are young tadpoles
from last year, but we do not find any where our adult fish are,
but they are all in where our fry are. The adults seem to have
cleaned them all up.

Mr. Titcomb: I think the point of feeding during the
breeding season is one to be considered, and I would suggest that
those superintendents who advocate the partitioning off of the
breeding bass, the brood stock, from the rest of the pond, try
both methods. At the Fish Lakes station where Mr. Green is
superimtendent, we have taken away some of the partitions and
allowed the large mouthed black bass to make nests wherever
they please. All of the adult fish are fed every day, and we find
that the adult bass do very little feeding upon the young; canna-
balism is confined almost entirely to the young fish. Seining
of these ponds is begun when the fish are at the youngest stage
shown by Mr. Clark, but some of them get to be four to six

172 Thirty-Third Annual Meeting

inches long before they are all seined out. I suggest that those
fish culturists who are partitioning off the adults, try at least one
pond in just the reverse method and feed the fish liberally to see
what the results are. Certainly it is less expensive to eliminate
these partitions.

Mr. Lydell: Do-I understand that you recommend the feed-
ing of the small-mouth bass during the spawning season? We
feed our large-mouth bass during the spawning season every
day, and have all summer; but as to our small-mouth bass, there
were several days when they were nesting when we did not feed
them.

Mr. Clark: They do not need it and won’t take it then.

Mr. Titcomb: That is true.

VALUE OF AQUATIC PLANTS IN POND CULTURE.

BY MR. C. K. GREEN.

Two years ago at the request of the Commissioner of Fish
and Fisheries the United States Agricultural Department de-
tailed a skilled botanist to make a collection of the aquatic plants
at Fish Lakes Station, Washington, D. C., and classify them.

It was known that the ponds were rich in water plants and
it was the idea of identifying the different kinds and ascertain-
ing the habits and manner and growth of each, especially those
which were most abundant, that the request was made.

The city of Washington being recognized as a sort of botani-
cal center, it is probably as favorable a location as could be
selected for acquiring general information on the subject. The
Fish Lakes Station has been called upon at various times to fur-
nish aquatic plants for other stations. Some of the varieties
are of great value both as oxygenators and food producers for
the young fish; others, however, while undoubtedly possessing
more or less merit in these respects, make such excessive growth
and involve so much labor to remove them that their introduc-
tion to other waters is not advisable. In all fifty-eight kinds
were collected and classified, including those which are semi-
aquatic, requiring a great deal of moisture but not submerged,
growing about the edge of the ponds. ‘The two varieties which
are the least desirable and cause the greatest amount of labor are
Marsilea quadrifolia, the water clover, and Potamogeton pecti-
natus, the fennel-leaved pond weed. The Marsilea, I am in-
formed, was introduced many years ago by Prof. Baird and pro-
cured originally from Texas. It presents a handsome appear-
ance, growing on long stems, having a clover-like leaf and at
certain stages a mass of it looks hke a well kept lawn. I have
been unable to discover that it possesses valuable food producing
qualities but the chief objecton to it is that it forms a net work
of roots and grows so thickly that unless taken in early growth it
is necessary when mowing, to cut if in chunks in order to lft it
out with pitch forks. It apparently does not grow in water
exceeding two feet so that it can be gotten rid of to a certain
extent by deepening the pond.

173

174 Thirty-Third Annual Meeting

Potamogeton pectinatus grows very thick and mats on the
surface. After being exposed to the sun it becomes withered
and brownish in color and decays, thus fouling the water. It is
very heavy and requires much labor to remove it. ‘The growth
becomes so dense that the fish are unable to work through it and
it becomes a great detriment, interfering also with the circula-
tion of the water. It apparently thrives in all ordinary depths
in ponds and I doubt whether there is any way it can be eli-
minated.

The next plant in extent of growth is Anacharis canadensis,
commonly called water weed or wyme. It is valuable, how-
ever, as a food producer and does not grow so luxuriantly but
that it can be handled with comparative ease if desired. It dies
in cold weather so that unless in southern sections where the
water remains warm the year around there is little danger of
its proving obnoxious. ‘The leaves are hght green, small and
pretty. I have observed young snails and other aquatic life
clinging to it. As a rule it does not grow so heavy but that the
fish can work about. It is said of this plant, however, that some
years ago it was introduced in Europe by a traveler who was
very enthusiastic over its handsome appearance and purifying
qualities. The German Government ordered some to be placed
in canals and attached a fine to any disturbance of it. It was
not long, however, before it grew so thickly as to clog the canals
to such an extent that the boats could not be navigated and now
the government offers a reward to anyone who will devise a
means for suppressing its growth. ‘This is similar to the intro-
duction of the water hyacinth in the St. Johns River, Florida.
I grow this plant freely, however, at the Washington ponds as
the cold weather invariably kills it. In order to preserve a stock
it is necessary to transfer a few plants to the green house before
winter opens so there is not any danger of an over abundance
north of Washington. The suspended roots harbor quantities of
insect food and gold fish spawn among them.

Probably, among the most valuable plants in all respects for
food culture are the following: Ceratophyllum demersum, Ca-
bomba caroliniana, Potamogeton Crispus, Potamogeton foliosus
and Vallisneria spiralis. These are all excellent oxygenators
and food producers. C. demersum and C. Caroliniana are es-

American Fisheries Society. 175

pecially good—the latter being the favorite aquarium plant
both on account of its handsome foliage and cleanly habit. It
grows readily in nearly all waters and is not especially particu-
lar as to root anchorage although it undoubtedly thrives best
when drawing part of its substance from the soil.

About the edges of a pond the yellow iris is very desirable. It
is very hardy, the roots forming a thick fibrous growth which
half sustains the bank about the water edge, and during June
the yellow blossoms are exceedingly attractive. In growth the
plant attains about two feet; late in July it is advisable to mow

second growth comes on rapidly and remains the rest of the

it as the heavy seed pods fall over in the water and decay—the

season but the plant does not flower again.

Lythrum salicaria, the purple loose-strife, is also a valuable
and attractive plant about the borders. It bears pretty purple
flowers on spikes, grows to ahout three feet in height and blos-
soms throughout the season. Like the yellow iris, it is a peren-
nial and when once established takes care of itself.

Lily pads in moderation I believe to be beneficial, they act
as sun shades and in still waters provide a cool retreat for the
fish in bad weather. It is quite remarkable just under a lily leaf
and outside of it in pond waters.

The lotus (Nelumbo lutea) while very beautiful when per-
fect appears to be subject to the ravages of insects to such an ex-
tent as to make it on the whole undesirable, at least this is the
experience at the Washington ponds in one of which it grows in
abundance. ‘The banana-like bulbs penetrate three feet in the
mud rendering extermination of the plant very difficult.

In conclusion permit me to say that I do not know that I
have said anything with which many of the members of this
society are not familiar, but in as much as the Washington Sta-
tion has been frequently called upon for an asortment of aquatic
plants for other localities, I concluded it might be interesting to
set forth the varieties usually selected with the reason therefor
if there is anyone present not familar with the names of the
plants mentioned who would like to identify them I will say that
the preserved specimens are here and can be examined if desired.

The growth of aquatic plants in ponds, particularly those
designed for bass culture, is such an important matter, both in

176 Thirty-Third Annual Meeting

the way of producing food, purifying the waters and providing
shelter for the young fish, that it would appear very desirable to
have a free exchange of knowledge along this line.

DISCUSSION.

Mr. Stranahan: I prepared no paper for this meeting and
I would like to say a little with reference to these aquatic plants.
They are with us of the very greatest importance. We have
had to make a good long fight of four years to know what to use
and what not to use and how to use it. We have settled down
to two plants, in neither of which am ! sure of the scientific
name. Myrriophyllum is the name of one of them. That
plant does well in our more fertile ponds. In the other ponds
which are very sterile (sand, clay and gravel) we have found
the parrot feather, one of the myrriophyllum family, I believe,
a splendid plant for use. We have to plant it every year to some
extent: it will get killed out unless it is looked after, but it
offers us an abundance of cover; and we were derelict to the
extent of losing quite a number of thousand of bass this year
by not having planted our myrriophyllum early enough in one
of our ponds. The parrot feather makes a good heavy cover
for the protection of small fry, and furnishes a home for daphnia
and cyclops, and all those crustacea that are good food for our
little fishes. Where we have it we take out large quantities of
bass, and where we do not have it we fail. I got these ideas of
the necessity of a heavy cover from Mr. Leary’s ponds. I was
sent by the commissioner to San Marcos to see Mr. Leary’s ponds,
and with all due respect to his ability as a fish culturist—he is
an industrious, hard-working man—a very large portion of his
success, 12 my opinion, comes from his magnificent cover of
myrriophylum. His ponds are right, his soil black and deep,
and he has to mow his weeds to clean up his ponds.

Mr. Leary: Yes sir, two or three times during the summer.

Mr. Stranahan: We could not make myrriophyllum grow
in our poorer ponds, and had to take the parrot feather. If we
had that parrot feather in our richer ponds it would overrun us.
We regard the matter a good cover as one of the three impor-
tant points in bass culture referred to in my paper at Woods

'

American Fisheries Society. 177

Hole last year, (A) abundant food during breeding season, (B)
abundant cover, (C) planting of the fish as fast as they are
large enough to plant. Do not allow your ponds to become over-
stocked with little fish. In fact we believe we plant just as
many of the larger size as we would if we did not plant the
smaller.

Mr. Dean: ‘What time does Mr. Stranahan plant this parrot
feather ?

Mr. Stranahan: In the fall or spring in the ponds, just
throw down a handful where we take a spade, raise up the soil,
kick the parrot feather in and tramp it down. Or if the soil
is too hard weight it with a stone. We can maintain fine growth
early in the season. It is pretty much gone now owing to hot
weather; it won’t stand the hottest weather but it serves its pur-
pose all right, because we have it abundantly until our fingerling
are distributed.

Mr. Robinson: I would like to ask Mr. Stranahan if it will
do well in water down to a temperature as low as 32 degrees.

Mr. Stranahan: Our water never gets that low in tempera-
ture. Our spring water is 62 degrees in winter. I believe as
far north as Virginia and perhaps further north, that parrot
feather would live all right. If any one would like to make the
experiment I would be glad to send him some parrot feather for
that purpose.

Mr. Robinson: I would like to do that.

THE UTILIZATION OF NEGLECTED FISHES.

BY CHARLES G. ATKINS.

In all the fields in which man has sought to turn the pro-
ductions of organic nature, either animal or vegetable, to his
own profit, his procedure has been characterized by great waste-
fulness, but I doubt whether there is one in which this has been
more pronounced than in the fisheries and the utilization of their
products. Not only in the preparation of fish for food, is much
thrown into the gutter that might have gone into the pot, but, to
go back to the first step, the catching of the fish, there are whole
tribes of fishes whose capture, unwillingly affected, involves on
the one hand lamentable sacrifices of time and financial losses,
and on the other hand destruction of nutritious or otherwise use-
ful material on a prodigal scale.

The fresh water fisheries occupy a narrower field than those
of the sea, and are not characterized by the same degree of pro-
digality, but even here there is good ground for doubting whether
the resources of the lakes and rivers are utilized as they should
be—whether there are not some useful species wholly or partly
neglected or wasted. There has, to be sure, been important pro-
gress in recent years, and some species once wholly waste are
now regularly marketed for food. In Lake Erie, I am informed
that there still remains, among fish sufficiently large and numer-
ous to be considered important, a single species that is not
utilized at all, namely, the ling or lawyer | Lota maculosa], a
fish quite plentiful in spring and fall, following the different
run of fish that are spawning—great spawn-eaters they are, and
also very destructive of the schools of minnows and other small
fishes. Considerable quantities of them are incidentally caught
in winter by hook and line through the ice, several tons being
taken each winter in the vicinity of the islands. They are said
to be very good for food when smoked like sturgeon, yet they are
not used.*

In the sea fisheries, also, we find that there has been com-
mendable progress in recent years. Several species of fish for-
merly neglected have come into use as food, in some markets, and

178

*Letter of S. W. Downing.

American Fisheries Society. 179

appear to be gaining ground. In this category may be men-
tioned the horse mackerel or tunny | Thunnus thynnus| and the
whiting or silver hake | Merlucius bilinearis|, and there is even
a beginning of the use of sharks, skates and sea-catfish or wolf-
fests

It however remains true that several marine species, which
are abundant enough on the coast of North America north of the
latitude of 40 degrees to be at times dreadful pests to fishermen,
are practically unutilized. Foremost among these are two species
of skate, | Raja| and the common dogfish | Squalus acanthias. |

The skates are large fishes of flattened form and rhombeid
outline, the smaller species not generally exceeding twenty
pounds weight in Penobscot bay, the larger attaining a weight
of seventy pounds. Among other disagreeable traits they have
the habit of eating small crustacea and are accused of preying
on young lobsters. They are of good quality for food, but I have
never heard of their being eaten except in an experimental way.

The prince of ravagers is, however, the dogfish, [Squalus
acanthias|. This is a small shark with slender body, two or
three feet long and weighing from five to fifteen pounds. It is
found on both sides of the Atlantic, is very abundant generally
on the shores of Canada and New England, and somewhat
further south, being sometimes found on the coast of Cuba. In-
stead of laying eggs, the dogfish brings forth its young alive, only
ten to twenty in a season, but of such extraordinary vitality and
hardiness that enough survive to keep up the number of the
species, with, however, great legal fluctuations.

On the coast of Maine the dogfish is chiefly a summer visitor,
coming in June and leaving in August or September. As illus-
trating his habits and his influence on the shore fisheries, I will
quote some memoranda from my note-book on observations made
in 1902, on the fishing grounds near Mt. Desert Rock. It is
estimated that thirty to fifty craft, manned by two hundred men
or more, habitually fish on these grounds for haddock, cod, hake
and cusk. In 1902 they were all driven off from these grounds
early in July, by such great numbers of dogfish that few other
fish could be caught, and had hardly begun their work again by
Sept. 9. The fishing here is largely done with trawls. When
the dogfish come, they not only take the baits that have not vet

**Report Mass. Comr. Fisheries and Game, 1903, and letter o} Capt. J. W. Collins Commissioner

180 Thirty-Third Annual Meeting

been seized by other fishes, but they fall upon the hooked fish,
cod, haddock, etc., and eat them, leaving only the heads and
parts of the skeletons. One fisherman with a trawl of 500 hooks,
near Gott’s island, took at one haul five haddock, a good many
haddock heads, and 217 dogfish. Another trawler, the same day,
on nearby ground, took at one haul two hake-heads, three skates
and 224 dogfish. So destructive were the dogfish that it seemed
to fishermen and dealers that unless some remedy could be found,
there would soon be an end of all other fish.

Dogfish have been found very injurious to other branches of
fishing. Mackerel seiners have sometimes found that when an
say 200 barrels at one

especially large catch had been made
set of the seine—unless the fish could be speedily removed from
the seine, the dogfish were almost certain to attack the enclosed
body of mackerel, biting holes in the fine seine, to get at their
prey, and thus not only greatly injuring the gear, but in addi-
tion, letting loose all the mackerel they could not seize and
devour.

So serious have the ravages of the dogfish become, that gov-
ernments have been besought to interfere, and by the offering of
bounties or by some other means, to assist in their destruction.
A Canadian official report notes, as samples of the suggestions
made by various people, eight different schemes for the war
against them, some of which aim simply at their destruction, and
others at some utilization. These suggestions are so interesting
that I will read the whole list.

1. Liberate alive some hundreds of dogfish having securely
fastened outside their bodies (by means of hooks, wires, etc.)
glittering and gaudy streamers or jingling chains or bells, cal-
culated to terrify and frighten away the schools of dogfish, on
the old principle of setting at liberty a rat with a bell hung
round its neck.

2. Inoculate a number of dogfish with some fatal or con-
tagious disease, thus securing the infection and death of all the
schools of dogfish which may hover near, on the principle adopt-
ed in reducing the pest of rabbits in Australia some years ago.

3. Dynamite the great schools of dogfish when they appear.

4. Employ the government cruisers and their men in cap-

American Fisheries Socvety. 181

turing these pests, or let the government employ special vessels
for the purpose, until the plague is reduced.

5. Pay a bounty of one cent for every five tails of dogfish
($2.00 per 1,000) brought to a fishery officer and after being
officially recorded, destroyed by such officer. Many fishermen
have declared that they get 1,000 dogfish in a single day fre-
quently; yet it is asserted that even $2.50 per 1,000 would not
pay.

6. Pay a bounty on the basis of the weight of the dogfish
captured, say so much per 100 pounds. Some parties claim that
$2.00 or $3.00 per ton or half a cent per fish would pay the fish-
ermen, while others say that, as the dogfish would average a
weight of four pounds, such a bounty of one cent each fish would
pay. Thus the suggested rates range from ten cents or fifteen
cents per 100 pounds to- twenty-five cents per 200 pounds.

7. Pay a bounty on the total yield of oil, a fixed rate on each
gallon of oil produced by a factory being guaranteed to any firm
or company carrying on reduction works.

8. Use long seines of strong cord, 41,000 yards or more in
length, under departmental direction, and surround the schools,
as is done with the schools of sharks in India.

Dogfish have not been found wholly useless. Their livers
yield oil, and their bodies can be made into fertilizers; but their
capture for the oil has been found unprofitable, and the presence
of the oil has interfered with their use as fertilizers. The scheme
that now appears to promise best, is for the public to apply their
teeth and eat the dogfish up. There have been some experiments
made in this direction, which have at least shown that the flesh
of the dogfish is palatable, and that it is nutritious cannot be
doubted. Investigation of this matter is in progress at the Lab-
oratory of the Bureau of Fisheries at Woods Hole, a report of
which, to be expected in the near future, will undoubtedly be of
great interest and importance.

The Woods Hole investigation originated in a study of the
conditions affecting the abundance of lobsters. It was found
that young lobsters were the prey of sundry fishes and especially
of the dogfish. Attention being turned to the utilization of the
dogfish it was found, in addition to the vield of oil from the liver,
which was already known, that glue could be made from its fins

182 Thirty-Third Annual Meeting

and that its flesh, when properly prepared, was pleasing to the
palate of many people.

A knowledge of these experiments led a canner in Cape Bre-
ton to can some dogfish and make a serious attempt to introduce
the article to general use. His efforts have at least elicited very
favorable reports from those who have eaten of the new viand.

Having thus possibilities of usefulness in three directions, we
may indulge the hope that in the future, not very remote, this
scourge of the coast fisheries may become a source of profit to the
fishermen and of utility to the public at large.

In these remarks I have named but a few species of neglected
fishes. There are many others that are worthy of attention,
though in a subordinate degree, and let us hope that each will
some time come to occupy that position in the ministry to man’s
wants which nature has marked out for it.

I commend to you, gentlemen, the fostering of this good
work—the rescuing of good material for the sustenance and com-
fort of mankind from a position of neglect or something worse.
Many of you are in positions which enable you to give effective
impulses to the movement, and such impulses it certainly de-
mands. Men in general are wofully given to moving in ruts—
to moving, in the matter of sustenance, forever in the narrow
groove into which ancestral prejudice or fashionable dictation
has led them. To get out of their ruts they must be led out.

DISCUSSION OF MR. CHARLES G. ATKINS’ PAPER.
t
Dr. Bean: I would like to ask Mr. Atkins whether or not
he included the skate as one of the fishes which is not eaten.

Mr. Atkins: Yes.

Dr. Bean: The skate, it may be stated, is sold regularly
now in the New York markets and doubtless wherever French
people or their descendants are met with. As Mr. Atkins of
course knows, it is not at all an unpalatable dish, and it can be
found on the bills of fare of many of the trans-Atlantic steamers
under the name of ray. It is really very good. It is sold doubt-
less in New Orleans and other cities which contains a large per-
centage of French population.

American Fisheries Society. 183

The dogfish to which you refer, | suppose is the horned or
spined dogfish.

Mr. Atkins: Yes.

Dr. Bean: There is another little fellow, not so pesky as
this one, but he s also very abundant—the rough dogfish. fle
is not very formidable, however, because his teeth are more like
some of the teeth of the female ray without cutting edges; but
he is a nuisance sometimes because he takes the hook intended
for better fish, destrovs the smaller fishes, and interferes with the
fishery by consuming the food of the migratory food fishes.

Mr. Atkins: I am glad to know that the skates are really
coming into use in New York, and I hope that they will come
into general use, so that all that are caught on the coast may be
utilized. ‘Those caught on the coast of Maine are entirely
wasted.

Dr. Bean: I am not able to answer that question, because
I have never tried the dogfish personally—I have eaten skate
and I think it is a palatable fish. I presume though the chief
objection to any dogfish would be the toughness of its fibres.
Its muscles are pretty well sheathed and the sheath is not tender.
The steel-head salmon was not considered edible because the
bone is so hard; but it is the chief fish now for export im a hard
frozen state, and so we might go on and name a number of other
fish that a few years ago, within our recollection, were not
market fish at all, but which have now become quite important.
Take the tunny for example, which is not only a celebrated food
fish among all Itahans and their descendants, but is quite a
game fish on the California coast. So the taste in fish seems to
be changing year by year, and it is quite an advantageous thing
to learn about certain things that are regarded as nuisances and
then a little later see them come into market and form a large
portion of the food supply.

The blue fish was not eaten when I was a boy—nobody would
eat a blue fish. The benito was regarded as only fit to be thrown
away; and I could name a score of fish which have within my
own recollection come into use.

—
[e/2)
qs

VThirty-Third Annual Meeting

Dr. Smith: I think the thanks of the society are due to
Mr. Atkins for bringing up in so interesting a way the subject
which is already very important and is destined to become much
more so. I was glad to notice from the advance programme
that he was going to talk on this subject, because it is one to
which I have given considerable attention.

I am not going to say all I intended to say because the hour
is late, but I wish to mention one or two points.

He has mentioned the whiting as having been brought to pub-
lic notice through the Massachusetts Fish Commission. I do not
wish to detract anything from the credit due the Massachusetts
Fish Commission, especially as it has no representative present ;
but I beheve that the United States Bureau of Fisheries is large-
ly responsible for the importance which that fish has recently at-
tained; as twelve or fifteen years ago (as our reports will show)
we had samples of this fish salted on Cape Cod and distributed
through the trade to consumers in Massachusetts and elsewhere.
The growth in the demand for that fish has steadily increased,
and a year or so ago when I was in Gloucester and saw one of
the principal fish curers there, I found that he alone had salted
and sold at very good prices, about one thousand five hundred
barrels of this whiting which a few years ago had absolutely no
value in the market and was regarded as a nuisance and always
thrown away. It is caught in immense numbers in the traps
on Cape Cod.

With regard to dogfish I would like to quote something that
Mr. Bowers said yesterday and which he may have told some of
the other members. He has just come from Woods Hole and
has seen a dogfish about three feet long opened, and found to
contain two eight inch lobsters. The lobsters are becoming de-
plorably scarce in that region and no doubt the dogfish, which
is very abundant, is to some extent responsible for the scarcity.

Mr. Atkins: Let me ask whether you have any evidence of,
or any notes in relation to, the question as to whether or not the
skate preys on the lobster.

Dr. Smith: I have heard that stated, though I have no per-
sonal knowledge on the subject; but I will present a communi-
cation here which touches on it.

American Fisheries Society. 185

Mr. W. R. Hollaway, U. 8. Consul-General at Halifax, N. S.,
sent the following letter to the Department of State, dated June
30th, 1904, in regard to the utilization of waste fishes :

The Halifax Chronicle publishes an interview with an ardent
amateur fisherman who told of experiments and researches among
the so-called dogfish, albacores and skates. He said his experiments
as to the habits of the fish when alive and their edible qualities when
dead had covered a number of years. He had discovered many
things which no doubt the majority of the fishermen in the Mari-
time provinces would scoff at, but nevertheless they were facts and
anyone with a mind to investigation could soon find it out for him-
self.

Speaking of dogfish in particular, he said that the flesh of this
fish when properly cooked was one of the most delicious dishes im-
aginable—the meat being firm, white and sweet. Fishermen gener-
ally were of the opinion that dogfish is an oily fish, but as a matter
of fact it is not—no more so than the codfish, because, like the lat-
ter, the oil is all contained in the liver. The flesh lends itself readily
to drying and salting, and in such countries as Italy and Spain,
where the fish is so well known, large quantities are cured.

He suggested that this might be worth looking into, that is, the
possibility of finding foreign markets for cured dogfish, when a new
field of money-making would be thrown open to the fishermen of the
Maritime provinces. Certainly the fish could be disposed of in the
Italian settlements of the near-at-hand cities, like Boston and New
York, and even in local centres like Sydney. A few enterprising
men should make the experiment on a small! scale. Certainly, if the
experiment was not a success they would be very little out of pocket.

Then as to skates, many fishermen who have spent their lives at
the business, know that a single skate will demolish more lobsters
in @ season than any one, or possibly two, of their pots will catch.

Fishermen as a rule are not observing. They will go on year
after year, catching the well known varieties, but they seldom take
any trouble to study the habits of the fish—why they move in cer-
tain directions at certain seasons, what they eat on the passage, and
where they go to. Skates can be taken at almost all seasons, and if
the stomach of one should be opened it would be found, in almost
every case, to be full of lobster, shell and all, for the mouth of this
voracious fish is so constructed that the toughest lobster shell can
be ground almost into dust. It is the skate that is doing more to
deplete the lobster fishery than almost any other agency. And yet
this same skate is an edible fish, being somewhat similar to the well-
known “flounder” or ‘‘flat-eye” in taste; then, too, it contains more
glue than almost any other fish that swims, which alone would make
it profitable to catch, provided there were factories handy in which

186 Thirty-Third Annual Meeting

the glue could be manufactured. Why shouldn’t the dogfish and the
skate be as good to eat as the haddock or halibut, and much better
than the lobster? They are particular what they eat, live bait suit-
ing them better than anything else, a marked contrast to the lobster,
which is the scavenger of the sea—the more rotten and putridits
food the better.

In his conversation the gentleman said he thought it was merely
a matter of superstition that the dogfish was looked upon with so
much aversion, and this superstition could be traced back to the
old Jewish law referring to clean and unclean animals, and no doubt
there is considerable truth in it. However, there is no question but
that there are far more edible varieties of fish than the Eastern
Canada, fishermen think, but prejudices are sometimes hard to over-
come. At any rate, it would pay to do a little experimenting.

Mr. Atkins: I have a correspondent in the town of Prospect,
Me., who has told me about setting a trawl in the river and catch-
ing a great number of skates, and finding their stomachs full of
young lobsters.

Dr. Smith: These dogfish investigations now going on at
Woods Hole were started by me two years ago, and I think the
young man who has the matter in charge will get some very im-
portant results. The dogfish was surreptitiously served at the
large mess-room at Woods Hole last year.

Mr. Clark: When we were there ?

Dr. Smith: Whether you had a part in that I don’t know.
(Laughter.) The matron of the mess was told to say that it was
Japanese halibut.

President: 1 had some of it. (Laughter. )

Dr. Smith: The fish met with great favor and many people
asked for the second helping. When the matron was asked what
the fish was she forgot herself and said Japanese nightingale.
(Laughter.) The flesh of the dogfish is decidedly palatable, not
at all greasy or soft. I believe the prejudice against the dogfish
is the prejudice which is shared by the shark family, and I think
it is entirely unfounded.

J will call attention to a little item which shows the value of
sharks in one of our states. In the Charleston, South Carolina,
market sharks are skinned and cut into strips and sold in bunches

American Fisheries Soctety. 187

of one to two pounds at ten cents a bunch. Some 30,000 pounds
were disposed of during the year of 1897, when we made a can-
rass of the fisheries, and in 1902 the catch and sales had in-
creased to 90,000 pounds, valued at $1,800.

In the San Francisco market, where skates are eaten and vari-
ous other things in the fish line that are not eaten in any other
part of the United States, when sturgeon is scarce, skate is some-
times used as a substitute. The second alternative is shark. This
is sold in restaurants under the name of tenderloin of sole and I
ask you to beware of the tenderloin that you in San Francisco, if
you expect to get a tenderloin of a fish that does not occur in the
United States. (Laughter. )

Many years ago there was established a special fishery for the
common gar in the Neuse river in North Carolina, and although
that special fishery no longer exists, I believe, still in that part
of the state, as Mr. Worth knows, I dare say, gars are very com-
monly eaten, usually by the negro population, but sometimes by
white people, and one of the characteristic sights along the water
front of the town of Newbern on the Neuse river, is a negro man
with his foot on a gar ripping the skin off with a jack knife, and
I am told gars never go begging in that region. They are easily
marketed at five and fifteen cents apiece. I saw several sold by
fishermen (who had brought them in with their herring) at fif-
teen cents apiece.

Mr. Lydell: I should judge from this paper and from the
talk, that the United States Fish Commission would like to get
rid of these dogfish; that they are a pest; therefore I move that
they be classed with carp of Pennsylvania.

Mr. Atkins: If think that was a good suggestion and would
add that they both be brought into the market and used regularly
for food and perhaps we shall conclude that instead of a curse
they are a blessing.

Mr. Seymour Bower: Speaking of the different kinds of fish
that have become very valuable, but which were once of no value,
there is no more striking illustration than the sturgeon of the
Great Lakes. You can find commercial fishermen in Sandusky
and Lake Erie alive today who remember when sturgeon were

188 Thirty-Third Annual Meeting

thrown away. They were gradually put on the market at twenty-
five cents apiece, and the demand was limited. In 1880 the
going price was $1.25. ‘Today in Detroit river a female sturgeon
in the month of June sells quickly, at first hands, for $15.00.
So you see there is a marked change in sentiment in the use of
that particular kind of fish.

I remember when the lawyer or eel pout were absolutely un-
saleable, but today I think every one that is caught finds a market
at some price.

A few years ago buyers were buying up sheephead and they
went on the market as shredded codfish.

A number of years ago I was associated with Mr. Stranahan,
and I have often heard him state that he believed that there was
no living animal that was not suitable for food. Perhaps some
of them were not particularly toothsome or palatable, but still
they were nutritious and wholesome. We have an animal in the
Great Lakes called the menobranchus, mud puppy, or “water liz-
ard,” which is very respulsive in appearance, Mr. Stranahan took
the ground that they were excellent food, and predicted that in
time they would be regarded as a delicacy, like frogs and turtles,
which by the way, not very many years ago were not themselves
eaten. One day we caught one and Mr. Stranahan dressed it,
put it on a shovel, placed it in the furnace, under the boiler,
cooked it and brought it out, and said he wanted a witness that
he had eaten a mud puppy. He invited me to participate in the
feast. Well, it did look really inviting, it smelled delicious and
the flesh was white. He used salt and pepper and butter, sat
down and ate it and said it was good—I can testify to that—and
I have no doubt that he is right in his prediction that in a few
years they will be considered a delicacy and bring as good a price
as frogs and turtles do today.

Dr. Bean: There is another fish in the Great Lakes which
fifteen years ago was scarcely thought of at all, and that is the
lake herring, now one of the most important fish of the Great
Lakes. The price has advanced from about two or three cents
upwards.

President: Half a cent.

American Fisheries Society. 189

Dr. Bean: When I first noticed it it was two or three cents
in the Washington market. Now the same fish sell very readily
from fifteen to eighteen cents.

President: When I first commenced work on Lake Erie in
1873 or 1874, herring was sold at fifty cents a box, holding 200
pounds. I positively know that seven cents a pound was paid
for herring wholesale last year.

Mr. Leary: We have a fish known as the alligator gar which
is very destructive and bad. The Givens Packing Company at
Corpus Christi, Texas, experimented with the roe and shipped it
as caviar, and Mr. Givens told me that the roe sold readily, but
the only difficulty was in getting a seine strong enough to hold
and capture the. gar, and I have no doubt it will be utilized some
day and a profit made on it.

*

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RESUME OF WORK DONE DURING THE PAST YEAR
IN THE RAISING OF WESTERN CHARR
IN EASTERN WATERS.

BY DR. F. M. JOHNSON.

Mr. President and Members of the Society :—The subject of
my paper to you today is simply a resume of work that I have
been trying to do in the past year in the raising of western charr
in eastern waters.

Hidden among the hills of New Hampshire there is a spot
that I chose for this particular work, on account first of the water
supply, the purity of the water, and according to the surface [
found that I had sufficient fall between the headwaters and my
pond to give magnificent aeration. The headwaters come from a
lake called Kolelemook. The outlet of this lake fed two or three
small ponds that at one time were used for mill purposes. These,
in short, I reclaimed, building culverts underneath the roadways,
taking away the large pipes, and trying to put each and every one
of the small ponds into what I considered a better condition.
Two ponds, one already completed, I have added to the water-
course in the meadow land connected with the old farmhouse.
By the kindness of Commissioner Bowers, to whom I early went
when I had this scheme in mind, I was supplied with the fish
with which to make certain experiments. At that time I had in
one of the ponds, our native brook trout; in a pond below it |
had the specimens of the western trout, the rainbow or the salmo
iridius, and it was my intention to keep them apart and watch
them, their feeding and their processes of life. Unfortunately,
as I thought at that time, but it has proven fortunately since
then, the upper dam had some leakage in it, and it was stopped
up in the winter time, one flowed into the other and mixed the
two varieties up. I thought at first when I discovered this that
it was going to block my entire plan. Instead of that it has
given me the subject of my paper today, for I want to draw out
one or two factors, and one of them is the harmony in which the
brook trout and the rainbow apparently live together.

Now, gentlemen, I have not followed this in point of time

193

194 Thirty-Third Annual Meeting

long enough to give you anything but the conjectures of the year
and a half during which I have been noticing these special fac-
tors.

I am convinced of one thing, that there is less quarreling,
less inquisitiveness, and fewer criticisms passed between our
salmo iridius and our salmo fontinalis than you find occurring
when you get five or six or ten families in an apartment house.

The western charr, as you all know, comes from streams that
flow through magnificent ravines oftentimes in sturdier waters.
The fish as they came to me from the hatchery, as near as I
could glean from the specimens shown here yesterday, were what
might be called baby fingerlings. ‘They varied a great deal in
size. They still had certain characteristics as they grew older,
of the rainbow trout in its native heath.

I at first fed the trout. I have always been opposed to feed-
ing trout or fish of any kind on any artificial food if it were
possible to approximate the foods that nature supplies. So I
can say that up to date I have not been obliged to feed any of the
fish that I have been raising on any of the ordinary so-called
foods comprising liver, ete., ete. I have found that the natural
supplies of foods I could always obtain. In the neighborhood of
my pond there was a tremendous quantity of good old fashioned
elusive tidbits called the angleworm or the earthworm, that the
fish preferred to anything else. While the fish were quite small
I secured worms, chopped them into small pieces, and fed the
fish regularly with them. As they grew older I no longer chopped
the worms up but threw them in whole. Of course they were
devoured very eagerly, and in an amusing manner, because the
little fellows would often each get the end of a worm in their
mouths and have a sort of tug of war until they pulled the thing
apart, or yanked it one from the other. The fish grew well. I
tried one or two foods for experiment—not that my fish needed
them—hbecause, as I say, I had a good supply of worms there—
but I tried a food that seemed to me to be a cheap one, good and
nutritious. I tried it simply to see if the fish would take it, and
it went far beyond my expectation—I refer to well cooked vermi-
eelli. J cooked it with a meat bone and salted it well, then
chopped it in small pieces (not too small) and threw it out over
the waters and the result was marvelous. The vermicelli being

HEADWATERS—LAKE “KOLELEMOOK.”

195

ah

American Fisheries Society. LO;

white looked like an angle worm, but much whiter and clearer,
and I do not think there was a piece that ever rested on the bot-
tom so far as I could see. I simply suggest that sometime when
your supply of liver may be a bit tainted and you cannot get
just what you need, you try vermicelli. It cannot hurt your fish
any; they ought to thrive on it, the Dagoes live on it, and there
are some clever Dagoes! (Laughter. )

Now I am going to pass you around some photographs which
will perhaps show you better than I can tell you the different
arrangements of these small ponds. Some of them are repeti-
tions, some of them are different views, some were taken before
I had the pond in my meadows; so you will pardon me if I seem
to give you a superfluous number. They are all numbered and
if you keep the numbers you can see about how they run.

In the winter months I have not had to feed the fish at all—
in fact you cannot feed anything in the waters in Springfield
during those months—you can chop ice as long as you lke, and
that is about as near as you get to the fish—you will still be chop-
ping in the spring. (Laughter.) They are never seen and noth-
ing is heard of them; they come up in the spring—lI do not know
where they come from, but they are fat, hearty and have spots
on them—no change of color. I suppose they live by burrowing
in the mud, and get nutrition there.

Thus far I have been rather fortunate in having no diseases
appear among my little finny tribe. I have seen in some of the
hatcheries one or two interesting conditions—perhaps one that I
would lke to speak of, because it might help you a bit looked at
through medical spectacles. Through the courtesy.of Mr. Hub-
bard, commissioner at Nashua, New Hampshire, while I was
making him a visit we were looking at some of the rainbow fry
(they were fingerling at that time) and they were dying rather
rapidly that morning. Without any apparent reason the little
chaps would turn over and give up the ghost very readily; and as
we tried to trace the cause, we found that Boston was so excited
over some Gen. Hooker day or something that they had down
there that the market men had not sent the liver on time, and the
last feeding on hand at the hatchery had probably become a little
tainted. Now I took one of these small fish and performed a
very delicate post mortem on it, and found that the disease was a

198 Thirty-Third Annual Meeting

gastroduodenitis, which means intestinal disturbance from indi-
gestion, that the food was not digested at all, that there was a
sort of stoppage in there which produced probably abdominal
colic in the fish and reflexly caused the heart to peter out, and
subsequent death. It is well to remember that sort of thing be-
cause I believe you can eradicate a great deal of it by influencing
your foods before you put them into the water.

There are other foods that are most excellent, and they are
natural foods, if they can be obtained. The first one, and one it
seems to me I have not heard many people speak of yet, is mag-
gots; and there are maggots of all sizes. It is easy enough to
hang somewhere in the course of a brook, upon a bending bush,
a piece of meat, or a piece of fish, and allow the maggots to form
and drop into the water; these are taken very eagerly by every
sort of fish that swims, but I think that the trout particularly
like them. The land-locked shrimp are to me one of the most
important food for fishes, and one of the most dainty things that
the fish can feed on; but it seems very hard work to know how to
get them. I have been trying fruitlessly to get some of them.
The land-locked shrimp is the most delicate of piscatorial bits
for fishermen, and is the one food supply that if you get too
many of them interferes with the sportsmen, because it feeds the
fish so well that they will not come up to a fly. That is the trou-
ble in Sunapee Lake, where perhaps so far as variety goes I do
not know a place in the world that has as many different kinds
of fish hving in its waters—black bass, pickerel, land-locked
salmon, German trout, the Loch Leven trout, and the Sunapee
trout, along with white perch, and all the different pond fish.
Now these are all fed tremendously well on the land-locked smelt.
The trouble in ponds such as I have is that they are not deep
enough to raise these land-locked smelt in. You must have depth
of water. They like to live in from fifty to seventy-five feet of
water, and if you do not get cooling water for them to live in
they are simply eaten up very quickly and your food supply is
gone.

We talked yesterday about ponds in a good many ways, how
to build them, ete., we went over that subject very carefully. I do
not know as I have a great deal to add, but perhaps there are one
or two suggestions that I found of use in some ponds that I

POND No. 1—SALMON.

199

American Fisheries Society. 201

made myself to which I might refer. I am rather a crank on fol-
lowing nature. I go back to it every day in my life in medicine.
With every new fish idea that comes I simply try to imitate na-
ture.

When you get to a bit of clay soil it is not wise to always dig
out all the clay. Clay is an important factor and it is well to leave
a certain amount of it. At times you want your streams to wash
out everything down to your gravel beds. If the nature of the
soil is muddy do not clear out all that muck; leave it and let the
water overflow it. I have taken out the boulders, and where I
have excavated down deeply I have built rockeries out of them, so
that when you flood back you cover all your rockeries. That
gives a magnificent place for the fish to hide that they may get
out of the sun’s rays; and it is a good place also for them to feed.
They like it. Of course gentlemen who are raising fish as you
are, where you have to send them off, might say that these rock-
eries might interfere when you drew your water down, so that
you could not get the fish out readily. That does not bother me
seventy-five foot

much because I have such a tremendous fall
drop—250 gallons a minute pouring out for aeration. I have
built my ponds (those that I began on) myself; it is hard work
to take up the old stuff and do much with it; and I have exca-
vated it so that I can drain it perfectly.

I made a mistake at first in not putting in raceways; that was
serious because in the spring the water rose so high it went over
the top of the dam. Now with the raceways in that fault is
eradicated.

You will see on one of these photographs what fish are sup-
posed to be in the waters. I suppose where this is marked “gray-
ling” that the graylings are there; it is a supposition on my part
because no one has ever seen them since the third day they went
into the water; they have not appeared against the screens; there
is nothing in there to eat them; they are not on the surface.
There is a culvert and a bridge there, and Dr. Henshall thinks
perhaps they are hidden away somewheres in that vicinity. If
my attempt to raise the grayling this year does not prove suc-
cessful I will adopt a somewhat different plan next year. I shall
let the eggs hatch in a natural stream, and | believe that nature
will have endowed them with common sense enough to take care

202 Thirty-Third Annual Meeting

of themselves, and I rather fancy that if they are going to do
well in eastern waters they will do well there. Again these chaps
that I have already put in there may turn up.

[ have noticed that from time to time the natural course of
my brook gets diverted, through becoming jammed up with
debris, and every spring I clear it out and restore it to its original
course, now and then fashioning out little places that have been
choked up with sand, going underneath the bank and making
cool places for the small fish to lie in, preserving, as I say, the
original course of the stream, making tiny falls wherever I can,
thus increasing the oxygen in the water, and oxygen means life.
I scoop out and take advantage of sandy places.

However in one respect I have interfered with nature, for in
one place I have turned the natural place of the brook in a
meadow through which it flows, taking it out of its proper course
here where it used to run down by gravity, swinging it around
to one side and thus securing more stream and a better spawning
place and a sharper fall from it just before it goes into the pond.
That is the only place where I have interfered, if you may so call
it, with nature, and I think I have gained by having more feet
of brook, and I now have a place where I hope some of these
fishes are going to spawn this fall.

There is no pretension in the little specimens I hand around
to you (showing two specimens mounted on boards—rainbow
trout nine and three-fourths inches long, brook trout seven
and three-fourths inches long) of anything except to show
you the approximate length of these two fishes. The gor-
geous coloring of our brook trout (which caused a poet to
say that when they sprang into being the rainbow smiled), and
of its companion, the western charr, who has belted himself with
the same prismatic colors, is lost in these specimens, because the
skins have been in pickle, and I did not try to have them
mounted or painted because I wanted to show you merely the
relative sizes of these fish. I tried to get you specimens exactly
alike, but it was an impossible task. If I throw a fly now the
little fellows come so rapidly, particularly small trout, that it is
very hard work to get a larger specimen, and I did not care to
risk getting the fishes in a net because I do not like to handle
them any more than is absolutely necessary.

“SNOT SAHONI %6 LAOUL

MOANIVYE

American Fisheries Society. 205

You will see here, and it is fair to make the supposition, that
(in my very humble and limited experience) the iridius grows
sturdier, heavier, and faster in every way than his companion,
our native brook trout, on exactly the same food, and giving them
the same waters. The rainbow is a cleverer fish as far as grow-
that is, it is true of these waters in New Hamp-

ing heavy goes
shire; I do not know about other men’s experience ; but with me
these fish were of exactly the same size; they were little fellows,
probably fingerlings, all of them, and I think the rainbows were
even smaller than the supply I obtained in my brook of the brook
trout. ‘The latter were more even in size. The rainbows varied
—there were some small ones and some big ones, and I know that
there are rainbows in my ponds today that are very much larger
than these specimens, for I have fed them and seen them, but I
was not clever enough to catch them. As you will see, the largest
one of these specimens is the rainbow.

That, gentlemen, is about all I have to say of the brief obser-
vation that I have been able to give to this subject. Of course
you will understand that while I wish for your sake there was
more of scientific deduction or something of worth in my re-
marks on my work, yet it represents perhaps one phase of fish
culture that you do not look at, to a person like myself who has
taken it up, not only because he is interested, call it a fad if he
will, but because it represents recreation, and it represents to
me another important factor. You gentlemen who are fish cul-
turists have not time and perhaps have not quite measures to try
certain experiments that I might be able to do for you. You
cannot use your ponds as I can. They are business ponds. They
have their mission, you are asked to do certain things with them;
while nobody controls my pond except me.

If a knotty problem comes up at any time where you want to
try a certain experiment then I propose to have Lake Kolelemook
and its addenda placed at your disposal each and every time that
anything arises that I can help you solve, if you feel that you
can leave it in my hands. Such is the desire and such is the
intention of this little set of ponds whose photographs you see
today.

Now perhaps I have gained the name of being very enthusi-
astic, but, gentlemen, there is one other side of this question that

206. Thirty-Third Annual Meeting

has been lightly touched upon. It has not a commercial value, it
is not purchasable by any amount of gold. You cannot trade it
in the market for diamonds. ‘The tired-out man of business goes
to the woods and there he crosses hands with nature. There he
receives ten fold back from her in every conceivable way, gifts
that he in no ways has given her anything for. He learns to love
what? Not only the beautiful fish, but, as he becomes a cultur-
ist, he appreciates more keenly what these things mean, while
nature gives him absolute rest and bestows the beauties that he
can appreciate, of sky, of the thunderstorm, of the charm of flee-
ing cloudland and peace—perfect in its purity. Everything is
beautiful,everything is worth study, and all means to him health,
rest to his nervous system, without being away and becoming
lazy, without simply doing nothing. These things interest the
business and the professional man and you want a few of us on
your side. We may not amount to much as fish culturists, but
you may need a few of us. Sometimes we can aid you in other

ways, by keen appreciation of the magnificent work you gentle-
men are doing all over the country, and I have noted as the years
go by that the number of true sportsmen, and lovers of nature,
are increasing; there is a great difference between a sport and a
sportsman, and becoming a true sportsman. Many a man calls
himself a sport (I suppose he is) I don’t want to go into that
phase of it, anyone who will catch a fish with nine hooks in
him—he is a sport, perhaps, but he is not a sportsman or fisher-
man. Now you are training men far beyond what you think.
You are helping me out. What you have said here today has
encouraged me to go on with my work. You are preserving for
future generations specimens of fish that would, without your
efforts, soon be eradicated. Unless we are constantly doing some-
thing, the good species would soon be caught out. You should,
gentlemen, appeal not only to the true sportsman of America,
but you will help men who naturally give up their lives as fisher-
men and to whom it is a legitimate business, and worst of all you
will have to supply the losses caused by the awful invasion and
happenings all over the country, that genus that we call the fish
hog.

Do the rainbow and brook trout live in harmony? I consider
they do, anyway they grow up together in friendship. Perhaps

D2:

THE BROOK—BETWEEN PONDS No. 1

207

American Fisheries Society. 209
after a long period the Morgans of obesity will absorb smaller
fry and create a trust, but this has not yet come. I prefer not to
give you their astrological chart, therefore the future is hidden.
We now deal with the present only. My attempt being to show
you certain results within a certain time. Having but little
spare time, I feel that these observations must be exceedingly
crude. My experiments or deductions are only those of a tired-
out man, whom, when the chance comes, flees to a forest home,
where Dame nature gives rest and peace in her generosity ex-
tends much and asks but little. The elixir that permeates the
sweet, soft cooling breezes, the purity and benefit derived from
the crystal waters of deeply hidden springs, the songs of the
feathered life of woodland, the very hum of the insect world,
the azure blue of heavens, the wonders of cloudland amid sun-
shine and storm, the hush of the twilight, the fury of tempest,
the lullaby of the pines that sigh, the greeting of dainty blos-
soms smiling through dew, or perchance the lonely ery of loon or
hoot of owl, the startled whirr of wings, strange snapping of
twigs, as some animal rushes from a nearer acquaintance with a
human. ‘Then what delicious fragrance comes from the after-
math of a summer shower. Now an impertiment spark of life
seen in the ever vivacious chipmunk, who greets you with a noisy
chatter then scampers into security at an approach. Fruit and
berries in their full abundance of deliciousness can be ours by
the mere taking. Shade, grateful and refreshing, and a couch
that crushes us into comfort in its embrace. All these are but a
few gifts of woodland’s treasures. Then is it to be wondered at
that we become lovers, and in every case, true sportsmen ?

( Applause. )

DISCUSSION OF MR. JOHNSON’S ADDRESS.

President: It is certainly very interesting to us to hear the
experiences of Dr. Johnson who has entered into this matter for
the love of it and for recreation, and it is not often that we hear
from those that are engaged in that manner.

Mr. Atkins: I wish to express my own gratification that Dr.

Johnson has engaged in this experimental work. I think that we
may look forward in the future to great changes in our practices.

210 Thirty-Third Annual Meeting

and all such experiments as he is carrying on must help us in
getting at the right method.

Mr. Whish: I also have taken great satisfaction in listening
to this paper, but for a different reason. When Dr. Johson spoke
of gastro-duodenitis, | saw a ray of hope. He says he is raising
the fontinalis in his pond. Now the brook trout, the old fashion
speckled trout, the wild trout, in the hatcheries of this country is
a diseased fish. The state of New York this last year lost 3,000
three-year-old brook trout in one hatchery, in spite of the best
scientific attendance we could get. We do not know the cause
of that epidemic. We do not know the name of it—do not know
how to prevent it or whether it will ever come again, and, know-
ing, as I do that the same thing, or something of a similar nature
is happening in the hatcheries of the United States commission
and the hatcheries of other states, I think that here is a field
where a man of the ability of Dr. Johnson, who has the time and
means, can enter to great advantage.

Briefly this is what happened to our trout. If anybody rec-
ognizes the trouble and can tell me what it is, | will be very glad.
In the stock ponds a large fish would suddenly leap from the
water, dart violently from side to side, and then drop like a stone
to the bottom where he would not move. If you took him out
you would find, particularly along the dorsal aspect, what looked
like boils, containing a mixture of blood and pus. In about
three days those boils would break and he would then turn over
on his back and die. Those boils, if they broke, left a cup-shaped
uleer which a physician would recognize as being a form of ulcer
which accompanies a very vile disease in man. Whether this is
a species of that disease in fish or not I do not know, but the fact
remains that we lost everyone of our brook trout; it did not at-
tack the fingerlings or yearlings, but it killed off every one of
those magnificent brook trout in that hatchery. We have cleaned
the hatchery out completely, putting in new cement bottoms and
sides to the ponds and we have arranged the water supply so that
we can cut off one pond from another, and we hope to prevent a
recurrence of the disease.

I might tell you about fungus disease and parasites, but vou
know all about them, and I earnestly make the suggestion that

DAM—POND No. 2 AND BROOK BETWEEN PONDS No. 2 AND 3.

211

American Fisheries Socrety. 213

men of the ability and resources of Dr. Johnson take up this
study of diseases of trout and of other fish. I got a wail from a
man in the Adirondacks a short time ago. He wrote me, “Black
bass diseased. What can we do?’ I asked him what was the
matter and he said: “The large fish have what looks like a scale
raised up on the side in various places, as if a No. 6 shot was
under the skin; but you take that scale up and you will find a
erub under there.” I do not know what the disease is, but I
know that the bass are grubby in many waters. We cannot con-
trol these conditions in wild waters, and when you get down to
your hatchery ponds it is very serious. I have been unable to
find any literature on this subject that would in any way reach
the trouble we had. I might as well tell you where it was, it was
at our best hatchery, Cold Spring Harbor, Long Island, and in
my judgment it is similar to the disease that happened in a pri-
vate preserve there eight years ago, which was investigated by a
prominent professor who said he would take it up further in his
laboratory, and who wrote me from Italy a short time ago that he
had not had the time, so that we do not know what caused the
disease.

Personally I am very well satisfied that you know now as fish
culturists how to feed your fish, how to propagate the best kinds
for various waters, but, gentlemen, I do not believe there is one
of you who outside of salting the fish for certain troubles, knows
anything about the dangerous diseases. I sent to Germany a
month ago for an essay or treatise on diseases of fish by an emi-
nent fish culturist, and I found in it a lithograph showing a form
of trouble with the barbel, which he calls the “Beulen Krank-
heit.” It looks very much lke the trouble we had with our trout.

Mr. Meehan: My interest in this paper is the same as that
of the gentleman from New York. We have had trouble also in
Pennsylvania with diseases of fish, and in one particular case,
only a year ago, in a hatchery which we have now abandoned, at
Allentown, we had a large quantity of trout fry which for rea-
sons we were compelled to retain in our troughs beyond the time
that they should have been kept. The fish began to die and be-
fore it could be stopped over 300,000 had died, fine fish, that
were transferred to the ponds outside died in the same way. We

214 Thirty-Third Annual Meeting

sent word in regard to the disease to the United States Bureau of
Fisheries, and the Bureau sent a man to look into the matter.
He remained there quite a while and went over the matter very
thoroughly. He made his report and even he seems to be some-
what at sea as to the causes of the trouble. Undoubtedly these
fish were decidedly anemic, but what caused that anemia in the
fish we do not know. We had trouble several years before—I
think during the great blizzard we lost something like 2,000,000
in about two weeks. I submitted a paper at that time to this
society. We were rather of the opinion that it was due chiefly
to long inbreeding, and I am still of the opinion, although it has
necessarily modified on account of last year’s experiences, where
we had fish that had come from other places which also were
I beheve that one
of the things that we ought to study more carefully is the dis-
eases of the fish. We know very little about them.

There was a little point during Dr. Johnson’s remarks that
reminded me of another matter that I would like to ask about,
and that is something in regard to the rainbow trout. We have
felt that it was a good fish to introduce into our waters, and
many years ago we propagated them to a very large extent, but
after a number of years we found they did not seem to get along

seized with and died from this same disease

in the streams, and further investigation showed that in the
ponds a large percentage were barren, although those barren one
year might not be barren the next. The result was it seemed to
be an expensive proposition to raise the fish, and they did not
seem to do well in the waters of Pennsylvania, although it is one
of the great trout states in the union. ‘Therefore it is curious
why they did not seem to propagate naturally. There were two
or three streams in which apparently they were doing very well,
and we so reported, but when we came to examine into the mat-
ter a little more closely we found that what was seemingly the
young fish propagated naturally, was, as a matter of fact, fish
that had been planted in there by persons who applied for those
trout for other streams and put them in that particular stream ;
therefore we were getting various sized California trout that had
been planted; but elsewhere there was no evidence that the fish
increased naturally in those streams, and I would like to know if
there is any one can tell me why that is.

‘NOWIVS GHMOOTANVI—T ON GANOd

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American Fisheries Socvety. Py,

President: Gentlemen, we have here the President of the
South Side Club, and I know we would like to hear from him on
the trout question.

Permit me to introduce Mr. Slade.

Mr. Slade: The South Side Club, as some of you know who
have visited it, runs a hatchery simply for the purpose of stock-
ing its own waters. ‘Twenty-five years ago when the late Hon.
George M. Robson was secretary of the navy, we received from
him a consignment of rainbow trout eggs. These were hatched,
and at the age of three years were placed in our ponds which
previously contained, and still contain, nothing but brook trout.
We found no trouble in raising the fish, but as a sporting fish
there were two objections to him: one was that the meat was not
particularly good; they were rather a soft fish; and the second
and chief objection from the sportman’s point of view was, that
it was very difficult indeed to capture them with a fly. We then
tried the experiment of turning them into the salt water (our
ponds communicate with the great South bay), and for a number
of years we had very fair sport with those fish, they going down
to the salt water and returning the following year with scales.
But even then it was necessary to capture them with bait and not
with a fly. Within the last few years, owing to striped bass hav-
ing appeared in our river, the rainbows that we turned out have
practically disappeared. We would turn out 3,000 or 4,000 fish
and only catch perhaps two or three hundred.

In regard to the natural spawning of those fish, I can say
very little, because our ponds being stocked every year with large
fish the natural fish have a very slight opportunity for spawning,
the eggs probably being eaten by the larger fish.

There is another subject that I would like to give a word of
warning about, and that is in regard to the German brown trout.
About ten or twelve years ago we received from the Cold Spring
hatchery a few eggs of this fish. We hatched them and raised
them to three years old, and were beginning to be quite enthusi-
astic about them, owing to their rapid growth, etc., but fortu-
nately before we turned any of them out we learned from the
Caledonia hatchery of the bad results of turning them out in
Caledonia creek, and we therefore disposed of nearly all of the

218 Thirty-Third Annual Meeting

fish, but a few of them escaped. They got into our upper brook
(which by the way is never stocked with large fish, only with
fry), and a few years afterward we discovered that the upper
brook fishing was falling off. The natural supposition was that
the brook was being poached. Our game keepers were naturally
indignant at that idea and said, “The poachers in that brook
are brown trout.” I said, “How large have you seen them?”
“Well, three or four pounds.” I told them to bring me some
specimens if they could, and a few days afterwards they began
bringing in brown trout which they either speared or shot at
night, ranging from four to five pounds in weight, and almost
all of them with brook trout of six or eight inches in length in-
side of them. Since then we have made a strong effort to get
rid of these fish. It is almost impossible to discover them in the
daytime, particularly in the summer time, because they hide
away under the banks, but last year and the year before we killed
a great many of them on the spawning beds, some of them run-
ning as high as eight pounds in weight, this in a brook that is
inhabited by brook trout which will run not over a quarter of a
pound in weight. Within the last two weeks I have discovered
that some of those fish are still in our preserves. The symptoms
in our preserves are different from those described by the gentle-
man from New York—the trout simply disappear—when, as
occurred about three weeks ago, a brown trout weighing fifteen
pounds was shot in a preserve that contained about 5,000 two-
year-old fish, a gentleman made a calculation, assuming that
that fish was ten years old, and that he ate only one fish a day,
that he would have consumed 3,650 fish in ten years time, which
would account for a very large mortality in that particular pre-
serve. (Laughter.) I will not take up your time longer, but I
feel that everything that was said the other day in regard to the
German carp could be said with greater truth in regard to the
German brown trout. (Applause. )

“LOOUL AAI

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THE RECENT HATCHING OF STRIPED BASS AND
POSSIBILITIES WITH OTHER COMMER-
CIAL SPECIES.

IBY SagGe) WiORAIEC

The second season of operations in striped bass hatching by
the Bureau of Fisheries was concluded at Weldon, N. C., on
May 31st, just passed. From the experimental basis of the pre-
ceding year, the equipment was enlarged to an extent to permit
operations of some proportions, but constructed and arranged
along temporary lines as before, canvas tents serving as cover-
ing for hatchery and employes’ quarters. In place of thirty
hatching jars, used the year before, 120 were put in, and all
other preparations were made in about the same fourfold pro-
portion.

A striking and rather embarrassing feature was the occur-
rence of eggs in gluts, eighty-three and one-half per cent of the
season’s collections bemg obtained on one date. Of 13,683,000
eggs gathered, 11,427,000 were brought in on May 6, enough to
overstock the hatchery, to the extent of seven jars, allowing
90,000 to the jar. All the eggs are good. I was aware that the
jar equipment was under the mark, but as there was much other
equipment equally necessary and consuming funds, I depended
on seventy Seth Green Boxes, made on the grounds, for the
receipt of any eggs which the jars would not accommodate. It
was only because of a bad season of fishing that the 120-jar
equipment proved to be ample for the occasion.

An actual account of eight fluid ounces of eggs revealed the
presence of 35,148 in a United States standard quid quart.
The hundreds being dropped, 35,000 was adopted as the unit of
measure, and a measure stick was made with five gradations to
the inch, representing fifths of a quart or 7,000 eggs. The
lines on a shad measure stick also denote 7,000 eggs, but they
stand for fourths of a quart, fourths of 28,000. The striped
bass seale, if divided into fourths, would lead to endless frac-
tions. Last year’s computations of eggs and fry were based on
an estimated quantity of 25,000 to the quart and need to be

223

224 Thirty-Third Annual Meeting

raised forty per cent for accuracy, it being then believed that
rockfish eggs were larger than shad eggs and fewer per quart.

In a period of twenty-three days, from May 2 to 24, and with
the river temperature ranging between 60 and %0 degrees,
Fahr., twenty ripe fish were stripped, the eggs from every one of
them being good. The wide difference in the sizes of the spawn-
ing individuals is noteworthy. The largest of seventy and the
smallest of three pounds weight, the average of nineteen of them
was twenty-six pounds; five, ranging from forty to seventy, aver-
aging fifty-five pounds; four, from twenty-three to thirty-five,
averaging twenty-seven; seven, from ten to eighteen, averaging
fourteen; three, from three to seven, averaging five pounds.
Over eighty per cent were above ten pounds weight.

The smallest yield of eggs was 14,000, from a three-pound
fish; the largest 3,220,000, from a fifty-pounder, while the aver-
age from the twenty fish was 684,000. On May 6, four females,
stripped at one spawn-taking camp, with weights at fifty, forty,
seventy and fifty pounds, severally, yielded eggs as follows: One
fifty-pounder 3,220,000, and three others, whose product could
not be kept separate, an aggregate of 6,440,000, the three aver-
aging 2,150,000, while the average of the four was 2,414,000
egos. After water-hardening there were ninety-two liquid quarts
of eggs as the products of the fifty-pounder, and eighty-one
seven-quart spawn-taking pans were overcrowded with the eggs
from the four individuals. When sixty-eight of these fifteen-
inch-diameter pans had received their quota of eggs from the
first three fish, there was not room on the eight by sixteen scow to
permit proper watering and their aggregate weight, of 1,000
pounds, with that of four spawn takers, set the newly made boat
so deep down in the water that she commenced sinking and
would have gone down but for five hours’ constant, hard bailing
by our cook. The transfer of the eggs to the hatchery by hand
was slow. The distance was about 700 yards, and the lowland
clay was as slick as glass from an all night rain and the night
dark.

On this night when fishermen offered the fourth spawner,
twenty-nine pans of eggs taken from the first fish were hastily
put into seven Seth Green boxes astern of the scow, to make
room for the new supply. As time advanced the eggs swelled up

American Fisheries Society. 225

in the boxes, making a measured volume’ of twenty-three gallons
(from the specially designated fifty-pound fish) while the aggre-
gate water capacity of the boxes was only thirty-eight gallons.
Left in the river over night, they died of suffocation, of course.
The party of operatives was more quickly and_ hopelessly
fatigued in consequence of the rain, which soaked our clothing.
It was not intended when the eggs were put overboard to leave
them in the river over night, nor did I for a single moment
realize what a great quantity the seven boxes had received till
the following day when the eggs were measured. In future
operations, to avoid all risk from such gluts, sure to occur and
with no means of foreknowing at what camp, I shall have one
or two pans of eggs placed in the live boxes soon after they are
taken and without waiting to fully water-harden them in the
pans, as practiced heretofore. It is only by the adoption of
such means that the usual detail of two spawn takers can cope
with the egg gluts. Eggs collected at the more distant camps
were invariably held over night in the live boxes, but in more
reasonable numbers, and successfully. In the case of loss, just
recited, the taking of 9,660,000 eggs in the space of two hours
by four men was, indeed, overwhelming.

Nine spawn-taking camps were established along the river,
covering a distance of nearly twenty miles, two men to each, the
crews living on the river shores and cooking for themselves.

There were 10,463,000 eggs put in circulation in hatching
jars, with the result that not a ticket representing the contents
of a jar was crossed off in consequence of failure of the eggs to

hatch, the number of fry produced being 7,219,000, or sixty-nine
per cent, thus affording sure evidence that the eggs are capable
of undergoing satisfactory manipulation.

A third season of operations at Weldon will demonstrate to
others that which I realize to be the fact, viz: that all obstacles
to successful collecting and hatching of eggs on the Roanoke
river have been met and overcome, and that confidence will
attend efforts towards expansion there and elsewhere.

It was found impracticable to hold fry in collector-aquaria
with the metal screens used in current shad operations, and
cheese cloth bags on wire frames were reverted to. On May 8,
fully three-fourths of the fry (4,450,000), bursting from the

226 Thirty-Third Annual Meeting

eggs in the forty-hour period, were killed on the metal screens,
within two hours of hatching. There was no remedy applicable.
I immediately set to work, however, and had cheese cloth strain-
ers made, and on using them solved to entire satisfaction the
problem of aquaria strainers.

The fry display an inordinate propensity to escape. In feath-
ering them off of the metal screens the sacs of great numbers
were ruptured, flooding the aquaria water surfaces with oil.
While the newly taken and unfertilized eggs are of a decided
and highly attractive green color, the oil from the fry sacs is
amber. During the heavy mortality of May 8, there were
myriads of the buoyant oil globules afloat from the minutest
size up to nearly one inch in diameter.

From the very small size of the four-hour-old fry, about
three-sixteenths of an inch long, which I here exhibit, it is obvi-
ous that it would require the bursting of many sacs to afford the
pronounced effect in oil globules described. The four-day-old
specimens, here displayed, about one-fourth inch long, represent
the approximate size of 3,698,000 fry deposited in the Roanoke
river, that number being the season’s output. The four-weeks-
old specimens, about one-half inch long, were reared in a crudely
constructed pool near the hatchery door. Their fins are easily
discernible, and when they were being introduced into the vial,
the stripes down their sides could be seen. I do not think that
partial rearing in ponds could be other than successful, as the
water in the temporary pool at Weldon was of very high temper-
ature and almost stagnant.

The run of adult fish at Weldon, from unknown causes, was
the smallest ever known. J. E. Moody, in twenty-one seasons,
during some of which he did not fish the spring through, aver-
aged 847 fish with sales $298.38, but got this year only 227 fish
which sold for $82.40, all other “drag-netters” faring as bad,
and most of them worse.

It was learned on what was believed to be trustworthy evi-
dence, that striped bass are annually caught in Roanoke river on
trot lines in the vicinity of Hamilton, in commercial quantities,
two men being able to take 200 pounds a day, or about 1,000 a
week. Hooks are baited with fresh cut herring (alewife). Up
at Weldon their capture with a hook is an extremely rare occur-

rence.

American Fisheries Society. 227

From information gathered at Weldon I entertain the opin-
ion that the sturgeon has habitually sought the falls of the Roan-
oke river for casting its eggs in the identical swift waters in
which the striped bass reproduce. This choice of partially cat-
aract waters may be known to others but it was new to me. When
in 1887 I spent three weeks at Delaware City, Delaware, looking
for spawning sturgeon for the United States Fish Commission,
I doubtless should have been among the foothills of Pennsyl-
vania, 150 miles further up stream. The falls at Weldon are so
swift that a boat cannot be successfully paddled against the cur-
rent. The boat has to be shoved with a pole. ‘There is a ten-
foot fall to the mile.

Apparently, river sturgeon spawn in head waters in rapids.

Last fall and winter I made investigations for the Bureau of
Fisheries, of the spawning habits of commercial fishes at Beau-
fort, N. C., and at a minimum cost acquired a knowledge of the
jumping mullet and Spanish mackerel, which I believe will
bring these fish under artificial hatching methods almost imme-
diately. The former, as a pickled fish, is so highly esteemed in
the North Carolina region of abundance, that it is destined to
find a more widely extended market. It is almost beyond doubt
superior to salt mackerel. In September, just prior to its spawn-
ing, it is in highest condition as food. I anticipate, with confi-
dence, that I shall gather and hatch its eggs in October of this
year. I am nearly as positive that I can gather Spanish mack-
erel eggs at the first attempt, when a letup in other duties per-
mits a trial. A partial knowledge of the spawning habits and
egos of this fish has been acquired, and it only needs that a sup-
ply of eggs in volume be found to permit artificial propagation
to gain a footing. I believe that I have discovered the locality
of regular and abundant egg supply. The spawning habits of
the jumping mullet have remained unknown, in the face of
systematic efforts to disclose them, until last November, when I
found females in all stages from full roe to empty downrunners.
I was absent in October when the main school appeared and
spawned.

While investigating at Beaufort, I also became almost cer-
tainly convinced that the Menhaden spawns in the vicinity of
Beaufort, in the month of November. I handled a number of

oo

28 Thirty-Third Annual Meeting

ripe males and gathered other evidence supporting the belief
that they spawn at sea but a few miles off shore and some proba-
bly in inside waters, such as Newport river.

DISCUSSION OF MR. WORTH’S PAPER.

Mr. Titeomb: I want to ask Mr. Worth whether it makes
any difference about laying that rockfish on its left side or right
side, except for the convenience of the person stripping ?

Mr. Worth: With a left-handed man it is better to use the
right hand.

Mr. Titecomb: About the rockfish in that part of the river
where they take the hook and line are some of those fish ripe
when caught ?

Mr. Worth: I could not answer that, but I believe not. It
is forty or fifty miles below the spawning ground.

Q. Do you know from your experience whether the rockfish
will take the hook and line when they are ripe?

A. I do not from my experience, but from observation at
Weldon, and what the fishermen say, I believe they will not take
the hook and line when they are in a spawning state. Appar-
ently the taking of the hook below Weldon is after the occur-
rence of the spawning above when they drop down the river.

Mr. Titeomb: I think that is a point that is well worth ob-
serving in the future and as closely as possible. We have been
trying the rockfish at Port Deposit on the Susquehanna. It is
there where they take them with hook and line. I have an im-
pression that the fish as a rule do not ripen until they are above
there, although ripe females have been taken in nets below Port
Deposit.

Mr. Worth: That is true.

Mr. Titcomb: IJ want to say to the members of the society
that this rock-fish question is a very important one and we want
to get hold of them wherever we can. Now if any of you know
where the rockfish is caught in abundance and in a ripe spawn-

PaG
PSG
wo)

American Fisheries Society.

ing condition, the U. 8S. Bureau of Fisheries would like to know
it.

The same way with the sturgeon for that matter. We want
to propagate those fish where they are spawning in sufficient
abundance to make it worth while to do so, anywhere in the
country.

Mr. Stranahan: I would like to ask Mr. Worth what the
prospects are of hatching the jumping mullet in large quanti-
ties ?

Mr. Worth: I think there is an unusually good prospect.
At Beaufort last fall they had a storm about the 8th of Octo-
ber which caused the large fish to scatter from there, and they
caught very few there, but ordinarily they catch large fish in
quantity. They always catch large spawning fish in quantity a
few miles below in the adjoining counties. From specimens
which I saw in November of last year, after the October spawn-
ing had occurred, I am perfectly confident that the fish spawned
at Beaufort, and their yield of eggs per fish must be enormous
from the small size of them and the great quantity that is in the
individual. I saw dead specimens with the eggs all over their
bodies; it looked as if a person with damp hands had put his
hands in a barrel of old fashioned brown sugar. ‘They were
sticking all over the fish from the nose to the end of the tail;
and the oldest and most reliable fisherman at Cape Lookout and
on Shackleford’s banks where my observations were made, con-
firmed the statement that in the cool sharp weather in the fall
it had been a common thing there all their lives to see the body
of the water on the rip-rap shoals covered with the great quantity
of eggs that those fish had ejected. I could say more on this
subject but I suppose I have answered the question.

Mr. Stranahan: One more question: is it not a fact that the
jumping mullet for the extreme south is the most important of

all fishes ?

Mr. Worth: The jumping mullet is only just coming to be
thoroughly appreciated by the better class of people. In the
south he has been called a “nigger” fish, and for that reason a
great many southern people won't eat it.

230 Thirty-Third Annual Meeting

Now should not Mr. Titcomb include that fish with the rock-
fish and with the sturgeon? Should not that work be pushed ?
Is not the jumping mullet disappearing rapidly ?

Mr. Titcomb: I will accept the amendment.

Mr. Worth: I have been detailed by the commissioner to
make investigation and am on the grounds at Beaufort in regard
to taking a second year’s observation, and I am confident I will
get eggs in great quantities.

PROGRESS OF EXPERIMENTS IN SPONGE
CULTURE:

BY H. F. MOORE.

From the Levant and the north coast of Africa, from the
Bahamas and the Islands of the Caribbean, from our own waters
of Florida, in fact from all the world’s sponge fisheries, there
comes complaint of a yearly decreasing supply of sponges, at the
same time that the principal markets of the world reflect an
increasing demand. ‘The direct and immediate effect of the
operation of these two factors is to increase the price: the sec-
ondary effects are to stimulate endeavor in the fisheries on the
one hand and, on the other, to withdraw from the sponge market
those arts which are able to utilize a cheap and inferior substi-
tute.

It will be readily seen what must be the inevitable result of
an increase in the effort made to find and take a species which
even under the less strenuous endeavor of former years was un-
equal in productiveness to the demand upon it. Unless new and
extensive ground be discovered, the increase in zeal and numbers
of the sponge fishermen can only result in the more speedy ex-
haustion of the beds already known and to some extent exploited.
With the increase in value, there goes pari passu not only a more
careful gleaning from the beds of the larger and more desirable
sizes, but a tendency to take all and any of whatever size found
and at the same time to adopt methods of capture which are in
themselves injurious.

In the Mediterranean, the chief cause attributed for the de-
crease in the yield of sponges is the use of artificial diving appli-
ances in substitution for the primitive methods of fishing in
vogue until within the last thirty years. It is stated that not
only are many young sponges killed by the mailed boots of the
divers but that the sponge bottoms are so thoroughly scoured of
breeding sponges that few are left to reseed the depleted beds.
Whatever may be the merits of the disputes which have arisen
over the matter, the fact remains that the product of the Medi-
terranean sponge beds has seriously decreased, the yield of the

231

232 Thirty-Third Annual Meeting

island of Cyprus for instance being in 1898 but thirty-five per
cent of the product in 1899. Italy, Tunis, Samos, Crete and
Cyprus have all taken measures to prohibit the use of diving
apparatus, and it is thought that before long, if they have not
already done so, Turkey and Egypt will follow the example of
their neighbors.

On the western side of the Atlantic we have had no oppor-
tunity to judge of the effects of diving apparatus. Florida and,
it is the impression of the writer, the Bahamas also, have antici-
pated its introduction by enacting prohibitory laws. In Florida,
Cuba and the Bahamas practically but one method of sponging
is employed, the sponges being detached from the bottom by
means of three-tined hooks on poles whose lengths are graduated
to the depth of the water. In using these in deep water two men
are necessary, one examining the bottom through a water glass,
a glass bottomed bucket, and detaching the sponges when found
and the other sculling the boat. In shallow water but one man
is employed in a boat. It might be assumed that this somewhat
primitive method would not prove especially destructive but the
sponges are decreasing in abundance nevertheless. The chief
complaint against the spongers of Florida, and of the Bahamas
and Cuba as well, is that they catch an undue quantity of small
and relatively valueless individuals. An act of legislature of
Florida, approved May 30, 1901, provides that “whoever gathers
sponges less than four inches in diameter, or whoever catches,
sells, or buys, or offers for sale, sponges of less diameter than the
aforesaid, shall be punished for each offense by a fine not ex-
ceeding five hundred dollars,” etc. This law, however, is a dead
letter and at every sponge sale sponges of less than the legal
diameter are to be seen in the cargoes.

The buyers would prefer not to buy these small sponges, but
the rivalry to purchase is so keen that they take them to secure
the more desirable sizes sold in the same lots. The loss arising
from this abuse will be appreciated when it is stated that the
experiments of the Bureau of Fisheries have shown that in two
years a sponge may grow from a diameter of three inches to one
of six inches, increasing eight fold in weight and at least twenty-
five fold in value. One dealer in a single season bought between
sixty and eighty thousand sponges of the approximate diameter

American Fisheries Socvety. 233

of four inches and probably the total catch of sponges of that
size is not far from 309,000 per year. In addition to this direct
financial loss to the spongers there is also the loss of the breeding
potentiality of so many individuals removed from the beds be-
fore reaching full reproductive activity.

Even should the laws be strictly enforced, however, and this
waste be eliminated, it is not possible for the natural beds to
sustain the demand made upon them. It is true that the sponge
can never be commercially exterminated owing to the physical
conditions under which it exists. The almost perennial turbidity
of the water on many of the grounds makes it impossible to
sponge with methods now in use except at most infrequent inter-
vals, and during the periods of enforced rest the grounds re-
cuperate and the sponges multiply. This, however, does not
satisfy the conditions of the case, as it simply perpetuates the
supply by restricting it. What is needed is an actual permanent
increase in production to keep pace with a growing demand and
in a measure to stimulate it.

To those who have studied the matter, it is evident that this
condition can be met only by some method of artificial culture
analogous in general to the methods which have in many places
re-established and maintained the supply of oysters.

The question of sponge culture is not a new one. A number
of theoretical considerations have been offered and several at-
tempts at a practical solution have been made. It has been pro-
posed to multiply and improve the supply of sponges by grow-
ing them from cuttings and from the egg and by grafting supe-
rior varieties upon those less desirable commercially. It does
not appear that there is much of value in the last suggestion,
which is based upon an imperfect analogy between sponges and
the higher plants. If cut surfaces of two closely related varie-
ties of sponges be brought into apposition they speedily fuse and
heal. In the ease of plants, each member to the graft exerts
more or less influence upon the resulting plant unit, which may
perpetuate a particular hardiness or habit of the stock, for in-
stance, with a special fruit quality derived from the scion or
bud. In sponges, however, each part of the graft will continue
to grow, very much as if it had remained independent. In other
words, nothing can be done by grafting which cannot be done

234 Thirty-Third Annual Meeting

with less trouble by means of independent cuttings. In each
case the result depends to some extent upon the character of the
original sponge from which the cutting is derived, but apparently
to a greater degree upon the nature of the environment to which
the cutting is exposed during its subsequent growth.

It is doubtful if the breeding of sponges from the egg will
become of much value as a general method, as it is likely to prove
altogether too costly, complex and difficult to be utilized by the
practical sponge grower. To the scientific experimenter and the
worker in the laboratory, it is comparatively easy to raise a few
hundred or a few thousand sponge larvae beyond the stage of
fixation, but the difficulty will come in carrying the young
sponges to further development in vastly increased numbers
under conditions which will yield a financial profit. It is possi-
ble, however, that a superior variety of sponges may be devel-
oped by selective breeding from the egg and that the individuals
so produced may be used to perpetuate the desirable qualities by
cuttings. To the writer this seems to be the chief practical
utility of sexual sponge breeding, but while this is merely a pos-
sibility, there is on the other hand the demonstrated fact that the
same end may be at least in a measure produced by sponge cut-
tings grown under the influence of a selected environment.

The method of propagation by cuttings is the one which has
to the present time received the attention of those who have at-
tempted to solve in a practical way the problems of sponge cul-
ture. Prior to the work begun by the Bureau of Fisheries,
experiments had been carried on in the Adriatic and on the
Florida coast near Key West and in Biscayne Bay. In the Adri-
atic the work was begun in 1863 and continued until 1872 when
it was abandoned owing to the antagonism of the inhabitants
of the neighborhood, who destroyed and plundered the experi-
mental plant. The experiment was the outcome of a suggestion
by Prof. O. Schmidt and was begun under the joimt auspices of
the Austrian Government and certain merchants of Triest. In
general the method of procedure was to cut the sponges into
pieces of about one inch cube, perforate them with a stiletto or
trepan according to circumstances and fasten them by means of
pegs to stones, boards and more or less simple structures de-
signed for their support. These cuttings grew to two-thirds

American Fisheries Socvety. 235

times their original bulk in the first year and it required seven
years to raise completely matured and merchantable sponges.
The chief difficulty, aside from the hostility of the inhabitants,
appears to have arisen from the destruction of the supports by
teredos and other boring organisms. It was found, too, that
direct sunlight was inimical to the sponges and some the com-
plexities of the supports arose from the effort to shelter the cut-
tings from the direct rays of the sun. So far as is known no
practical use has been made of the methods developed by these
long continued experiments.

Concerning the first attempts to raise sponges artifically
near Key West, we have very insufficient data. Sometime in
the late seventies or early eighties, 216 cuttings were planted in
a depth of about two and one-half feet of water, being fastened
to the bottom by means of wires or sticks running through them.
The cuttings were originally about two and one-half inches long
and four specimens sent to the National Museum showed that as
a result of six months growth they had increased to four-sixth
times their original bulk. ‘This experiment was never pushed
to a conclusion and the fate of the cuttings other than the four
mentioned above is unknown. About twenty years later (1898
circa) several thousand cuttings were planted at Sugar Loaf Key
by Dr. J. V. Harris of Key West. They were attached to gal-
vanized wire laid on the bottom in from two to four feet of
water. ‘The mortality in these cuttings was very high and the
wire soon corroded and broke in pieces. From time to time
parts of this wire with a few sponges attached have been picked
up. Growth appears to have been slow or, after a time, entirely
arrested and the largest specimens seen by the writer have been
under four inches in diameter with an age of three to five years.
Exact data as to the age of any given specimen is not obtaina-
ble.

In January 1901, the Bureau of Fisheries began a series of
experiments under the direction of the writer, at Sugar Loaf
Key and at several places in Biscayne Bay where several thou-
sand of cuttings were planted under a variety of environmental
conditions and by a number of different methods. It was found,
as all previous experimenters had found, that the commercial
sponges are all more or less hardy and that they are but little

236 Thirty-Third Annual Meeting

injured by reasonable exposure to the air. The writer has kept
specimens of the sheepswool sponge, out of water, during the
winter months for a period of seventy-two hours without mater-
ial impairment of the vitality of the cuttings made from them,
the only precaution observed being to keep the specimens in
moist hay in a shady place.

The cuttings are easily made with a large sharp knife. The
sponge of the markets is merely the supporting skeleton and in
life most of its interstices are filled with a fleshy pulp, containing
cavernous canals communicating with the exterior by means of
pores. The surface is covered with a dark, almost black skin and
the fresh sponge looks and cuts not unlike a beef’s liver. The
chief problem confronting the experimenter was to find some
ready means of attaching the cuttings to a durable support, capa-
ble of resisting the chemical action of sea water and the ravages
of the teredo and other animals having similar destructive habits
and which at the same time is without injurious effect upon the
sponges.

During the first season the cuttings were attached to stakes
and rectangular frames laid on the bottom, vertical stakes,
pieces of coral rock, and copper wires stretched on the bottom or
festooned between stakes. Some of the cuttings were threaded
on the copper supporting wires and others were fastened to them
by means of shorter lengths of lighter wire, with the expectation
that the sponge would eventually encompass its support.

About six weeks after the plants were made, it was found
that ninety-five per cent had healed and were lying under ap-
parently healthy conditions but by November 1901, seven or
eight months later, most of them had died and some of the wires
had been stolen. It was evident that the choice of materials
and localities had been unfortunate. The chemical action of
the sea water on the copper resulted in the production of copper
salts injurious to the sponges and even the cuttings which re-
mained in situ were dead around the wire. The cuttings placed
on the bottom had become covered with silt and vegetable
growths and practically all of them were either killed or lost.

During the following winter of 1901-02, advantage was taken
of the experience gained from the failure of the previous year
and in addition to Biscayne Bay and Sugar Loaf Key, Anclote

American Fisheries Society. 237

Key was selected for further experiment. Instead of using
naked copper wires, various types of insulation were tried, other
metals, including lead and heavily galvanized iron, and various
cordage materials were experimented with, moulded forms of
terra cotta, plaster and cement were used instead of the rocks
and stakes laid on the bottom, and better judgment was used in
selecting localities for planting. It was found that places but
a few hundred yards apart differed markedly in their adaptation
to purposes of sponge culture as was shown at Sugar Loaf Key
by the progress of cuttings planted on opposite sides of a small
point of land. Currents of at least moderate strength are im-
portant desiderata, supplying the sponges with the abundant”
food supply essential for rapid growth. Another fact estab-
lished was the advantage of raising the sponges above the bottom.
Not only do they grow more rapidly, but they are superior in
shape, and the proportion of survivals is far greater than when
they are placed on the bottom. They are free to grow in all
directions and assume a spheroidal shape, they are bathed on
all sides in food-laden water, the stronger currents above the
bottom carry more food within their reach and finally they are
less liable to suffocation and overgrowth by silt and vegetation.

It was also found that the cuttings were more or less injured
in being threaded on the long insulated supporting wires and
that when the pieces were merely bound against the wire they
were sometimes so slow in growing around it as to jeopardize
their attachment before the corrosion of the binding wire. ‘T'o
obviate these difficulties, the expedient was adopted of shtting
the cutting, placing the two legs of the sht astride of the sup-
porting wire and binding the severed faces in close apposition
by means of aluminum wires or rubber bands. The sht speedily
heals and the cutting becomes organically intact around the wire.
Aluminum wire was adopted for binding purposes because its
salts in sea water are neither rapidly produced nor injurious to
the sponge. The more or less expensive insulations composed of
various patented compounds of rubber, ete., which have been
found to possess superior properties for electrical purposes soon
developed their worthlessness for sponge culture, the insulation
being affected by the salt water and stripping from the wires.
Underwriters insulation, so-called, a cheap covering of cotton

238 Thirty-Third Annual Meeting

and white lead proved to be the most durable, and, to anticipate
somewhat in the account, lasted for about two years. In the case
of this material, both wire and covering were very light and sub-
sequent experience has shown that a heavier wire is much more
durable. Asbestos cord was found to be practically indestructi-
ble chemically, but when wet the fibres become so slippery and
loosely laid that the tensile strength is greatly reduced. This
difficulty was overcome by treating the asbestos with rubber solu-
tions, white lead, a mixture of paraffien and asphaltum, and
other waterproofing and cementing substances. These treat-
ments very greatly increase the strength of the cord, but the
‘rubber treatment is somewhat expensive and the asphaltum for
some reason causes undue abrasion of the sponge. Lead wire
possesses the important quality of permitting a true organic at-
tachment of the sponge which thereby clings to its support quite
independently of artificial attachments, but its tensile strength
is so low that it is unable to support its own weight to say noth-
ing of the weight of the sponges and the pressures oer by
waves and currents.

The terra cotta and cement blocks used on the bottom were
found unsatisfactory for a number of reasons. They were cap-
sized by the waves in many cases and the cuttings buried in the
mud and even when they remained upright silt and vegetable
matter in a great many cases destroyed or injured the cutting.
The results enumerated, the very evident advantages of raising
the sponges above the bottom, and the mechanical advantages of
planting and raising the sponges on wires all operated to dis-
courage further experiment on these lines.

During the winter of 1902-03 certain changes, founded upon
the experiences of the previous winter, were made in the charac-
ter of the materials used through the general method of making
and fixing the cuttings was the same. 'To get the virtues of lead
its chemically inert and innoicuous qualities, and at the same
time to eliminate its vice of tensile weakness, the device was hit
upon of using ordinary tarred marline encased in lead of a thick-
ness of about one thirty-second of an inch. The marline core
furnished the necessary strength, and the lead casing, besides
protecting the cordage to some extent from decay, furnished the
basis for an organic attachment of the sponges, a desideratum of

American Fisheries Society. 239

some weight. If the sponge be loose on the wire, its rotation
causes an enlargement of the perforation through which the
wire passes and there is also a waste of growth energy in the
necessity for the readjustment of the canal system. If a sponge
be inverted, there is tendency to the closure of the original oscula
and the formation of others upon the new upper surface and if
the processes of inversion be frequently repeated, as when the
sponge is free to rotate, growth is retarded by the necessity for
repeated readjustment.

When lead-covered marline is used, within a week after they
are planted, the cuttings have attached themselves and become
permanently oriented with respect to their supports. At the
time of writing, lead covered marline has been in use for nine-
teen months and is in a good state of preservation. Several lines
have broken near the stakes to which they were immovably at-
tached, but a more flexible attachment has prevented the re-
peated flexure of the lead under the movement of the waves and
since its adoption no trouble has been experienced. Asbestos
coated with paraffin and asphaltum and encased in lead has been
used in the same manner and with practically the same results.

Several forms of lead-covered insulated wires have been em-
ployed, but the ordinary commercial sorts have been unsatis-
factory, being either too heavy, or, if sufficiently hght and cheap,
lacking in durability. A specially made wire with underwriters
insulation encased in lead appears satisfactory after several
months of trial, but it is somewhat more expensive than the lead-
covered marline. In this material, also, a rigid attachment to
the stakes causes the lead covering to break near the supports
owing to the repeated flexure of the wire as it sways with the
waves. The attachment is now made by means of a stirrup-
shaped bridle of copper and wood. This was a makeshift device
and while it answers the purpose, cheaper and more durable
arrangements with be adopted in the future.

The experiments have not reached a definitive, stage and
some of the mechanical problems have not yet been solved. It
is not yet even determined if a sufficiently large proportion of
the cuttings will grow to a marketable size to warrant the em-
barkation of capital upon the venture of sponge growing.

In these experiments as in their predecessors it has been found

240 Thirty-Third Annual Meeting

that certain cuttings grow but little or not at all even though
they live for several years. Why this is so has not been deter-
mined but it is probable that some parts of some sponges have
reached a stage where they are incapable of further extensive
growth and when a cutting is taken from such parts it under-
goes no increase in size. Whether there is a limit to the size to
which a sponge will grow under natural conditions, and if there
is a limit what imposes it is not known. If it should be the
result of the disparity, growing with the diameter, between the
surface area and the volume, then the inhibition would not apply
to the cuttings until they had reached at least the approximate
size of the parents. If on the other hand there be some inherent
or inherited limit, say to the number of cell generations from the
egg, then the excision of pieces from the sponge would not
change this and the cuttings would not grow in the aggregate
to a weight beyond that of the original sponge had it remained
intact and unmolested. If this latter suggestion should prove
correct, it would be a serious though not fatal objection to the
method of raising sponges from cuttings. In the results so far
obtained there is no reason to anticipate failure or partial failure
from the cause, though during the present summer the mortality
among the larger sponges has been somewhat alarming.

On the whole, the progress of the experiments and their
future are promising. Growth while showing some irregulari-
ties in rate has been fairly rapid. Cuttings originally measuring
about two inches by one inch have in eighteen months developed
into spheroids four inches in diameter. These are larger and
heavier than many of the natural sponges put on the markets,
but the price brought by sponges of this size is so low that it
would not be profitable to raise them. The largest sponges which
have been grown were from cuttings of the size mentioned above
and in thirty months measured nearly six inches in their longest
diameter. This, however, was above the average.

Concerning the proportion of survivals, an important con-
sideration, nothing very definite can be said. The exigencies of
experimental work have made it necessary to frequently change
the conditions under which the sponges were growing, the origi-
nal wires and other supports were replaced in some cases two or
three times, mishaps occurring during the absence of the ex-

American Fisheries Society. 241

perimenter were not corrected for several months and various
other difficulties were encountered which would now be foreseen
and forestalled. Those which have suffered fewest vicissitudes
showed a mortality of five per cent after eighteen months and
ten to twelve per cent after thirty months. Though most of the
lines showed a mortality far in excess of this, it is believed that
with the experience now available and under the constant care
which they should receive the mortality would not exceed fifteen
per cent in three years and even this could undoubtedly be re-
duced. The quality of the artificially grown sponges depends
largely upon the environment under which they are grown, but
in all cases it is superior to that of the natural sponges grown in
the same locality. The texture is closer throughout, the surface
is more closely felted, the shape is superior to that of the average
natural sponge and there are no shells or rocks to be removed or
clipping necessary to prepare the sponges for the market. One
of the chief merits of the artificially grown sponge is that it has
no “root” so-called. The root is that portion of the sponge which
is attached. When it is torn loose, it leaves a raw surface which
is the first part to wear out in use. In the artificially grown
sponge, the whole surface is felted and equally durable, and
ordinarily the orifice through which the wires pass will escape
the closest examination. ‘The large specimen shown passed
through many vicissitudes and the large size of the hole is due
to the fact that it was loose on the wire and its rotation wore
away the tissues.

The sponges appear to be of better quality, so far as the char-
acter of the surface is concerned, when harvested in winter. Most
of the growth takes place in the summer and there is then a pre-
ponderance in the production of the radial fibres, but during
periods of slower growth, the production of tangential fibres fills
in and felts the surface.

Winter or late autumn and early spring are also the seasons
for planting, as the cuttings can then be handled with less Habil-
ity to injury.

In conclusion, the statement should be emphasized that the
experiments are not yet conclusive, that the Bureau of Fisheries
is not yet prepared to recommend sponge culture as a practical
industry and that the loss of some of the larger specimens during

242 Thirty-Third Annual Meeting

the present summer may presage difficulties which it will require
much experimentation to overcome. On the whole, however, the
results are regarded as promising and that this is not the opin-
ion of the Bureau of Fisheries alone is indicated by the fact that
a firm of wide experience in the sponge business has recently
undertaken the experiment on a commercial scale, a venture re-
quiring not a little business courage and enterprise.

DISCUSSION OF MR. MOORE'S PAPER.

Dr. Smith: This may not be such a burning question as the
carp issue, but I think the whole civilized world is interested in
bath and toilet sponges. Dr. Moore has been engaged in experi-
menting at a number of points on the Florida coast in the grow-
ing of sponges from cuttings, this appearing to be the only feasi-
ble way of increasing the sponge supply artificially. The sponge
industry of Florida and the Mediterranean is reported to be in a
very unfortunate condition, owing to an alarming decrease in
the supply. The countries most interested have inaugurated
legislation prohibiting the further use of diving apparatus for
collecting sponges, it being held, and probably truthfully, that
the heavy shoes of the divers crush the small sponges while the
divers themselves are able to clean up the bottom so effectually
that there is no seed left.

Dr. Moore has worked under very great disadvantages, and
is not yet ready to recommend to the sponge world a thoroughly
practicable method of sponge culture, but I can say for him that
he has got so far along in his work that the outlook is very prom-
ising.

The method he is now pursuing is to take sponges as they
come out of the water, which look very different from the sponges
we use In our houses, and cut these sponges mto small pieces,
which are in turn incised and put on wires which run through
the incised places, these wires being strung between sticks, so
that the sponges attached thereto are beneath the surface at all
stages of the tide.

! will pass this sponge around because many gentlemen have
heyer seen a sponge as it comes out of the water. The skeleton
which we use in our houses is filled with a pulpy mass which is

American Fisheries Society. 243

the living part of the sponge. Sponges can be kept out of the

water for a considerable length of time without injury—as long
as seventy-two hours I believe, provided they are moist. The
clippings which Dr. Moore has used are like these. (Indicating. )

One important point about this method is that sponges which
because of their quality or irregular shape have no value in the
markets can be used for planting purposes.

It is probable that under favorable conditions sponges can be
successfully grown for market within eighteen months, and cer-
tainly sponges as large as it would be necessary for the sponge
culturists to grow can be put on the market in thirty months,
perhaps even twenty-four months.

This is a sponge taken from the wild ground in the vicinity
of some of Dr. Moore’s experiments. I call attention to the
quality of this sponge and ask you to compare it with some that
have been artificially grown.

This is an artificially grown specimen supposed to be twenty-
one months old. It was dead when taken from the wire and
therefore its exact age cannot be determined. This is as fine a
sponge as is produced anywhere in the world, and it has a very
decided advantage over the wild sponge in that its texture is
firmer ; it contains no coralline rock, worm tubes or other foreign
matters which are ordinarily found in wild sponges, and it has
no base, where, as you know, the ordinary commercial sponge
rots, and as a result the sponge has a comparatively short period
of usefulness.

This is another sponge recently brought from his experi-
mental farm (exhibiting sponge), and, although it does not rep-
resent the largest size that he has grown from these little cut-
tings, still it is a fair-sized sample. These sponges as you will
see, are of admirable quality for toilet purposes. This specimen
which I show you is supposed to be about thirty months old, and
it too was dead when it came from the wire. (Applause. )

FISHERY REMINISCENCES IN SOUTH AMERICA.
BY JOHN W. TITCOMB.
Owing to failure in getting lantern to illustrate this paper,
Mr. Titcomb will present it at the next meeting, in July, 1905,
and it will then be published in the Proceedings.

LIST OF MEMBERS.

ACTIVE.

Adams, E. W., 114 Wall Street, New York.

Adams, Fred J., Grand Rapids, Mich.

Ainsworth, C. E., Saulte St. Marve, Mich.

Ainsworth, G. J., United States Bureau of Fisheries, Lead-
ville, Col. ‘

Allen, A. D., Superintendent Wallowa Hatchery, Elgin, Ore.

Allen, G. R., Roxbury, Vt.

Alexander, A. B., United States Bureau of Fisheries, Wash-
ington, D.C.

Alexander, George L., Grayling, Mich.

Alexander, L. D., 50 Broadway, New York.

Anderson, J. F., Djursholm, Sweden.

American Fish Culture Co., Carolina, R. I.

Andrews, Barschall, Columbus, Ga.

Annin, James, Jr., Caledonia, N. Y.

Ashford, W. T., 711 Prudential Building, Atlanta, Ga.

Atkins, Charles G., Hast Orland, Me.

Atwood, Anthony, 73 Waterest Street, Plymouth, Mass.

Ayer, F. W., Bangor, Me.

Babbitt, A. C., Williamsburg, Mich.

Babeock, John P., Fisheries Commissioner, Victoria, British
Columbia, Can.

Bailey, Nelson, Wells Riwer, Vt.

Baldwin, O. N., United States Bureau of Fisheries, San Mar- ~
GOS, 01 ea,

Ball, E. M., Leadville, Col.

Barrett, W. W., Church’s Ferry, North Dak.

Bartlett, Dr. 8. P., Quincy, Tl.

Bastedo, S. T., Toronto, Can.

Bean, Barton, A., United States National Museum, Washing-
ton; D. C.

245

246 Thirty-Third Annual Meeting

Bean, Hon. Tarleton H., Battery Park Museum, New York
City, Neve

Beardsley, A. E., Greeley, Colo.

Beasom, W. H., Treasurer Nashua Saddlery Hardware Co.,
Nashua, N. H.

Beckmore, Prof. A. 8., American Museum of Natural His-
tory, New York City.

Beeman, Henry W., New Preston, Conn.

Bell, Currie G., Bayfield, Wis.

Belmont, Hon. Perry, 580 Fifth Avenue, New York.

Bennett, Charles P., Secretary of State, Providence, R. I.

Bennett, Charles, Woonsocket, R. I.

Bentley, B. C., Westerly, R. I.

Benton, Judge Henry T., Seale, Ala.

Birge, Prof. E. A., Madison, Wis.

Bissell, John H., Detroit, Mich.

Blackford, Hon. Eugene G., Fulton Market, New York.

Blakeslee, T. J., 353 Fifth Avenue, New York City.

Blatchford, E. W., Chicago, Ill.

Boardman, W. H., Central Falls, R. I.

Bogle, C. M., Editor Pacific Fisherman, Seattle, Wash.

Booth, A., 36 State Street, Chicago, Ill.

Booth, DeWitt C., Spearfish, South Dakota.

Bottemanne, C. J., Bergen op Zoom, Holland.

Bowdre, N. H., Plummerville, Ark.

Bower, Seymour, Detrott, M ich.

Bower, Ward T., United States Bureau of Fisheries, Baird,
Cal.

Bowers, Hon. George M., United States Bureau of Fisheries,
Washington, D.C.

Bowman, W. H., Rochester, N. Y.

Bowman, W. F., Breakwater Hotel, Woods Hole, Mass.

Boyce, F. C., Elko, Nev.

Brewster, C. E., Grand Rapids, Mich.

Brewster, W. K., Durand, Mich.

Britton, F. H., V. Pres. and Gen. Man. St. Louis 8S. Western
R. B., St. Louis, Mo.

Brass, John L., Mill Creek, Mich.

American Fisheries Society. 247

Brown, George H., Jr., United States Bureau of Fisheries,
Washington, D. C.

Brown, George M., Saginaw, Mich.

Brown, G. W. N., Hrwin, Tenn.

Brown, Thomas, Salmon, Ore.

Brush, Dr. EH. F., Mount Vernon, N. Y.

Bulkley, H. S., Odessa, N. Y.

Bullard, C. G., Kalamazoo, Mich.

Buller, A. G., Hrie, Pa.

Buller, Howard M., Bellefonte, Pa.

Buller, Nathan R., Pleasant Mount, Pa.

Buller, William, Corry, Pa.

Bumpus, Dr. H. C., American Museum. of Natural History,
77th and Sth Avenue, New York City.

Burnham, E. K., Northville, Mich.

Bush, C. P., Columbus, Ga.

Campbell, S. H., State Fish Commission, Laramie, Wyo.

Carter, E. N., United States Bureau of Fisheries, St. Johns-
bury, Vt.

Casselman, E. 8., Dorset, Vt.

Chamberlin, F. M., United States Bureau of Fisheries, Wash-
imgten, D.C.

Chambers, A. E., Walamazoo, Mich.

Champhn, John H., Westerly, R. I.

Chandler, Horatio, Kingston, Mass.

Chase, H. C., 1020 Arch Street, Philadelphia, Pa.

Cheney, A. N., Glens Falls, N. Y.

Cheney, Major Richard O., South Manchester, Conn.

Clark, Charles G., Gen. Treasurer's Office, Providence, R. I.

Clark, Frank, N., Northville, Mich.

Clark, Fred, Mill Creek, Mich.

Clark, Walton, F., Westerly, R. I.

Cobb, E. W., St. Johnsbury, Vt.

Cobb, John A., United States Bureau of Fisheries, Washing-
ton, D.C.

Coggswell, T. M., United States Bureau of Fisheries, Wash-
ington, D.C.

Cohen, N. H., Urbana, Til.

248 Thirty-Third Annual Meeting

Coker, Robert E., United States Bureau of Fisheries, Wash-
ington, D.C.

Cole, Leon J., 41 Wendell Street, Cambridge, Mass.

Collins, Hon. J. C., Providence, R. I.

Comee, J. F., care of P. C. R. R., San Louis Obispo, Cal.

Cone, Moses H., Flat Top Manor, Bowling Rock, N. C.

Cooper, E. A., Cold Spring Harbor, L. I.

Copehart, Dr. W. R., Avoca, N.C.

Corliss, C. G., Gloucester, Mass.

Coulter, A. L., Charlevota, Mich.

Cox, Hon. Henry C., Wellsboro, Pa.

Cranson, 8. E., Northville, Mich.

Crosby, H. F., 41 Wall Street, New York.

Cunningham, F. W., Gloucester, Mass.

Curtis, J. M., Cleveland, O.

Dale I As Vork, a.

Davis, E. A., Bethel, Vt.

Davis, Horace W., Grand Rapids, Mich.

Davis, Hon. George B., Utica, Mich.

Davis, B. H., Palmyra, N.Y.

Dean, Herbert D., United States Bureau of Ftsheries,
Neosho, Mo.

DeCarlo, G. Postiglione, Naples, Italy.

Degler, F. A., Sportsman’s Association of Cheat Mt., Cheat
Bridge, W. Va.

Demuth, H. C., 144 King Street, Lancaster, Pa.

Dennis, Oregon Milton, Secretary Maryland State Game and
Fish Protective Association, Baltumore, Md.

DeNyse, Washington, J., Gravesend Beach, Borough of
Brooklyn, N.Y.

De Rocher, James D., Nashua, N. /H.

Dickerson, Freeman B., Detroit, Mich.

Dinsmore, A. H., Hast Orland, Maine.

Douredoure, B. L., 103 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, Pa.

Downing, S. W., Put-in-Bay, O.

Doyle, E. P., Port Richmond, N. Y.

Dunlap, A. H., United States Bureau of Fisheries, Washing-
LOM Ok

American Fisheries Society. 249

Ebell, Hon. F. W., Harrisburg, Pa.

Edwards, Vinal N., Woods Hole, Mass.

Ellis, J. Frank, United States Bureau of Fisheries, Wash-
ington, D. C.

Evans, Barton D., Harrisburg, Pa.

Evarding & Farrell, Messrs., Portland, Ore.

Evermann, Prof. Barton W., United States Bureau of Fish-
erties, Washington, D. C.

Everman, J. W., Assistant General Manager Texas & Pactfic
Railroad, Dallas, Tex.

Fearing, Hon. D. B., Newport, BR. I.

Ferry, C. H., Room 1720, Old Colony Building, Chicago, Ill.
Filkins, B. G., Northville, Mich.

Finch, George C., Thompsonville, Conn.

Fisher, John F., Chapinville, Conn.

Follett, Richard E., Auditorium Hotel, Chicago, Ill.
Fox, Captain J. C., Put-in-Bay, O.

Frook, John E., Paris, Mich.

Frothingham, Howard P., Mt. Arlington, N. J.
Fudge, Andrew, Covington, Va.

Fullerton, Samuel F., St. Paul, Minn.

Gavitt, W. 8., Lyons, N. Y.

Gebhardt, A. E., Secretary Oregon Fish and Game Associa-
tion, Box 927, Portland, Ore.

Geer, Dr. E. F., St. Paul, Minn.

Geer, EK. H., Hadlyme, Conn.

George, Hon. A. F., Swanton, Md.

Gifford, Franklin L., Woods Hole, Mass.

Gill, Dr. Theodore, Smithsonian Institution, Washington,
DEC:

Gilmore, Col. Charles, Swanton, Vt.

‘Goldsborough, E. L., United States Bureau of Fisheries,
Washington, D. C.

Gordon, Jack, Paris, Texas.

Gould, C. B., 83 Moss Ave., Oakland, Cal.

Graham, A. R., Berkeley, Mass.

Grant, R. P., Treasurer Anglers’ Association of St. Lawrence
Rwer, Clayton, N. Y.

250 Thirty-Third Annual Meeting

Grave, Dr. Caswell, John Hopkins University, Baltimore,
Md.

Gray, George M., Woods Hole, Mass.

Green, Chester K., United States Bureau of Fisheries, Wash-
ington, D.C.

Green, Dr. D. W., Ohio Fish and Game Commission, Day-
ton, O.

Greene, Myron, Franklin, Vt.

Guard, J. E., Bullochville, Ga.

Gunekel, John E., Toledo, O.

Hagert, Edwin, 32 N. Sixth Street, Philadelphia, Pa.

Hahn, Captain E. E., Woods Hole, Mass.

Haley, Caleb, Fulton Market, New York.

Hamilton, Robert, Greenwich, N. Y.

Hampton, F. F., Hill City, Tenn.

Handy, L. B., South Wareham, Mass.

Hansen, G., Osceola, Wis.

Harron, L. G., United States Bureau of Fisheries, Washing-
ton, D. C.

Hartley, R. M., 627 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, Pa.

Hay, Prof. W. P., Howard University, Washington, D. C.

Hayes, J. R., Esq., Detroit, Mich. ;

Hamberger, Hon. John, Hrie, Pa.

Henkel, C. P., Tupelo, Miss.

Henshall, Dr. James A., Bozeman, Mont.

Mall, J. H., Superintendent Umpqua Hatchery, Hoaglin,
Douglas County, Ore.

Hill, John L., 115 Broadway, New York.

Hobart, T. D., Pampa, Gray County, Texas.

Hogan, J. J., La Crosse, Wis.

Hogue, William F., Marion, Ala.

Holden, H. 8., Syracuse, N.Y.

Hoxie, Charles A., Carolina,’ R. I.

Hoxie, J. W., Carolina, R. I:

Howell, John H., P. O. Box 485, New Bern, N. C.

Hubbard, Waldo F., Nashua, N. H.

Hudson, H. T., 1710 Third Street, Portland, Oregon.

Hughes, Frank L., Ashland, N. H.

American Fisheries, Socvety. 251

Hulff, J. H., Norfolk, Neb.

Hume, R. D., 421 Market Street, San Francisco, Cal.

Hunsaker, W. J., Detroit, Mich.

Huntoon, B. W., care of Huntoon Oyster Co., Fairhaven,
Wash.

Huntington, L. D., New Rochelle, N. Y.

Hurlbut, H. F., Hast Freetown, Mass.

Hutchinson, E. 8., 1331 G. Street, Washington, D. C.

Ingraham, E. W., Oil City, Pa.
Isaac, George H., United States Bureau of Fisheries, Wash-
wngton, D.C:

Jansen, Peter, Hscanaba, Mich.

Jennings, G. E., Fishing Gazette, 203 Broadway, New York.

Jewett, Stephen 8., 674 Main Street, Laconia, N. H.

Johnson, D. W., Hartwell, Ga.

Johnson, F. M., M. D., 43 Tremont Street, Boston, Mass.

Johnston, R. 8., Supt. Manchester Station, Manchester, Ta.

Johnson, George H., Riverside, R. I.

Johnson, 8. M., Union Wharf, Boston, Mass.

Jones, Alexander, Hriin, Tenn.

Jones, Col. James E., Director of Aquarium, Battery Park,
New York City.

Jones, Dr. O. L., 116 West Seventy-second Street, New York.

Joseph, D., Columbus, Ga.

Joslin, Hon. C. D., Detrovt, Mich.

Kashiwa, A. M., Pacific Block, Seattle, Wash.

Kauffmann, 8. H., Hvening Star, Washington, D. C.

Keller, H. N., California Fish Commission, Santa Monica,
Cal.

Kelly, H. L., Jr., Baker, Wash.

Kennedy, Edwin M., Ohio Fish and Game Commission, Me-
Connellsville, O.

Kendall, Dr. Wilham C., United States Bureau of Fisheries,
Washington, D.C.

Kent, Edwin C., Tuxedo Club, Tuxedo, N. Y.

Kenyon, A. W., Usquepaugh, R. I.

252 Thirty-Third Annual Meeting

Kiel, W. M., Tuxedo Park, N.Y.

Kisterbrock, Josiah, Jr., “The Continental,’ Philadelphia,
Pa.

Kittredge, Benj. R., Kent Cliffs, Putnam County, N.Y.

Knight, Prof. A. P., Queens University, Kingston, Can.

Lambert, E. C., Amoskeag Mfg. Co., Manchester, N. H.

Lambson, G. H., United States Bureau of Fisheries, Baird,
Cal.

Lamkin, J. Bayard, Bullochville, Ga.

Landers, E. T., Hopeville, Ga.

Lane, George F., Silver Lake, Mass.

Latehford, Hon. F. R., Toronto, Can.

Laumen, Felix, San Marcos, Tex.

Lawton, Herbert, Quincy, Mass.

Leach, G. C., United States Bureau of Fisheries, St. Louts,
Mo.

Leary, John L., United States Bureau of Fisheries, San Mar-
Gos, Tem.

LeGette, H., Centenary, S.C.

Lewis, C. C., United States Bureau of Fisheries, North-
ville, Mich.

Lewis, Charles E., Chamber of Commerce, Minneapolis,
Minn.

Locke, E. F., Woods Hole, Mass.

Lovejoy, Samuel, Bullochville, Ga.

Lydell, Dwight, Mill Creek, Mich.

Mahone, A. H., White Sulphur Springs, W. Va.,

Mallory, Charles, Burling Slip, New York.

Manning, W. W., Marquette, Mich.

Mansfield, H. B., Captain United States Navy, 368 Hancock
Street, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Manton, Dr. W. P., Detrowt, Mich.

Marks, H. H., Sault St. Marie, Mich.

Marks, J. P., Paris, Mich.

Marsh, M. C., United States Bureau of Fisheries, Washing-
ton, D.C.

Marshall, F. M., Secretary Anglers’ Association, 1807 G
Street, N. W., Washington, D. C.

American Fisheries Society. QDS

Matherson, G. 'T., Thompsonville, Conn.

May, W. L., Omaha, Neb.

Mayhall, L. B., Supt. Commercial Trout Co., Sultan, Wash.

McDonald, A. G., care of A. Booth & Co., Detroit, Mich.

McDougal, J. M., Gunnison, Col.

Mead, Prof. A. D., Brown University, Providence, R. I.

Meehan, W. E., Commissioner of Fisheries, Harrisburg, Pa.

Merritt, F. H. J., Altamont, N.Y.

Merrill, M. E., St. Johnsbury, Vt.

Mershom, W. B., Saginaw, Mich.

Miller, Hon. Charles L., Altoona, Pa.

Miller, Frank, Put-in-Bay, O. *

Miller, George F., Put-in-Bay, O.

Miller, W. J., Scott Depot, W. Va.

Milligen, Dr. J. D., United States Bureau of Fisheries,
Woods Hole, Mass.

Mills, G. T., Carson City, Nev.

Mitchell, Prof. Irving M., Milwaukee, Wis.

Mitchell, John A., Columbus, Ga.

Monroe, Otis, Mill Creek, Mich.

Monroe, William, Mill Creek, Mich.

Moody, G. C., Mill Creek, Mich.

Moore, Charles H., Detroit, Mich.

Moore, Dr. H. F., United States Bureau of Fisheries, Wash-
ington, D.C.

Morgan, H. A., Baton Rouge, La.

Morrell, Daniel, Hartford, Conn.

Morris, Robert T., M.D., 58 W. 56th St., New York City.

Morse, Grant M., Des Moines, Towa.

Morton, W. P., Providence, R. I.

Mullett, R. M., United States Bureau of Fisheries, Washing-
fone DG.

Mussey, George D., Detroit, Mich.

Myer, Hon. Charles R., Atlantic City, N. J.

Nash, Dr. 8. M., 63 West Forty-ninth Street, New York.
Neal, John R., 221%4 “T” Wharf, Boston, Mass.

Neal, L. J., Mill Creek, Mich.

Nevin, James, Madison, Wis.

254 Thirty-Third Annual Meeting

“s ties

Norris, J. Olney, President Maryland State Game and Fish

Protective Association, 317 Charles St., Baltimore, Md.

North, Paul, Ohio Fish and Game Commission, Cleveland, O.

Oberfelder, R. S., Sidney, Neb.
O’Brien, W. J., South Bend, Neb.
O’Connor, E. W., Savannah, Ga.
Ohage, Dr. Justus, St. Paul, Minn.
O’Malley, Henry, Baker, Washington.
Orr, W. J., Bay Port, Mich:

Osborn, William, Duluth, Minn.

2

Palmer, Dr. Theodore S8., United States Department of Agrt-

culture, Washington, D. C.

R.

Palmer, W. A., Buchanan, Mich.

Parker, Dr. J. C., Grand Rapids, Mich.

Parker, J. Fred, Assistant Secretary of State, Providence,
le

Parker, W. H., Lac la Peche, Quebec, Canada.

Parkhurst, Hon. C. Frank, Providence, R. I.

Partridge, H. E., Minneapolis, Minn.

Paxton, Thomas B., Ohio Fish and Game Commission, Cin-

cinnati, O.

Peabody, George F'., Appleton, Wis.
Pierce, Captain T. C., United States Bureau of Fisheries,

Washington, D. C.

Peck, Hon. Stephen, Warren, R. I.
Perdum, James K. P., Woods Hole, Mass.
Pike, Robert, G., Middletown, Conn.
Plumb, Charles, Mill Creek, Mich.

Pollock, Robert L., 510 Sykes Block, Minneapolis, Minn.
Pope, T. E. B., United States Bureau of Fisheries, Washing-

ington, D. C.

Powell, W. L., Harrisburg, Pa.

Powers, J. A., 280 River Street, Troy, N. Y.

Powers, John W., Big Rapids, Mich.

Prather, J. Hub, Lexington, Ky.

Prendergast, Charles F., 1420 Lincoln St., Savannah, 8. C.
Preston, Hon. John L., Port Huron, Mich.

American Fisheries Society. 255

Preston, Dr. Henry G., 54 Greene Avenue, Brooklyn, N. Y.
Price, Calvin W., Marlinton, W. Va.
Proctor, Hon. Redfield, Proctor, Vt.

Race, E. E., Green Lake, Maine.

Ramsdale, Frank C., Bayfield, Wis.

Randall, G. W., Plympton, Mass.

Rathbone, William F., D. & H. R. R., Albany, N. Y.

Rathbun, Richard, Smithsonian Institution, Washington,
Di)

Ravenel, W. DeC., United States Bureau of Fisheries, Wash-
ington, D.C.

Reed, C. A., Fish and Game Warden, Santa Cruz, Santa
Cruz County, Cal.

Reighard, Prof. Jacob E., University of Michigan, Ann Ar-
bor, Mich.

Richards, G. H., Sears Building, Boston, Mass.

Rippel, Robert, Woodruff, Wis.

Roberts, C. C., Woonsocket, R. I.

Roberts, W. A., United States Bureau of Fisheries, Wash-
ington, D.C.

Robinson, A. H., St. Johnsbury, Vt.

Robinson, Robert K., White Sulphur Springs, W. Va.

Robinson, W. E., Mackinaw City, Mich.

Rogers, Frank A., Grand Rapids, Mich.

Rogers, J. L., Ohio Fish and Game Commission, Columbus,
Ohio.

Rogers, J. M., 154 La Salle Street, Chicago, Ill.

Rooney, James, Fort Stockton, Texas.

Root, Henry T., Providence, R. I.

Rosenberg, Albert, Kalamazoo, Mich.

Ruge, John G., Apalachicola, Fla.

Russell, Henry, Detroit, Mich.

Sampson, E. R., care of New York Aquarium, Battery Park,
New York City.

Sanborn, F. G., 612-622 California Street, San Francisco,
Cal.

Saunders, A. A., Carolina, R. I.

256 Thirty-Third Annual Meeting

Saunders, Dr. H. G., Chattanooga, Tenn.

Scarborough, L. A., Columbus, Ga.

Schley, Dr. F. V., Columbus, Ga.

Schute, John A., Havana, Il.

Schweikart, Walter, Detrowt, Mich.

Seagle, Geo. A., Wytheville, Va.

Self, E. M., Bullochville, Ga.

Sellers, M. G., 1306 Arch Street, Philadelphia, Pa.

Sherwin, H. A., 700 Canal Street, Cleveland, O.

Sherwood, George H., Am. Museum of Nat. His., 77th Street
and 8th Avenue, New York.

Shurtliff, Merrill, Fish and Game Commission of N. H.,
Lancaster, N. H.

Simmons, Walter C., Providence, R. I.

Simons, Max, Columbus, Ga.

Singleton, James H., Woonsocket, R. I.

Slade, George P., 309 Broadway, P. O. Box 283, New York
City.

Smith, Henry D., Appleton, Wis.

Smith, Jay, care of J. W .Marston & Co., Lewis Wharf, Bos-
ton, Mass.

Smith, L. H., Algona, La.

Smith, Dr. Hugh M., United States Bureau of Fisheries,
Washington, D. C.

Smith, Capt. J. A., Woods Hole, Mass.

Snyder, Dr. F. D., 10 Center Street, Ashtabula, Ohio.

Salmon, Alden, South Norwalk, Conn.

Southwick, J. M. K., Newport, R. I.

Spencer, L. B., Supt. Aquarwum, 37 W. 128th St., New York
City.

Spensley, Calvert, Mineral Point, Wis.

Springer, F. H., Columbus, Ga.

Stapleton, M. F., United States Bureau of Fisheries, Man-
chester, La.

Starbuck, Alexander, Cincinnati, O.

Starr, W. J., Hau Clatre, Wis.

Stelle, G. T., Chicago, Ill.

Sterling, J. E., Crisfield, Md.

Stevens, Arthur F., 227 West Grand St., Elizabeth, N. J.

American Fisheries Society. 257

Stewart, Charles E., Westerly, R. I.

Stewart, A. T., Northville, Mich.

Stone, Arthur F., St. Johnsbury, Vt.

Stone, Charles A., Plainfield, N. J.

Stone, Livingston, Cape Vincent, N.Y.

Story, John A., Hast Orland, Me.

Stotz, Martin, 996 Market St., Philadelphia, Pa.

Stranahan, J. J., Bullochville, Ga.

Stranahan, F. A., Cleveland, O.

Stranahan, F. F., Cleveland, O.

Streeter, H. R., Carolina, R. J.

Sumner, Dr. Francis B., College of the City of New York,
New York City.

Surber, Thaddeus, United States Bureau of Fishertes, Wash-
ington, D. C.

Suthers, Frank, Madison, Wis.

Sykes, Arthur, Madison, Wis.

Sykes, Henry, Bayfield, Wis.

Talbot, Henry, Interstate Commerce Association, Washing-
Hon, DC.

Tawes, J. C., Crisfield, Md.

Taylor, A. R., 318 Main Street, Memphis, Tenn.

Teal, J. N., Worcester Block, Portland, Ore.

Thayer, W. W., 234 Joseph Campau Avenue, Detroit, Mich.

Thomas, Henry G., Stowe, Vt.

Thompson, Carl G., 78 Henry Street, Huntington, Ind.

Thompson, William H., Secretary Anglers’ Association of St.
Lawrence River, Alexander Bay, N.Y.

Thompson, W. P., 1020 Arch Street, Philadelphia, Pa.

Thompson, W. T., Nashua, N. H.

Tinker, E. F., St. Johnsbury, Vt.

Titcomb, John W., United States Bureau of Fisheries, Wash-
ington, D.C.

Townsend, A. A., Carolina, R. TI.

Townsend, Charles H., New York Aquarium, New York.

Trumpour, D. A., Bay City, Mich.

Tubbs, Frank A., Neosho, Mo.

Tucker, Edmund St. George, Bedford Row, Halifax, N.S.

258 Thirty-Third Annual Meeting

Tucker, Dr. Ernest F., “The Marquam,” Portland, Ore.

Tulian, Eugene A., Leadville, Col.

Turner, Avery, Vice President and General Manager of Pecos
Valley Lines, Amarillo, Tex.

Turner, J. C., Columbus, Ga.

VanDusen, Hon. H. G., Master Fish Warden of Oregon, As-
toria, Ore.

Veeder, John J., Woods Hole, Mass.

Venn, Harry 8., White Sulphur Springs, W. Va.

Vincent, W. S., United States Bureau of Fisheries, Washing-
ton, D. C.

Vogelsang, Alexander T., Mills Building, San Francisco, Cal.

Von Bayer, Hextor, United States Bureau of Fisheries,
Washington, D. C.

Von Lengerke, J., 318 Broadway, New York City.

Walker, Bryant, Detroit, Mich.

Wall, Joe, Salmon, Ore.

Wallett, W. H., Put-in-Bay, O.

Wallich, Claudius, United States Bureau of Fisheries, Ore-
gon City, Ore.

Walsh, Joseph, Woods Hole, Mass.

Walters, C. H., Cold Spring Harbor, N. Y.

Ward, Prof. H. B., Lincoln, Neb.

Warner, S. M., Glen Farm, Dorset, Mass.

Waterhouse, Rev. E. M., Broadway and 71st Street, New
York City.

Webb, W. Seward, 44th Street and Vanderbilt Avenue, New
York City.

Wentworth, Edwin, United States Bureau of Fisheries,
Nashua, N. H.

Wentworth, Nathaniel, udson Centre, N. H.

Weed, W. R., Potsdam, N. Y.

Wetherbee, W. C., Port Henry, N. Y.

Wheeler, Charles Stetson, Hobart Bldg., San Francisco, Cal.

Whish, John D., Secretary of Forest, Fish and Game Com-
mission, Albany, N. Y.

White, R. Tyson, 320 Bridge Street, Brooklyn, N.Y.

daypack Lae 4

American Fisheries Society. 259

Whitaker, Hon. Andrew R., Phoenixville, Pa.

Wilbur, H. O., 235 Third Street, Philadelphia, Pa.

Wilbur, P. H., Little Compton, R. I.

Willard, Charles W., Westerly, R. I.

Willetts, J. C., 27 Pune Street, New York City.

Williams, J. A., St. Johnsbury, Vt.

Wilson, C. H., Glens Falls, N. Y.

Wilson, S. H., Cleveland, O.

Winn, Dennis, Nashua, N. H.

Winn, 8., Carolina, R. I.

Wires, 8S. P., Lester Park, Duluth, Minn.

Wisner, J. Nelson, Jr., United States Bureau of Fisheries,
Washington, D. C.

Wolf, Herman T., 489 The Bourse, Philadelphia, Pa.

Wood, C. C., Plymouth, Mass.

Wood, Frank, Edenton, N. C.

Worth, S. G., Hdenton, N. C.

Wride, George A., Grindstone City, Mich.

Zalsman, Philip G., Parts, Mich.

Zacharie, Col. F. C., 345 Corondelet St., New Orleans, La.

Zweighapt, 8., Deer Park, Haines Falls, N. Y.

HONORARY.

Borodine, Nicholas, Delegate of the Russian Association of
Pisciculture and Fisheries, Uralsk, Russia.

Cortelyou, Hon. George B., Washington, D. C.

Denbigh, Lord, Colonel of the Honorable Artillery Company,
London, England.

Fish Protective Association of Eastern Pennsylvania, 1020
Arch Street, Philadelphia, Pa.

Fryer, Charles E., Supervising Inspector of Fisheries, Board
of Agriculture and Fisheries, 3 Delahay St., London, England.

Hamilton, Dr. J. Lawrence, M. R. C. 8., 30 Sussex Square,
Brighton, England.

Hofer, Prof. Dr. Bruno, Munich, Germany.

Kishinouye, Dr. K., Imperial Fisheries Bureau, Tokyo,
Japan.

Lake St. Clair Shooting and Fishing Club, Detroit, Mich.

260 Thirty-Third Annual Meeting

Matsubara, Prof. S., President Imperial Fisheries Institute,
Tokyo, Japan.

Metcalf, Victor H., Secretary of the Department of Com-
merce and Labor, Washington, D. C.

New York Association for the Protection of Fish and Game, —
New York City.

Peck, Hon. George W., Milwaukee, Wis.

South Side Sportsmen’s Club, Oakdale, L.T., N.Y.

The President of the United States.

The Governors of the Several States.

Woodmount Rod and Gun Club, Washington, D.C.

CORRESPONDING.

Ayson, Lake F., Wellington, New Zealand.

Ayson, Charles L., Hakataemen, Oamaru, New Zealand.

Apostolides, Prof. Nicoly Chr., Athens, Greece.

Armistead, J. J., Dumfries, Scotland.

Birbeck, Edward, Esq., M. P., London, England.

Brady, Thomas F., Esq., Inspector of Fisheries, Dublin Cas-
tie, Dublin, Treland.

Calderwood, W. L. Esq., Inspector of Salmon Fisheries,
Edinburgh, Scotland.

Feddersen, Arthur, Copenhagen, Denmark.

Feilding, J. B., Upper Downing, Holywell, North Wales.

Giglioh, Prof. Enrico H., Florence, Italy.

Ito., K., Member of Fisheries Department of Hokkaido and
President of the Fisheries Society of Northern Japan, Sapporo,
Japan.

Jaffe, S., Osnabruck, Germany.

Juel, Capt. N., R. N., President of the Society for the Devel-
opment of Norwegian Fisheries, Bergen, Norway. .

Landmark, A., Inspector of Norwegian Fresh Water Fish-
eries, Bergen, Norway.

Lundberg, Dr. Rudolph, Jnspector of Fisheries, Stockholm, —
Sweden.

Maccleay, William, President of the Fisheries Commission
of New South Wales, Sydney, N. S. W.

American Fisheries Society. 261

Marston, R. B., Esq., Hditor of the Fishing Gazette, London,
Lingland.

Olsen, O. T., Grimsby, England.

Sars, Prof. G. O., Government Inspector of Fisheries, Chris-
tiania, Norway.

Smitt, Prof. F. A., Stockholm, Sweden.

Solsky, Baron N. de, Director of the Imperial Agricultural
Museum, St. Petersburg, Russia.

Trybom, Dr. Filip, Stockholm, Sweden.

RECAPITULATION.

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CONSTI Toi

(As amended to date.)

ARTICLE I.

NAME AND OBJECT.

The name of this Society shall be American Fisheries Society.
Its objects shall be to promote the cause of Fish culture; to
gather and diffuse information bearing upon its practical success,
and upon all matters relating to the fisheries; the uniting and
encouraging of all interests of fish culture and the fisheries, and
the treatment of all questions regarding fish, of a scientific and
economic character.

ARTICLE II.
MEMBERS.

Any person shall, upon a two-thirds vote and the payment of
two dollars become a member of this society. In case members
do not pay their fees, which shall be two dollars per year, after
the first year and are delinquent for two years, they shall be noti-
fied by the treasurer, and if the amount due is not paid within a
month thereafter, they shall be, without further notice, dropped
from the roll of membership. Any person can be made an hon-
orary or a corresponding member upon a two-thirds vote of the
members present at any regular meeting.

Any person shall, upon a two-thirds vote, and the payment of
$15.00, become a life member of this Society, and shall there-
after be exempt from all annual dues.

ARTICLE III.

OFFICERS.

The officers of this Society shall be a President and a Vice

262

American Fisheries Society. 263

President, who shall be ineligible for election to the same office
until a year after the expiration of their term; a Corresponding
Secretary, a Recording Secretary, a Treasurer and an Executive
Committee of seven, which with the officers before named, shall
form a council and transact such business as may be necessary
when the Society is not in session, four to constitute a quorum.

ARTICLE IV.
MEETINGS.

The regular meeting of the Society shall be held once a year,
the time and place being decided upon at the previous meeting
or, in default of such action, by the Executive Committee.

AR ECB, We
ORDER OF BUSINESS.

Call to order by President.
2. Roll call of members.
3. Applications for membership.
4. Reports of officers.
a. President.
b. Secretary.
e: Preasurer.
d. Standing Committees.
5. Committees appointed by the President.
a. Committee of five on nomination of officers for en-
suing year.
hb. Committee of three on time and place of next meet-
ing.
ce. Auditing committee of three.
6. Reading of papers and discussions of same.
(Note

a. In the reading of papers preference shall be
given to members present.

b. The President and two Secretaries are em-
powered to arrange the papers of the meet-
ings of the Society.)

-~2

Miscellaneous business.
8. Adjournment.

264 American Fisheries Society.
ARTICLE VI.

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 regu-
lar meeting, provided at least fifteen members are present at said
meeting.

Ree
OPT Lat

ae
eee

Society v

25, 26 and

rik

West Virginia, [

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4
ete):
Wit:

- NINETEEN HUNDRED FIVE

TRANSACTIONS

OF THE

AMERICAN
FISHERIES SOCIETY

AT ETS

Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting
WWE 25.- 260 CAND “27, 1905;

At White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia.

Officers for 1905-1906.

PLONO MULE A eee eae eee C. D. Jostyn, Detroit, Mich.
Vaige-P Festaent atten ee H. M. Smiru, Washington, D. C. -
Recording Secretary...... GEORGE F, PrEaBpopy, Appleton, Wis.
Corresponding Secretary, CHARLES G. ATKINS, East Orland, Me.

EG COSUROTS @ comm reams SNe Sete C. W: WILLARD, Westerly, R.

ee

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.

Hon. W. E. Meenan, Chairman, Harrisburg, Pa.
JoHN D. WuisH, Albany, N. Y.
E. Harr Greer, Hadlyme, Conn.
J. A. HENSHALL, Bozeman, Mont.
Paut NortH, Cleveland, O.
J. J. STRANAHAN, Bullochville, Ga.

S. F. FuLLerton, St. Paul, Minn.

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AMERICAN FISHERIES SOCIETY.

Organized December, 1870.

PRESIDENTS.
VV sit capris Cite eee cere at a ae Oh oewetn pe Re Teatae L 1870-1871
BN Varel Tri caarrayiCO eb sb ae epee ete bays ee ae a Warysy'ats te eee eee oe ahea ach osal 1871-1872
AV ViatllsLeasrainst @ Ditlieusccnaestaspemel eae veh comets eovchns occ avon a oleka, Ysiteds tenelssabvons 1872-1873
FVODEGi BS ea EVOOSCVElE aia eos scale tha oii era sean tae ceo aus lae 1873-1874
RODerie ba OOSCVIClbztre ees. ctecka te fis cla ore he nin ee bee 1874-1875
IRODEeT PE BeMVOOS EVEltie ee coca seh Cano we ene eee 1875-1876
OD er lB eR OGOSE Veli sii oe. ih kes we oak ose Dia wie Reece bance 1876-1877
ODER EAB ABVOOSC VC libs. Gireeek ies. oieaie he a tise eircom 1877-1878
HO PCEUPE weLCOOSEVEIE acy. tng ae tra ce me oe ee an Ce 1878-1879
Rober MB OMROOSEV.Eliie = car ko te nein! emer sine linc gia aes 1879-1880
OM ERiEsD —WOOSEVELE Haas roe is siren net h oisvop et mtn jeteed ition 1880-1881
VODer EME a sEvOOS EVIE nsec ciieee Saletan om ett Ao. atte ese 1881-1882
Georzershepanrds Ragen. mca ene ferent ee eereene oe ee 1882-1883
Ames Cmca nd se soe ca ees cote taki oats Miho cake 1883-1884
RCO dOne r= bayanlameuas isis ses eaves aie elds Roses ons Se eo aes ad 1884-1885
Mamshaklee Vici) Oma, eke ccas - Srccdicieectee.cs seansueten srthele sleek 1885-1886
NWYAas's JAM UE ool ea OD IC6 (SYon a eee RS Rae nee PR nec a oA AS ee OO ise Soar rg a 1886-1887
Ava Unley a Pd el Ue oN IC Sere ar eS i a a GE AR Re ae 1887-1888
OHM BEE SISSIES a terete a sae te iiesaneh asst ache ee es eaason che 1888-1889
Ueno Geese ok OT Cle ear eho neg mes edema nie geek kara rata 1889-1890
Bueoner GaP lackard ance atk a soe ole eels. 1890-1891
AMES Arar enSH ally ocere ciseces Ore Ia ake betes eis 1891-1892
EErSCM eles Watt AkGT ore = sees eee esis er sheney one ove acetals eee sat wae 1892-1893
ENG mre yea @ See NOM cere meaty eee eee Scene cas atone aaa us cl tener 1893-1894
VV aii bah carta ts [eye MDea yaar cirateyarans sacatanceckats <n cp ahn eden naire osba oe er aNee 1894-1895
Lng 1 O50 de Rut oy ciliaf2q oy ala aaccees ace Ghee Geis St nner pics eat cere em ois eae 1895-1896
eT See NVC OM itarss se lees qciccam esceeen «cherie heii sees oes 1896-1897
BV VALILiTenraa aD sy VIE ect se bar ctaten critic til itty nes Sate Monee Jef ee ie, Ae 1897-1898
Georzenhia Peabodiyensceeeneeeineaon te at a ok Re GPE 1898-1899
SOMME yeas LEC OMMD hte races seal tenors eae ih ean ee tee, Seweaece <r, 1899-1900
Tats 31) Bis] DUKCL ei S(0) aiareg Gly cite Bicack ie Oeaer oA Pa ace Ne Pact arene ee 1900-1991
LEDS) Bt BENE Oi cee lichen ciate SOMOS Peace cl CRORES aERR CaO eG RENE ae ee 1901-1902
(GEOR S CHINESE OWS) ca tire, ante ervtyMedapattoter or sbere eben oeksoltedan-clretle’ oerenne's 1902-1903
LM ce NOLIN ONE ACeth Ren aide Stara Rese 2o8 wheal ce ee ee 1903-1904
TTA Vapi eIE COO Ueera es Werk ete ea cry ae Anan ce teeho ts ontre engi ts) oetta 1904-1905

Ga) ST OSIM tresses ae eee Fee cee a an eed obs Gala og LT 1905-1906

Page
PNGdGessmby (RTeSi@ ently asses ep ors sxc etch ie wth a's alalciereot a tone Saleen seetolio als 24
VC DOGUMO PUL PEASIIT Clases dante redensdncrse ae Sele eral arcic wae [ea oe) aateereene rae 11
REVOLOLaCommitteevone NOMINATIONS 5 cn cee < oo oo cle clare 23
SCIENTIFIC PROCEEDINGS: .
Salt Solution as an Aid to Fish Culture—Henry O’Malley.... 49
Progress and Experiments in Fish Culture During the Past
Year in the Bureau of Fisheries—John W. Titcomb........ 57
The Early Feeding of Salmonoid Fry—Charles E. Atkins..... U5)
The Passing of the Native Brook Trout—John D. Whish..... 90
Reminiscences of the Fisheries in South America—J. W. Tit-
CELIO Reg enece ee NNCReR easwet aiceoitete coils, eels « cole iaheneiavehcrenenefera casiieL sveusler'syevausieienes ¢ 117
DIS ey gee Ole AO AML CULS on ote arch cews lacs Vd ance cisbonelSbacaieuoh odeuaistepe balers svar’ 118
Notes on the Feeding of Parent Trout, with Reference to Viril-
ity of Eggs Produced—George R. Allen..................4- 122
POLOMAG BASS ——EVen myer Mal OUL savspetetsnelsicielsisle ere eles neley sete clea avers 124
Fish Protection—Oregon Milton Dennis..................... 133
On the Protection of Fish in Inland Waters—Dr. James A.
ETS ry SIMA Meese ices. chien ets taic) aitte opal jarichia Gear al da nner ene naeeonantel ev'eliecrspiea rade ne 139
The Golden Trout of Volcano Creek—Dr. Barton W. Evermann. 148
The Problem of Lobster Culture—A. D. Mead................ 156
Notes on Small Mouth Bass Culture at the Northville, Mich.,
Statlon——HiramikasINiss © lairlarersvstarereretenetersensvecretena susieuaseve eieisiars corer 174
Discussion on Mr. J. W. Titcomb’s Report on Pond Culture.... 190
Yellowstone Park as a National Fishing Resort—A. H. Dins-
HAN OTS C pretepemenore talecatoneron ycrerenacclare ctene cree Retencham caer trsiicr scamamena ai mirctiahor clicccyrehate £95
The International Fisheries Congress at Vienna, 1905—Hugh
Visi OUMUTG EN rere rensy scien eter oes ray shes res erat occnises amre aiivs oleate n Ais cna ted eRe Seer si ober iets 199
The Status of the Carp in America—Leon J. Cole............ 201
Carp, as Seen by a Friend—Dr. S. P. Bartlett............... 207
The Policy of Ceding the Control of the Great Lakes from

State to National Supervision—C. D. Joslyn................ 217
Propagation and Care of Yellow Perch—Nathan R. Buller.... 223
Notes on the Taking of Quinnat Salmon Eggs—Ward T. Bower. 23
Collecting, Hatching and Distribution of Pike-Perch: Why the

Great Loss of Eggs—S. W. Downing....................0.. 23
Remarks on Sponge Cultivation—Dr. H. M. Smith........... 256
rors Culture ——W (Bi MeOH aM 5; ares: cscs os: 4:2 ovis vie ots ole ore eeieiele« 257

NPS Olen VICTIM CT:Siz7t ee chen cchsl sas wale acctspeutier esse ® cielosaieie) Sfelavale weet e ats 265

COTATI ETOYS SE CoS ae eet EIS forse Re aE eae uP ee DR a 282

PART 1.

UiotIN ESS: SehSSlLONS.

Transactions of the American Fisheries
Society.

Tuesday, July 25th, 1905.

Convention called to order at 12 M. by the President,
Mr. Henry T. Root, of Providence, Rhode Island, at the Grand
Central Hotel, White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, where-
upon the following proceedings were had:

President: Gentlemen of the American Fisheries Society,
you will please come to order. The first order of business will
be to secure the register of attendance, and J will ask Mr. Whish
to make the register.

The registered attendance at the meeting of the society is
as follows:

Atkins, Charles G., Hast Orland, Me.

Booth, DeWitt C., Spearfish, S. D.

Bower, Seymour, Detroit, Mich.

Bower, Ward T., Northvilic, Mich.

Bowers, Hon. George M., U. S. Bureau of Fisheries, Wash-
ington, D.C.

Brooks, Charles F., Sandy Springs, Md.

Brower, J. F., Holmsburg, Philadelphia, Pa.

Buller, A. G., Hrie, Pa.

Buller, William, Corry, Pa.

Buller, N. R., Pleasant Mount, Pa.

Burner, W. J., Durbin, W. Va.

Clark, Frank N., Northville, Mich.

Cruickshank, James, New York City.

Dean, Herbert D., U. S. Bureau of Fisheries, Neosho, Mo.
Degler, F. A., Cheat Bridge, W. Va.

10

Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting.

Dennis, Oregon M., Baltimore, Md.
Dinsmore, A. H., Buchsport, Me.
Downing, 8. W., Put-in-Bay, O.
DePuy, Henry F., New York City.

Evermann, Prof. Barton W., U. S. Bureau of Fisheries,
Washington, D.C.
Fullerton, Samuel F., St. Paul, Minn.

Gorham, F. P., Providence, R. I.
Greene, D. D. W., Ohio Fish and Game Commission, Day-
ton, O.

Haas, William F., Corry, Pa.
Harron, L. G., U.S. Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, D.C.
Hogan, James J., La Crosse, Wis. ;

Hubbard, Waldo F., Nashua, N. H.

Joslyn, C. D., Detroit, Mich.
Lydell, Dwight, Will Creek, Mich.

Marsh, M. C., U. S. Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, D.C.
Meehan, W. E., Commissioner of Fisheries, Harrisburg, Pa.
Miller, Charles L., Altoona, Pa.

Morton, William P., Providence, R. I.

North, Paul, Ohio Fish and Game Commissioner, Cleve-
land, O.

Peabody, George F., Recording Secretary, Appleton, Wis.
Price, Andrew, Marlinton, W. Va.
Price, Calvin W., Marlinton, W. Va.

Roberts, A. D., Woonsocket, R. 1.
Robinson, Robert K., White Sulphur Springs, W. Va.
Root, Henry T., President, Providence, R. 1.

Safford, W. H., Department of Fisheries, Bellefonte, Pa.

Seagle, George A., Wytheville, Va.

Smith, Dr. H. M., U. S. Bureau of Fisheries, Washington,
DAC

Smith, Captain James A., Baltimore, Md.

Surber, Thaddeus, White Sulphur Springs, W. Va.

American Fisheries Society.

Talbott, Henry, /nterstate Commerce Commission,

ington, ID Gk
Thompson, James F., Martinsburg, W. Va.

11

Wash-

Titcomb, John W., U.S. Burean of Fisheries, Washington,

IDEAE
Townsend, C. H., The Aquarium, New York City.

Venn, Harry S., White Sulphur Springs, W. Va.

Whish, John D., Secretary of Forest, Fish and Game Com-

mission, Albany, N.Y.

Whitaker, Andrew R., Phoenixville, Pa.
Willard, C. W., Treasurer, Westerly, R. I.
Worth, S. G., Beaufort; N. C.

The Treasurer then presented his report as follows:

To the American Fisheries Society of the United States of America.

Gentlemen:—I herewith submit my annual report as Treasurer

from July 21, 1904, to July 25, 1905:

RECEIPTS.

Fife smMeEnmHensiip hese: «sorts wer scence costa oe sae ee is Gee $ 75.00
MYC ATa igen ULCSr ae ws atte te re ou ee Sean t TPs SRE rs ee te 389.20
SVECIA OMIM Set he sweeten ty aaah Tee eae crepe aenciean ei 50.00
Sailer OhmenintyvaSevieniv rep OTUs ss <del eiecsiene eneuarn sara. 18.50

1904. EXPENDITURES.
July 26—Balance due Treasurer.................... $ 46.50
NUE ae 00M blancs GeGeiptSt vance eset saeco kaeis Soe PASS)
Aug. 17—500 stamped envelopes.................... 10.70
Aug. 20—Otto P. Bahn, use of stereopticon.......... 5.00
Oct. 38—H. D. Goodwin, stenographer.............. 140.00

1905.
Jan. 5—500 stamped envelopes................... 10.70
Janke 0——Posts Ralblishamica@ Omer0s occ teste csbuess en aivtens Sy dL)
Jan. 20—George F. Peabody, Secretary, postage, etc. 73.83
June sls——“ hy pewaitime letters. 4 ba. se cso alenies csenceocae 1.50
Ahh, Wj —SJeCsiy Jeol labie Won so dso ole se uc ood clodeS LSD
July 15—George F. Peabody, Secretary, postage, etc. 21.64
July 15—The J. C. Hall Co., receipt books........... 6.25

$644.57

Jiilvee2o—— Balances due wareaSuUner swe les .-)e s c ose a

Respectfully submitted,

$111.87

$644.57

C. W. WILLARD, Treasurer.

12 Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting.

Motion made, seconded and unanimously carried, that the
report be referred to auditing committee.

President: I will appoint as members of the committee
Mr. Robert K. Robinson and Mr. N. R. Buller.

Treasurer: In addition to the formal report which I have
made, I desire to state that a deficit in our treasury at this
time was not unexpected by me, for the reason that our new
rate of $2.00 per year will not go into effect until the present
year. In January I found it necessary to advance to the so-
ciety about $250 to meet maturing obligations. This shortage
or deficit has been somewhat reduced by several life member-
ship fees paid since that time. I have no doubt but that with
the annual dues now raised to $2.00 we shall be able to meet all
expenses during the coming year.

The following is‘a list of applicants for membership in the
association, made since the last meeting:

Barbour, Thomas, Museum of Comparative Zoology, Cam-
bridge, Mass. (Proposed by C. H. Townsend, Director
New York Aquarium. )

Beaman, D. C., Boston Bldg., Denver, Col. (By G. F.
Peabody. )

Beeson, W. E., Fire Arms, Ammunition, Fishing Tackle,
(With Foster, Stevens & Co., Grand Rapids, Mich.)

Brewer, E. 8., Owosso, Mich. (By Frank N. Clark.)

Brower, J. F., Torrisdale Hatchery, Holmesburg, Pa. (By
W. E. Meehan.)

Buck, William O., East Orland, Me. (By G. F. Peabody.)

Burner, W. G., Durbin, W. Va. (By F. A. Degler.)

Butler, H. A., Mauch Chunk, Pa. (By W. E. Meehan.)

Clark, C. C., 306 E. South street, South Bend, Ind. (By
Frank N. Clark.)

Cruickshank, James, 217 Central Park, West, New York.
(By J. W. Titcomb.)

Curry, W. F., Freeland, Pa. (By W. E. Meehan.)

De Puy, Henry F., 296 West End avenue, New York. (By
J. W. Titcomb.)

American Fisheries Soctety. 13

Donahue, L. H., Leadville, Col., U. 8. Bureau of Fisheries.
(By A. H. Dinsmore.)
Douglass, W. B., St. Paul, Minn. (By 8. F. Fullerton.)

Fassett, H. C., U. 8. Bureau of Fisheries, Washington,
D. C:. (By G. EF. Peabody.)

Gardener, W. E., Hollidaysburg, Pa. (By W. E. Meehan.)

Gibbs, Charles, East Orland, Me. (By G. F. Peabody.)

Grindle, C. S., East Orland, Me., U. S. Bureau of Fisheries.
(By A. H. Dinsmore. )

Haas, William, Corry, Pa. (By W. E. Meehan.)

Hall, C. E., Superintendent Parkside Hatchery, Cresco, Pa.
(By M. G. Sellers, Secretary Pennsylvania Fish Pro-
tective Association, 420 Chestnut street, Philadelphia. )

Helmer, D. 8., Post Allegheny, Pa.

Helmer, E. R., Post Allegheny, Pa.

Hempshill, T. J., Hollidaysburg, Pa. (By W. EH. Meehan.)

Henkel, C. D., Bureau of Fisheries, Tupelo, Miss. (By C.
P. Henkel.)

Henry, W. 8., Parkside, Pa. (By W. E. Meehan.)

Hines, W. B., White Sulphur Springs, W. Va.

Trish, Clifford E., Lake George, N. Y. (By G. F. Peabody.)

Johnson, O. J., Glenwood, Minn. (By 8S. F. Fullerton.)
Keeseeker, A. G., Fishery, Tenn.

Lamprey, Judge Uri L., St. Paul, Minn. (By 8. F. Ful-
lerton. )

McCook, George M., Ohio Fish and Game Commission,
Steubenville, O.

Marchers, George, London, O. (By Dr. Greene.)

Martin, Timothy J., Davis, Collamore & Co., Fifth avenue,
New York. (By E. M. Waterhouse.)

Meeker, D. W., Moorehead, Minn. (By 8. F. Fullerton.)

Miller, Walter H., U. S. Bureau of Fisheries, Spearfish,
Ss. D. (By G. F. Peabody.)

North, Paul, Cleveland, Ohio.

Orahood, H. M., 1010 17th street, Denver, Col. (By G.
F. Peabody.)

14

Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting.

Palmer, Stephen §8., Monticello, N. Y. (By E. M. Water-
house. )

Paxton, Thomas B., Ohio Fish and Game Commission,

Cincinnati, O.

Peoples, Hon. Hiram, New Providence, Pa. (By H. C.
Demuth. )

Price, Andrew, Attorney-at-Law, Marlinton, W. Va. (By
F. A. Degler.)

Rankin, J. H., Ohio Fish and Game Commission, South
Charleston, O.

Safford, W. H., Department of Fisheries, Harrisburg, Pa.
(By W. E. Meehan.)

Smith, H. G., Minneapolis, Minn. (By 8S. F. Fullerton.)

Snyder, J. P., U. S. Bureau of Fisheries, Spearfish, 8. D.
(By G. F. Peabody.)

Stevenson, Charles H., Bureau of Fisheries, Washington,
DEG:

Tankerslay, A. S., Bureau of Fisheries, Tupelo, Miss. (By
@. P.. Henkel:)

Taylor, Robert Kirby, 66 Leonard street, New York. (By
E. M. Waterhouse. )

Thompson, George B., Davis, W. Va. (By Mr. Robinson.)

Thompson, James F., Martinsburg, W. Va. (By EH. M.
Waterhouse.

Wolters, Charles W., Sr., Philadelphia, Pa. (By W. E.
Meehan. )

Motion made, seconded and unanimously carried that the

rules be suspended and that the secretary cast the ballot of the
association electing the foregoing applicants.

(So done.)

The names of the members who have died since the last

meeting were then read, and referred to the committee on reso-

lutions.

President: I will appoint the following committees:
Committee on resolutions: Mr. W. E. Meehan, of Pennsyl-

vania, chairman, Mr. Seymour Bower of Michigan, Mr. Charles
H. Townsend, of New York.

American Fisheries Society. ie

Auditing Committee: Mr. Robert K. Robinson, chairman,

Mr. N. R. Buller.

Committee on nominations: Mr. J. J. Hogan of Wiscon-
sin, chairman, Mr. John D. Whish of New York, Mr. William
P. Morton of Rhode Island, Mr. S. F. Fullerton of Minnesota,
Mr. Frank N. Clark of Michigan.

Committee on location: Mr. Paul North of Ohio, Mr.
Charles F. Brook of Maryland, Mr. John W. Titcomb of Ver-
mont.

Mr. Frank N. Clark: I move that Article II of the con-
stitution be amended by striking out the words “Any person
shall, upon a two-thirds vote, and the payment of £15.00, become
a life member of this society, and shall thereafter be exempt
from all annual dues,”

And substituting in leu thereof the following:

“Any person shall, upon a two-thirds vote, and the payment
of twenty-five dollars, become a life member of this society, and
shall thereafter be exempt from all annual dues.”

Motion made and seconded that the amendment be adopted.

President: I am not going to make any address, because
I think we have business of a great deal more importance than
any word I could say to you.

An adjournment was then had to the same day and place,
Tuesday, July 25th, 1905, 2:30 p. m.
AFTERNOON SESSION.

Same day and place, 3 p.m. Meeting called to order by the
President.

President: I will call for the report of the secretary.

Secretary Peabody: The secretary’s report for the past year
is embodied in the published proceedings, and needs no further
addition.

Mr. Clark: JI move that the secretary’s report be received
and adopted, and also that the secretary be thanked for getting

16 Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting.

out such an excellent report of our proceedings. I think. it is
one of the most valuable we have ever had.
Motion seconded and unanimously carried.

President: There is an old committee appointed some
years ago to designate the different sizes of fish, which committee
was to report at this meeting. Mr. Clark was chairman of that
committee and I will call upon him for a report.

Mr. Clark: I believe that I was appointed on a committee
consisting of Mr. Seymour Bower, Mr. Ravanel and myself, to
consider the advisability of agreeing on a suitable nomenclature
for bass of various sizes. ‘The question has been up before the
committee by correspondence since that time. ‘There are but two
members present but I desire to say that as yet we have not
been able to come to any agreement on this subject.

I think the best solution of the matter is this: to call the
young bass fry until the sac is absorbed. After that time until
they are 30 days old call them number 1’s. From 30 to 60
days number 2’s, after that time number 3’s. I think Mr. Bow-
er’s idea is a reversal of that plan. He would call the young
bass number 3’s, the middle class, or those 30 days old, or over,
number 2’s and 60 days or over number 1’s. From that time
on they are yearlings.

Mr. Ravanel wishes them called number 1’s after they are
30 days old, number 2’s after they are 60 days old, and num-
ber 3’s after they are 90 days old. Now that is as near as the
committee could get together at the present time. I think for
the purpose of an easy way to get at it in distributing fish,
the best way is to adopt the classification of number 1’s, 2’s and
3’s, for 30, 60 and 90 day fish respectively. That is my idea.
This idea of calling them fry, baby fingerling and fingerlings,
is confusing. You cannot tell anything about them. I have up
in my room small mouth bass that are not to exceed an inch
long which are 56 days old. I have some there also that are 314
inches long that are 56 days old. They would be called, under the
old nomenclature, baby fingerlings and fingerlings. I should
like to hear from the others on this subject. Maybe Mr. Bower
has something to say.

Mr. Seymour Bower: I thought Mr. Clark and I were go-

American Fisheries Society. 1

ing to get together before this report was made. We had talked
it over a little, and there are some good reasons why the classi-
fication as he has given it to you, is all right, and there are
some objections to it. Bass of the same age vary so in size that
it seems to me that it is better to classify them according to
size rather than age. A late hatched 30 day fish, where the water
is warm, may be twice as large as one hatched early and a good
deal older under different temperature and food conditions. It
is a rather confusing matter, and I would like to hear from the
other members of the society on this point.

President: This is a matter that ought to be settled. Of
course we are all interested when we are asking the government
for fish to know what to order, and what we may expect to get,
and if we could settle the question here and get it into our
minutes, we would be all right on that question, and I would
like to hear from Mr. Titcomb on that point. He is in direct
communication with the supply department, and perhaps could
suggest some standard.

Mr. Titcomb: We distribute from the Bureau of Fisheries
fry, fingerlings, and yearlings, so-called. We have never used
the term baby fingerlings, and when we speak of a fingerling
it may be a fish three months old, or it may be six months old.
Of course there is a great variation in size of different species
of the same age; and fingerling bass would be very much smaller
than fingerling trout, perhaps. The fish have been desig-
nated as yearlings after they are six months old, you might say,
although they are not nearly a year old, and that term has been
applied quite as much to size as to actual age.

Now, so far as I understand the question, it is not what
the applicant is going to get. We do not tell them whether we
are going to give them fry or baby-fingerlings or yearlings.
We have to be guided in that by the convenience of the bureau
in making the distributions. We can distribute to some states
in the spring of the year, and to others early in the fall; and
so some are more fortunate than others. In some places we
make two distributions. But it occurred to me that if we could
designate fish as fry, and then afterwards as number 1, 2, 3
and 4, ete., for the number of months they have been fed after

2

18 Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting.

that time, it would let one know what is being planted, so
far as the fish culturist is interested in it. The outsider does
not know much about it anyway, and so far as the bureau is
concerned we keep a sample lot of fish distributed by each sta-
tion; that is, when these fish are distributed, a sample lot of
them is sent to Washington, and one can see in Wash-
ington the size of the fish distributed from the various stations
of the bureau at various periods of the year. You could thus
tell, under the new designation, just what number 1 or
number 2 means, if the nomenclature should be adopted.

I cannot see a much clearer way to designate fish than by
numbers. It is not necessary to make the reports by numbers
and get it down as fine as that. You might have afterwards a
general tabulation as fry, fingerlings and yearlings. As far as
the public is concerned, that is enough. But when we are talk-
ing fish culture in these meetings we want to know the age
rather than the size.

President: This committee has not come to any conclu-
sion, and if there is no objection we will give them further
time. Perhaps they may get on some basis on which they can
report at another meeting.

We will listen to the report of the executive committee,
Mr. Meehan chairman.

Mr. Meehan: There was only one matter that. came before
the executive committee during the year, and that was in the
case of Dr. Smith, who having to make a trip to Europe sug-
gested to the committee that he be made a representative of the
American Fisheries Society to the International society, and
an effort be made to have the society meet in the United States
the following year. I placed myself in communication with the
president of the society at once, and the necessary papers were
sent to Dr. Smith. Unfortunately he did not receive them un-
til it was too late, although there was no delay in complying
with his request, but I think probably, unless I am mistaken,
he had to move faster than he anticipated in the beginning.
That is all that came before the committee during the year.

President: Did it put you under any embarrassment, not ,

having your papers?

American Fisheries Society. 19

Dr. Smith: I should have been glad to serve as represen-
tative of the American Fisheries Society at the International
Fisheries Congress, but as I was not provided with any official
papers I could not so serve. The papers appear to have been
sent to me in due time, but failed to reach me until three weeks
after the congress had adjourned.

Secretary: I suggest that masmuch as Dr. Smith was
really the representative of the society, that he give us a brief
account of the proceedings.

Dr. Smith: I would prefer to leave the matter until to-
morrow when I will have something to say on the subject.

Dr. Smith then read a paper by Mr. Henry O’Malley, of
Baker, Washington, on the subject of “Salt Solution as an Aid
to Fish Culture.”

Mr. John W. Titcomb then read a paper on “Progress and
Experiments in Fish Culture in the Bureau of Fisheries During
the Fiscal year of 1905.”

Mr. Charles G. Atkins, of East Orland, Maine, then read a
paper on the subject of the “Early Feeding of Salmonoid Fry.”

A discussion was had in regard to the age to which brook
trout lived.

Mr. John D. Whish of Albany, New York, then read a
paper on the subject of “The Passing of the Native Brook
Trout.”

Meeting adjourned until 8:30 p. m. same day, July 25th,
1905, and place.

EVENING SESSION.

Same day and place, 8:30 p.m. Meeting called to order by
the President.

President: ‘wo years ago Mr. Titcomb visited Argentina,
and last year at Atlantic City gave us an account of his ex-
plorations, but without the use of a stereopticon. Tonight
he will give us some descriptive stereopticon illustrations of his
trip, with comments.

20 Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting.

Mr. John W. Titecomb delivered a lecture with stereopticon
illustrations on the subject of “Reminiscences of a Trip to South
America.”

Dr. Barton W. Eyermann exhibited slides illustrating the
Golden Trout of Volcano Creek.

Adjourned until July 26th, 1905, 10 a. m., at the White
Sulphur Springs Hatchery.

Wednesday, July 26.

White Sulphur Springs Hatchery, July 26th, 1905, 10 a.m.
Meeting called to order by the President.

Various apparatus, consisting of fish culture appliances,
were exhibited and described.

President: Gentlemen of the American Fisheries Society,
it affords me a great deal of pleasure to inform you that Gov.
Dawson of this state is present with us at this time. I am sure
we will all appreciate his presence as a very marked courtesy to
us, and we shall all remember it. It is something that we have
not had before in many of our meetings, although f think we did
give you the Governor in Rhode Island. We try to do things
there as well as we can. (Great applause. )

Hon. William M. O. Dawson, Governor of West Virginia:
Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen, some time ago I had a
letter from our commissioner, Mr. Bowers, whom [| have no
doubt you all appreciate as we appreciate him in West Virginia.
He is one of our own productions and you will see from his
size and otherwise that we are not ashamed of him. (Laughter. )
You know his reputation as a fish commissioner, you know
what he has done for that branch of the service, and he has
pleased the president and pleased us, which is more important
to us than pleasing the president, but not quite so important
to him as pleasing the president; and I am sure he has pleased
all you gentlemen, who give your time, and many of your means,
eratuitously, to this important business.

I say I had a letter from him some time ago telling me
of this meeting; that you had honored West Virginia with hay-

American Fisheries Society. 21

ing your annual session here at this beautiful spot, the old
“White Sulphur,” and asking me to come and see you. I prom-
ised I would, but when the time came it was almost impossible
for me to be present; but inasmuch as you gentlemen had come
to our state, I wanted to meet and say to you that in behalf of
our people we are very glad to have you with us; and we give you
the warmest sort of southern welcome.

We are not only glad to have you with us at this time,
but we hope that your session here will be so pleasant that you
will come back and see us again in the future.

Now I do not know very much about the fish business.
All of you individually and collectively know a great deal more
about that than I do, and hence I will not undertake to lecture
you about something that you know more about than I do.
That would be presumption on my part. But I understand,
gentlemen, that this is a very important industry. I don’t
know; I have not the statistics here to show what it is worth
to us in dollars and cents; but it is worth something to us in
other ways beside the mere intrinsic worth. . Now West Virginia
used to be quite a little state—not because I am Governor; it
became a great state before | was Governor, and I hope it will
be a greater one when I quit being Governor. ‘That is my am-
bition. But West Virginia is not a small state in territory.
I say to my friend in Rhode Island, that it is somewhat larger
than even Rhode Island. (Laughter.) It is not quite as large
as Wisconsin in territory, but states ike men, are not judged
from their size. I do not say this in detriment to my friend,
the commissioner. (Laughter. )

Mr. Bowers: You haye no business to look at me when you
say that.

Gov. Dawson: Nor to my friend, the Hon. Charles F.
Teeter, whom we are glad to have with us today, but I say that
in defense of myself. Self-preservation is the first law of na-
ture. West Virginia is to be judged first by the men produced,
hke our fish commissioner, and our senators and congressmen,
and then it is to be judged by the material things it produces.
United States could not get along well without West Virginia.
Take West Virginia out of existence in the union and you would

ow
oo

Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting.

have a great deal less coal, a great deal less timber, and a great
deal less poultry, and a great deal less of a great many necessary
things. We are in the habit of saying this, and we believe it to
be true. Now it may not strike you, because you have not in-
vestigated it, but you will take the word of us who have investi-
gated it, that we think West Virginia is the richest state in the
union. Of course it is just on the eve of its development; and
if any of you gentlemen are thinking of changing your location,
I do not know of a better place in the world to settle than in
West Virginia, and we will be glad to have you.

Now, as I said, I just came here to say a few words to you,
to weleome you, and to tell you how glad we are to have you
with us, to wish you a good time and to hope that you will come
baek and see us agai as soon as you can.

I thank you gentlemen.

(Great applause. )

Dr. H. M. Smith then read a paper written by Mr. George
R. Allen of Portland, Oregon, on the subject of “Notes on the
Feeding of Parent Trout with Reference to Virility of Eggs
Produced.”

Mr. Henry Talbott of Washington, D. C., then read a paper
on the subject of “Potomac Bass.”

Mr. Oregon Milton Dennis, Secretary and Counsel, Mary-
land State Game and Fish Protection Association and Assistant
State Game Warden of Baltimore, Maryland, then read a paper
on “Fish Protection.”

President: In our opening exercises yesterday in calling
for reports of committees, Mr. Atkins was not present and I did
not call for the report of the committee on foreign relations. It
is a very important committee and I will call for a report from
him.

Mr. Atkins: The committee of Foreign Relations beg to
say that during the year they have met with some impediments
and causes for delay in the work that was laid out for them; so
that at the end of the year they find themselves unable to pre-
sent the sort of report which they think would meet the resolu-
tion authorizing their appointment, and therefore they beg the

American Fisheries Society. 23

pardon of the society for not bringing forward a report at this
time, and ask to be allowed to bring one forward at the next
meeting.

(Committee continued. )

Dr. Smith then read a paper by Dr. James Henshall of
Bozeman, Montana, on the “Protection of Fish in Inland
Waters.”

Adjourned to 2:30 p. m. same day, Wednesday, July 26,
1905, at the White Sulphur Springs.

AFTERNOON SESSION.

Wednesday, July 26th, 1905, 3 p. m., convention, called to
order at. the hotel by the president.

Dr. Barton W. Evermann, of Washington, D. C., then spoke
on the subject of the “Golden Trout of Volcano Creek.”

President: We have a report from one of the committees
now ready, the committee on nominations, and I will ask the
secretary to read it.

The secretary read the report of the committee on nomina-
tions as follows:

Mr. President, your committee on nomination do most re-
spectfully submit the following report :

OFFICERS, 1905.

President, C. D. Joslyn, Detroit, Mich.

Vice President, H. M. Smith, Washington, D. C.

Recording Secretary, George F. Peabody, Appleton, Wis.

Corresponding Sorretary: Charles G. Atkins, Hast Orland,
Maine.

Treasurer, C. W. Willard, Westerly, Rhode Island.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Hon. W. E. Meehan, Chairman, Harrisburg, Pa.
John D. Whish, Albany, N. Y.

KE. Hart Geer, Hadlyme, Conn.

J. A. Henshall, Bozeman, Mont.

24 Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting.

Paul North, Cleveland, O.
J. J. Stranahan, Bullochville, Ga.
S. F. Fullerton, St. Paul, Minn.
Report of Committee on Nomination.
J. J; TIOGAN,

Chairman of Committee.

Motion made, seconded and unanimously carried, that the
rules be suspended, that the report be adopted; and that the
secretary be instructed to cast the vote of the society for the can-
didates.

(So done.) (Applause.)

President (to Mr. Joslyn): I will say briefly on behalf
of the society, but more on my own behalf, that I think the
society is to be congratulated on your election to this honorable
position. ‘To be elected to preside over a body of scientific men,
and men of wisdom and experience, is a great honor. I only
regret that the rules of this body do not allow me to put you in
this chair at this time; but I think Mr. Clark and others have
held the chair until the end of the session, so until a vear from
now you will have to be considered president-elect.

Mr. Joslyn: Mr. President, I fully appreciate all that you
say about the dignity and honor of the position which you now
hold, and which we are all pleased to have you hold until the
end of this meeting.

Last year this society did me what I considered then, and
so told it, the high honor of electing me vice-president. I be-
lieve I told you then that I appreciated the character of the work
of this body, and I certainly appreciate it more as I have looked
into it further. It will be my endeavor, so long as I am presi-
dent, to do nothing of which any one of you shall ever have the
right to complain. It will be my aim to do everything I can to
further the best interests of the society in every way that I know
how.

This is not the time to make a speech, Mr. President, but
since I am on my feet I take this occasion once for all to thank
you most sincerely and earnestly for the high honor which you
have conferred upon me.

(Great applause. )

American Fisheries Society. 25

President: Following the precedent of last year we should
like to hear from Dr. Smith, vice-president elect.

Dr. Smith: The best thing I can say is, “Me too.” Presi-
dent Joslyn has said everything that I have to say, and I bespeak
for him the cordial support of the society. I thank you very
much indeed for the honor you have conferred upon me.

( Applause. )

President: We will now resume the regular order of busi-
ness. Dr. A. D. Mead of Providence, Rhode Island, has pre-
pared a paper on “Experimental Work of the Rhode Island Com-
missioners of Inland Fisheries.” But he has gone to Europe and
Dr. Gorham has kindly, at our solicitation, volunteered to come
on here and read the paper. I will say that Dr. Gorham has
taken the place of Dr. Mead, and is in full charge of our Marine
Laboratory during Dr. Mead’s absence.

Dr. Gorham then read the paper referred to.

Mr. Frank N. Clark of Northville, Michigan, then read a
paper on “Notes on Small Mouth Bass Culture at the North-
ville Station.”

President: In regard to the question of the grading or
classification of fish, I do not know but that it would be well to
add to the committee that has that in charge.

Mr. Clark: I would lke to move that this committee be
discharged and a new committee appointed, because the three
present members will never agree.

Motion seconded.

Mr. Seymour Bower: I think that motion should be car-
ried unanimously, and in order to be reheved from duty on that
committee, | will make a motion that we adopt as a standard
for bass, to call them fry, after 34 of an inch in length; 34 to
11% inches, call them No. 1; 114 to 244, No. 2; 2% to 3, No. 3,
and beyond that fingerling bass.

President: There is a motion previous to this that the com-

mittee be discharged. The motion was properly seconded and
the question is before you.

26 Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting.

Dr. Smith: It seems to me it would be unfortunate for the
society to lose the benefit of all the talk and time this committee
has put on this subject. Would it not be a good idea to simply
enlarge the committee by the injection of some new blood, and
insist on a report at the next year’s meeting ?

Mr. Titcomb: I second Dr. Smith’s motion, which is that
two more members be added to this committee and this whole
question be referred again to the committee.

Motion to discharge the committee was lost.

Dr. Smith: I move that the present committee be increased
to five, and that they report at the next annual meeting.
Motion seconded.

Amendment made that the committee report tomorrow.

Dr. Smith: This matter will have to be decided on arbi-
trary lines, and it does not seem worth while to defer this settle-
ment indefinitely, so it may perhaps be expedient for the com-
mittee to meet and report before we adjourn, and I accept the
amendment.

Dr. Smith: I will change my motion so that it will read as
follows: I move that the present committee be increased by add-
ing four new members, and that they report tomorrow.

Motion seconded and unanimously carried.

President: I will add to that committee Messrs. North,
Smith, Meehan and Whish.

Mr. Clark: The chairman of that committee will call a
meeting of that committee right after the conclusion of this
meeting and decide what we will do.

A resolution regarding the destruction of fish was then read
and referred to the committee on resolutions.

President: The programme this evening will be a five min-
utes talk by Dr. Smith of the United States Bureau of Fisheries
on his “Observations of the Fisheries Congress at Vienna,” and
an illustrated lecture by Mr. A. H. Dinsmore, on the “Yellow-

stone Park.”

A recess was here taken till 8:30 p. m., same day and place.

oo
~?

American Fisheries Society.

EVENING SESSION.
Same day and place, 8:30 p.m. Meeting called to order by
the president.
Mr. A. H. Dinsmore of Leadville, Colorado, gave a lecture
on “The National Park—the Great National Fishing Resort,”
illustrated by lantern shdes.

A recess was taken until the next day, same place, 10 a. m.

Thursday, July 27.

Same place, July 27, 1905, 19 a. m. Meeting called to
order by the president.

Mr. Clark called up the discussion of Dr. Henshall’s paper.

Motion made, seconded and unanimusly carried, that the
matter of the destruction of fish by irrigation, brought up by
the paper presented by Dr. Henshall, be referred to the com-
mittee on resolutions.

Report of special committee on grading of fishes was pre-
sented by Mr. Clark as follows:

To the American Fisheries Society.

Gentlemen :—Your committee appointed to arrange, if pos-
sible, a satisfactory system for designating the various fishes
propagated and distributed by the hatcheries of the several states
and the United States, has unanimously agreed upon a report.
It was readily apparent to the committee that any system to
be generally accepted, must combine accuracy and simplicity;
must retain the terms familiar to the public, and must show
to the fish culturist not only the age but the size of the fish.
After a careful and thorough discussion of the propositions ad-
vanced, it has been decided to recommend the following terms
to be used in describing all fish:

Fry—A fish up to the time the sac is absorbed and feeding
begins.

Advanced fry—aA fish from the end of the fry period until
it has reached the length of one inch.

Fingerlings—Fish between the length of an inch and the
yearling stage. The various sizes to be designated as follows:

28 Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting.

Fingering 1—A fish from one inch in length up to two
inches.

Fingerling 2—A fish from two inches in length up to three
inches, ete.

Yearlings—Fish that are one year old but less than two
years old, counting from the date of hatching, and which may
also be designated as “Yearlings 1, 2, 3, ete.,” according to

length. Respectfully submitted,
CLARK, SMITH,
BOWER, MEEHAN,
NORTH, WHISH,

Committee.
Motion made, seconded and unanimously carried that the
report of the committee be received and that the recommenda-
tions of the committee be adopted.

President: ‘The report of the committee on resolutions will
now be received.

Chairman Meehan then presented the following resolution:

Whereas, Death was unusually busy the past year among
members of the American Fisheries Society, six associates hav-
ing been stricken by his chill hand, and

Whereas, It is deemed fitting to make a minute of tribute
to each stricken member, the roll of which is:

Dr. J. C. Parker, Grand Rapids, Mich.

Hon. Horace W. Dayis, Grand Rapids, Mich.

Dr. Rudolph Lundberg, Jnspector of Fisheries, Stockholm,
Sweden.

Capt. N. Juel, President of the Royal Society for the devel-
opment of Norwegian Fisheries, Bergen, Norway.

Hon. Eugene G. Blackford, New York.

Mr. J. W. Hoxsie, Rhode Island.

And whereas, by the death of the above named associates
the society has lost true friends and valued members, and

Whereas, Hon. Eugene G. Blackford and Dr. J. C. Parker,
during their life, rendered conspicuous services in the cause of
fish culture and fish protection, therefore,

Resolved, that Mr. John D. Whish of New York be re-
quested to prepare a suitable biographical sketch of Mr. Black-

American Fisheries Society.

eo
a)

ford for publication in the proceedings of the National Fishery
Society for 1905, and that Mr. C. D. Joslyn of Michigan be
requested to prepare a similar sketch of Dr. Parker for the same
publication; and that the two gentlemen named be requested to
secure photographs of Messrs. Blackford and Parker for the
secretary of the society who is authorized to publish the same
with the sketches described, in the proceedings.
Unanimously adopted by a rising vote.

Mr. Meehan: The following resolution is offered by the
committee, being unanimously approved by it:

Resolved, that in future all regular and special committees
shall convene on the second morning of the annual meeting,
at hours set previously by the respective chairmen, which will
not conflict, and there shall be no regular sessions of the society
that morning. Approved,

W. EH. MEEHAN, Chairman,
SEYMOUR BOWER,
C. H. TOWNSEND.

Unanimously adopted.

Chairman: The following resolution was introduced and
approved by the committee :

Whereas: The Hon. George M. Bowers, United States
Conmmissioner of Fisheries, has, since his incumbeney of his
office, evinced a hearty and active interest in the aims and pur-
poses of this society and contributed greatly to its success by
making it possible for leading members of his scientific and
fish cultural staff to be present at its gatherings and making
public the results of their skill and experiments, and

Whereas, during his incumbency Mr. Bowers has materially
expanded and improved the effectiveness of the United States
Bureau of Fisheries,

Therefore, the American Fisheries Society desires to give
public expression of its high appreciation of the able manner
in which he has administered the duties of his office, and
especially on account of the cordial relations he has established
between the United States and the States in fish cultural work,
and it desires also to publicly and warmly thank him for the
aid and encouragement he has given the society.

Unanimously adopted amid great applause.

30 Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting.

I very much appreciate this token of esteem,
been the usual custom to have

Mr. Bowers:
I assure you. I believe it has
published a statement showing the work of the United States
Fish Commission during the preceding year. I have before me
a statement of the fish and eggs distributed by the Bureau of
Fisheries during the fiscal year.

I was able to have this prepared complete before leaving
Washington. It is usually somewhat sooner than we are able
to publish our statement, and in this instance I have not even
yet submitted it to the Department of Commerce and Labor.
but have given the precedence to the American Fisheries Society
on this occasion.

It is as follows:

SUMMARY OF DISTRIBUTION OF FISH AND EGGS DURING
THE FISCAL YEAR 1905.

Finger-
lings
Species Eggs Fry Yearlings Total
and
Adults

AEF S lac eee eva bare also tae te a ints Beeston fancSueyece, vie star hl] ee emcees arteebeuaims 427.402 427,402
IB adka LOHS lieve cict orcraveca ac sretetate eters tel alors sate || Cie iavstaveael eae chil scctectanciretces Se 214,000 214,000
Sad errr rakauctehe cieiticneFotessbetel te remtnvavarerate 378,000 Fei 10100) Se nocasees 33.237 ,000
Wii sada cos boagoce sqnacocmecouac 60,963,000 ASH MOS HOO) | Sa nbsoeaas 329,368,000
Bile finevvinitets his psyersipae eteveter tote oterelare 380,000 TRO00;0009) Sieereee ce 1,380,000
BAR Se ridin? peo odomonbaomancesoet 87,040,000 35 O00 G00 Vie Jie suee ere 122,040,000
Owianmeie Seinen owaddacedocuouseaohoc 96,055.775 21,620,288 125 177,681,188
Silver SalmoOmel eiteietee rc cil-tcve sereeieicrale 107,000 | NOVGSSGOO Naess 10,740,9v0
Bilnebacks (Salmo onsale eecirate seca teenie ele ree s 7,819,281 10,000 7,829,281
Steelheadi routes, seis M31 sreccbetele> oll ere 139,400 635,905 51,638 $26,943
etme Ahi Ses Gop bomacoupounegDe 301,000 442,160 345,204 1,088,364
Atlantic SAlImOm: -atecinetl-wieiels ee ote ears 8,000 727.462 289,188 1,024,650
Pandlocked /Salmonisia-cieisjoteciecteletnatcle- 192,000 275,004 130,477 597,481
Blackspotted) durOuwt. te ser lolelevotels/alcietelte 305,000 41,205 6,388,031 6,734,236
Scotch Sea “Trout... ero ovsis eietevetejalalesaialerale.<wil|i- em clsreteiafetevemts all eae tm orca veuereiets 3,479 3,479
Ao chele vena LtOutcecrtetreverererce eroericre anes opera ele terre 27,000 2,062 29,062
Pakemroutemen cms cite senieieriaeeie ee 5,320,000 35,993,266 11,469 41,324,735
Brack Trouthsorsic\ejotte 2 & cisimianra yore oe cals 756.000 8.933,881 1,087,054 10,776,935
GoldeniuMsroutacce cc che ace ole le crore eisiwier ole | hl rctalape comierersice 157.490 269 157,759
Graphinign ec ssreciaetasiocian ciclo ereree 400,000 450,000 20 850.020
Grapple ta ctalevccecreie stone esse ross eter car cle ter peters ene mtoheries eee tora fe oda oyeve Brae ae are 850,356 850,356
Strawberry BiaSsirs. ners crlacheccusie cietslcters elon © eatetovetetstarstes oil lhraleisrecaerer ates 9,236 9,236
RiGhk Bias8 sis citer accretelarsis oreiere cae ave ePesie all yw istecueteloteinleeel al] cevesavevera ekefeverere 48,674 48,674
Wearmouth Bass s.s.-ccidtersnne wicisiccs o cea revere | tamara iotatts eleetonratll) carerecars yevanava ate 2,200 2,200
Siiall-Mowthe de Black Bassiy cr c.c<iteyeteten| ee teleretateletoter aren ul itetars ssa eiajere’s ot 181,656 181 656
Large-MouthedsBlackeB assis emicicsiats | Mieicvereiede eeveraeinunl | eietotaicre ete rscate 662 439 662,439
Bream Or iSwfishy ss sycjoceintatevevova/ were, occ toveverade| | eislave ta cciootatenalll Imestateperersteteleyerare 447,908 447 908
PikewPerchcdyeacs bere wlec see steinte siisiele 152,750,000 246,148,775 395 398,899,170
1 OP eS eee CORE CCARUECCC else ced hatoobs ulaoeosceéeoaus 62,200 62,000
Yellow Perch*,ca452 toe sasemaecc woes 5,000,000 139,452,521 326,715 144,779,236
Striped] (Basse cree aceicte a eiere ea win ered tt weve paler tenes 2403 OOO = scene tater 2,463,000
WihitevPerchoas.cacrsiec cifetsiscieniecicne 700,000 23°700:000) |ene were 24 400,000
AWEOR'= fcc e ive epielnts stelem cesatacieicts orlatercul |: ente myelsracatenaae 2983S 000M). Gaacices ce. 2,983,000
Sh Sr. mern Ati. KADCURCOnOE DOOmRIhL tance anne T6957 72 O00) Exceeren scare = 169,577,000
BL Athi Die <i ators taerstete iste ciels(ateiaereie ete aca l Oe e ote nto ete ZOUSSOOVOUO Rs tery eecice 203,356,000
Pollock tax ae tie hte: ccen Weleiions oiled eal eee roaches § A356 0005 ict x caeesc 8,456,000
Wo Kran dan poo s~onoO sonoma scanauas. ||| k otesodooss6 PETG 5214 ODOR sercrcrcree 116,214,000

TOTALS 410,795,175 | 1,337,371,138 | 11,557,197 | 1,759,723,510

American Fisheries Society. 3

T congratulate you on the success of this meeting. We have
been here strictly for business. Every man has faithfully and
well performed his duty.

I had prepared here a comparative statement of the total
output of the Bureau of Fisheries for the years 1899 to 1905
inclusive, but modesty forbids me to present it.

I thank you for your attention. (Great applause.)

(Report received and filed. )

The report of the resolutions committee was resumed as
follows :

Mr. Meehan: Mr. Chairman, the next resolution originates
in the committee and naturally carries with it the approval of
Commissioner Bowers, and is as follows:

Resolved, that the secretary of this society be requested to
forward a copy of the following resolution to the Secretary of
the Department of Commerce and Labor of the United States:

To the Hon. Secretary of the Department of Commerce and

Labor.

Dear Sir: The American Fisheries Society is organized for
the purpose of encouraging and expanding the work of fish cul-
ture in the United States. Among its members are nearly all the
leading Fish Commissioners of the several states, and nearly
all the chief Fish Culturists in the Union, including the United
States Commissioner of Fisheries and his able assistants. So
important are the proceedings of the Society, that the Depart-
ment of Fisheries of the great commonwealth of Pennsylvania
requires all its superintendents to be present at the meetings, and
all the states which lead im fish cultural work regularly have
representatives present.

In view of these facts it seems important and in the interest
of the work of the United States Bureau of Fisheries, that the
same policy as that adopted by Pennsylvania and which was
first proposed by Commissioner Bowers last year with respect to
his own staff, be regularly in force hereafter, and this society
respectfully asks that you will give your approval thereto.

Mr. Bowers: I heartily favor that and ask that it be
adopted by a rising vote.

32 Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting.

Mr. Clark: Your remarks in regard to Pennsylvania I
note. Should not some other states be included ?

Mr. Meehan: The other states are properly included.

Secretary: I think it would be well, although Rhode
Island is not quite as large as Pennsylvania, yet since it is quite
as well and ably represented, to have that state mentioned. I
think if the mention of one state is to be made, Rhode Island

is certainly entitled to a place, and Michigan also.

Mr. Meehan: I think Mr. Townsend, a member of the
committee has a resolution offered apart from the committee on
resolutions, that has something to say in regard to Rhode Island.
(Resolution reread. )

Mr. Meehan: The reason why Pennsylvania was specifi-
cally mentioned was because it has a requirement by its Depart-
ment of Fisheries that all superintendents be present at these
meetings, except in case of illness.

President: I think that is a grand resolution, and I think
no state can take exception to it.
Unanimously adopted by a rising vote.

Mr. Meehan: ‘The next resolution is offered by Mr. O. A.
Dinsmore, and is recommended unanimously by the committee.

It is as follows:

Whereas, The waters within the Yellowstone Park are pecu-
liarly adapted to the natural propagation of fish, and should be
utilized as occasion arises by the United States Bureau of
Fisheries for the purpose of securing eggs for restocking national
or state hatcheries in public waters in the United States, and,
whereas, under the present conditions when the superintendents
of the Yellowstone Park are lable to be changed frequently, it
is impossible to secure for the fish life that sustaimed and
systematic consideration which the work requires, therefore,

Resolved, by the American Fisheries Society that the proper
National authorities authorize the Bureau of Fisheries to take
exclusive charge of fish and fisheries in the Yellowstone Park.

Resolved, further, that a copy of this preamble and resolu-
tion be forwarded to the Secretary of the Department of Com-
merce and Labor.

American Fisheries Society. 33

Mr. Meehan: The next resolution was offered by Mr.
Fullerton of Minnesota, commending the efforts which have
been made and being made to cede to the national government
jurisdiction over the fisheries of the Great Lakes and interstate
waters. ‘This resolution is so important that the committee felt
it had better be brought before the convention for full and free
discussion, without formal recommendation by the committee.

Motion made and seconded to adopt the resolution.

Mr. Clark: In view of the fact that we have a paper on
that line, by Mr. Joslyn, would it not be well to hold the resolu-
tion open until we hear from him? He may have some things
touching directly upon the point, and the resolution might want
to be added to, or something of the kind, and would there be any
harm in allowing it to he over until after his paper has been
presented 7

Mr. North: Why not have Mr. Joslyn’s paper read now?

Mr. Meehan: The committee is still reporting, and I agree
with Mr. Clark myself, that that should be the procedure, if
agreeable to the Chairman and the meeting.

Mr. Bowers: I move that action on that resolution be
deferred until after the reading of Mr. Joslyn’s paper.

The resolution was laid on the table, to be called up at any
time.

Mr. Meehan: Mr. Oregon Milton Dennis of Baltimore
offers the following resolution which is approved by the com-
mittee.

Whereas, The attention of the American Fisheries Society
has repeatedly been called to the rapid increase in the wholesale
destruction of fish by means of illegal nets and other devices;
by dynamite and by the pollution of the streams from sugar beet
factories, tanneries, chemical works, wood pulp factories and
other manufacturing establishments and by sawdust: and

Whereas, The American Fisheries Society regards with
grave apprehension this wholesale destruction of an industry, the
first value of which is upwards of seventy-five millions of dollars,
and to preserve which few legislatures have taken adequate
measures ; and

3

34 Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting.

Whereas, It is patent to this Society, that under existing
conditions it is difficult for artificial propagation of fish to keep
pace with this destruction; therefore, be it

Resolved, By the American Fisheries Society, assembled
at White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, this 26th day of
July, 1905, that the legislatures of the several states be re-
quested to enact such measures, without delay, as will prevent
further destruction of fish life, particularly by laws forbidding
the taking of undersized fish and the destruction of spawn by
improper use of nets, and by legislation forbidding further pollu-
tion of the waters; and be it further

Resolved, That the Secretary of the American Fisheries
Society be, and he is hereby, instructed to send a copy of this
preamble and resolution to the Governor of each state with
a request that he transmit the same to the legislature of his par-
ticular state when assembled.

Motion made to adopt the resolution. Seconded.

Mr. Fullerton: The protection of fish ought to go hand in
hand with their propagation. It is all right for us to adopt the
resolution, but every man of us should go to our different states
and work, and see that the legislatures of our different states
put something into practice. Last winter we had a meeting in
Chicago and I do not know how many states were represented.

Mr. Clark: Seven or eight, I think.

Mr. Fullerton: We passed resolutions of the strongest kind,
and went to our different legislatures to do something. I think
Michigan was represented by eight or ten people. There were
several members of the legislature present. The deputy speaker
was there; and | expected, of course, to hear from Michigan,
and that their legislature would take some action on this matter.
But I have yet to see that any action was taken.

In our state the entire legislature, by unanimous vote, passed
a resolution addressed to congress that they would see any juris-
diction that they might have over the great lakes, protected. We
do not want to sit here and merely pass resolutions, but go home
to our different states and work, and see that these resolutions
are carried out. (Applause. )

American Fisheries Society.

we)
~

Mr. Meehan: In regard to the pollution of streams, we
made such a fight before the legislature this year that we com-
pelled the manufacturers, so to speak, to sit up, and did succeed
in getting a moderate anti-water-pollution measure passed ; and
we will succeed, I hope, in the next legislature, in getting some-
thing better, but we are suffering very much from water pol-
lution; I think in Pennsylvania more perhaps than in most of
the states; because until this time we were at the foot of the roll
of states in preserving the purity of the waters of any partic-
ular state. I believe this resolution should be approved, and
approved by a rising vote.

I think furthermore that the resolution itself should be
given the very widest publicity, to give it all the power and
force of the support of this society; and I think we should all
work to secure the passage of proper protective measures in our
respective legislatures.

Last year we formed a state organization and it is a pretty
strong organization this year. It was so strong that it was able
to effect legislation in favor of the fish; and the prospects are
that it will be exceedingly powerful before long. To give an
idea of the strength of that organization | may say that one
measure came up last winter to which a certain senator was
very much opposed, because his constituents, he claimed, were
opposed to it

as he said: “The manufacturing interests.” It was
on the question of water pollution. Within ten days that man
said: “I would like to know who said I was opposed to this
measure on water pollution; I never said I was opposed to it.
I want to do what my constituents say. I have had no less than
2000 letters come to me, demanding that I vote for the bill, and
Tam for it.” It was the fish protective organizations connected
with the State Society which were back of the letter-writing.

Mr. Joslyn: I want to stand up and be counted on this
question. It is time, I think, that every state in the union stood
up to be counted. This is not a question merely of preserving
some financial or commercial industry, it is a question of pre-
serving a cheap and healthful food for all the people of the
country.

It has seemed to me, Mr. President, in view of the various
troubles that our sister state New York is in, that it is pretty

36 Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting.

near time to appoint for her a physician or a guardian, or
possibly both.

It is true, Mr. President, that if we are to have fish food
in the future for the common people, that we have got to go
steadily along the line of protection to the fish that are planted.
I shall have a little something to say hereafter, on that question,
if I have an opportunity to read a paper, but it seems to me that
the American Fisheries Society, which is composed of a body of
men who are students and teachers throughout the country,
should not be afraid to put itself on record, fairly and squarely,
on this proposition. (Applause. )

President: Allow me to say one word: A resolution of this
scope must invariably affect some states perhaps unfavorably.
Now take my own state. If this resolution comes to me, the
Governor would send for me and say. “Mr. Root, what do you
want?” I would have to say, “Governor, I don’t want any-
thing.” This is the action of the American Fisheries Society.
It will not apply to our state. We have got all the laws for the
protection of fisheries, to prevent pollution of water and eyery-
thing of that kind, that we need.” Now there is a case where
the action of your committee would not amount to anything;
but it is a small state and we can take care of it.

The trouble is, gentlemen, you have not started early enough.
Each state should take hold and push this matter. Do you think
this resolution will help you in pushing it? It won’t help us
in Rhode Island. We have the best laws that we can enact.
The question is before you for adoption.

The resolution was unanimously adopted by a rising vote.

Mr. Meehan: ‘That concludes the report of the committee
on resolutions.

Mr. North: Is it in order for the report of the committee
on location and time of meetings ?

President: Yes.

Mr. North: The committee received applications from
Denver, Colorado; Detroit, Michigan; Erie, Pennsylvania; and

Grand Rapids, Michigan. But we could hardly resist the silent
voice of our future president, Mr. Joslyn. Although the finan-

American Fisheries Society. 37

cial perquisites that we were expecting, did not seem to mater-
jalize (laughter) yet the committee decided in spite of that fact,
to meet in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in July of next year, during
a time corresponding to this week, the same days, Tuesday,

Wednesday and Thursday. (Applause. )

Mr. Meehan: Although, as head of the delegation from
Pennsylvania, [ am disappointed in the decision, I would move
the adoption of this report.

Motion seconded. (Applause. )

Unanimously carried.

Mr. Seymour Bower: As a member of the committee on
resolutions I have a resolution to offer. It is not presented by
the chairman, for the reason that he rather dissents from a part
of it. It is a majority report, however, and although Mr.
Meehan voted against a part of it, we hope that it will be adopted.

Whereas, The Hon. W. E. Meehan, Commissioner of Fish-
eries of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, during the past
and present meetings of this society has contributed greatly to
the interest and value of our meetings, by his zeal and devotion
to its interests, and to the attendance by bringing to our annual
gatherings a large delegation of his associates ; therefore,

Resolved, That the sincere thanks-of the society be and are
tendered to him for his earnest efforts to advance the interests of
the society, and we recommend him as a worthy example to be
followed by the commissioners and fish cultural authorities of
all other commonwealths.

Resolved, That all that has been said in commendation of
the actions of Mr. Meehan is repeated in behalf of Commis-
sioner Root and his associates of the Rhode Island Commission,
and the thanks of this society are hereby tendered to the com-
missioners of that state.

Resolution put by Mr. Bower and unanimously adopted.

Mr. Fullerton: Mr. Bower has said that he had had pre-
pared a comparative of the progress in egg and fish output dur-
ing the last eight years, and I move that that statement of Mr.
Bowers be put in to the next annual report, if he is willing.

Motion seconded and unanimously carried.

38 Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting.

The report is as follows:

COMPARATIVE STATEMENT

Of the Total Output of the Bureau of Fisheries for the Years
1899 to 1905, Inclusive.

Year. Eggs. Fish. Total.

1899) ere arene Rees 64,956,000 991,415,898 1,056,371,898
9.0 Oia ee ee eea a nance, 88,682,000 1,075,654,754 1,164,336,754
UO Oilers) Re ea 150,307,251 1,023,526,211 1,173,833,462
OWS VAR Ra rs eiouah a nak Store 198,672,200 1,296,871,174 1,495,543,374
LQ OB tee esate roe eee 182,238,373 1,043,819,102 1,226,057,475
L904 eo eee 263,123,354 1,004,219,671 1,267,343,025
ADS LU seen ea meee straets hen cata G B95, 912.190 ; 1,298,030,857 1,694,003,562

President: A vote of the executive committee empowering
Dr. H. M. Smith to represent this society as a delegate at the
International Fisheries Association in Vienna was passed, and
credentials forwarded to him. He did not receive them in time
to present to the Congress, but nevertheless we regard him as
our delegate to that international congress. We want to hear
some report from him, and I will take the liberty of calling on
Dr. Smith to make a report regarding his visit to the interna-
tional Congress.

Dr. H. M. Smith then presented a paper on the subject of
“The Third International Fisheries Congress.”

Dr. Smith’s paper was referred to the committee on resolu-
tions for the purpose of having a suitable resolution prepared
regarding the acceptance by the International Fisheries Con-
eress of the invitation to meet in the United States in 1908.

Mr. Meehan: I would like to have opportunity to express
on behalf of myself and my associates my heartfelt appreciation
of the resolution which was adopted by this society. It is a
pleasure to me, and it is a pleasure to my associates to be present
and do what we can to further the interests of this society. While
the Department of Fisheries of Pennsylvania requires its super-
intendents to be present at these meetings, I wish to say emphat-
ically that no order is really necessary, for there is not a superin-
tendent in the employ of the Pennsylvania Department of Fish-
eries, who, | believe, would not be present of his own volition,
even if he were not ordered.

( Applause. )

American Fisheries Society. 3h

President: I suppose I ought to say a word in regard to
Rhode Island. When we first joined the American Fisheries So-
ciety we thought of sending a delegate, or two delegates. Well,
I was opposed to that, because I thought they might leave me
out and I wanted to come (laughter), and I told them we would
all go, and we all did. (Applause. )

The auditing committee presented the following report:
REPORT OF AUDITING COMMITTEE.

This committee has examined the accounts of the Treasurer
and find the same to be correct and in accordance with his report,
which is therefore approved.

ROBERT K. ROBINSON,
N.-R. BULLER,
Committee.

Unanimously adopted.

Dr. Evermann then read a paper by Mr. Leon J. Cole, on
the subject of “The Status of the Carp in America.”

Dr. Smith then read a paper by Dr. 8. P. Bartlett of Quincy.
Illinois, on “Carp as seen by a Friend.”

Mr. C. D. Joslyn of Detroit, Michigan, made an address on
“The Policy of Ceding the Control of the Great Lakes from
State to National Supervision.”

Mr. Nathan R. Buller of Pleasant Mount, Pennsylvania,

then read a paper on the “Propagation and Care of Yellow
Perch.”

Adjourned to same day and place, 2:30 p. m.

AFTERNOON SESSION.

Thursday, July 27th, 1905, 3 p. m., same place. Meeting
called to order by the president.

Mr. Clark: I would like to ask leave to have the paper on
“Pacific Salmon Eggs,” by Mr. Ward T. Bower, printed in the
proceedings without reading. Mr. Bower has been called away
and cannot present his paper.

Consent given.

40 Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting.

Mr. Clark: I move that Mr. Fullerton’s resolution regard-
ing the cession of the control of the Great Lakes fisheries to the
general government, be taken from the table.

Motion seconded and carried.

Resolution reread.

Motion made and seconded that the resolution be adopted.

Mr. Meehan: I would like to ask one question before that
is done. Do the efforts of Representative Shiras referred to,
cover fish alone or only game?

Mr. Fullerton: I suppose everyone as well as myself has
read of Representative Shiras and his efforts to get a federal law
passed to protect migratory birds in their flights to the north.
He switched on that during the last session and has now a bill
in preparation in regard to fish. What has drawn my attention
to it particularly is a discussion in the American Field, between
Mr. Shiras and a California judge, as to the constitutionality of
the law. But the probability is that the law is constitutional.
The bill proposes that the United States take the control of the
Great Lakes bordering on the states and Canada, and also on
interstate waters bordering on the states, such as the Mississipp1
river, in which we are greatly interested, between Wisconsin and
our own state, and that we may not only plant fish there, but
protect them by national legislation. The purpose is to have a
uniform law that fish shall only be taken in certain seasons,
only be taken of a certain length, and by certain means. That is
the purpose of the Shiras bill, and that is why I submit this reso-
lution to the society here to get its endorsement, because I believe
it is one of the most vital things that can come before the society,
that is, the protection of the fish in our Great Lakes, and also in
interstate waters. We can never get two states together, let alone
forty, to pass the same laws. Minnesota may have one law regu-
lating fish, Wisconsin another, Michigan and Iowa and the Dako-
tas another, and when such conditions as that exist it is pretty
hard to do anything in the line of fish protection. Our only
salvation is in having congress take hold of the matter, and when
that is done the problem will be solved.

Mr. Joslyn: I do not like to take up any time, but while I
have been away I have been thinking of that resolution a little,

American Fisheries Society. 41

and I do not know whether it is exactly right or not. I offer a
suggestion to you to see what you think about it. The legal
phase of this question has been sharply before us in Michigan,
as many of you are aware. A little friction sprang up between
the state game warden and the federal department in which the
warden undertook to seize the federal men and their nets while
they were out fishing for whitefish and lake trout from which
to take spawn. An application was made to the Federal Court at
Grand Rapids for an injunction restraining the game warden
from proceeding further, the game warden claiming he had a
right to do this under the state law. The United States District
Court granted an injunction against the state game warden and
the case is now befort the Court of Appeals. The Michigan Fish
Commission realizing the serious trouble and the serious injury
that was being done to Michigan by this friction, appealed to the
parties to let that case wait for a while and see if we could not get
legislation that would end the trouble. Last winter the legisla-
ture of the state of Michigan very promptly remedied the diffi-
culty by giving the United States the power to take fish without
the superintendence or interference of the state authorities. Now
when we first talked with different members of our legislature,
we found some of them had a serious prejudice against giving
federal control, yet after looking the situation all over they
readily came into line. And the thought that occurs to me now
is whether we should not broaden this resolution sufficiently to
memorialize each state legislature in regard to it and ask them
voluntarily to cede the control and not leave the question open
to future litigation which is sure to arise in some state if this
congressional action is taken.

Now I looked into the legal question quite a bit while I was
up in Michigan. My own judgment is that congress has this
power. In the case of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts vs.
Manchester, which arose some years ago, a portion of this very
question was before that court. But the court dodged the ques-
tion and it went off on some other point, but expressly reserved
the question which is before us now for future consideration. It
stated that inasmuch as congress had not passed any legislation
it was clear that the state authorities were supreme, leaving it
open for the future to see what would happen after congress had

42 Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting.

taken just such action as is proposed by this resolution, and the
action proposed by Mr. Shiras of Pennsylvania; and so thinking
it all over I have wondered whether or not we ought not to
broaden this resolution soas to get the state legislatures in action
also. I do not offer an amendment, but offer a suggestion for
you to think about.

Mr. Fullerton: I think that is In the resolution.
Mr. Clark: I do not think so.
Mr. Joslyn: I think it merely calls the matter to the atten-

tion of our members of congress, but I think we ought to get
after our state legislatures.

Mr. Meehan: I think Mr. Fullerton is right.

(Resolution read. )

Mr. Joslyn: I believe that resolution is all right.

Mr. North: Would it not be well to put in there that they
cede their rights as far as fishing is concerned ?

Mr. Clark: It is not necessary. They have not any other
rights in the waters except the fishing rights.

Mr. Meehan: I think they have.

Mr. Fullerton: Not in the Lakes. Congress regulates the
commerce of the Great Lakes.

Mr. Joslyn: Within the three mile limit I think it is with-
in the state jurisdiction.

Mr. Clark: Then there is a little loop-hole there—nothing
is said about fish.

Mr. Fullerton: Iam willing to have the resolution changed
by inserting the words “fisheries of the” before the words “Great
Lakes” where they first occur.

Mr. Worth: I would like to ask the question whether the
committee that drew the resolution intended that to apply only
to rivers lying between states, or to include rivers which cross a
number of states ?

Mr. Meehan: That would cover the Delaware and Missis-

ea ek

American Fisheries Society. 43

sippi—there is no doubt about that—and I should like to see it,
so far as our boundary rivers are concerned, enforced.

Mr. Fullerton: We have had a game warden in Minnesota
arrested for kidnapping, by the Wisconsin authorities, which is
a penitentiary offense in Wisconsin, punishable by a maximum
imprisonment of fifteen years. Our warden arrested a man for
fishing over an imaginary line on the ice; and they lay for the
warden, arrested him, and brought him to Wisconsin and tried
him for kidnapping. We had hard work to get him off.

President: If there is no objection, the words suggested
will be introduced into the resolution.

Mr. Meehan: Then the resolution which we offer will read
as follows:

Resolution offered by Mr. Fullerton of Minnesota, and
signed for report by the resolutions committee :

Resolved, That the American Fisheries Society, assembled
at White Sulphur Springs, at this thirty-fourth annual conven-
tion, wish to heartily commend the efforts that are bemg put
forth to have the different states cede to the National Govern-
ment any jurisdiction they may have over the fisheries of the
Great Lakes and interstate water forming the boundary between
said states. And be it further

Resolved, That this society most heartily commends the
efforts of Representative Shiras of Pennsylvania in his efforts to
secure the passage of a federal law regulating the fishing on the
Great Lakes forming a boundary between this country and
Canada. And be it further

Resolved, That this society pledges its membership indi-
vidually and as a society, to get their respective Congressmen and
Senators committed to the support of this measure.

The resolution was then unanimously adopted.

The committee on resolutions then presented the following
supplementary report which was unanimously adopted.

Whereas, The American Fisheries Society in annual con-
vention assembled at White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, has
learned of the action of the International Fishery Congress in

44 Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting.

designating Washington, D. C., as the place of meeting for the
next congress; therefore

Resolved, That this Society hereby expresses its gratifica-
tion at the honor thus conferred on the United States by the body
of distinguished foreign authorities composing the late Interna-
tional Fishery Congress.

Resolved, That we pledge our individual and united efforts
to promote the success of the Washington Congress, and will
accord all practicable assistance and support to those having
charge of the arrangements.

Resolved, That at the proper time the President appoint a
committee of seven members to officially represent the society at
the Congress; the said delegates to represent the dlfferent geo-
graphical sections of the country as far as practicable.

Resolved, That the Society hold its regular annual meeting
at Washington in 1908, in conjunction with the International
Fishery Congress.

Mr. Townsend: Would the two meetings of this society be
held on the same day as those of the International Congress ?

Dr. Smith: It may be desirable to hold an indvidual meet-
ing a day or two before, or it may desirable to merge vour meet-
ing with that of the greater body. A business meeting of our
Society will certainly be required.

Mr. Charles H. Townsend of New York City then read a
paper on the subject of “How Can the Home Fish Pond be Made
Productive.”

Mr. W. E. Meehan then read a paper written by Mr. 8. W.
Downing on the subject of “Collecting, Hatching and Distribu-
tion of the Pike-perch: Why the Great Loss of Eggs.”

President: We have three more papers, one is by Mr. Worth
who wishes to have it carried over to the next meeting.

The other two we will have read, and Dr. Smith has been
requested to occupy your attention for a few moments on the

subject of sponges.

Dr. W. E. Meehan, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, then read
a paper on the subject of “Frog Culture.”

“>

American Fisheries Society. 45

Dr. H. M. Smith spoke on “Sponge Culture.”

Mr. Joslyn: Before we adjourn, may I have a minute of
the time of these gentlemen here? I desire to say in behalf of
Michigan, and in behalf of the city of Grand Rapids in particu-
lar, that if you will only come there next year, bring your friends,
your Wives, your cousins and your aunts, and tell all the people
who are interested in fish culture, whether members of this So-
ciety or men whom we desire to have members of the Society, to
come to Grand Rapids, we will give you and them the time of
your lives.

The city of Grand Rapids, though not my own city, I can
say to you confidentially, is one of the liveliest hustling cities in
the west, with a population of 125,000 inhabitants, good hotel
accommodations all over the city, at any price you desire.

Tf you take a street car in front of almost any hotel, in
twenty minutes you will reach one of the oldest, and we take
pride in saying we believe the best, bass hatcheries in this coun-
try, and it is under the charge of our friend Lydell, and that is
something in its favor, as you will all agree.

The managers of the two railroads have said to me that if
we got the Society there, they would give us cars and a train at
any hour that might desired, to take the Society to the Paris
Trout Hatchery, which is our oldest trout hatchery, and we can
put a train of cars at your service to go to and from that hatchery
and back to the meeting. I may say to all those who come from
the east, you will probably pass through the city of Detroit, and
at the city of Detroit we have the fish hatchery which now is
under the charge of the United States. Twenty-seven miles
away we have the United States Trout and Bass Hatchery, under
the charge of Mr. Clark. You can take a trolley car and in a
short time reach that hatchery. We can thus give you the bene-
fit of the hospitality of the two cities, Detroit and Grand Rapids.

In Grand Rapids is a Sportsmen’s Association of over 300
men, containing such members as ex-Senator Patton, and a
large number of other men like him, every one of whom has ex-
tended in writing an invitation for you to come there, and I
want to say to you that that association of sportsmen will make
it busy for you when you get to Grand Rapids. We want you all
to come and have a good time, and we are going to undertake,

46 Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting.

on the part of Michigan to make the next meeting of the Ameri--
can Fisheries Society the best on record.
(Great applause. )

Mr. Clark: May I also voice a few words in regard to the
Society coming to Michigan next year? Being one of the oldest
members of the Society, and possibly the oldest member present
at this meeting, it does me good to think that you are coming to
Michigan. There is one thing that Mr. Joslyn left out.

Mr. Joslyn: I left out a lot of things.

Mr. Clark: One thing in particular comes to my mind.
He does not say anything about the world’s finest trout streams
which are in Michigan, so made by the work of fish planting.
There are millions of trout in those streams that are longing to
be caught by members of the American Fisheries Society, and on
behalf of the trout in the streams of the State of Michigan I
thank you for selecting Grand Rapids as the place of your next
meeting.

( Applause. )

Mr. Lydell: Although Mr. Joslyn has extended to you the
hospitality of Detroit, do not forget Mill Creek.

Mr. North: I move that a vote of thanks be extended to the
retiring president and the officers of this Society, all of whom
have worked untiringly and with great effect to promote its
SuUCcCeSS.

Put by Mr. North and carried by a unanimous rising vote.

Adjourned sine die.

PAR (<I.

SCIEN EIFIC” PROCEEDINGS.

SALT SOLUTION AS AN AID TO FISH CULTURE.

BY HENRY O MALLEY, OF BAKER, WASH.

The floating properties of the salt solution first attracted my
attention while using it to clear up eggs which had been removed
from the spawning beds of salmon to ascertain whether or not
they contained embryo. Later on the knowledge that Mr. Me-
Naughton of Roy, Washington, had an egg-picking process for
sale suggested the question: “Why cannot good and bad e
separated through their difference in weight ?”

ges be

The first experiments were conducted with eggs of the quin-

tokols
nat salmon, a limited number of good and bad eggs at 450 tem-

perature units stage of development being placed in a solution
of equal parts of salt and water with the result that all the eggs
floated. Water was then added and a solution of one part salt
and nine parts water formed, at which point the good eggs slow-
ly separated from the bad ones and settled to the bottom. The
bad eggs remained on the top only a minute to a minute and a
half, but there was ample time to remove them with a net. Later
eggs of the blueback salmon were tested with similar results,
but as the loss on this species is always very small, experiments
were not extensive. ‘Ten millon silver salmon eggs were then
tested and the greater portion of them were subject to the solu-
tion with absolutely no harm and with a great saving in time
over the old method of picking eggs by hand.

In order to ascertain whether or not the salt solution is harm-
ful, eggs at 449 and 490 temperature units developement were
placed in a one to six solution and held for ten minutes. When
removed they were indented, had the appearance of eggs in a
shipping case that had become too dry, and in a few instances
the main artery or vein seemed distended near the heart. After
remaining in the water some few days, however, this distention
disappeared and the eggs hatched without loss. The resulting
fry did well up to the time of feeding, and when liberated they
were strong and healthy. A solution one to seven was tried in
the same manner with similar results. The solution one to nine

was now tested and at the end of ten minutes no change had
49 4

50 Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting.

taken place, but at the end of fifteen minutes the distended con-

dition appeared but as in the case of the one to six solution it dis- —

appeared in a few days with no apparent harm to the fry. The
eggs were subjected to the solution only once. This solution has
been used with equally good results on eggs of the dog salmon
and steelhead trout.

The salt solution is an aid to fishculture in other ways not
previously recorded. It enables one to distinguish the dead and
unfertilized eggs at an early stage of developement. To do this
the basket should be immersed one minute in a one to twenty
solution and then returned to the trough. Within an hour all
empties will have turned white. The danger of rupturing the
embryo, which is liable to occur by the old method is thus elimi-
nated. Thus one can clean up very young eggs for shipment
with very little handling.

In using this process the solution was held in a water tight
box or trough of one inch lumber, 40 inches long, 18 inches wide.
and 12 inches deep. Inside this was a second box of one-half
inch lumber, 3 inches less in width, 3 inches deeper, and provid-
ed with handles and a screen bottom. A net or scoop made of
basket wire was used for removing the dead eggs. The trough
or box was filled to within a few inches of the top with water and
salt gradually added and dissolved until the proper density be-
ing determined by taking a small portion of the solution in the
graduate and testing it with a few good and bad eggs each time
the salt was added. This was found to be the most satisfactory
method, as salt readily absorbs moisture and varies in purity,
thus making it difficult to get it correct by weight or measure-
ment. The box with the screen bottom is placed in the solution,
wedged down, and a full basket of from 35,000 to 60,000 eggs is
poured into the inside box. In less than one minute the good
eggs have settled to the bottom and the bad ones can be removed
with the wire scoop. The inner box can then be hfted out and
the good eggs returned to the basket and fresh water, the whole
process not requiring over three minutes. One solution can be
used over many times by adding sufficient salt to maintain a
uniform density.

The box or trough was adopted because of convenience in
handling, and on account of its furnishing the necessary amount

American Fisheries Society. 51

of surface, a very important feature to be considered, as the bad
eges if crowded, would cause the good ones to float by mingling
with them.

Quite an extensive use of this method has shown no deleter-
ious effects, and where there are over a thousand dead eggs in the
basket at the time the empties are turned the use of the salt solu-
tion will result in a saving of labor.

DISCUSSION.

Mr. Whish: ‘This is an entirely new suggestion, so far as
I am concerned, and if, as suggested by Mr. 'Titcomb, this meth-
od can be apphed to brook trout eggs, we can save much time
and labor in our hatcheries. If Mr. Clark has had any practical
experience with it in handling lake trout eggs, I should like to
hear from him, because we have been paying particular atten-
tion to lake trout during the past two years, in our state, and
will pay more attention hereafter. If we can save time and la-
bor, it will be of great value.

Mr. Clark: I am perfectly willing to give my experience
with the salt solution, as far as | have gone. I have not how-
ever, done enough to arrive at any positive, definite conclusion.

I really think it is of no value whatever so far as lake trout
and brook trout are concerned, and I will give you my reasons.
But still, as I say, it may be that I might change my views after
another season’s work with the lake trout. In order to be val-
uable it must do the work before the eggs are at 450 temperature
units development; because at that time it would take longer to
pick the eggs out of the trays in the troughs or baskets, (if you
hatch them that way), and prepare, put them in the solution
and wash them up, than to handle the trays and pick the eggs
out. But at that time there is not one per cent of bad or unfer-
tized eggs in the tray. So unless this method can apply before
what we call the eyed stage, with 400 and over temperature
units, we cannot use it with lake trout.

I know from the experiments that we could do nothing
with this method in what we call green eggs—the bad eggs
would not rise. That is why I say, as far as I have gone, it
is of no value to us, because after the eyed stage it will take more

52 Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting.

time to get your eggs off the trays into the tub, pan or whatever
you may have your solution in, and put them back again, than
it will to handle the trays and pick out what is necessary.

With brook trout, according to our experiences, it will not
work on green eggs; with the eyed eggs it is not advantageous
to use the process. We get, for instance, from the commercial
fisherman, 95 to 99 per cent of good eggs, as we receive them.
Now it is of no value there, because those eggs can be picked out
by hand quicker than you can empty them from the trays.

As I understand it, with salmon, when they are prepared
for shipment, there are more or less fertilized clear eggs.

Mr. Titcomb: Yes, when you can barely see the eyespot.

Mr. Clark: As we are handling lake trout at Northville
to-day, when you can barely see the eye spot, they are over 60
days old, in our colder water; and should we allow them to re-
main unpicked until that time all would be lost. If we can go
over our eggs and have them sorted out pretty thoroughly when
they are two or three weeks old, the principal work of the win-
ter has been accomplished. Now, with our 40,000,000 lake trout
eggs at Northville, had we allowed them to go until the time
that the salt solution would be available, we would have one
great mass of dead eggs. The salt solution method would be a
saving only if we could apply it to eggs one or two weeks old.
It cost us last winter probably $700 to $900 for help to sort out
the dead eggs from 40,000,000 lake trout eggs. Could we use
the salt solution method before the eggs had become eyed, it
would be valuable.

Mr. Titcomb: Have you ever tried salting your eggs as
you would salt fish, in order to avoid fungus—green eggs?

Mr. Clark: No sir. I do not think the question of fungus
is anything we need bother about. I do not think you should
allow these eggs to remain in the troughs on the trays, even if
they have not become fungused.

Q. What is the objection ?

A. I think there is something that comes off the dead eges
that should not be left in the water with the other eggs.

yt

0)
Oo

American Fisheries Society.

Q. You did not try it on brook trout?
A. We tried it on eyed brook trout.

Q. Did it work?

Pate INO,

Q. It would not raise the dead ones?

eo NOVSIT.

Q. Did you try a number of solutions ?
EU eS.

Mr. Titcomb: I have seen eyed brook trout eggs come in
from field stations when half of them were dead.

Mr. Clark: I am unable to see why they should be that way.

Q. You have not operated field stations with brook trout
eggs, have you?

A. Ob, yes, I have.

Mr. Titcomb: Of course the conditions vary, but there
are field stations where you cannot get all good eggs, I do not
care how well the matter is handled.

Mr. Clark: Do I understand, Mr. Titcomb, that eyed eggs
have come from the field station and 50 per cent of the eggs
were dead after they were eyed ?

A. No, the eggs were not dead, they were unfertilized eggs.
Q. ‘They were white, were they?

A. They turned white in transit.

Mr. Clark: Why were they not allowed to turn before be-
ing shipped ?

Mr. Titcomb: They cannot sometimes stop to do that, where

os at a field station,

¢

they are handling millions of brook trout eg
with probably only one man to do the work.

Mr. Clark: Of course, if there is not help enough it is 2
‘different question.

D4 Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting.

Mr. Titcomb: There is no object in it if you can take them
to the main station in that way and revive them with salt solu-
tion.

Mr. Clark: Yes, if your salt solution will work.

Mr. Titcomb: I would like to see the problem worked at
by different fish culturists. There must be a difference in spec-
ific gravity between live and dead brook trout eggs, just as there
is between live and dead common eggs, and a test with different
solutions ought to disclose a solution by the use of which the
dead eggs would rise to the surface and separate themselves from
the live ones.

Mr. Clark: I am not prepared to say that I have made ex-
periments far enough in this matter to speak decisively. We
should like to have the problem solved if it will help us out on
the lake trout question; but with us the brook trout is a com-
paratively small matter. But if it won’t work on the green eggs,
I cannot see the value of it; unless shipments come in from the
field containing unfertilized eggs, and they change their color
enroute, and are ready to be removed upon arrival.

Mr. Titecomb: There is one condition that prevails in sal-
mon work that does not prevail in the trout work. ‘The salmon
eges all being eyed and placed in the baskets, say three inches
deep, a solid mass of eggs; while Mr. Clark would have that
same number of eggs in probably half a dozen trays, one on top
of another.

Mr. Clark: Three trays.
Mr. Titcomb: An inch deep of eggs on each tray.
ood .
Mr. Clark: Practically, yes, aside from the size of the trays.
Mr. Titeomb: How many layers of eggs to the tray?
A. They are full.
Q. About three layers of eggs?
A. They are full, about three layers.

Mr. Ward Bower: I do not consider the use of the salt
solution to be practical in the handling of quinnat salmon eggs,

American Fisheries Society. 55

judging from what I had to do with the experiments at Battle
Creek station, California. 1 think it is of much greater import-
ance to get better eggs so that there will be but few bad eggs to
to be disposed of. A salt solution has to be absolutely correct,
one to nine, or it will not work. I tried it several different days,
and the first time happened to get it exactly right. The next
two days it would not work with a solution supposed to be one
to nine, but which upon investigation I found to be about one
to nine and a quarter, and with even this would not work. The
eggs should be at least 350 temperature units in development
in order to make the plan of use; because they will not stand the
handling much earlier. The loss would be great if they were
handled at only 200 to 500 temperature units of development.

Mr. Clark: Have you tried earlier stages of the eges; for

instance, have you tried from 375 down to 300 temperature

units ?

Mr. Ward Bower: No sir, it was not tried with anything
under 350 I think, to be exact.

Mr. Clark: And did the eye spot show then?
PNGee NCEE
(). Had there been any eggs picked out previous to that?

A. They had been picked every day, with the exception of
two or three days during the real critical stage of development
and I consider it essential that they should be handled every
day. By this course we have reduced the percentage of loss
from twenty to two and one-half per cent.

Mr Titcomb: Could not you apply the salt solution right
in the box, by shutting off one compartment ?

Mr. Ward Bower: I do not think there would be room.
Of course the hatching troughs in use there are just the plain
troughs. There are no compartments in them, just plates that
spring in.

Q. Sheet iron ?

A. They are sheet iron. Those at the Baird station are
made of steel about one-twelfth of an inch thick, but they

56 Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting.

do not seem to be as good as those made of number 22 galvanized
iron, sprung into position. In the others the steel has to drop
into a slot and often sticks; while the other springs in and is
much more convenient and easy to use.

Mr. Titcomb: In connection with this poimt on which Mr.
Ward Bower has touched, the importance of attempting to fer-
tilize as large a percentage of eggs as possible, I do not think
that ought to detract at all from any attempt to make the salt
solution effective, because there are certainly instances in almost
every branch of fish culture, when you get a bad lot of eggs, and
will have a considerable lot to pick out, or else throw the whole
of them away.

PROGRESS AND EXPERIMENTS IN FISH CULTURE
DURING THE PAST YEAR IN THE
BUREAU OF FISHERIES.

BY JOHN W. TITCOMB, ASSISTANT IN CHARGE OF DIVISION OF FISH
CULTURE.

Perhaps the most interesting and important discovery is
that of Superintendent Henry O’Malley of the Baker Lake sta-
tion on the Use of the Salt Solution as an Aid to Fish Culture.
His paper on this subject, given elsewhere, is self explanatory.

Tests made at other salmon stations prove the value of the
discovery when it becomes desirable to remove a large number
of dead eggs after they have passed the more tender stages of
development. For instance, all unfertilized eggs can be re-
moved when preparing a lot for transportation in egg cases. The
experiments of Superintendent Lambson as reported by him are
here given:

First. Eggs of 486 temperature units development with an
equal number of dead eggs were placed in a salt solution of one
part salt to six parts water. Eggs showed no signs of injury
the day following.

Second. Equal numbers of good and bad eggs were placed in
a solution of one of salt and seven of water. All eggs remained
suspended just below the surface, and no separation between the
good and bad occurred. No injury to good eggs followed the
immersion.

Third. Equal numbers of good and bad eggs were placed in
a solution of one of salt to eight of water. After three minutes
good eggs began to settle to the bottom, after five and a half
minutes all good eggs had settled leaving none but dead eggs
floating, these were readily poured off.

Fourth. Equal numbers of good and bad eggs were placed in
a solution of one of salt to nine of water. At the end of fifteen
seconds the good eggs began to settle; in two minutes none but
good eggs remained at the surface, this gave best results.

Fifth. Equal numbers of good and bad eggs were placed in a
57

58 Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting.

solution of one of salt to ten of water. All the good eggs and
many of the dead at once settled to the bottom.

Sixth. Equal numbers of good and dead eggs were placed in a
solution of one of salt to eleven of water. All promptly settled
to the bottom. Eggs left in a solution of one of salt to seven
of water for five minutes show a dent in the shell and feel soft
and flabby as if a portion of the contents had been expelled.
They resumed their normal appearance after returning to fresh
water, and suffered no ill effects. Eggs remained in a one to
nine solution for seven minutes without injury. Unfertilized
eggs that have not turned white will settle to the bottom in a one
to nine solution as promptly as the good eggs, but will turn white
shortly after they are returned to fresh water; a second immer-
sion will cause them to float when they can be readily poured or
skimmed off. All good eggs used in the experiments were over
four hundred temperature units of development. After eggs
have passed the tender stage, over four hundred temperature
units, the one to nine solution affords a cheap and easy method
of removing the dead or unfertilized eggs, but until this devel-
opment has been reached it cannot be successfully used as the
eges are too tender to withstand removal from the trough and
pouring into the solution. It is doubtful if this method could
be applied to Baird and sub-stations as eggs are picked daily
through the tender stage, to avoid the collection of fungus, and
practically all dead eggs are removed before good eggs have devel-
oped to a stage where they can be placed in the salt solution with-
out injury. By picking the eggs daily we have a loss of from
three to five percent; if they were buried or covered during the
tender period to permit the use of the salt solution, the loss would
probably be much greater from fungus. We find that the salt
solution works best when not over twenty or thirty thousand are
used at one time; when more than this number is used the good
eggs .become entangled with the dead and are thus supported
at the top and cannot be separated. As we frequently put from
forty to fifty thousand in a basket it was necessary to divide the
basket to hold one half while the other half was in the salt solu-
tion. I can readily see the value of this method in special cases
such as an injury to a basket of eggs after they have passed the
tender stage which would make it necessary to remove a large

American Fisheries Society. 59

number; also in shipping should a great number of unfertilized
eggs remain in the basket. The unfertilized can be removed at
the time of the packing in the cases.

Experiments were made as to the value of the salt solution
in handling eggs of brook trout and lake trout without satisfac-
tory results.

Superintendent Stone opines that the differences in the spe-
cific gravity of live lake trout eggs and dead ones is not suffi-
cient to make it practicable to separate them by the use of the
salt solution, and he adds that indications seem to show that the
method will sueceed with brook trout eggs.

Supt. Clark is present and you will undoubtedly wish to hear
him tell the results of his experiments.

Even if this labor-saving method of picking eggs is only ap-
plicable to eggs of the Pacific Coast salmon it is still of great
value.

Considerable progress has been made in the past four years
in the method of taking and fertilizing eggs of the Pacific coast
salmon.

An important step in this direction was when the late Clouds-
ley Rutter discovered the use of the normal salt solution for wash-
ing eggs before being fertilized. This was found to be very ben-
eficial in cleaning eggs which were frequently covered with blood
and filth under the old method of stripping. In the year 1904
several experiments were made by the superintendent of the
Clackamas station to test the efficacy of bleeding fish prior to
taking the eggs and the value of this method, if any, over the
use of the normal salt solution for washing them. ‘These experi-
ments tended to show that the normal salt solution was unnec-
essary but were not conclusive.

During the past year experiments have been conducted by
the superintendents of the Baird, Baker lake, and Clackamas
stations and the results indicate that the normal salt solution
is not necessary if the fish are killed and properly bled before the
eggs are taken.

The conclusions of the superintendent of the Baird station
go even farther, he having decided that the quickest and best
method is to kill the fish, take the eggs by incision in the thin
side wall of the belly an inch or more from the fins and fertil-

60 Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting.

ize by the dry method without washing in the normal salt solu-
tion.

The incision is made in the thin side walls of the belly about
one inch or more from the fins. But a few drops of blood fol-
low the incision and most of it runs to the tail of the fish, and
does not foul the pan of eggs. The experiments of Superintend-
ent Lambson are of such interest that they are here given.

1. From seven salmon killed by a blow on the head 30,000
egos were taken by hand, fertilized by the dry method, and picked
until shipped, the loss amounting to ten and three-fourths per
cents

2. Seven salmon were killed by a blow on the head and bled
30 seconds before spawning by cutting off the tail; 30,000 eggs
were taken as soon as the blood stopped flowing, washed in the
normal salt solution, fertilized by the dry method, and picked
daily. The loss to the time of shipment was one and one-fifth
per cent.

3. Seven salmon were killed by a blow on the head, and 15
seconds later were bled by cutting off the tail. After bleeding
30 seconds 24,000 eggs were taken by hand and fertilized by the
dry method. They were picked daily until shipped, the loss
amounting to two per cent.

4. Seven females were killed but not bled, 30 seconds after
kalling 34,000 eggs were taken from an incision in the side and
washed in the normal salt solution. The eggs were fertilized by
the dry method and picked daily until shipped, the loss being
seven per cent.

5. From seven salmon killed and bled after the manner de-
scribed in Experiment 3, 30,000 eggs were taken by incision and
washed once in fresh water. Fertilization was accomplished
by the dry method and the loss resulting from the daily pickings
to the time of shipment was two and one-half per cent.

6. After killing and bleeding seven salmon according to For-
mula No. 3, 40,000 eggs were taken by incision, washed once in
the normal salt solution, and fertilized by the dry method. The
daily pickings of the eggs to the time of shipment amounted to
four per cent.

7. From 16 females 82,000 eggs were taken by the old meth-

American Fisheries Society. 61

od of spawning while alive. They were fertilized by the dry
method and picked daily until shipped, with a loss of four per
cent.

The experiments demonstrated that it is useless to bleed the
fish, as practically the same amount of blood followed the incis-
ion in both cases, and as it was only a few drops no harm could
result were it all to mingle with the eggs in the pan. The quick-
est and best method is to kill the fish, take the eggs by incision
in the thin side walls of the belly an inch or more from the fins,
and then fertilize by the dry method without using the normal
salt solution. The washing of the eggs, as described in Experi-
ment No. 5, proved nothing, as they were not exposed to the
water over half a minute before fertilizing.

Heretofore at Baird station all eggs have been taken by hand
from living fish, the objections to killing before spawning being
the large loss of eggs resulting from the killing of the partially
ripe fish. The new method has been found to possess many
advantages over the old, resulting in the saving of both time and
labor, and by exercising a little care, it is possible to see that
only fully ripe fish are put into the pens. It does away entirely
with the butchering of the females after the regular spawning
in order to obtain the few remaining eggs—a most unpleasant
work, as a profusion of blood was caused by the rupture of the
small blood vessels during the regular spawning, which necess-
itated frequent washings in the normal salt solution before fer-
tilization could be accomplished. Another good feature of the
new method is that it obviates the necessity of a skilled spawn-
taker.

The season at Baird had closed before the experiments were
made, but the new method was adopted exclusively at the Battle
Creek and Mill Creek stations, and in addition to the time and
labor saved, the quality of the eggs was improved.

The dry method of fertilization is used entirely at Baird
and substations, and as soon as possible after applying the milt
the eggs are washed. When there is time they are washed until
the water in the pan shows no trace of milt, but if there is a
large amount of spawning they are put through several changes
of water only before being transferred to the spawning buckets,
and in this case the water in the pan is slightly milky. The

62 Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting.

eges are placed in ten-gallon buckets—from 40,000 to 50,000
to a bucket—and allowed to remain absolutely quiet until they
become free. This precaution is necessary, as they are very

tender during the adhesive stage.

Formerly it was the custom to build the spawning and the
washing platforms adjoining each other, but now the washing
platform is placed at a distance from. the other, and the loss in
egos ranges from five to ten per cent less.

Directions were issued to the superintendent on the Pacific
Coast to examine the spawning beds of salmon, to ascertain if
possible the percentage of fertilization under natural conditions.
The superintendent of Baker Lake station secured 355 eggs of
the blueback salmon from a spawning bed in the upper Baker
tiver, and out of this number 51 were found to contain embryos.
Later in the season he visited the same beds but was unable to
secure eggs, many of the beds being covered to a depth of from
one to three feet, with sand and gravel which had washed in upon
them during high water and after the fish had spawned.

The reports from the superintendent of Clackamas and his
assistants at the various field stations are somewhat conflicting,
but the general inference is that a large percentage of eggs are
fertilized and that only a small percentage hatch. Superintend-
ent Wallich describes his observations of a male salmon in the
act of emitting milt on a large spawning bed with many other
salmon of both sexes. He continues by saying “The milt
seems to come out like a flash and almost instantly spread out
covering an area of from one half to one yard in diameter. It
produced a pronounced milky hue which vanished rapidly as it
floated down stream and became still further minutely divided.

Since that time I have never observed a male and female in
the successful act of natural propagation, though I have observed
female salmon many times in the evolutions that tend to relieve
them of their eggs.”

The superintendent of Baird station feels that a larger per-
centage of eggs were fertilized than the reports from the Clack-
amas station show. It is believed that the report of his obser-
vations will be of interest, and it is as follows: “The clean
eravel or stones in the bottom of the creek, usually called the
nest or bed, is the point where the female deposits her eggs. It

American Fisheries Society. 63

is not cleaned off prior to the deposit of the eggs but during the
efforts of the fish while spawning. The gravel and small stones
are also loosened at the same time and carried down stream where
they form a mound or ridge a few feet below the point of depos-
it. This ridge probably plays a very important part in the
fertilization of the eggs by causing them to collect in the water
just in front. As soon as the eggs are deposited they drift down
stream over the bottom and come to rest in front of the ridge.
In spawning the female moves up to the place of deposit, turns
on her side, and with a flopping motion ejects a portion of her
egos; she then moves off and the male takes her place and ejects
a portion of his milt. By the time the milt is ejected the eges
have drifted down stream to or almost to the mound. The milt
is also carried down stream and is brought to rest at the mound,
where it comes in contact with the eggs. If the eggs did not
collect at the ridge very few would ever come in contact with the
milt, as the current would carry the milt away before it was
thoroughly mixed with the water. As the female deposits but
a small portion of her eggs at a time, and the spawning extends
over a period of several days, each time she deposits her eggs
more gravel and more sand are loosened and drift down to the
mound, covering the eggs previously laid and usually killing
them. Practically all the eggs on the several nests examined
were just in front of the mound or ridge; some were lying in
plain view upon the bottom and were picked up in small skaff
nets. They were very young, still slippery, and had evidently
just been deposited.

By moving the gravel in front of the ridge other eggs were
uncovered, which in most cases had passed the slippery stage.
Practically all of the eggs thus’ uncovered were dead when found,
having been killed probably by the gravel washing upon them
while in the tender stage or smothered by not getting a current
of water. A few eggs were found behind the ridge, having ev-
idently passed over the top.

The rate of fertilization was much better than had been
expected, at least fifty per cent, but practically all were dead
when found.

The small increase from natural reproduction is very likely
due to the high rate of mortality after fertilization, and not to

64 Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting.

imperfect impregnation. Eggs of widely different degrees of
development were found, indicating that the place had previ-
ously been used for spawning purposes by other fish, or that
they had been carried down stream from above, the former prob-
ably being the case. No indications of mating or pairing were
noticed, the female spawning with any male that appeared upon
the scene at the time, and the males running from one bed to
another and spawning with several females. The males will
fight off others that come around the spawning bed, but while
he is chasing them another male will frequently spawn with her.
If a female was driven from the nest she moved off a few yards
and spawned in another place without making a nest, but as soon
as we moved away returned to the original place. An employee
of Battle Creek station states he has found eggs under two feet
of gravel, all dead of course. This depth of gravel was doubtless
due to high water though some of it may have been deposited
by spawning fish.

The number of fry hatched from the eggs thus deposited
is believed to be not over two: percent.”

EXPERIMENTS IN TRANSPORTING EGGS.

In connection with the Craig Brook Station, Maine, Super-
intendent Atkins conducted some experiments in the transporta-
tion of salmon eggs long distances in a critical stage of devel-
opment. At Sebee Lake eggs of the landlocked salmon to the
number of 10,000, varying in age from 6 days to 21 days, were
packed upon wire hatching trays on which they were resting
in the hatchery, by padding them between the trays and around
them with moss so as to prevent jars, and in this way they were
brought safely through to Craig Brook.

In January 1995, in a shipment of salmon eggs to the upper
Penobscot, several shallow boxes were filled with eggs in masses,
lying at least four deep, and no bad results followed. In one
instance, such a mass of eggs lay at the bottom of the package
and became frozen on the way, the bottom not being as well pro-
tected as the top and sides. Enough water had settled in among
them to form a little cake of ice, in which the eggs were imbed-
ded; such a cake of ice was kept by itself, and as it thawed it
released 65 eggs. These finally hatched, every one of them, and

oe

American Fisheries Society. 65

the loss on the fry up to the time of liberation was only five
fish out of the 65. Probably, though, the eggs themselves were
not actually frozen.

NOTES ON POND CULTURE.

Science has been of practical assistance to fish culture through
the important pathological investigations of Mr. M. C. Marsh
on fish diseases. It has been found that fish diseases are fre-
quently due to abnormal conditions of the water supply caused
by superaeration, lack of aeration, or the presence of obnoxious
gasses. Reference is had more especially to the investigations
of the diseases of the trout.

Another opportunity for the scientist to render practical aid
to the fish culturist is in that branch termed Pond Culture. To
a certain degree is involved the question of normal water aeration,
in the lack of which has been found the cause of diseases among
trout.

The importance of aquatic plants in pond culture and their
value as oxygenators is well known. Valuable papers have been
written relevant to the subject—notably one by Mr. C. K. Green
at the last meeting of this society. From six to ten species of
well known aquatic plants are regarded by all pond fish culturists
as especially desirable. During the past two years endeavors
have been made to collect specimens of all the aquatic plant life
at the various pond cultural stations. The superintendents have
reported the relative value of each so far as known; of what
specific use the desirable ones are, and the objectionable features
of the obnoxious ones. This work has developed the fact that
some of the common aquatic plants are not of the same sub-
species at all of the stations and the kinds of plants most valu-
able at one station are not so highly regarded at another. <A
fairly desirable plant at one station may become an obnoxious
weed at another because of its dense and exuberant growth. The
various subspecies of one genus are not of equal value. For ex-
ample, it has just been called to my attention by Superintendent
L. G. Harron that a species of myriophyllum not heretofore
used in the aquarium or in fish ponds at Washington, D. C., is
more desirable than the common form because it holds its foli-
age from the root to the top of the stem. Identification is await-

5

66 Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting.

ing a blooming specimen. ‘The plants which are valuable in
pond culture are desirable for introduction into waters resorted
to by the anglers. ‘They want to know if the ponds in which
they are interested are lacking in fish food, aeration, shade, ete.,
and what aquatic plants, if any, are respectively qualified to rem-
edy the defect. The public as well as the fish culturists, there-
fore, are inquiring about such matters. The field for study is
a broad one. Some plants are food producers, are valuable for
shade as well, and some are especially useful for oxygenating
the water. To identify all the desirable and obnoxious aquatic
plants commonly found in ponds; to ascertain the specific value
or objectionable qualities of each; last, but not least, to ascer-
tain just what plants are oxygenators and to what extent, is an
important work which the fish culturist must surrender to the
scientist, or more specifically, to the plant physiologist.

At each of the pond culture stations records are being kept
of the number of breeders to each pond and the results in the
number of young fish for distribution. The object of these rec-
ords is to ascertain what number of brood fish of the various
species can be carried with most economical results in ponds
of a given area and depth; also to ascertain of what area and
depth ponds should be constructed in order to produce the best
results. ‘The experiments cannot be brought to a conclusion in
one or two years, but eventually each superintendent should be
able to stock his brood ponds with a knowledge of what number
of fish in each will produce the most satisfactory results. The
planning of future pond culture stations can be based upon the
knowledge thus gained.

The use of copper as an algicide and disinfectant in water
supplies, reported by Messrs. George IT. Moore and Karl F. Kel-
lerman of the United States Department of Agriculture (Bul-
letins 64:and 76), led them to laboratory experiments in order to
ascertain the maximum amount of copper sulphate which can
safely be used in water containing fish of certain species.

The matter was then taken up by the Division of Fish Cul-
ture to determine, first, whether the application of copper sul-
phate in proper dilutions to destroy algae would produce any
deleterious effects if administered shortly before the spawning
of large-mouthed black bass, as well as its effects upon minute

American Fisheries Society. 67

aquatic life upon which the young bass feed. Two small ponds
at the Fish Lakes station were selected and six bass were placed
in each. The sulphate in the proportion of 1 to 5,000,000 was
introduced in one of them on April 22.

A roily condition of the water unaccounted for prevented
observations of the nesting bass and the date of spawning could
not be obtained, but on May 8 a fine brood of bass fry was dis-
covered, proving beyond doubt that the copper did not effect the
spawning of bass.

With the disintegration of the algae there appeared myriads
of daphnia.

The ponds in which this experiment was tried were of too
small area to rear the fry to fingerlings, and on June 12 copper
sulphate 1 to 5,000,000 was applied to a pond of 1.55 acres with
an average depth of twenty and three-fourths inches. This pond
was inhabited by adult large-mouthed bass fry and baby finger-
hngs. The latter were being seined out for distribution. By
June 22 much of the algae had disappeared, comparatively little
remaining. Its disintegration caused the water to impart a very
offensive odor when stirred. Careful observations about the
pond and of the young fish seined from it daily after the copper
was administered disclosed no deleterious effects upon the young
fish.

The writer was assisted in these experiments by Dr. Geo.
T. Moore, the discoverer of the valuable uses of copper in water
supplies, and by his assistant, Karl F. Kellerman. Some labora-
tory tests made by them showed the following results:

Large-mouthed black bass 100 eggs uninjured by 1 to 1,000,
OOO,

50 one-day old fry uninjured by 1 to 1,000,000.

50 five-day old fry uninjured by 1 to 1,000,000.

25 ten-day old fry uninjured by 1 to 1,000,000.

Crappie, very young fry uninjured by 1 to 1,009,000,

Fish food is an important item of expense at stations where
brood fish are carried or young fish are fed for a considerable
period before distribution. More or less experimental work in
this direction has been conducted at all such stations of the
Bureau of Fisheries, and during the past year the work has been
more systematic than heretofore. The prejudice against the use

68 Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting.

of hogs’ plucks is now largely overcome, and the cost of feeding
at stations where this material has been substituted for beef
plucks has been greatly reduced.

At stations where fresh food is not always available there
is a demand for preserved foods. It is evident that fish need
nitrogenous foods. The question arises how much waste there
may be in the use of cereals, and to what extent it can be avoided.
In connection with the experiments on this subject it may be
necessary to examine the feces of the fish, and if the waste is
quite large the fact can be disclosed by the use of a low-power
glass. ‘The extensive use of wheat middlings suggests the sub-
stitution of other less expensive grains, or vegetables. A begin-
ning has been made by experiments in the use of cotton seed
meal; meal from the germ of corn; beans; lentils; macaroni.
If any combination of vegetables or cereals with meat can be
found which seems to agree with the fish an analysis will be made
to ascertain just what elements are most satisfactory. An analy-
sis of the mixtures which do not agree with the fish will also be
made in order to ascertain just what elements should be elimin-
ated. It is proposed to analyze preparations which have been
cooked, as well as those fed without cooking, whether composed
of the same ingredients or not. Dr. H. W. Wiley of the depart-
ment of Agriculture has already materially assisted the Bureau
in this direction.

Mention of these experiments is here made because it may
suggest new ideas to the fish culturists of this Socitey which will
lead to successful experimental work. The field seems to be a
very broad one. °

In connection with food experiments it is desirable to be
able to answer certain questions rather definitely, although local
conditions have much to do with the subject. For illustration,
it should be possible to state the cost of feeding a given number
of fish of a certain species and age during a stated period. The
growth should also be noted by weight. It is realized that this
necessitates a long and careful series of experiments by the iso-
lation of certain lots of fish at a number of stations.

The report of Superintendent Atkins contains some inter-
esting data, and it is as follows:

“With the exception of a single cow-careass, all the food

American Fisheries Society. 69
y

used at the station the past year has consisted of hogs’ plucks
bought of J. P. Squire and Company of Boston, at prices rang-
ing from five to nine cents per pluck, or generally five cents,
making a mean cost of about one and one-fourth cents per pound,
or, including freight, one and one-half cents per pound. The
total purchased during the feeding season of 1904, that is, from
April 2 to October 31, was 24,145 pounds. Its cost in Boston
was $301.01, and, including freight, $362.21. The food given
the fry has always been recorded separately from that given to
the older fish. During the season of 1904 the fry under feeding
numbered 543,744 of all sorts, namely:

SG AMVC EE SEMAN OM eestase cc "a's, Sasiavarslictearc.tr ose es 304,490
Wamllocked SaUMOMss.. weet. Ge wee ae 2,458
Aaa MOO Wine LLOUG ee tects. ois of Ae ee ans eee 1,589
TerOGles UOU Ry cae ethos res ee 219,783
WCOUCIN Sw Ga, we EON ee, cenb eens ucnoaa erars 6,285
SicelheadewterGUrer sty nmi eee eee Cer: 9,139

Feeding began about June 1, and between that date and the
end of October these fry consumed 17,871.9 pounds of food cost-
ing $307.09, or $0.000565 per fish. Thus seventeen and seven-
tenths fish ate one cent’s worth of food, including the freight.
Reckoning on the basis of the number of fish left on hand October
1, the result would be somewhat effected, but on this basis it
would still appear that not far from thirteen fish were supplied
with food for one cent.”

Nothing has been done during the past year with the view
of increasing the natural reproduction of fish food in ponds or
for the purpose of producing on a large scale, live food such as
minute aquatic life and insect larvae, although the importance
of this line of experiments is fully appreciated.

The importance of recording failures is sometimes quite as
great as the report of successes. At several stations of the Bu-
reau attempts have been made to propagate the spotted catfish
ictalurus punctatus without successful results. Little is known
about their spawning habits, but they apparently spawn in run-
ning water on gravel or rocky bottom. Superintendent Jones of
Fishery station reports that at the World’s fair in Chicago in
1893 he stripped a spotted catfish and fertilized the eggs, but the

70 Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting.

water was so warm and muddy that the eggs fungussed and per-
ished. It may be necessary to handle these fish the same as trout
or landlocked salmon, instead of by intensive pond culture. The
conditions under which catfish have been held at the various
ponds have not been entirely similar, and it may be well to re-
port them.

At Fishery, Tennessee, a brood stock were retained in a
pond 200 feet by 10 feet, with a water supply of about 20 gallons
per minute. The fish are said to be fat and in good condition,
but have not been known to take artificial food since their ar-
rival at the station.

At White Sulphur Springs a brood stock was received Janu-
ary 19)5, and placed in a pond about .66 acres in area, and four
and one-half feet in depth at the outlet, running about eight
inches in depth in the shallow parts. The bottom !s made of clay
and sandy soil. The water supply varies from 25 to 75 gallons
per minute. The fish appear to be in very good condition.

At Wytheville a brood stock purchased from a dealer on
New River, December, 1902, were first placed in a pond of
about 20 feet by 100 feet, supphed with water from a spring. In
April 1903, they were transferred to two breeding ponds which
had been prepared for them. One of these ponds was about 40
feet by 80 feet, with a water depth of 6 inches to 5 feet, and a
gravelly clay bottom. The other pond ranged from 6 inches to
3 feet in depth, and of about the same area and a meadow loam
bottom. Both ponds are nearly rectangular in shape, and had a
water supply of about 60 gallons per minute. The following
year the fish were all placed in one pond 60 by 110 feet, with
a water depth ranging from six inches to three and one-half feet.
The bottom was meadow loam with some bulrushes and other
plant life in the shallow bottom. The water supply was about
70 gallons per minute. During the past season the fish were
planted in a pond of about 1175 square feet in area, somewhat
rectangular ‘n shape with the water depth ranging from 6 inches
to 4 feet. The bottom was chiefly meadow loam, but with solid
places where the top soil was removed. The pond is well supplied
with plants, and the water supply averages about 100 gallons
per minute. The fish have never been known to spawn.

At the Fish Lakes station 50 spotted catfish from 12 to 16

American Fisheries Society. 71

inches in length were received in good condition last January,
and were placed temporarily in a pond of comparatively small
area. In April they were divided into three lots and transported
to as many ponds. One lot in Pond 17, so called, succumbed to
heat at a temperature of 86 degrees. None of the fish have yet
been known to spawn.

APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT.

At the various stations where eggs of the salmonidae are
developed it has been observed that there is no uniformity in
hatchery equipment, and for various reasons a standard width
of 14 inches inside measure for hatching troughs has been adopt-
ed by the Bureau of Fisheries. It is believed that the adoption
of uniform measurements in all standard equipment of trout
and salmon hatcheries, whether private, state or government
property, would result in a material saving in the cost of con-
struction, and also in the operating expenses.

The adoption of a standard width for troughs is a forerunner
to the establishment. of uniform dimensions of hatchery trays
and other equipment subject to variations made necessary by
local conditions. In this connection it is observed that while
asphaltum paint is used for troughs and interior equipment at
a majority of fish cultural stations, there are stations where the
troughs are successfully used without paint, and others where
lead paint on the inside of troughs is successfully used.

Experiments are now being conducted to ascertain just
what material is most practicable from a fish cultural and eco-
nomical standpoint. For exposition purposes, where clear water
is available, the use of bath tub enamel in wooden troughs has
been found efficacious, as the fish and eggs can be more plainly
seen. No deleterious effects resulted from its use.

At stations where they are not constantly in use the applica-
tion of bath tub enamel on the inside bottoms of rusty transpor-
tation cans has been found efficacious. In the car service, how-
ever, where the cans are almost constantly wet, the enamel soon
becomes soft. Last year 500 cans with enameled bottoms were
purchased; after two or three trips the enamel softened and
rubbed off. An enamel or light colored paint that will stand
continual moisture would be of great value for painting the

ad
rad)

Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting.

bottoms of transportation cans, not only as a preventive of rust,
but also because the bright colored bottom permits the caretaker
to more easily examine the fish. For the latter reason a similar
material would be valuable for hatching troughs.

LOBSTER HATCHING,

The impounding of egg-bearing lobsters on the Maine coast
during the winter of 1904 was so successful that this method of
increasing the collections of eggs was continued during the
winter of 1905 with equally good results. On the Massachusetts
coast the pound is hardly worth while with the present available
supply of lobsters, but experiments were made at the Woods
Hole station to ascertain the practicability of carrying berried
lobsters in live cars throughout the winter. A lot of 100 lob-
strs were divided equally between two cars 5’x4x2’ 8". The
cars had wooden tops and bottoms with galvanized wire cloth
for sides and ends. Up to December 20 the cars were moored
on the surface in the outer basin and on that date were sunk to
the bottom of the harbor, one in thirty-six feet and the other in
eighteen feet of water. Another lot of 300 were placed in two
floating cars 1514’x614’x4' 8” partitioned crosswise, in the outer
basin. All of them were fed regularly to the middle of December,
ofter which date no food was given them until about the middle
of March. Early in January a cold wave practically closed the
harbor with ice and nothing more was seen of the lobsters until
about the middle of March. In the basin where the 300 lob-
sters were placed the ice was over a foot thick during a part of
this period. From the middle of March until April 20 food was
supplied regularly. The two small cars which were sunk to the
bottom showed a loss of about 25 per cent. On taking the lob-
sters from the two floating cars fifty-three were missing, and as
there were no shells or other traces of them, it is possible that
some of them were stolen. The experiment is therefore not en-
tirely conclusive but was sufficiently successful to warrant fur-
them attempts at penning lobsters throughout another season.

In the matter of equipment for hatching lobsters there is a
diversity of opinion among practical fish culturists. During the
past four years the Woods Hole station has operated satisfac-

American Fisheries Society. (3

torily with open-top McDonald jars, fitted with nickel rims ané
over-flow spouts, the water being conducted directly from these
jars into rectangular aquaria of various sizes. No change has
been made in the equipment of the Gloucester station and closed
top McDonald jars have been used. During the past winter
the superintendent has made tests with the open-top Downing
jar. This jar is unquestionably preferable to the open-top Mc-
Donald jar for the reason that there is no metal about it, which
is especially objectionable with salt water. Superintendent Cor-
liss reports that the open-top jar is just as good as the closed-top
jar for hatching purposes, but complains that rectangular
aquaria with open-top jars do not work satisfactorily. He has
been accustomed to hold lobsters in battery jars 15” high and 9”
in diameter, so arranged that two hatching jars empty into one
battery jar and the combined force of water from these two jars
keeps the contents of the battery jars in constant motion. Ina
large aquarium there is always dead water in some parts, and
the eggs and fry collecting there are lost. In holding lobster
fry it appears absolutely necessary to keep them in constant mo-
tion, in order to prevent bunching and smothering, and also to
prevent cannibalism. Mr. Corliss says that another point in
favor of the battery jar is its convenience, and the saving of
time when putting up shipments of fry and in estimating the
number of fry on hand. He states that it takes nearly three
times as long to put up a shipment of lobster fry from a large
aquarium as it does from battery jars. At the new lobster sta-
tion at Boothbay Harbor, Maine, Superintendent Hahn has used
both the open-top and the closed-top jars, and his experience is
very similar to that of Superintendent Corliss. He objects to
the open-top jar when used in connection with rectangular
aquaria. The tests have not been brought to a conclusion, but
apparently there are objectionable features to the square
aquaria. These were adopted at the Woods Hole station upon
the recommendation of a Special Commission for the Investiga-
tion of Lobsters and Soft Shell Clams. It is believed, however,
that the Downing open-top jar or an improvement on the same
will be decidedly preferable to the closed-top jar for hatching
lobsters. It is less expensive than the former, and in addition
has the other advantages already mentioned.

74 Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting.

It has been customary to transport lobsters to the stations
where they are to be stripped of their eggs, and then return
them to the waters from which taken. In general this may be
considered the best method of transporting eggs, but in order
to test the efficacy of stripping the eggs from the lobsters and
transporting them, Superintendent Hahn was directed to ex-
periment with a packing case used in the transportation of trout
eggs. The trays were first thoroughly soaked in salt water, and
nearly 400,000 lobster eggs were then placed upon eight trays.
Before placing the trays in the packing case, the bottom was
covered with ice surrounded with two inches of salt water-
soaked moss. Two empty trays were placed upside down on
top of the ice and the trays of eggs were then added. Canvas
was wrapped around the trays of eggs, and then the interven-
ing space between the canvas and the sides of the case was filled
with alternate layers of moss and crushed ice to the height of
the top tray. The eggs were held by this method twenty-four
hours and then taken out. They had a thoroughly dried ap-
pearance but apparently did not suffer injury. This appears to
be the first time that lobster eggs have been transported on
trays, and the experiment demonstrates that they can be so
transported, precautions being taken to keep them at a proper
temperature without permitting ice or fresh water to come in
contact wih them.

THE EARLY FEEDING OF SALMONOID FRY.

BY CHARLES E. ATKINS, EAST ORLAND, ME.

‘The initial feeding of salmonoid fry has always been regarded
by fish culturists as of critical importance and it has come to be
generally considered of urgent necessity that the first manifes-
tation of desire for food should be met promptly by its gratifi-
eation. Either artificial food must be administered at once or
the fry must be Liberated in water affording an immediate and
constant supply of natural food. Some authorities have even
urged feedings in advance of the absorption of the yolk sack.
The consequences of even a brief delay in this matter have been
supposed to be very serious, extending to the death of all fry
subjected to a few days of hunger.

At the Craig Brook station it has been one of the rules most
rigidly enforced, to watch the fry approaching the completion
of the sack-period very closely, anticipating their appetites by
tempting bits thrown in tentatively, and to lose not a day in
satisfying the first demand for food. As early however as 1897
a single experiment in fasting had indicated that the question
of the soundness of the theories accepted might well be taken
up, and with the hope of accumulating data from which safe
rules of procedure could be formulated, several experiments in
the enforced fasting of fry were undertaken in 1904, and a
more extended series in 1905. It is the purpose of this paper
to present the most important results obtained from the experi-
ments of 1905.

The data which I will consider concern the treatment of 4
lots of brook trout fry, 4 of lake trout, 8 of Atlantic salmon and
4 of silver salmon, 20 lots in all, that were subjected to enforced
abstinence from food; and of 3 control lots which were closely
related to the fasting subjects, but were amply fed. All of these
fry were hatched at Craig Brook. The feeding and fasting were
conducted in troughs a little more than a foot wide, in which a
depth of water of about + or 5 inches was maintained. The wa-
ter was mainly derived from Craig pond, a lakelet of great

n

d

76 Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting.

purity, but was mixed with spring water, the latter constituting
perhaps one-third of the supply in part of the trough system
and less than one-eighth part in the others. All of the fry were
hatched in the supply containing the smaller proportions of
spring water, and some of the experiments were begun there,
but all were flnally moved to the troughs fed by other mixture.
The temperature ranged from 50 to 64 degrees F.

The brook trout treated were all derived from eggs received
from private parties in Massachusetts, who were rearing trout
for the food market, and were of inferior quality and lacking
in vigor, as shown by the history of the control lot, No. 1768,
out of which were taken the experimental lots, 4 in number,
consisting of 1,000 fry each, A, B, C and D. On May 23, the
control lot began to feed, and thenceforth received chopped
hogs’ liver four times daily. Lot 1768 A was not fed until 5
days later; 1768 B was compelled to wait for its first feed 9
days; 1768 C, 14 days; 1768 D, 19 days. As each of them
reached the termination of its fast it was fed thenceforth like
the control lot, 4 times daily. The results noted were mainly
in the list of deaths, which was kept with great care to secure
accuracy. ‘The number dying was recorded daily, and for the
purpose of this paper the record will be quoted from the begin-
ning of the fast to 15 days after its close. The loss record of
1768 A, thus covered 20 days, and during that time the mortal-
ity amounted to 22, or a little more than 2 per cent. The record-
period of the 9-day fasters, 1768 B, was 24 days, and the deaths
therein were 60, or 6 per cent. The 14-day fasters, lot 1768 C,
in 29 days lost 517, or nearly 52 per cent. The 19-day fasters,
in 34 days lost 776, or nearly 78 per cent. Thus it would appear
that in this series, the losses were severer the longer the fast,
and in the case of the longest fast the loss approached annihil-
ation.

Let us now see how these losses compared with those suffered
by the control lot, which had been fed constantly from the start,
4 times daily. Comparing the latter with the 5-day fasters
(1768 A) the control lot lost four and four-tenths per cent while
the fasters were losing two and two-tenths per cent, that is, if
these results be attributed wholly to the food, the generous feed-
ing doubled the mortality. Compared with the 9-day fasters

->?
~2

American Fisheries Society.
: A

the control lot seems to have reaped a slight advantage from the
food eaten, having lost but four and nine-tenths per cent, while
the fasters were losing six per cent. When we next compare the
eaters with the 14-day fasters, we find the advantage very decid-
edly in favor of the food; the eaters have lost but five and four-
tenths per cent, while the fasters were losing 52 per cent; finally,
the victims of the 19-day fast lost 78 per cent, while the eaters
were losing 6 per cent.

Whether trout fry of prime condition, from vigorous wild
parents, would have suffered as severely as those treated in these
experiments is a question we have no means of answering posi-
tively; but the presumption favors a negative answer.

The next series of experiments to be considered deals with
lake trout fry. Of these there were four lots, of 100 fry each,
and their fasts, as in the case of the trout, were, respectively,
5, 9, 14 and 19 days, but in each case the fry had been fed 6 days
before the fast began. Accounting in each case for the losses
from the beginning of the fast down to 15 days after its close,
it appeared that the mortality was a little heavier than with
brook trout in the cases of the fry fasting 5 and 9 days, and a
httle lighter in cases of the longer fasts. There was no control
lot of lake trout.

Of Atlantic salmon fry there were two series. The first series
embraced 4 lots, of 1,000 each (marked 1847 A, B, C and D),
and their fasts were, respectively, for 5, 10, 15 and 20 days.
None of them had received any food before the experiments
began. The total losses for periods corresponding with the com-
putations for the brook and lake trout, that is, from the begin-
ning of the fast down to 15 days after its close, were respectively,
25, 43, 64 and 217 fry out of each thousand—the percentages
being thus two and five-tenths, four and three-tenths, six and
four-tenths and twenty-one and seven-tenths.

The second series of Atlantic salmon fasters consisted of four
lots of 500 each, from the same control lot as the first series,
namely, No. 1847, and the members of this series were distin-
guished by the letters EK, F, G and H. Their losses for similar
periods as the other series were, respectively, in percentages,
four-tenths, eight-tenths, six and six-tenths and fourteen and
six-tenths. As compared with the first series, these were lighter

78 Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting.

losses except in case of the 15-day fasts, where it was almost
exactly the same. The mean losses of all the lots of the first
series were eight and seven-tenths per cent, and of the second
series five and six-tenths per cent, a difference of three and one-
tenth per cent in favor of the second series. As these fry, both
series, were taken out of the same original lot, the difference
suggests the query whether there was any difference in the treat-
ment of the two series. There was a difference, which I will now
state, without, however, claiming that it explains the difference
in results.

It had occurred to the experimenter that fry that were de-
nied artificial food might still be able to pick up a trifle of food
in the form of minute animal hfe brought in with the water-
supply, to tide them over the waiting period. In order to elim-
inate this source of uncertainty, one series of the Atlantic
salmon fasters was kept in water filtered through gravel and
sand which must have intercepted most, perhaps not all, natural
food. Now did the fry so treated show any effect of being de-
prived of an equal opportunity to snatch a possible bite of live
food now and then? On the contrary, the fry so rigorously
treated had lighter losses than those in unfiltered water. ‘The
general summary for the series in unfiltered water show a loss
of eight and seven-tenths per cent, for those in the filtered
water five and six-tenths per cent, a difference of three and one-
tenth per cent in favor of the filtered water.

Now how do the losses of the fasters compare with those of
the control lot from which they were taken and which had been
fed 4 times a day? As in the case of the brook trout the five
day fasts were accompanied in each series of fasters by a light-
er loss than in the fish that were fed. The 10-day fast of the
first series was accompanied by a little heavier, and that of the
second series by a very much lighter loss than in the control.

The facts already stated are certainly surprising, but the
most astonishing part of this experience is still to be laid before
you. .It pertains to the experiment with silver salmon. [Oncor-
hynchus Kisutch! This Pacific species the station has handled
this year for the first time. For the fasting experiment 4 lots of
them were counted out, 500 fry in each. They were ready to feed
May 18, and on that day the feeding of the control lot began, at

American Fisheries Society. Fees)

the rate of 4 feeds per day of chopped hogs’ liver. The fasts
were for 5 days, 10 days, 14 days and 19 days. The losses of
the first three lots for the usual period, that is, from the begin-
ning of the fast down to 15 days after its close, were exactly
alike, 8 fish dying out of each lot, a percentage, for the entire
period, of one and six-tenths. The lot that fasted 19 days lost—
in 34 days just 6 fry, a percentage of one and two-tenths. Com-
paring now the 4 lots with each other and stating the losses in
the ratio of the daily losses per 10,000, the fasters for 5 days
lost 8; the fasters for 9 days lost six and four-tenths; the fast-
ers for 14 days lost five and one-half; the fasters for 19 days
lost three and one-half; eight, six and four-tenths, five and one-
half and three and one-half. That is, the longer the frv fasted
the hghter the mortality. Comparing now the fasters with the
control lot it is found that the latter, the feeders, lost at the rate,
stated in daily loss per 10,000, for the different periods, 13;
ten and four-tenths; nine; and seven and-seven-tenths. A mean
of these losses would be 10 daily out of 10,000 or one-tenth of
one per cent, while the mean loss of the fasters was five and
eight-tenths daily out of 10,000, or one-seventeenth of one per
eent. That is, taken all together, the feeders lost almost twice
as heavily as the fasters.

To sum up for all the species except lake trout, the 5-day
fasts were in all cases accompanied by lighter mortality than
that suffered by the feeding fish; the 9 and 10-day fasts by light-
er mortality in some cases, by heavier in others; the 14 to 20-day
fasts by heavier mortality except in the case of silver salmon.

The subsequent behavior of the fry deserves a moment’s
mention. The fry appeared, during the extended fast, to grow
thinner in body, but when feeding began they were in every case
ready, at once took to eating and in a few days showed that they
were building up.

What practical lessons are to be drawn? Far be it from me
to insist that this series of experiments be taken as concluding
the matter. It is only one series, and needs support from others.
Yet the results agree in general with those obtained in 1904 and
earlier, at the Craig Brook Station, and surely indicate that an
early and abundant supply of food is by no means so essential
to trout and salmon fry as we have supposed. They even go

80 Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting.

further and open the question whether feeding at the initial
stage has not ben overdone in the past, both as to time and quan-
tity. Possibly it might be better to wait a few days longer or
to limit the quantity or frequency. But these are questions that
should be very carefully investigated, and I urge the study of the
matter upon all fish-culturists.

ety.

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82 Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting.

DISCUSSION.

President: Perhaps there are some gentlemen here who have
had experience in the same line, and who would like to make
some remarks on the question. We should be glad to hear from
them if they have.

Mr. Titcomb: How do you determine the actual number of
days that have passed, so as to know when to begin reckoning
the period of testing and feeding ?

Mr. Atkins: We carefully watched the fish, and whenever
the general lot was ready to feed then we reckoned that the
fasting began. For instance, the control lots were taken out
of the same original lots as the fasters, so they were all
originally the same lot of eggs. One section would be set out
to be fed and another to fast. Those that were set out to be
fed would be tried carefully, and the regular feeding begun the
imoment they began to take food, and from that time on we
began to take our records.

Mr. Clark: These accurate experiments noted down are very
important. If conclusive, we need not hurry out our fry, as
I have done for many years, for | have always made it a point
to distribute fry before the sac was entirely gone. We were
afraid that otherwise the fish would begin to starve before they
found their natural food. At the present time most of the peo-
ple distributing fish go on that plan: they try to get them out
as fry before the sae is entirely gone, because they are afraid that
otherwise the fish will starve. But, Mr. Atkins, even with our
feeding as we do now, that is, putting our fish in the feeding
trough before the sac is gone, we still find from two per
cent to five or ten per cent that starve and drift down to the
screen. Now, do you think that they are starving, or are they
simply weak fish? Did you make a note in your experiments
as to any such weak fish ?

Mr. Atkins: While the lost are all recorded, although I
did not personally look into the trough to see whether the fish
were up at the head of the trough, or down at the foot, and did
not ask any questions about it, I presume, as is usually the case,
that most of the dead fish were found at the lower end of the

(@9)
AS)

American Fisheries Society.
Yy

trough, and that they were probably weaklings. Why they were
weaklings | think is an open question; but I am more inclined
than ever, after these experiments, to think that the weakness
must have been originally with the fish, and was not because
they were lacking food or had failed to get their share, and that
they would have died anyway. In fact, as was seen in general,
we found that the fish that were fed liberally, lost more during
the short periods, five and ten days, than those that had no
food given them at all. So I think that the probability is,
that when we are able to investigate that question very closely,
we shall find that the cause of the death of those fish is generally
something besides lack of food.

Mr. Clark: Do you now think from these experiments, that
you will feel warranted in not hurrying to get your fry out? I
take it for granted that you have been distributing fry and that
the aim has been to get them out before they were too old.

A. Yes.

Q. And now do you think that you will be warranted in
taking more time, if necessary, and not hurrying?

A. Well yes. I think we will be warranted in taking more
time ; but I would not like that series of experiments to be taken
as conclusive. We must keep trying, and I hope to be able to
try the experiment more extensively another season. I shall
now dare to experiment with a larger number of fish than I did
before, and possibly I will feel a great deal surer of my ground
another season than I do now.

Mr. Dinsmore: I would like to ask if, in the case of the fish
in the controlled lots, the base on which the percentage was
reckoned was the same as in the experimental lots: that is to
say, whether in the controlled lots you had more fish in the
troughs than in the experimental lots. I did not catch the point.

A. No, I have a tabulated statement that will answer that
question. In the case of the first series of Atlantic salmon there
were 1000 in each case, in the first series of the experimenting :
and there were 500 in each of the four of the second series of
experiments; and the control lot was a larger lot containing
15,000, and was held in quite a number of troughs. I cannot
state how much room, comparatively, those fish had, but in the

84 Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting.

ease of the brook trout, the number of brook trout in the control
lot was very large. In the case of the silver salmon the control
lot was just the same size as the experimental lots, 500 in each
lot, and they had the same room. And the performance of the
fish that were fasting was much above those that were fed.

Mr. Talbott: It seems to me that it would be of some inter-
est to know what the final effect on those trout might be. I
know more about pigs than the raising of fish, and a pig ill-fed
in its early months becomes permanently stunted. Is there no
fear that starving the trout will so stunt the fish that it will
never reach the size that it would otherwise reach at maturity ?

Mr. Atkins: I think there is good ground for suspecting
that it will have that effect. The experiments of 1904 were
made in June and July, but I intended to carry all the fish
experimented with, through to October, and then to weigh the
different lots very carefully, and see which had gained the most,
and how much the fasters had suffered in their growth during
the season; but unfortuately the troughs were little experimental
affairs, standing side by side, and were not guarded against each
other; and too many fish jumped over from one to another and
got mixed up, so that I could not rely on the results. This
year, however, those lots are all to be carefully kept separate,
and in October I shall weigh them all and then be able to answer
that question. But to the eye they seem to be keeping up well,
and we hope that even in the case of the longest fast, the fish
will be pretty good fish when fall comes. Of course | do not
wish to be understood as claiming that there is any likelihood
of our finding any advantage in keeping fish fasting 19 or 20
days — I do not expect that. I do not even expect that we shall
find that it is any better for them to fast ten days; and perhaps
it would not be quite so good on the whole, but I do think that
there is a great probability of its proving finally that there is
no particular hurry about turning the fish out in the beginning,
and if it is desirable for any reason to interrupt feeding 1, 2,
3 or 4 days, we need not fear any untoward results from the
interruption. It may be necessary in case of the attack of some
disease to put a group of fish on a limited diet, or have them go
without food for a number of days; and if such experiments in

American Fisheries Society. 85

the future lead to similar results as these that I have reported,
then we should feel quite safe to do such things.

Mr. Clark: J think Mr. Atkins has stated in his discussion
that in 1904 the fish became mixed.

A. Yes.

Mr. Clark: That was the first time we heard you say any-
thing about 1904. In the paper you did not give us those
figures.

Mr. Atkins: I mentioned the fact that I tried it in 1904.

Q. Did you find the percentages run the same in 1904 as
in 1905?

A. Yes, about the same.

Mr. Marsh: Was every remnant of the sac in the 19 day lot
absorbed before the period of fasting began ?

A. Yes.

Mr. Dean: This last spring we took a lot of 1,000 trout up
to the spring to test the water; it was over 2 miles up there,
and we could not feed the fish more than once a day; but they
did as well or better than those fish that had been left in the
hatchery. But in taking out fish for experiments, oftentimes
we take them out of a lot of fish, and necessarily dip out the best
ones; and you leave the inferior fish in the trough for control;
as far as percentage went, those that went to the spring did
better than those that were left in the trough. When there are
a lot of fish in a trough, the weaker ones go to the lower end,
and you usually go to the head of the trough to dip out fish for
experiments, and thus get a superior lot.

Mr. Atkins: [| thought of that point after the experiments
had been concluded, and I asked my foreman, who had direct
charge of the matter, whether he tried to select the best fish,
or whether he tried to select just a fair average of them, and
he told me that he tried to avoid selecting the best fish but to
make a fair average. His effort was in that direction; but of
course it is quite possible that unintentionally the men who

86 Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting.

counted those fish out, did get rather better than the average.
In fact it would not surprise me, if that turned out to be exactly

the case.

Mr. Dean: ‘That is what I mean: you do not intentionally
do so, but cannot help it, because in dipping up, the weak fish
will not get into your nets.

Mr. Atkins: I am hardly ready to accept that theory. I
think the weak fish will get into the net as readily as the good
ones.

Mr. Dean: Yes, if you went clear to the bottom you would
vet the weak fish, but if you just simply get the fish from the top
of the trough, you will get the stronger and hardier specimens.

Mr. Atkins: In our way of handling we go to the bottom
every time. We dip up fish with nets with flat fronts. The
water is only five inches deep and we dip clear to the bottom of
the troughs every time.

Mr. Clark: Would it not be better for Mr. Atkins if he
makes a similar experiment another year, to go further back
than the fry when they are swimming up, and take a tray, say
of 5000 eggs, for your control lot, and a tray of eggs for your
different fasting lots. Then you will have the weak and strong
all together. Then I think you would come nearer a correct
result than by the present method.

Mr. Atkins: Yes, if you are quite sure your eggs are alike
on the different trays; and I think it would be well worth while
to begin with the eggs, instead of waiting for the fry.

Mr. Clark: Start after your eggs are eyed.

Mr. Titcomb: In your observations or experiments, have
you observed that fry do not take any food whatever until the
sac is entirely absorbed ?

Mr. Atkins: | have not observed. I have not studied them
in that direction enough to say.

Mr. Clark: I have seen them take it before the sae was

gone.

@,0)
-~2

American Fisheries Society.

Mr. Atkins: I think I have seen that thing happen. It
will snap at it at any rate.

Mr. Clark: I have seen them take liver.

Mr. Titcomb: It has been quite customary, and believed to
be desirable at many stations to begin to feed fry before the sae
is absorbed, sometimes giving them nothing but blood. But in
this case I wondered just how you knew when the sac was
entirely absorbed. I thought you judged the fasting period as
against the feeding period by the time the fish began to take
food rather than as to whether the sac was entirely absorbed or

not.

Mr. Atkins: You are correct. We go rather by the indica-
tion of the fish as to whether they want food than by actual
examination, to determine the absorption of the sac. Those
have been my instructions to my assistants, to try the fish, and
whenever they are ready for food to give it to them. But in
general it can be said that we began about the time the sac was
absorbed. I do not think that in case of our fish there has been
any general anticipation of the absorption of the sac in their
taking food, although not having studied that point very closely
T would not ike to be certain of the absolute correctness of the
statement.

Mr. Titcomb: Then if the trout, in your experiments,
came up to take food a little before the sac was absorbed, this
experiment may have been begun a little before the sac was ab-
sorbed ?

A. It is possible.

Secretary: There are some communications from members
asking questions in regard to trout, this being the subject under
discussion.

1 have received with the following report a letter containing
a question which is as follows:

“There is one guestion, recently called to my attention, in
relation to fish culture, which I should be very much pleased
to have discussed by the society.

T am President of the Grand Mesa Lake and Park Company,
the proprietor of 13 large lakes on the Grand Mesa in Colorado,

88 Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting.

which contain a very great many native mountain trout. These
lakes are under lease to the United States government for the
purpose of permitting the United States Fish Commission to
take therefrom spawn for government use in propagation. The
present superintendent of the hatchery claims to me that the
large male trout in the lakes are very destructive to the fry,
a portion of which are each year returned to the lakes by the Fish
Commissioner, and advises that a large number of these males
as stripped be not returned to the lakes, but marketed.

This is the first time I ever heard that the male native trout
are more cannibalistic than the female, or that the native trout
was essentially cannibalistic, except where other food was scarce.
Other food being abundant in these lakes I have never supposed
that the fry were suffering in that way.

Yours truly,

D. C. BEAMAN.”
Another gentleman asks, to what age do brook trout attain ?

President: I think this society ought to have some members
able to answer almost any sensible question in regard to trout,
and [ hope that we shall hear from some one.

Secretary: I should like to hear Mr. Titcomb’s opinion on
both these questions.

Mr. Titcomb: I have heard a great many stories about trout
living to a great age, enclosed in spring holes, where they have
very little food, but had water of a perfect quality and absolute
aeration probably; and they did not attain large size. I would
not want to say how many years they would live under those con-
ditions. I do not think that we are capable of judging of the age
of trout at all by those we keep in our hatcheries under domes-
tication.

Mr. Meehan: We have had brook trout live in our hatch-

eries about 24 years, the males living longer than the females. _

We find too, that as a rule in our hatchery ponds, the trout do not
attain the same size and weight as those that may be caught in
the streams. I have a record at my office this year of something
hke 30 brook trout (that is the charr), caught in Pennsylvania
waters, that will run from three and one half to four pounds,

American Fisheries Society. 89

and one or two a little over four pounds. We have never had
any of that weight in our ponds.

We have had California trout for fourteen or fifteen vears,
and in that case the female seemed to have greater vitality than
the male, and lived longer. We had a few specimens of the
California trout which we carried through to that age, and in
each case the female ceased to spawn at about twelve vears.
At our Corry hatchery they thrived better than at some other
hatcheries.

We have some lake trout in our ponds that were there nearly
thirty years ago, and were young fish at that time.

Secretary: It is strange but true that there seems to be no
data giving the age of trout.

Mr. Dinsmore: I have been waiting for some one to speak
of the cannibalistic nature of the black spotted trout. I will
not make positive statements, but I have frequently found black
spotted male trout so gorged with eggs, that I have taken them
off the beds and attempted to strip them for females.

In connection with these very lakes about which the gentle-
man has asked a question, | came from them last Monday, and
just below the troughs where we were eyeing the eggs over into
the lake, and there the big schools of black spotted trout were
eager to pick them up. I presume they would have picked them
up just the same if they had been live eggs.

Mr. Titcomb: I can answer that question, about the canni-
balistic nature of the trout, or the tendency of the male trout
to eat the eggs of the females. | observed one small bed under
a rock in a lake in Canada, where a person could look down and
see the performance of the fish. Twenty-seven trout were taken
off this spawning bed, although there were but two females
which were in spawning condition, a few spent females, and the
balance were males which were there eating the eggs as fast
as they came from the female.

Mr. Hubbard: Did you not observe the female eating the
eges as well as the males?

Mr. Hubbard: Yes, the spent females.

(). And would not some of the females eat their own eggs
after spawning? I have seen brook trout do that.

A. Yes, sir, I understand that is an accepted fact.

THE PASSING OF THE NATIVE BROOK TROUT.

BY JOHN D. WHISH, OF ALBANY, NEW YORK.

Mr. President: I should like to introduce my paper by
presenting these few verses which seem to me to be interesting
and appropriate.

“Where do I get some trout to-day ?”

Asked the fisherman, blithe and gay.

The boy looked shy, but he made reply:

“You don’t catch any this way.

There aint no trout, not hereabout

Where the big ones used to be,

And I guess, if you look at the old trout brook,

Youll understand why,” said he.

“There’s a pulp mill up on the river,

And a tannery further down,

And the fellows that look at the old trout brook

Just hustle right back to town.”

It is the object of this brief paper to state the fact, express
a behef and cause if possible, helpful discussion.

My proposition is that the native brook trout, commonly
called “the old fashioned speckled trout,” and_ scientifically
known as the Salvelinus Fontinalis, is doomed to become extinet,
and is even now passing away. My remarks are applied to New
York state, but there is ample reason to believe that they will
apply also to several other states.

This matter has been brought to my attention by letters
passing through my hands as secretary of the New York State
Commission, and by remarks of fishermen returning year after
year from their favorite waters. It is presented at this time,
not as anything particularly new or startling, but for the purpose
of making the fact a matter of record, and for the more partie-
ular purpose of getting the society to discuss the proposition
along particular lines and with special reference to trout diseases.

The destruction of wild things is nothing new, however
regrettable it may be. The American Indian has passed away

90

American Fisheries Society. 91

before the march of civilization; the buffalo which he hunted on
the great plains is gone; the wild pigeon of our woods is no longer
seen; the coarser shad no longer ascends our rivers; and why
should not the brook trout be a like victim of circumstances ?
We may not like to admit it, but is it not a fact?

In thinking this matter over, I am surprised that the brook
trout has not long since disappeared. I honestly beheve it would
have so vanished had it not been for the millions of artificially
raised fish which the Commissions of the several states have
carefully planted each year for many years past. Look at the
situation as it exists with us in New York alone. ‘The forests
which once clothed the Adirondacks and the Catskills have in
part disappeared. As a result, the volume of flow in our streams
has dwindled away, the water has become warm, and the natural
food of the trout must have to a great extent disappeared. More
than this, our water courses are in many cases no longer unde-
filed. They carry the nameless pollution of civilization. In
the Adirondacks they have had the outpourings of tanneries,
saw mills, and (most deadly of all) of paper mills. In the Cat-
skills, in addition, they are occasionally getting the refuse of
cheese factories. In each case they are no longer fit water for
trout. Further, there has been a steady increase in number of
detrimental fish in our trout waters,—not necessarily undesirable
fish, for sometimes in the Adirondack lakes it is the bass; but
there is no denying the fact that the carp and the suckers and
other spawn eaters have made great advances in numbers in
recent years.

Also there is another and very serious danger confronting
the brook trout, in my judgment, and to this particularly let
me call your attention. I refer to what are called “parasites”
and to the diseases due to their increase. A year ago I reported
to the Society a remarkably fatal epidemic among our brook
trout at the Cold Spring Harbor hatchery, which also effected
the large private preserves in other parts of Long Island. We
had prompt aid from Commissioner Bowers at the time, and the
disease was carefully studied by Mr. Marsh of his expert staff,
but beyond his careful study of the disease, we thus far know
nothing. Yes, we do know that it has recurred, and that it has
again destroyed all the adult fish there and elsewhere in the

92 Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting.

vicinity. It therefore seems to me that the time has come for
the men interested in fish culture, and particularly in trout
culture, to get together and aid each other, if so they may. Be-
cause, if we can no longer keep stock fish in our hatcheries, the
day of the brook trout is being hastened faster than most people
suppose.

Nor is this dreadful disease the only thing of the kind acting
toward the extinction of the brook trout. I mean to speak frank-
ly in the hope that others will also. The parasites that kill
are increasing yearly in our waters. We cannot keep stock fish
(brook trout) in any of our hatcheries. The Adirondack hateh-
ery supplied by Lake Clear; the Caledonia hatchery with its
magnificient water supply from an underground river; Cold
Spring which has already been mentioned; the Catskill moun-
tain hatchery known as the “Delaware or Margaretville,” not
to mention the hatcheries at Pleasant Valley and on the Fulton
Chain, are out of business so far as keeping a stock of fish on
hand from which to take eggs is concerned. At the Adirondack
and the Caledonia hatcheries in particular, where the water
supply is both clean and cold at all times, we have a form of
parasite that is known to you all. It seems to effect the brook

ee

trout only and is commonly known as the “fish louse.” Secien-
tific men who have examined fish seriously effected say we are
suffering from an unusual number of a copepod which they eall
the Lernaepododa Salmonea Linnaeus. They say also that it
is common in the west and east and that when it exists in large
numbers it “seriously affects” the trout. This is an easy way
to put it. The fact is that it kills the fish.

Now the serious aspect of this case with us is found in the
fact that this parasite is steadily increasing and has invaded
nearly, if not all, the waters of the western Adirondacks. Thus
far the waters of the eastern side of the Adirondacks seem to be
but slightly affected. We have been very careful for years about
distributing our trout, so as not to help spread the pest, but it
has increased in spite of everything. It is not any longer con-
fined to the water feeding hatcheries; it has invaded the moun-
tain lakes. The best advice we can get is given by an eminent
scientific man in these words: “No method has been found of
getting rid of the adult parasite, but in the early stages it can

1s
SY
~~

American Fisheries Society.

be destroyed by introducing small fish that feed at or near the
surface of the water and freely eat the larve of the parasite
swimming there.” He recommends to us the fresh water killy,
sometimes called the grayback.

I believe that something of the kind of pest mentioned has
also gotten into the waters of other states. Michigan, Pennsyl-
vania and Wisconsin have been reported as suffering from para-
sitic diseases, and we would like to join hands with them in
making a fight against the invasion of our troutwaters, especially
our lakes. Our new Commissioner, Hon. James 8S. Whipple, is
not only a thoroughly practical business man, but he also is an
ardent fisherman and is particularly interested in hatchery prob-
lems. He has invited scientific men to use our hatcheries for
the purpose of study and experiment, and already we have stu-
dents of the aquatic insects of the Adirondacks at work in one
of the hatcheries. We hope for results and are willing to help
secure them.

But enough has been said, I think, to warrant a free and
helpful discussion of the problem which |} believe confronts
brook trout raisers. The cutting away of our forests may be
at the root of all the trouble, and in our state we hope to restore
the trees to our waste hillsides in time. But to do this will take
at least the lifetime of this generation. In the meantime we
can plant a species of trout that will thrive in the warmer waters,
wherever there is a sufficient volume of flow to warrant it. The
pollution we can in a great measure prevent, and it is an encour-
aging thing to know that in the Adirondacks one of the largest
paper mills has been trying to find a scientific method of getting
rid of its waste and seems to have succeeded.

I quote from the report of the legislative committee of New
York appointed in 1904 to investigate this question.

“While at Ausable Forks, the Committee visited the large
pulp mills of the J. & J. Rogers Company for the purpose of
examining their method of preventing the refuse from their
mills from polluting the waters of the Ausable River. The
subject of the pollution of Adirondack streams by pulp mills
refuse has long been one of public interest, and the Rogers
Company claims to have solved the problem to a considerable
extent. The company for some time has had in its employ Mr.

94 Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting.

J.S. Robeson, a chemist, who has been experimenting at Ausable
Forks with a new process of evaporating the waste liquor from
the digestors. A small plant was erected so that a practical
demonstration might be made, and the result is claimed to be
very satisfactory. ‘The water is freed from all foreign substan-
ces, including the pulp fibre, which is utilized for sizing paper,
etc. It is also, by further treatment, hardened and made into
cores for paper rolls. ‘The experimental plant, according to a
recent report from the company, has worked continuously since
the committee’s visit and has taken care of 10 per cent of the
waste liquor from the sulphite mill. A larger plant designed
to take care of the entire output of the mill is nearly completed
and is expected to be in operation before May Ist. If such a
plan were to be adopted by other sulphite mill owners the Com-
mittee believes it would go a long way toward remedying the
evils of pollution against which complaint has been made.”

Where the bass has been planted surreptitiously, there seems
to be an end to the brook trout, as is the case in the waters of
the Fulton Chain and in other lakes; yet we can do something
to keep down the spawn eaters and we are doing it. But before
the onward march of the parasites we are helpless.

The state of New York has planted an average of more than
three million of brook trout every year in its waters for the past
seven years, and the U. S. Commission has planted many millions
more; but even this great effort at replacing the disappearing
fish has not had the effect that one might reasonably expect.
It is for this reason, and for those already given you, that I
have chosen as the title of my paper, “The Passing of the Brook
Trout.” It is not a pleasing situation to contemplate, but it
seems to me we may well say of it that, “It is a condition and
not a theory that confronts us.” Would it not be well to pause
in our efforts to get big returns from our hatcheries for a time
and to give strict and earnest attention to the problem of preser-
vation ?

While closing this paper there came to me the recently issued
two volume “Guide to the Study of Fishes,” by President David
Starr Jordan of the Leland Stamford, Jr., University. In his
chapter on the Salmonide he says:

“The trout are rapidly disappearing from our streams. In

American Fisheries Society. 95

the words of an excellent angler, the late Myron W. Reed of
Denver, “This is the last generation of trout-fishers. The
ehildren will not be able to find any. Not that brook trout will
cease to be. They will be hatched by machinery and raised in
ponds and fattened on chopped liver, and grow flabby and lose
their spots. The trout of the restaurant will not cease to be.
He is no more like the trout of the wild river than the fat and
songless reed bird is like the bobolink. Gross feeding and easy
pond life enervate and deprave him. The trout that the children
will know only by legend is the gold-sprinkled, living arrow
of the white water; able to zigzag up the cataract; able to loiter
in the rapids; whose dainty meat is the glancing butterfly.”

DISCUSSION.

During the reading of his paper Mr. Whish said: The
pulp mills use lime and sulphuric acid, and 1 do not know of
any two substances, either alone or in combination, which will
kill anything that is alive, quicker than those two.

We have taken tons of suckers and fish of that kind out of
our lakes every vear. We give them to the farmers for fertilizers.

In my judgment, the United States Commission can more
profitably employ a lot of high priced scientists in the solution
of this problem of parasitic disease of fishes, which means the
preservation of an important and desirable supply of food, than
in giving their attention to chasing butterflies and naming
prize snakes of various kinds.

(Laughter and applause.)

Secretary Peabody: Mr. Whish has thrown a little slur
on the modest sucker, as being a spawn eater and destroving
trout. I would hke to learn from some of these fish culturists
what they know about the influence of suckers in ponds and
streams where trout have thriven for centuries. I know of one
little pond about the size of this room, at the sources of a brook
in Wisconsin, and in its deep quiet pools the bottom seems
solidly massed with suckers. It has a peculiar quality of water,
with a peculiar sort of grass in it, suspended below the surface
of the water; and if you cast a fly or minnow in the water, trout
from 12 to 15 inches long will dart from under this growth just

96 Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting.

as fast as a person can cast his hook, and that pond has been
fished in for a number of years, and any one that goes there can
easily get a handsome basket filled with trout; and yet those
suckers have probably lived there for centuries, and the trout are
there too; and it does not seem to have any influence in the
supply of trout.

Mr. Meehan: The department of Fisheries of Pennsylvania,
in this matter, is between the Devil and the deep sea. The
people who own trout streams are constantly writing to the
department, asking for permission to catch suckers from their
streams, on the ground that they are destroying the spawn of the
trout. Within two weeks | have had letters from two prominent
associations owning trout streams, making this demand, and in
both cases they stated that they had positive evidence that the
suckers were spawn eaters to a very great extent; that they had
actually seen them at work on the spawning beds. Personally
[ have not seen them devouring the spawn, but we get this
testimony from all parts of the state, where the trout thrive.

On the other hand we have a very worthy class of people in
Pennsylvama who are generally and commonly known as Penn-
sylvania Dutch. They live in a section generally where there
are to-day no trout, though there were plenty of trout years ago.
These men want the suckers carefully protected, and will resist
any effort to destroy them. In the low lands of Pennsylvania,
in counties like Chester and Lancaster, where we have open
meadows and farm lands, the trout are undoubtedly decreasing
in numbers; but in the mountain streams, in counties like Wayne
and Pike they are decidedly on the increase. The old fisher-
men who have fished for 50 or 609 years living in Wayne
county, report that the fishing is better there this year than it
was 30 years ago. In Center county, in the mountains, famous
for its trout, they say that trout fishing is better than it was
15 or 20 years ago. But in Clinton, Forest and several other
counties in that section, where the lumbermen haye simply
destroyed the forests, the trout had practically disappeared, but
with the passing of the lumberman and heavy restocking from
the hatcheries, trout are decidedly on the increase in this section.

Mr. Whish mentions Pennsylvania as one of the states in
which the parasite is found. Now I cannot say that that has

American Fisheries Society. 94

come to my knowledge to any great extent, as affecting trout.
We have the parasite which badly affects the calico bass, rock
bass, and sun fish, in many places; but thus far the trout seems
to have escaped, except in isolated cases; and I do not want Mr.
Whish’s parasite to come over to Pennsylvania.

Our hatcheries too, have been thus far remarkably free
from any disease, excepting in the old Allentown hatchery,
which was abandoned, and there I think we could trace it to
carelessness in not changing blood for 17 years, and the young
fish lacked blood corpuscles, and were weak and died off by
thousands. We had two or three very bad epidemics, at this
hatchery now abandoned, both of which were investigated by
the United States government, but | hardly think that we are
likely to lose our trout, provided due care is exercised to prevent
water pollution. Until this year, Pennsylvania was undoubtedly
at the foot of all the states that did anything in the way of
preventing water pollution. Whenever there was any effort
made to procure legislation, to put a stop to the pollution of our
streams, a howl arose from all parts of Pennsylvania, from the
owners of industrial establishments, who exclaimed, ‘What, are
you going to destroy our industries for the sake of a few fish!”
But the legislature of Pennsylvania has begun to take a different
view of the matter, and this last winter there was a decided
change, and the prospects of continued water pollution are not
very good. Heavy fines and imprisonments we find to be very
potent arguments with the owners of industrial establishments.
I think the day is not far distant when the tannery man and the
chemical man and the creamery man will find it possible to
discover some means by which their business can be conducted
without pollution of streams. In fact there is a plant now being
erected in one of the northern counties where the waste water
from the tan bark is taken up and distilled, and the water then
run back into the stream, so that there is hope that in a few years
we shall be rid even of the tannery nuisance.

Mr. Marsh: I would like to ask Mr. Whish to what extent
he has actually noticed the death of strictly wild trout in the
Adirondack streams ?

Mr. Whish: I have been watching the situation for four
years, and what is reported to me is this: That fewer trout are

7

98 Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting.

being caught and that the larger fish are seriously infected with a
parasite, mostly the gill parasite. In other words, we are getting
fewer brook trout from our Adirondack lakes than ever before,
and many of those caught are infected.

But the most serious thing in this whole situation to us in
New York state is the fact that we can no longer carry any brood
fish at our hatcheries. | We cannot carry safely a single brook
trout over 15 months old in a New York fish hatchery. Now
you know what that means. We used to get millions of eggs
every year from Cold Spring Harbor hatchery, whereas now we
get none. The same condition exists at Caledonia where we
have the outpouring of an underground river, the year round,
with a temperature less than 50 degrees; and yet you cannot keep
a single stock brood trout in that water. The Adirondack
lakes on the west side are beyond any idea, infected with this
parasitic life. That is the situation confronting us; and when
I said I had serious reasons for beheving that other states are
liable to be in the same predicament, I meant what I said. f
have told the honest truth about our state in the hope that other
states will lend a hand and help stop this thing. It is all very
well to say you do not haye parasites, or you do not have the same
thing, or it does not exist to the same extent. I will not attempt
to refute such statements; but I know that parasites do exist
in other states beside ours, and the time is going to come when
somebody else will have to stand up before the society, confess,
and ask for help, just as T am doing now.

Dr. Gorham: I suppose you find them more or less every-
where ?

Mr. Whish: Not to that extent. They are increasing, and
nothing is known to science to stop the disease. That problem
is not being studied. The scientists are engaged in furnishing
a better nomenclature for fishes instead of a cure for the parasitic
diseases.

Mr. Titcomb: Do your refer to Lake Clear alone as being
infected, or the general chain of lakes ?

Mr. Whish: I mean the entire chain.

(). How long have these parasites existed there ?

American Fisheries Society. 99

A. It is my belief that they have existed from the beginning
of time.

Q. Do you think the changed conditions due to deforestation
or pollution of the waters have caused the increase ?

A. I don’t know. I have a strong suspicion that way.

Q. It is true, is it not, that there is deforestation around those
lakes ?

A. Yes, most of the wood has been removed and there is
pollution present, and it is growing every year, so are the para-
sites; and the brook trout are disappearing.

Mr. Titcomb: I think the proposition is beyond the scientist.
The same problem presents itself in crowded cities, where, among
the poorer classes you have dirty, filthy tenement houses, breeding
all sorts of disease, and these diseases go out to a certain extent
among the well-to-do classes. But the trout is quite as clean
as a human being, and needs quite as clean water; and therefore
when you get the filth you have in those lakes you may expect
the trout to become diseased. I do not believe the scientist can
overcome that difficulty. You must stop water pollution by
legislation, and then disease will cease.

Mr. Whish: It occurs to me that your simile about the
tenement houses is very good. I had the pleasure of working in
New York some years as a newspaper man, and was there when
the tenement house agitation was going on, and I know of my
own knowledge that the association of tenement house reformers
improved that condition. Why can not our scientific men give
us ahand and help us in this situation now? I do not imagine
that we can control fish diseases in natural waters, but that is
not the proposition. What we have is a fish hatchery containing
water, the flow of which we can regulate, and we can regulate
also the number of fish and their food. Now why can you not
successfully combat a disease which is killing that particular
kind of fish? I think it can be done, if the disease is studied.
I have tried to collect the literature of fish diseases but I do not
know of a single general treatise on the diseases of fishes that is
published in this country. The only one I know is by Dr. Bruno
Hofer of Munich, and that deals with different fish than ours.

100 Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting.

Mr. Titcomb: I do not wish to intimate that all these fish
diseases are beyond the possibilities of the scientist, but an ounce
of prevention is worth a pound of cure; and in the Adirondack
Lakes the prevention means to stop the deforestation and stop
pollution. In the face of the evils resulting from deforestation
and the pollution of waters, science is helpless. On the other
hand, in connection with the hatcheries and all over this country,
in connection with practical problems of fish culture, the scientist
is needed. There is enough to do to keep all of the scientists
of the country, including those who are traversing the country on
less important missions, on practical problems of this character
for years.

Mr. Atkins has given an admirable paper on one of the
problems, to-day. This question of suckers should be taken up.
Who knows whether the sucker is really a detriment to the fish
pond? Who is positive of it and can prove it? We may say
that it is a case of the survival of the fittest. If the pond is
better for trout than for suckers, the trout will survive. On the
other hand, if, owing to deforestation or pollution, it is more
suitable for the sucker, he survives the trout.

Mr. Whish: I do not want this thing to stop here. There
are men right in this room who know about this matter. I
have had letters from some of them. The reason | presented
that paper was not because | know more about the subject than
others, but because I knew something about it in our own
state. Weare in trouble there and we are here to confess it; and
we want some other gentlemen, who have had trouble of the same
or similar kind, to tell us about it. If we are going to have an
experience meeting, let us give our experiences, and if we cannot
do that, let us pray. (Applause. )

Mr. N. R. Buller: I would like to ask, what have you been
accustomed to feeding your trout at your hatcheries ?

A. Nothing but liver.

Mr. Buller: I think that is one of the causes of the parasitic
growth.

Mr. Whish: So do I, but you cannot get our hatchery fore-

men to think so.

American Fisheries Society. 101

Mr. Buller: I have followed the cultivation of trout for 28
years, and I find a parasitic growth frequently attached to the
trout that are feeding upon liver: while in ponds where the water
was coming out of the same stream and where I had both suckers
and trout in the pond, and feeding on fish food, they never
developed a parasitic growth of any kind.

Now, while the sucker may be a spawn eater, I think he is
also a good scavenger; but I have found that the parasitic growth
very often occurs in liver feeding, especially when the liver is
partly decayed.

Mr. Seymour Bower: Some 15 years ago we used to take
about 2,500,000 brook trout eggs at our Paris hatchery, but
they began to be attacked by parasites, ulcers, ete., and the
trout continued to die off. Our stock decreased until the produc-
tion ran down to about 800,900 per year. We changed foremen
about six years ago, and now we are getting over one and one-
half millions per year. Perhaps there may be something in
that. Try that.

Mr. Fullerton: We have had some trouble, but it was of
short duration. [t was our own fault. Our ponds were cons-
structed of wood. That is where we kept our stock fish always.
The ponds were allowed to stand there year after year, and when
I took up the work 10 or 11 years ago, I found that a lot of the
fish were diseased, especially in the gills, and were dying. |
said to the man in charge: “I do not believe that these ponds
are suitable.” “Oh yes,” he said, “they are all right.” But
Wwe commenced to experiment with them, made cement. sides,
instead of wood, kept the natural bottom, and noticed the
difference right off. We eliminated the old stock that were
diseased, and put in new blood entirely in these ponds, and found
that the loss decreased nearly 50 per cent in a short time. And
we found the food had something to do with it. Our man would
go out in the morning, take a pail of liver, throw it into the pond,
it would settle to the bottom, become sour, and infect the fish.
We changed the food and the fish thrived. At the present time
in both of our hatcheries there is very little loss from parasites.
Nine or ten years ago we lost nearly every stock fish in the pond
from parasitic disease, whereas now our loss is less than two

102 Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting.

per cent. In case of disease we separate the fish right away,
and throw salt in the pond.

Food and the condition of the pond are the important factors.
Get as close to nature as possible. That is my belief and ex-
perience.

Mr. Whish: I notice one of the speakers said his fish devel-
oped ulcers. Apparently the disease which cleaned out the great
Cold Spring hatchery has been abroad. I have read the reports
of the society and of the United States Fish Commission care-
fully, and do not remember seeing anything about it. Now this
boil disease is a fearful, deadly thing. Dr. Marsh will tell you
that he went to our Cold Spring Harbor hatchery and gave his
best skill to it. He told us to do some things, which we did.
In fact we did more than he told us. We cleaned out every one
of those old stone ponds and wooden ponds and put in nice clean
cement ponds, and brought down from the Adirondack region
several thousand fingerlings, wild brook trout, and put them in
there a year ago. He says that the water is all right, and you
would think so yourselves, if you saw it. It is as nice looking
water as vou ever saw, — ever so much better looking than what
you have out here at White Sulphur Springs. It is clean, cold
water, so far as outward appearances goes. Everything went
along nicely down there up to the first of May. Then the brook
trout were 15 months old or more, and they began to die just
as fast as the others died a year ago; just as others died 9 years
ago; just exactly as they are dying to-day. They have what is
apparently a series of boils develop on them. ‘These boils burst
just as they would on a human being if let alone, and they con-
tain the same bloody serum found in boils in human beings.
The fish died at the rate of 709 a day in the Long Island
hatchery; and to-day that hatchery has nothing in it except a
few fingerlings raised from eggs, brought from Massachusetts.
That deprived New York of a supply of 4,000,000 to 5,000,000
of brook trout eggs yearly, and I do not know where we can make
it good.

These are the plain facts about the situation in New York
state, and other states will experience the plague later, if they
have not already done so.

American Fisheries Society. 103

It is not a pleasant subject to dwell on, but I fear most of
us must face the situation sooner or later.

Mr. North: When in Campbellsport I visited the Pleasant
Valley hatchery. Everything seemed to be in good shape there,
but they cannot keep a brood trout in the hatchery.

Dr. Evermann: ‘The gill parasite was discovered a great
many years ago. Long before fish culture began in this country,
long before trout of any species were kept or cultivated in
artificial ponds, and that species or other species are found in
various portions of the Umited States. I have seen them on the
Pacific coast salmon, upon the blue back salmon, upon the cut-
throat of the Salmon river, upon rainbow trout in southern
Oregon, and on other wild trout. But [ am not ready to say
that these gill parasites were affecting those fishes very seriously.
There was nothing to indicate that they were.

But that is a somewhat different question from what would
be the effect of these same parasites upon brood fish at hatcheries
and in the Adirondacks. Mr. Whish, I think, makes an excel-
lent point when he speaks of the changed conditions existing
in the Adirondacks, due to deforestation, the establishment of
pulp mills and other manufacturing establishments upon those
streams, changing very materially the character of the water in
them.

I have visited a number of lakes and streams in the Adiron-
dacks, including the Racket River, and lakes connected with it:
and although [ was not fortunate enough to see those waters
before they were so changed, | could readily believe that the
change has been very great from the conditions that existed
when the forests there were virgin, when the banks of streams
were lined with vegetation down to the water’s edge, when there
would be dropping into the stream various sorts of insects, and
insect larve from the overhanging trees and bushes. The
waters of those streams were doubtless colder than now, and
flowed much more uniformly then than now, aside from the
more serious question of pollution which come from mills of
various sorts. Take the Racket River as an illustration. During
the spring of the year when there is a flow much above the
average in that stream, the taste of the tannic acid in the water

104 Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting.

is perceptible; an examination of the water in various places in
that stream fails to show the presence of any of the minuter
forms of animal and plant life, such as the small crustaceans,
protozoans and algee upon which the young trout would have to
feed at that time of the year. The leachings of the logs and
the presence of bark and fragments from those logs and saw-dust
in the stream covering up certain portions of the bed, are alone
sufficient, so far as I could detect, to kill out all the food upon
which the young fish would first feed.

While it would affect fatally the young fish of that stream
and similar streams, I cannot but believe that it would affect the
adult fish also, and that brings us to this point then, that a para-
site, like the gill parasite, which under normal conditions, in the
streams of the west which are usually not so seriously polluted,
would not be a serious thing; yet for the fish in those streams
where the conditions are not as favorable as formerly, and the fish
cannot resist the attacks of that parasite, the disease spreads with
startling fatality.

All of which goes to show that in considering these questions
many factors have to be taken into consideration. It is not a
simple proposition, it is not a simple easy problem. There are
hundreds of factors which must be considered. We cannot say
the suckers are killing the trout, or the carp of Lake Erie are
killing out the white fish, (which is not true, as investigation
shows), but many different factors will have to be considered.

Now as to the suckers, I would not be surprised if they
might do some harm to the spawning beds of the trout. But
ordinarily is not this true: that in the streams in the east
where the brook trout spawns, the suckers will not be in those
portions of the streams where the trout spawn at the spawning
time, or until the lapse of some weeks or months after the trout
have spawned? Will not the suckers be found in those portions
of the streams, if at all, later in the spring and early fall, long
after the trout have spawned, and most likely after the eggs have
all hatched ?

Take the instance cited by Mr. Peabody, where suckers were
found in large numbers, in a certain stream, and trout found
abundantly under the banks of that same stream; he did not
state the time of year, but I imagine it must have been im the

American Fisheries Society. 105

summer or early autumn, when you would expect to find suckers
running far up the streams.

Mr. Titcomb: ‘The doctor is mistaken about the suckers.
You do find them on the spawning beds. Suckers seem intui-
tively to find spawning beds and follow them up in lakes,

Dr. Evermann: That is true of lakes, but I was speaking of
streams.

Mr. Titcomb: When I spoke about the sucker and asked
whether it was a disadvantage or not, | was well aware that some
say the sucker is a destroyer of spawn; but it is a benefit perhaps
in another way. Many birds called birds of prey are really use-
ful in this country, and possibly the sucker has its use and
furnishes a lot of little fish for food for the larger trout, and
perhaps as scavengers has another use. Perhaps we should
hesitate to condemn the sucker in trout ponds before the question
is thoroughly investigated. ’

Mr. Clark: One thought I would like to offer in connection
with Mr. Whish’s paper on the diseases of the parent fish. Have
you not in your pond fish which are being kept for the collection

of eggs?
Mr. Whish: We have not any longer, Mr. Clark.
Mr. Clark: JI think there are a few.

Mr. Whish: ‘There is not a single stock brood trout in the
hatcheries of the state of New York.

Mr. Clark: I mean throughout the country. We have all
got to get back to nature. Your cement ponds and paraphernalia
in my judgment you do not want at all. Get back to nature
as nearly as possible and keep your fish in such quantities as to
do the work. We have one “wild” pond at the Northville station,
where the brook trout are doing well, and by the side of them,
in cement ponds fry died rapidly. Now if those fry could have
been put in the natural pond, | have an idea they would have
lived. The fish we have there that are two years old were put
in as fry, and are as handsome two year olds as I ever saw. It
is as near a natural pond as can be made under the conditions.

106 Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting.

Now where there have been new stations established, start in on
the plan of following nature as near as.possible, otherwise the
brook trout will pass away.

Mr. Atkins: I want to second Mr. Clark’s suggestion, and
add emphasis to it, that what we need above all things is to fol-
low nature more closely, and try to get away from artificial
methods as far as possible.

Mr. Joslyn: It has been a sort of hobby with me for the
last two or three years, that if we wanted to raise trout success-
fully, (and for that matter, most all kinds of fish, but particu-
larly trout) we must follow nature. Building a pond as large
as this room with no live water flowing through it so far as I
have observed, is not in accord with nature. When I was a boy
living in the state of Vermont, I noticed that all the streams that
I went fishing in had fresh water with here and there a pond,
and an eddy, or a hole under the bank in which the big trout
would, he. But except when they were quiet those trout were
in the swift water, hunting for their food. It is my belief that
if you are going to get rid of disease, you have got to give your
brook trout fresh, running water to live in and swim in; and
look after their food carefully. The remarks which Dr. Evermann
made in regard to feeding, I believe are absolutely correct. I
have seen ponds in which it would seem a mystery that fish could
live, without the bottom being cleaned. | believe what we are
after can be secured by a return to cleanliness, by a return to
nature’s methods.

Just think of the city of Havana. Year after year it was
decimated with yellow fever. Now they have cleaned up the
town, they have put sewers in, their refuse is carried out of the
city, and there is no more yellow fever to speak of. Why should
we not have these diseases in our ponds of stagnant water?
Although you may run fresh water in, it is not the live water
that you see in your mountain streams. Why should we not have
disease from the filth lying on the bottom of ponds? These
parasitic diseases are essentially filth diseases, and their preven-
tion lies in a return to cleanliness and nature.

Mr. Marsh: ‘There are one or two possible remedies for these
big epidemics, which might work if the fish culturist was willing

American Fisheries Society. 107

or able to put the money in to try them. The fish disease that
has prevailed among United States stations, and particularly at
Northville, for some years, is a bacterial disease that is caused by
a vegetable microorganism, and much can be learned from the
study of these bacteria. But that is not the case with the para-
site at Cold Spring Harbor, for it cannot be grown artificially ;
but the parasite, without much doubt, arises in the water, and
if you put in a filtration plant of sufficient size, and let all the
water go through it, you could take it out. But that would not
pay on a commercial basis, and perhaps it would not be advisable
for a state or the United States to put it in.

Another remedy that Mr. Clark has in use, which is a partial
remedy, that is, it permits a number of trout to be raised, but not
so many as the same area would accommodate if the trout were
not diseased, consists in putting the fish in a large pond, instead
of small, narrow, restricted ponds such as are ordinarily used.
But it does its work and prevents disease in this way: it merely
increases the space that each trout can occupy, so that when the
disease starts it does not transfer from one to the other as readily
as when the ponds are crowded.

Mr. Clark: How about vegetation ?

Dr. Marsh: The vegetation gives opportunity for natural
food, and indirectly in that way is beneficial. Otherwise I do
not suppose vegetation enters into the matter very much.

I have just been to the Bayfield hatchery of the Wisconsin
State Commission, and been experimenting with an entirely new
remedy in this connection: that is, copper sulphate, which has
recently been used very largely in municipal reservoirs, both to
destroy the alge, and still more recently for killing typhoid. Its
use for the latter purpose is very much more restricted than for
the alge. The typhoid germ in general is very much hke the
trout organism, and if this copper sulphate will kill the typhoid
germ, one is led to suspect that it would kill the trout organism ;
and it will do so, but it is very much more fatal to fish than it is
to people. You can add a good deal of copper sulphate to water
for people to drink, and do no harm; but the trout are exceed-
ingly susceptible to it, and the susceptibility varies greatly in
different stations and in different waters. The disease is now

108 Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting.

prevailing there and I have been adding copper sulphate to the
water in a proportion of one to one and one-half million. On
another trial I used one part to one million, and I find that that
can be done without harming the trout, while it is fatal to this
organism when you make experiments in tubes within a few
hours, so that there is at least a fair chance of keeping the water
constantly sterilized of this organism and of many others. It
reduces immensely the total bacterial contents of the water, and
the chances are that it will kill this trout organism. Since the
use of the copper sulphate the death rate has been reduced, but
that may be a coincidence, as the death rate usually falls at this
time of the year. We hope another year, with the permission of
the Wisconsin Commission, to commence the treatment, say a
month before the disease is expected, which is about the first of
June; and we will start in with the copper sulphate about the
first of May, with a constant flow, and continue that all through
the summer months, until the water cools off. It is the cooling
off of the water at that station which checks the disease, because
the microorganism cannot grow in cold water. We have a
remedy here which can be applied on a larger scale, and with
an even chance, it seems to me, of success. It will probably
either be entirely successful or fail entirely.

Now, whether we can go further and apply that to the
disease that Mr. Whish has at his station, is another matter.
There is only one way to get very much evidence on it, and that
is to try it in the water itself.

As the trout at Mr. Whish’s station are extremely susceptible
to copper sulphate, very much more so than at Bayfield, and as,
if you use one part of copper sulphate to six and one-half million
parts of the water, will kill the domesticated fry at Cold Spring
Harbor hatchery, you must use one to seven million to be safe ;
that reduced greatly the amount of copper, and very likely the
solution would be too weak to do any harm to the organism. Per-
haps at some future time we may find another cheap poison
which can be used on a large scale, but at the present time cop-
per sulphate is the only one that offers any chance of killing the
organism without killing the fish.

Mr. North: When I went to the Hammondsport hatchery
it was as far from nature as possible. The brood ponds there

American Fisheries Society. 109

had wooden troughs, sides and bottom; there was no gravel
there for the fishes to work off any parasites on, and there was
a slime in the bottom and on the sides from the liver food. Now
it would oceur to me that anything like that would be very
detrimental to the health of the fish.

Mr. L. N. Buller: It seems to me that we are drifting
away from the point of what to feed trout. I think we are
giving too much liver, for one thing, and if we get a more
natural food we will overcome a great deal of this parasitic
disease.

Mr. Worth: It has been my opinion for a good many years,
that it is the ponds with still waters that have acted against the
trout. I beheve that when good trout are confined in ponds, that
we are creating conditions which will cause parasites to develop
on them. ‘There are members present who were at the Woods
Hole meeting two years ago, who visited the private establish-
ments of some of the Massachusetts trout growers; and those
people cultivated their trout in, ditches. There were two things
that impressed me strikingly; one was the immense amount of
filth that was in the water from waste food, and the other was
the immense number of hve trout that were in there. Those
present here who were there at that time know that my state-
ment is true. They fed on chopped Menhaden shoveled in
almost by the wheelbarrow load, and there were bushels of that
refuse on the bottom; and in places along the banks the refuse
had formed a veritable skin on the bushes where bailed out, but
their fishes were healthy and the owners were making money.
However they had flowing water, and I believe it is the still
water ponds that create the foundation for lce and other
parasites.

Mr. Clark: These fish that I spoke about in Northville
are not in rapid water; although there are places where the
water tumbles over quite rapidly, to which the fish can go.

5

Mr. Seymour Bower: I would be very glad to help out Mr.
Whish if I could. The trouble with the whole matter is that
what works in one case and under one set of conditions does not
apply elsewhere under apparently the same conditions. For

110 Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting.

a number of years we had a serious epidemic at the Paris
hatchery ; but we are not losing many trout there at the present
time from disease. We do lose from 10 to 20 per cent every year
as the result of handling during the spawning season. Our old
foreman had grown slack, the ponds were filthy, we could not get
him to take as good care of the fish and ponds as we thought
they ought to have, and we made a change. Our present foreman
is and always has been very cleanly, but aside from that I do not
know that anything special has been done. We feed liver the
same as we always did, but we do not lose fish by epidemic. We
raise them to be 5 to 6 to 7 years old, and there they are to-day-
We have very little loss from disease; our loss results from
handling during the spawning season; but we raise quite a num-
ber each year to offset this loss. In that way we hold the stock to
about the capacity of our water supply, which is more or less
limited.

I was pleased to have Mr. Worth call attention to the trout
hatcheries in Massachusetts, for it is a good deal of a mystery
to me how they can handle the number of trout they do in the
hmited amount of water they have. Take the American Fish
Culture Company, for example. I was told by our president that
last summer they sold 46,000 pounds of trout, and besides that
they are sellmg a number of millions of eggs every year.

We do not think much of cement ponds, still you go down to
Massachusetts and find one concern using cement ponds, and
another 4,000,000 or 5,000,000 eggs a year with not over 500
gallons of water a minute. As Mr. Dooley says, “There you
a-a-re.”

It seems to me 1f I were in Mr. Whish’s place, I would go
down to Massachusetts and look the situation over, and if possi-
ble hire some of the men who have worked so successfully for
many years, and at least allow them to try their methods with
your conditions. If not successful then the conditions are at
fault.

Dr. Greene: Being a medical man I am familiar with
diseases, and it appears to me that these trout are sick; and that
that has been the condition right along; and this sickness is a
filth disease, and the result of getting away from nature’s good

American Fisheries Society. isla

old plans; and with that we have the attendant conditions that
come from filth and uncleanliness.

Now I have had an experience as a bass fisher, which may be
interesting in connection with this subject. There is a slaughter
house near our city, Dayton, the drain of which empties into one
of our little streams. The water is cold and apparently pure,
and teeming with minnows. Now we can go out into our clean
running streams and catch our minnows free from disease, put
them in a tank with running water and preserve them. I had in
my dooryard a tank 12 x 4 x 6, into which I could put several
thousand minnows, and if healthy when put in they always did
well. But when we went up to the pool where the blood from
the slaughter house drains, it was very easy to catch minnows,
and on one occasion we caught two bushels apparently healthy
minnows. But as soon as you would get them, if you would
handle them the least bit they would develop a fungus disease.
I have looked in vain through all our city hbraries and every-
thing accessible to me to find any treatise on diseases of fish, and
never found anything at all.

Mr. Whish: ‘There isn’t anything.

Dr. Greene: ‘These minnows were fat and sleek, looked nice,
everything looked favorable,* but they had fed on the slaughter
house, and they were diseased and infected, and developed this
fungus disease.

Whenever you touched one of them and took off the pro-
teetive shime, fungus would appear, the fish would swell up, a
blood blister would appear which would burst, an open sore
would develop and the minnow would die.

There is no doubt but that the disease Mr. Whish complains
of, is the result of infection.

Mr. Talbott: Mr. President, permit me to make a sugges-
tion which if not practical is at least logical.

There is in Paris a class of men who spend the greater part
of their lives in the sewers and these men it is claimed are not
only long lived but healthy beyond the average, yet 1t would seem
wasted effort in training a child for such a career to insist on a
degree of cleanliness that must needs be neglected in its after
life. So the strenuous efforts of our fish culturists to raise the

112 Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting.

trout clean may be a necessity since trout can not live in sewers.
Until we begin getting closer to nature by the clearing out of our
polluted streams it may be useless to expect to raise trout.

Under the circumstances it seems to me the highest ambition
of the modern fish culturist should be the evolution of a trout
that would be able to live in the tail end of a tannery.

Mr. Miller: Most of the ponds which I have seen are built
very much like a window, square at the end, and occupy relative-
ly the position of the lambrequin in this room. Your gate is in
the middle of a square end, and there is a dead end across each
corner. I think this hatchery of White Sulpher Springs has been
built much in the shape of a coffin, and I think if we would
build the ponds so the gate would occupy the whole end, and let
the water come in so that the water would flow out freely, a great
deal of refuse would be moved which does not now get washed
out from the pond with the gate in the middle, but collects in the

corners.

President: I should like to refer to the plant of the
American Fish Culture Company, at Carolina, Rhode Island.
and explain how they manage to raise such a large quantity of
trout. Their ponds are all lined up with boards, with gravel
bottoms, all narrow, their widest pond not exceeding 12 feet.
The ponds where they have the best success are only 7 feet wide,
with a fall of three inches in 30 feet, and in a pond of that char-
acter they will rear a thousand marketable trout, three to the
pound, im a year.

In other ponds with the ends like those of the United States
hatchery, with boards across the corners, the water flows very
rapidly, and there is a long series of those ponds, and they are
reinforced almost the whole length by driven wells. They are
very successful there with their driven wells. They have several
4 inch driven pipes there that will flow six inches over the top
of the pipe. It is remarkable on that account. They keep their
breeding trout in these long narrow ponds, and have no trouble
at all. There never has been any fungus there, no disease at all.
Their trout are all fed regularly on hog’s plucks, ground up,
hearts and everything all together.

They had a man there who had an idea that these ponds were

American Fisheries Society. 1k

not wide enough, and he experimented with one and took out the
sides, extended the flow of the water so that it covered a width
of probably 60 feet, and put 10,009 marketable trout in there.
In less than two weeks every one of them were dead. Now that
bears out the theory of the importance of a rapid flow of water.

That is all I think there is to it down there, with the excep-
tion that everything is in a wild state. The head of the spring
itself, which is very like the one at White Sulphur, is a single
spring. They did come very near spoiling it. They thought
they would build a big pond, so they raised the dam and over-
flowed the spring three feet. But they did not keep it up very
long; they knocked down the bulkhead and let the water run
naturally. They have a flow of nearly a mile where they raise
this immense quantity of trout. All their ponds are full, and
they have hundreds of thousands of fry, which grow very rapidly.
Mr. Titeomb, Mr. Clark, and Mr. Ravenel have seen those, and
they saw no fungus, and no disease of any kind on the fish.

They market a great many millions of eggs every year.
There is no question about it. Now I do not know why they
should be more successful than others in the west; but I can say
this about the state of Rhode Island, and about the state of
nature. We are decidedly returning to a state of nature. Our
sawmills are all gone, the country is growing up back in the
rural districts, to brush; the streams are covered with brush so
that it is almost impossible to get a line into them in places, but
they are full of trout. I have seen 60 to 70 fishermen start out
in the morning and at night every one of them return home with
a basket of trout. They are getting big trout all the while.
There is no trouble about it at all. Our streams there in some
places run deep, and in some places shallow, and have consider-
able flow of water in them; and there the trout grow much larger
and better than elsewhere. That I think can be traced right
back to the return to nature; because the banks of our streams
are covered with brush, and the woods are still there. We cut
off the woods 30 or 40 years ago, but they have grown up again.
We have no trouble with mills and pollution. If they want to
cut down a pine forest they do not put a portable saw mill on
the banks of the stream, or they would be arrested. ‘They must
put it back away from the water.

8

114 Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting.

The reasons I have given account for the success had in fish
culture in Rhode Island.

Mr. Whish: — Let there be no mistakes about the conditions
connected with the situation I have frankly described in New
York state, with reference to our hatcheries. We cannot raise
brood brook trout. There is no lack of water supply in the
several hatcheries, with the exception of one. The other ponds
have some of them wooden walls with gravel and sand bottom,
and others stone walls with gravel and sand bottom and some are
wholly of cement.

When I refer to the loss of the brook trout, I mean of course
the old fashioned speckled trout, the fontinalis, the trout that
belongs in your swift, living water, and I mean no other fish.
The situation is known to at least one scientific man of the
United States Commission, and we will very gladly point it out
to anybody else who desires to look into it.

The condition is not a theoretical one, at all; it is a mighty
serions one, and I sincerely hope it will never confront any other
state, though I fear it will.

“qmuoony, “AA ‘¢ Aq ‘E06T ‘taquiadeq Ul ayINg “YsyayaAs pue “yno1} “uOWeS 104

‘eunuasiy ‘uansnoan jo Aroytiia} ‘idenyy [anyeN 3 pazenyzis

“BOLIOUY yynog ul Arayoqey ysy IY IY T,

REMINISCENCES OF THE FISHERIES IN SOUTH
AMERICA.

BY Jr aWien LEC OMB:

Mr. Titcomb gave an evening’s entertainment in an inform-
al talk illustrated by lantern slides, depicting fishing scenes on
his voyage from New York to Buenos Ayres and in Argentina.
In addition to scenes illustrative of the fisheries, his travels and
explorations throughout the ‘country, including a trip to Par-
aquay, were interestingly illustrated and explained.

From September 1, 1903, until June 1, 1904, Mr. Titcomb
was in the employ of the Argentine Government to explore the
waters of Argentina and make recommendations with reference
to the introduction of desirable species of food fish. His explor-
ations covered a large part of the country froin the province of
Cordoba on the north to the northern border of Patagonia in the
territory of Neuquen, in the southern part of the country. He
ascended the La Plata and Paraguay Rivers to Asuncion, Par-
aguay.

While in the country he built what is probably the first fish
hatchery in South America on a tributary of the Limay river,
near Lake Nahuel Huapi. It is constructed out of hand-made
lumber. Before his departure from the country eggs of four spe-
cies of Salmonidae had been transported from the United States
and placed in the hatchery with a loss of less than ten per cent.
The loss in hatching and previous to distribution was very slight.
The success in transportation merits special mention because it
is probable that these eggs were carried a longer distance than
has heretofore been recorded in the history of fish culture. An-
other feature to be considered is the fact that the eggs were taken
from a climate where the waters were extremely cold, across the
equator, and then during warm weather, one hundred leagues
across the hot sands of the territory of Neuquen to be hatched
at just the opposite season of the year from that in which they
would have been hatched under natural conditions.

The work inaugurated by Mr. Titcomb is being successfully
continued under the direction of E. A. Tulan, a member of the
American Fisheries Society, formerly superintendent of the fish-
cries station at Leadville, Colorado.

117

DISPLAY OF APPARATUS.

It was expected that all the superintendents of the U. 5.
Bureau of Fisheries would attend the meeting, and all had been
invited to bring fish cultural devices of novel design, that is,
some of their own devices which may be new to others. As a
result of this invitation the following apparatuses were on exhi-
bition at the White Sulphur Springs Station, and one morning
session was devoted to a diseussion of the merits of the various
kinds of apparatus and methods employed in fish cultural work
in connection therewith.

Mr. Frank N. Clark gave an exposition of the Clark and
Clark-Williamson hatching troughs. This was followed by Mr.
Atkins, who gave an exposition of a hatching box used at the
Craig Brook station under the Atkins method of eyeing eggs
in stacks of trays enclosed in a stack frame. The merits and
demerits of other forms of apparatus and equipment were <lis-
cussed fully, but as the discussions were always illustrated by the
presence of the apparatus or equipment, or models of it, the
minutes of the discussions are not included in this report.

Mr. Clark exhibited the Clark hatching box, nine trays to
the compartment, the Clark-Wilhamson hatching troughs, 15
trays to the compartment.

Two quart dipper for measuring eggs.

Whitefish scaff net.

Another scaff net for trout.

Same only smaller.

Hatching jar tube.

One quart measure with screened bottom for measuring trout
eggs,

Feather with long handle.

Jar screen.

Tray for holding dead eggs.

Larger tray.

Bass fry net for taking fry out of screens.

Whitefish fry net for taking whitefish out of tanks.

Three pronged hook for removing lumps from jars.
118

American Fisheries Society. ag

Jar filling tube.
Long mesh screen for sorting fish from eggs.
Long drip pan for washing up fish and eggs.

Exhibited by Mr. Atkins:

Ten tray stack frame with complement of trays. This size
preferred when there is room enough in the hatchery. To pick
the eggs they are removed to a table, the whole stack being
removed.

Troughs used for both eggs and fry. The water level mount-
ing by dam: for fry by a hollow outlet plug and screen being put
in place of the dam.

Stack hooks for lifting the open stacks out of the trough.

Deep stack frame for twenty trays of eggs, holding 40,000
salmon eggs. ‘This is a closed frame and may be used with eggs
or in an open stream. Requires trough 16 or 17 inches deep:
is taken out for picking.

Ege plyers used at Craig Brook.

Dinsmore’s tray lifter, used for lifting trays on which the
fish are hatching (pair).

Pair Storey’s tray lifter, founded on Dinsmore’s.

Dinsmore fry picker, to pick up dead fry and other debris
about hatching time.

Storev’s fry picker, founded on Dinsmore’s.

Atkin’s aerator, for use in a can of fish in transportation
by submerging, following drawing up and allowing water to
run back.

Exhibited by Mr. Downing:

Downing fry net for removing fry from tank.

Tube for Downing jar.

Faucet to be used in connection with operating the Downing
jar.

Auxihary net for whitefish.

Hatching jar.

Exhibited by Mr. Livingston Stone of Cape Vincent, New
ork:

Model of new galvanized iron hatching trough of the White-
fish hatchery at Cape Vincent station.

Device for allowing anyone to hatch a few trout or salmon

120 Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting.

eges in the home of any one where there is a pipe furnishing
running water. It will be observed that the outlet is directly
under the inlet. From Cape Vincent station.

Model of a portable hatching trough, the main point about
which is, that a small screw driver is the only tool required for
taking the trough to pieces and putting it together again. When
taken apart it can be easily carried in a pair of ordinary shawl
straps, put in spawning ground in the woods or anywhere else,
and set up without trouble or expense. The canvas is supposed
to be waterproof, of course, although it is not so prepared in the
model.

Exhibited by Mr. Booth:
Long distance asbestos packing case.

Exhibited by Mr. Lydell:
Bass net and screen.

By Mr. Robinson:
Bass nest.

Mr. E. E. Rice, Green Lake station, Maine:

Samples of wire:

(1) Wire used for fry in rearing troughs.

(2) Wire used on trays in hatching quinnet salmon.

(3) Wire used for brook trout and landlocked salmon.

(4) Wire used for false wire bottoms.

(5) Wire used for fingerlings in troughs and rearing ponds.

(6) Wire used for foot screen attached to wire bottom.

Also (7) Lifters for handling trays in developing hatching
troughs.

Developing hatching troughs.

By Mr. Stranahan:

Stranahan dam board.

By Mr. Dean:

Pair fry pickers.

Perforated can top for holding fish preparatory to shipment.

Model of tube with screen in side for general use around
station, for holding fish.

Bucket for same use, or messenger shipment. Model espec-
ially good for messenger shipment.

American Fisheries Society. 1:21

By Mr. John L. Leary, San Marcos:

Samples of fish food, including spawn of water snail, shrimp,
chopped fish, maggots, crawfish, top water viviparous minnow,
water fleas, fish eggs and silverside.

Pictures of apparatus giving idea of how to get water plants
out of ponds.

By Mr. G. H. Lambson, of Baird, California:
Directions for making cheap paints, with specimens.

By Mr. Seagle:
The Seagle fry trough with separators.

By Mr. O’Malley:

Box for mixing salt solution for testing eggs.

Box in which eggs to be tested are placed.

Wire egg scoop.

Miscellaneous:

Expansible aerating funnel, from Swanton, Vermont.
White fish and white perch egg strainers.

NOTES ON THE FEEDING OF PARENT TROUT,
WITH REFERENCE TO VIRILITY OF
EGGS PRODUCED.

BY GEORGE R. ALLEN.

A change in my duties prevented the completion of the
experiments set forth in this paper, and it is presented in the
hope that some one in a position to do so will continue worl
along the lines indicated.

The brood ponds utilized for the experiments were each 25
feet long, 12 feet wide, and contained water to a depth of 41%
feet. During the season of 1901 the brook trout in them, at that
time six years of age, yielded an average of 1052 eges per fish,
and an equal number of males were stripped to impregnate the
spawn. Of the eggs obtained 9 per cent were lost during im-
pregnation.

At the close of the spawning season the fish were divided into
two lots. The first lot were given a diet consisting of two parts
sheep lights, one part sheep liver, and one part sheep hearts.
The second lot were fed solely on dead trout eggs up to April 18,
at which time their appetites began to increase. As the supply
of dead trout eggs exceeded the number required in feeding, the
surplus eggs were frozen and preserved in a refrigerator, the last
of them being fed to the fish on June 4. Beginning on April
18 the second lot of trout were given a mixture composed of four
parts bran, two parts fish eggs, one part each of meal and sheep
hearts.

During the progress of the experiments no salt was placed in
the food of the fish or thrown into the ponds. At intervals of
once a week a bushel of swamp or wood earth were placed in the
spout leading to the second lot of fish and allowed to wash into
the pond, the water supply at such times being increased one-
third, and on each following day all sediment and decayed
vegetation was removed from the pond, thereby giving the fish
a second bath. It was noted that on these and the succeeding
days they were more active and that their appetites were much
keener.

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American Fisheries Society. 123

The loss during the year among the first lot amounted to 14
females and 16 males, while that among the second lot was 8
females and 7 males, or exactly half the loss in the first pond.
The fish in both inclosures began spawning October 3. Of the
first lot 75 females yielded an average of 1021 eggs or 31 less
than the average of the previous year; 89 males were used for
fertilizing them. ‘Two per cent of the eggs were poor when taken
and a further loss of 7 per cent occurred before the date of
hatching. The average weight of these fish when placed in the
pond was 7-8 of a pound, and at the spawning period it showed
no increase. Their color also was somewhat dulled.

The yield of eggs from the second lot of fish showed an
average gain of 18 eggs per fish. ‘To impregnate this lot 86
males were stripped. One per cent of the eggs were poor when
taken and a further loss of 4 per cent ensued during the hatch-
ing period. The fish had gained an average of an eighth of a
pound during the year and their colors were brighter than when
placed in the pond.

The fish of the second lot produced an average of 49 more
egos per fish than the first lot, and the loss up to the time of
hatching was four per cent less. The loss of fish by disease in
the first lot also exceeded that of the second lot by 15, but there
appeared to be little, if any, difference in the fry hatched from
the two lots of eggs.

Nearly all of the fish lost suffered from gill affection. Both
ponds during the course of the experiments were kept scrupu-
lously clean, and so far as it was possible the conditions in both
were made identical.

POTOMAC BASS.
BY HENRY TALBOTT OF WASHINGTON, D. C.

The first object of this Society is ** to promote the cause of
Fish Culture.”

Fish Culture has two groups of beneficiaries—the consumer,
together with those who labor for his benefit—that is the com-

mercial side

and the Angler.

It is from the standpoint of the latter that my little contri-
bution is made, and it is fair to say that the term ‘tangler” is used
not for the flyrod’s 400, but to include every one who catches
fish for sport—from the barefooted boy’s elder pole to the
bamboo whip. It is not inappropriate that you should hear what
some of us think of you and besides you need us to supplement
your work. All the fish you could put in would do no good if
we did not take them out.

It is peculiarly fitting that the Potomac should receive your
attention, for to mention that river is to throw bouquets at Fish
Culturists. The Black Bass is an alien to that stream, yet he has
flourished in its waters as have our forebears on its banks, and
as there is no country in the world lke our own nation of tmmi-
grants, so is there no Black Bass river to compare with the
Potomac. Rocky and rushing for three hundred miles of its
length it is to the Small Mouth Black Bass as ideal a home
as is the Nepigon for the trout or the Restigouche for the salmon.
For three score miles below the Little Falls its coves and hundred
creeks with the sluggish waters of the tide-water marshes and
their wealth of food makes to brackish water, Large Mouth Bass,
as suitable homes as do the lagoons and lakes of Florida. and he
would grow to as great size even to match that mythical 23-
pounder of southern fame

if the fishermen and the anglers
would but give him a chance. The latitude is not against him,
for | have seen two bass from Peters’ Lake, Missouri, a latitude
not lower than this, of about 12 pounds, and they have been
found here of above nine, but overnetted fish grow small.

It is said the average of shad in the the Potomac were long
ago of 14 pounds weight and they do not now reach half that

124

American Fisheries Society. 125

figure—the wonder is, any are able to filter through the pounds
and seines and drifts and dips that dispute their passage from the
Capes to the Great Falls. Indeed, they would long since have
disappeared as a commercial product of the Potomac but for the
wonderful success of the fish culture, which this society does so
well to encourage, and in which our Government beats the world.
The Chinese, with their eggshells of fertilized spawn knew some
tricks of their own before we moved over here, but in these days
of railways when a carload of a million of fry may be sent to any
corner of our country, eggshells of spawn sounds about as effec-
tive as shooting elephants with firecrackers, or using a Hghtning
bug for a searchlight.

You are all famihar with the fact that the Small Mouth
Black Bass were planted before the war, at Cumberland, on the
Upper River, having been brought over the mountains from
Wheeling Creek, in the tender of a locomotive; that the river
was then full of suitable feed, and that the conditions which made
the Potomac a dead line between the contestants, made angling
for some years along its banks an unhealthy occupation, if there
had been time to indulge in that pastime. As a consequence the
fish spread as never did fish before or since—for never was so
effective a close law anywhere else; one that threatened to pull
a man’s cork under if he showed himself on either side, and when
matters settled down and the riparian dwellers had leisure to try
the river

to evervbody’s astonishment—it was found to be teem-
ing with bass. The official reports tell of how all the cities of the
Jast were supphed from here

the Susquehanna and other
streams were stocked, and hundreds of fishermen found summer
employment and revenue from their capture. Afterwards the
efforts of distribution of black bass in my own State of Illinois,
proved so successful that the government went into partnership
with us, and have since supplied the world with stock mainly
from this source, and since this fish resists artificial propagation
the arrangement is a fortunate one. These are principally the
Large Mouth Bass, and they have been placed in the tidewater
Potomac, and the tributaries of that estuary, where they have
wonderfully thriven, until, permit me to repeat, there is no Bass
stream like it anywhere when the sun is clear, but there is a
strange variability of the angler’s luck in this river.

126 Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting.

Some Small Mouth Bass have been planted in the lower
river, and, of course, from time to time, have come down from
the Upper River in floods or wanderlust, but they are unsuited
to these quieter waters and muddy bottoms, and are not plenty
like their cousins, just as the Large Mouth has in later years
occasionally been placed in the upper reaches, but do not find it
congenial since by then the Carp had found a lodgement in the

pools where the Large Mouth Bass might have made a home
and he left in disgust.

The Carp cannot drive the Bass out or disturb his nest (he
does not eat the bass spawn, as it is stuck to a gravel so tight
he’d have to bolt a ton of pebbles for a pound of jelly) ; the Carp
with his velvet sucker mouth is about as bloodthirsty and fero-
cious as the rabbit, and probably fights the same way by butting.
while the bass will tackle anything that approaches his gravel-
pan. This assertion is made without any pretense of superior
information—but a conviction born of years of observation—
that all the stories of Carp eating bass spawn are pipe dreams—
and somebody may sometime prove

sometimes dreams come true
that Carp are fond of bass nest soup, and then I shall be in the
position of the listener whose friend telling a miraculous yarn
wound up by saying “I wouldn’t have believed it myself if I
hadn’t seen it; and who retorted: “Then, you of course, will
pardon me.” But while the Carp cannot disturb the Bass spawn-
beds, his digging in the mud and clouding the water does dis-
cust the Bass as it does the bait on which he feeds and any other
self-respecting denizen of the pools, and the Carp soon has the
mud to himself. While what I have to say is assumed to be in
the interest of everyone who takes fish with an angle, without
regard to lure, my own preference is for the artificial fly—and
though making no claims to any superiority for that way of
and admitting as much skill and pleasure—and
and though under many condi-

taking fish

science in the other methods
tions of cloudy water or deep, the fly is useless—none other
appeals to me; and with that introduction I desire to proclaim—
what many people will consider a heresy—that in his season the
Large Mouth Bass is better sport than the Small Mouth Bass
from the warm waters of the Potomac or the chilly waters of

American Fisheries Society. 127

Canada—and in competition with the incomparable trout of the
aU. cor
Nepigon.

It is easy to understand why one should fall into the error of
disparaging the Large Mouth Bass. Half the good of a health
resort comes of the attention to hygienic rules, as easily practiced,
but so often neglected at home. Half the pleasure of the sum-
mer’s fishing trip 1s the change and effort.

We value most what costs the most and are prone to disparage
the cheap no matter how good.

The Large Mouth Bass can be raised in anybody’s back yard,
and is the best fly taker of any fish that swims—yet nine out of
ten anglers at the Capital will assure you that there is no pleas-
ure in taking it, that one Small Mouth will give you more fun
than a dozen chub

as they will persist in calling the Big Mouth
in Virginia. Strange to say these bass are learning new habits
in their new home, and instead of a fixed habitation as we have
them in the Western lakes and rivers, the Large Mouth Bass of
the Lower Potomac follow the lead of the anadromous fish, and
run up the creeks in the spring, maybe for shallow grayelbeds
to spawn, and wherever shad or herring are caught or dipped
there too they take the bass. As soon as a chill strikes the water
in the Fall they make another run from the river, and every
small creek becomes literally alive with them—if they are not
headed off with nets—just for what purpose this up-stream
autumn pilgrimage is made is not apparent. It was thought, to
seek the shallows to hibernate, until catching bass the year
round rather exploded that theory—or that nearer the springs

they found warmer water; at any rate, up they go—and when
word comes to town in late September that the fish are “running
up” the anglers who never go “down” at any other time, start
out. ‘The water is chilled, the fish are sluggish, and deserve
anything harsh that may be said of them—so the language is
milder than that applied to the men who ought to know better.

The Little Mouth is no better when his element is chilled,
and big catches of these are made late in the season in the Upper
River when the bait moves off as if it was asleep and the fish
comes up as if it was dead.

The fish is a cold blooded animal, and he only gets to be
“hot stuff” when his element is warmest.

128 Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting.

The Horse Mackeral is found around the world, but it is only
at Sunny Catalina that he earns the title of the Leaping Tuna.
To see the giant herring cleave the air you must go to the hot
waters of the lower Gulf Stream, though these Tarpon have been
caught in the Potomac. Even the Trout and Salmon are only
lively in the summer months, and the Grayling further north
succumbs to a hunk of pork for a lure. Now, if you will do the
Large Mouth Black Bass justice to invite his attention when he
is at his best, when the bugs are on the water, and the flies are
in the air, he’ll surprise you with such ground and lofty tumbling
as would put a trout to shame. He is not sluggish—he doesn’t
quit—he’ll leave the water higher and oftener; stand on his tail
and shake off every drop of water in his effort to void the hook
and plays pranks to the boat where the trout would only be try-
ing to bore through to the seat of war.

Then, too, the unwise say he is not good to eat, and there is
no better meat with bones, but ninety-nine men out of one hun-
dred still string fish, and a water soaked fish that has died and
bleached in the sun on a string in shallow water—such as one
may see in any group of anglers—or such fish as the netters
send to the markets in hot weather, are scarcely fit for food, and,
of course, are not palatable.

Tf, when you lift the Bass out of the water, you will bleed
and draw him, you will find a greater difference over the fish you
probably know than between a peach and a horse-chestnut.

In my opinion, no man living can tell whether he has a
Small Mouth Bass or a Large Mouth on his line or on his plate
from the fight for flavor, if neither has a card, and, confidentially.
I lean a “little” toward the one whose smile reaches to his ears.
He is so satisfying, and gives such confidence when he comes up
after your fly, whether splitting his Nelumbium umbrella in an
[Illinois Lake, or turning sommersaults at midnight in the St.
Francis, or racing a pike for your fly down the Potomac—he’s
all there and when he gets it—which he’s sure to do—he’ll come
again and again for it, rapture!

But the object of all this is to invite your attention to the
fact that for three years there has been no fishing in the Potomac,
and to beg you to tell us why? To save you guessing, it may be
as well to run over the reasons which have occurred to us:

American Fisheries Society. 129

First, as a matter of course, has been the pollution of the
Potomac. ‘Tanneries and pulp mills coolly appropriate the
water that comes, and foul the water that goes with as little re-
gard for the rights of others, or the laws of the land, as insur-
ance Managers or merger promoters. They pour poisons or
shavings into the water, their neighbors must later drink, in a
perfectly inhuman way, and with not only a recklessness of con-
sequences, but with a brazen assurance that grows indignant at
even mild remonstrance as an impertinence until as an acquaint-
ance commenting on the forced submission to these corporate
wrongs, put it: “If nihilism could offer any relief, these fel-
lows are in a fair way of making converts.” You cannot appre-
ciate unless you have seen the effect of a couple of pulp mills
filling up every pool for miles below with rotting shavings, and
then look at a club record with scores up to three years ago that
were good enough for anybody, and since then not an entry.
The Blue Ridge Club below Harper’s Ferry, with some of the
most enthusiastic and expert anglers of the Capital, have not
made a catch im three years and pollution would seem to be an-
swer enough to the question and probably is for that locality.
A paid guide at Harper’s Ferry will today point you to pools
and tell you the shavings there are thirty feet deep. But too
little is known of the effects of pollution even by these scientific
a few

sharks whom we are proud to number among our friends
experiments have been tried of the effect of putting some fish
into a tank with shavings to see how long they would last, but it
will require years of investigation and more appropriations than
the corporations are like to allow, to determine the effect of these
various contaminations upon fish life. It isn’t alone whether
a bass may live some weeks over a bed of fresh shavings, if he
must, but what is the condition of a bed decomposing for ten
years? Will the smaller fish the bass eats hive? Can he spawn
in a poplar mattress? Will the vegetable life exist that is nec-
cessary for the tiny brood? What changes in the Plankton result,
and what chance has the small fry in a garden of excelsior? By
the time these questions are all answered they will have used
paper enough to exhaust the forests on that stream, and the mills
will have moved. The fact is, Draco’s idea ought to be apphed
to these fellows. He had but one punishment. The smallest
2)

130 Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting.

infraction in the law, he said, deserved it, and the greatest could
receive no heavier penalty. So of pollution. The limit for any
infraction, the smallest deserves it as well as the greatest. But
pollution is not enough to explain the strange recurrence of good
and bad fishing seasons. It is not seven years of plenty and sey-
en years of famine, but the alternating periods for the last fif-
teen or twenty years are about five years each. It is overfishing
in the good years that exhausts the stock, and must we wait for a
re-stocking? !s it exhaustion of food supply that leads the bass
to turn cannibal, which he will do under stress, and is it the real
race suicide that depletes his ranks till the food supplies again
come up? None of these are satisfying theories. There is still
another so remote as to excite derision among two classes: ‘Those
who know it all, and those who don’t know anything. ‘To plant
potatoes in the dark of the moon is, with most, a matter of jest,
yet there is an Angler’s Calendar based on phases of the moon,
to which some fishermen are as devoted as the sailor to his needle.
But. this doesn’t help us in the present inquiry, for that calendar
only points the best time of the month to fish. What is wanted
now, is an answer to the questions, which are the best years to
fish, and why?

The periodic recurrence of sunspots has aroused the attention
of the scientific world, and a storm of conjecture as to their na-
ture, origin and effects on earthly phenomena. The sum total to
date of published information on the subject seems to be as vague
on these points as to the whence, why and whither of the Aurora
Borealis.

But while we are scientifically ignorant of the cause of these
spots, their purpose and influence, it requires no F. R. 8. to
follow their periodicity, and to note the coincidence of certain
phenomena. That the maxima are between ten and eleven years
may be taken as established.

The territory of the Central United States along the Great
Valley of the Mississippi, say in the neighborhood of St. Louis,
is subject to overflow that threatens for a series of years, but
culminates one year in ten, for instance, in 1893 and 1993, in
destructive floods. These are the years of the greatest number of
sunspots and with these immediately succeeding are marked by
severe winters, and wet cool summers for that parallel, and these

American Fisheries Society. iss

we have regularly, the last three being easily recalled for the
Washingtonian. In these years we catch no fish. Now, again,
why? [It is not a fortuitous coincidence for the fishing of the
entire river is affected, and for the last two seasons comparative-
ly no shad were taken in the Potomac so that the andromous fish
were also discouragingly scarce. With a remote interest in the
largest seine on the river it has been impressed upon me that
these seasons have been rank failures, that net has gone nearly
bankrupt for lack of shad, and the Commissioner’s records will
bear out this statement. Again, why ?

The long icy season, the cold spring and the chilly water may
check the run of shad. It takes sunny days and warm to bring
them out on the shallows where the nets are operated. Failing
these, the shad, such as run, hug the narrow ten fathom channel
and sneak past the threatening webs. But even at that they
ought to show in greater form in the upper waters. They were
probably more numerous than usual this year at the foot of the
Great Falls, the end of their run, but missing millions are unac-
counted for.

Now, the Bass fishing in the Potomae from one end to the
other has been practically nil for the same period. The flood
years are seasons of rain, feed may be washed away, spawn beds
may be destroyed, the numerous rains keeping the river muddy,
and banks full through the fishing season. The burning ques-
tion still is: Why is the Bass fishing in the Potomac poor for
for three or four seasons in succession corresponding to the sun-
spot periods? And may we expect big strings in 1908, the next
year of no spots and of drought? <A friend in New York who
formerly spent his week-ends on the Potomae and is familiar
with all its famous stretches recently wrote me of some of his
marvelous catches and noted his greatest as made in the season

of eighteen years ago—that would be 1887—and would bring
1907 as the coming good year. It is but a corroboration—1907,
*8 and 79 ought to be drier and hotter than the last three years,
the water being clearer, the pools lower and more fish caught. In
each decade are the 3’s the poorest fishing and the 8’s the best?
The question is asked that you may smile if you lke, think if you
will, answer if you can.

132 Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting.

DISCUSSION.

President: There are some pretty hard nuts to crack here
and I hope you will proceed to crack them if you can.

Mr. Clark: I think the reader has cracked one nut for me.
If the sun spots are “it”, that is the reason we did not catch so
many white fish as during the year previous. We shall have to
lay it to the “sun spots.”

FISH PROTECTION.

BY OREGON MILTON DENNIS.
(Secre ary and Counsel Maryland Staite Game aud Fish Protective Association.
Assistant Stute Game Warden.)

Great difficulty is at once apparent, especially to you, gentle-
ment, of presuming to suggest a solution of this great question
of fish protection. This condition is brought about, first, by
the belief that he, the fisherman, has an inherent and inalienable
right of fishery, which has come to him through a long line of
ancestry in the same way in which an estate tail operated at
common law, and a right which neither his fellow citizens, land
owners or the state can take from him, or in any sense abrogate.
That the right of the state to legislate for the protection of fish
was settled as far back as the Magna Charta is of small concern
to him.

The first problem then is the education of the takers of fish
as to the right of the state to legislate for their protection and
to make him understand and believe that the only interest that
the state has in passing legislation for their protection is for his
protection, for the state derives no benefit per se from the in-
crease of fish in the waters within its boundaries, but the pro-
ceeds thereof go directly to the fisherman.

Then again, fish protection does not appeal to the fisherman
as does game and bird protection to the hunter and sportsman.
The absence of sentiment and the application of the senses of
sight and sound which appeal to the aesthetic nature of men
as well as of women whose early morning slumbers are brought
to an end by the beautiful songs and warblings of the song-
birds ; the beauty of their plumage to the sight, the steady arm
and true aim of the sportsman who kills his pheasant or his
quail or his deer or his rabbit—none of these things appeal to
the fisherman, who throws his net trusting to Providence or
good luck to fill it with the finny tribe

not. that any of his
senses shall be gratified or his troubled brain soothed by song,

but how much will the catch be worth. This is the only senti-
133

134 Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting.

ment that controls the market fisherman. He cares not for his
fellowman nor his state, but how much is there in it for him,
that is all. Hence the difficulty in enforcing laws, even after
proper ones are passed by the state for fish protection. That
this sentiment alone controls him and that this is the reason
that he will not aid in the protection of fish goes without denial.
And even if you try to prove to him that by seeking and taking
undersized fish or by the destruction of spawn he will extermi-
nate them, and if he will let them grow, he will secure a larger
increase in the revenue from the industry, it 1s not believed by
him. I have used this argument time and time again. A few
weeks ago at a trial of some cases at Rock Hall, Maryland, and
at which I secured the conviction of a number of fishermen for
violating the fish laws, | made this argument: In the Baltimore
markets this past spring perch of the size of about eight or nine
inches could not be had for less than fifty cents per bunch of six
or seven, while fish of a size prohibited by law in our state, to-
wit, seven inches, sold and could be had in plenty for some ten to
fifteen cents per bunch of eight or ten. I appealed to them on
the ground of a cold-blooded financial proposition, showing the
difference between securing twelve cents for a commodity which
undisturbed would bring fifty cents within a single year, but as
usual a deaf ear was turned to all my arguments, and they are at
this time daily violating the law.

[ do not refer to the angler’s destruction of fish in this paper
because he plays but a small part in fish destruction, for in my
state | really believe that a good haul of one purse net destroys
more fish than all the fish taken by all the anglers in a season.

Therefore, while the education of the finer sensibilities of the
children, the women and the sportsmen will bring about the
natural protection to a large extent of the song and game birds,
the market fisherman refuses to be educated on these lines,
hence the first problem. The fisherman must be educated on
other lines—the mercenary ones. Appeals must be made to his
pocket rather than to his heart or brain. He must be taught to
believe—which is a fact—that he is killing the goose that is
laying for him the golden egg; that he is putting at defiance
the better wisdom of the state which passes laws for the protec-

St

American Fisheries Society. tee

tion of a commercial commodity for his sole benefit ; he must be
educated up to the fact that fish are the sustenance of life as
well as palatable to the taste; that notwithstanding the artificial
propagation of fish the state’s propagation cannot keep up with
his unnatural destruction of them.

From time immemorial the market fisherman has racked his
brain to create some device by which he can take the largest
number of fish with the least trouble, expense and work to him.
From the primeval means of the Indian who used his spear, we
have now come to the system of nets, with the use of which,
in a short time in many of the states, many species of food fish
will be entirely exterminated. The market demands for fish
can never at this day be filled with the natural supply, hence I
take it that this was the reason that the United States govern-
ment and the state government inaugurated the artificial propa-
gation of fish and which has resulted in the formation of the
American Fisheries Society, when at least once a year its
members may get together to discuss means for the better and
more effective propagation of fish.

I must plead ignorance as to any solution of this problem of
fish protection in any of the states other than my own and the
states that adjoin it. Beyond any question of contradiction I
claim that Maryland has in the Chesapeake Bay the richest body
of water in the world; not only in its finny tribe, but its terrapin,
its oysters and its crabs, which are world-famed for their value
as well as their deliciousness. At the same time there is less
protection in Maryland for these than in any state in the union.

To particularize ; almost every net that is used for the taking
of fish in Maryland is prohibited somewhere in the state. One
county will prohibit the use of a certain net and the adjoining
county permit it. Purse netting, the greatest known destructor
of small fish, is prohibited in Maryland, but only above a certain
line in the Chesapeake Bay.

In 1g02, after much labor, the Maryland State Game Asso-
ciation, through its secretary, prepared and passed the bill
which is known as “The Fresh Water Bill for the Protection of
Bass, Pickerel, Pike, Perch, also known as wall-eyed Pike, Cali-
fornia Salmon, Yellow Perch, Rock or Striped Bass, making

136 Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting.

it unlawful to take any of these fish of a certain size, to-wit,
white perch less than seven inches in length, yellow perch less
than eight inches, pike less than fourteen inches, rock or striped
bass or tailors less than ten inches, and black bass less
than eight inches, and provided further that the season
shall be closed at certain times of the year in which these various
fish may spawn.” One of the fairest bills for fish protection
that | know of, admitted to be such by the members of the
Legislature who passed it, but notwithstanding the fact that
they admitted it was one of the best bills ever presented, the
representatives of nine out of the twenty-three counties had it
exempted from operating in their counties.

This bill also made it unlawful to have in possession or offer
for sale any of the above enumerated sized fish in the City of
Baltimore. Now what is the result? I began first to Have
arrested the wholesale dealers who offered for sale undersized
fish. From this began howl No. 1, resulting in the bill going to
the Court of Appeals on the ground of unconstitutionality, but
which the Court of Appeals sustained.

1 then began a crusade against the retail dealers, which
brought about howl No. 2. Their chief complaint was that if
a fisherman was not permitted to catch fish undersize, then they
would have no undersized fish to offer for sale. I then at-
tempted to pursue (and in many cases succeeded) the catchers
of undersized fish, but on going into certain counties my hands
were tied because that particular county was exempted from
the provisions of this bill and I was up against this condition,
that while it was lawful for them to catch undersized fish, ac-
cording to this law, in the waters of their county, it was unlaw-
ful for them to take such fish to Baltimore to offer them for
sale.

| merely mention this to show the chaotic conditions which
are prevalent not only in Maryland, but in other states of the
Union, where the local laws of a county are superior to the
state laws. Our state has been working for a long while to get
a uniform and consistent fish law for the protection of all kinds
of food fishes, but without result, and this may be apparent to
you when I tell you that there are certainly thirty thousand vot-

American Fisheries Society. 137

ers in Maryland engaged in the fish and oyster industries, and
most of these are on the Eastern shore of Maryland. You can
draw your own conclusions,

Since my induction in office, April Ist, at a rough estimate
I have prosecuted not less than 100 cases of violation of the
laws and imposed fines ranging from five dollars (which is the
minimum) for each fish, up to one hundred dollars. Nets have
been destroyed and confiscated, and notwithstanding all of this,
violations are going on and fishermen persist 1n violating the
law, trusting to escape its penalties. On the Susquehanna Flats
alone there are to-day estimated to be one thousand fike nets ;
in the Chesapeake Bay there are vessels daily using purse nets,
and in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries there are a suffi-
cient number of pound nets, if put in a straight line, that would
reach, | was going to say about two hundred miles, certainly a
length that would surprise you.

On last Tuesday, the 18th, for the first time in the history
of fish protection in Maryland, | succeeded in arresting and
taking into custody two schooners with their crews, consisting
of thirteen men; four 24-foot yawl boats and two purse nets,
one of one hundred and thirty fathoms and the other of one
hundred and sixty-five fathoms, but in doing this, which is the
greatest stride yet made by the state in breaking up purse net-
ters, | only got two vessels out of a fleet of five.

But [am taking up too much time in this matter. Fish pro-
tection in Maryland, as I presume in other states, needs a num-
ber of things to solve the problem. I suggest:

First. After the passage of protective laws to provide the
authorities who have the protection in charge proper machinery
with which to-enforce these laws. I mean by this high speed
vessels to reach those boats that attempt to escape after being
detected.

Second. Pound and purse nets should be prohibited in all
the waters of the state without any exception.

Third. Such nets as are permitted to be used should be of
a sufficient size mesh to permit the small fish to go through
without gilling.

138 Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting.

Fourth. Stringent laws should be passed to prevent the
taking of any kind of fish at any place during the spawning

season.

Fifth. Laws should be made to carry out the above sugges-
tions and to put a heavy penalty for having in possession any
net of a size not large enough to permit the free passage of un-
dersized fish.

Sivth. The passage of a uniform law by the states, fixing
the minimum size of fish to be had in possession or offered for
sale, thus preventing an adjacent state from receiving in its
market fish of this prohibited size, which otherwise offers an
inducement to the fisherman to evade laws of his own state and
prevents the adjacent state from aiding him in its violation by
taking from him undersized fish for sale.

Seventh. Putting a heavy penalty on railroad and trans-
portation companies for carrying out of the state fish which are
prohibited to be sold within the state.

I believe that the solution of this problem of fish protection
lies in these two important features: First, the education of
the fisherman along the lines suggested above and, second, the
prohibition of certain kinds of nets and th* regulation of other
nets as to the size of the mesh.

I thank this Society for permitting me to express my views
concerning fish protection. I only regret that my experience
has not been of such a character as to permit me to make valua-
ble suggestions for the protection of fish that you are striving
so hard to increase for the benefit of the people of our state and
country.

ON THE PROTECTION OF FISH IN INLAND
WATERS.

BY DR. JAMES A. HENSHALL, OF BOZEMAN, MONT.

Next in importance to the proper protection of fish and the
replenishing of waters, is the proper protection of the waters
themselves and the fish food in them. Indeed, there are those
who deem the latter measure of more real and permanent benefit
than artificial stocking. They argue that if the waters are kept
free of pollution, and practicable fishways established on
streams, the natural increase of fishes would render stocking by
artificial methods unnecessary. This view seems _ plausible
enough were the primitive conditions of the waters preserved
and maintained. But such is not the case, and never will be.

The natural conditions of all waters in the settled portions
of our country have been changed. This change has been
brought about by various activities that are the result of the so-
called advance of civilization. Among them are the various 1n-
dustries of lumbering, mining, manufacturing and agriculture,
and the sewage of towns and cities.

In lumbering it begins with logging.

The breeding grounds of the trouts and graylings are in the
tiny streams forming the headwaters of creeks and rivers. In
their primitive state they were in the midst of coniferous for-
ests, in whose solitude and shade the banks and borders of these
rills and rivulets were clothed with a dense tangle of verdure,
consisting of mosses, ferns and semi-aquatic vegetation. The
spongy soil was saturated with moisture that not only main-
tained and replenished the small streams, but favored the repro-
duction of the larvee of myriads of insects, and the minute crus-
taceans and mollusks, that formed the first food of the baby fish.

Then these secluded precincts were invaded by the lumber-
jack with his axe. The forest soon disappeared, the gloom and
cool shadows of the arboreal recesses were dispelled by the ad-
mission of the scorching rays of the summer sun, and the hot,

dry winds of the highlands; the moisture was dissipated, the
139

140 Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting.

vegetation shriveled, while the streamlets dwindled and finally
disappeared entirely during the summer months. With these
changd conditions went the food of the young fry. The breed-
ing trout failing to reach the old spawning places in the autumn
were compelled to utilize the gravel beds lower down the
stream, where the food of the young fry existed in but limited
quantity.

Then with the melting of the snows came the spring rise,
and with it the logs of the lumberman, plowing out the beds on
the gravel bars, scattering the trout fry and killing many. In
Michigan, in each recurring spring, the logs plowed up the
spawning beds of the grayling, destroying the ova almost en-
tirely for many seasons. To this cause, alone, is to be charged
the almost total extinction of grayling in Michigan waters, and
not to over-fishing. Neither have they been driven out by the
trout, as has been alleged. Before the era of logging trout and
grayling had existed for all time, and dwelt together in perfect
amity.

The mining of metals and the smelting of ores can not be
operated without water, consequently the streams in the neigh-
borhood of mines become discolored and impregnated with de-
leterious matter that destroys, utterly, the food of fish fry,
covers up the spawning beds with silt and debris, and eventually
pollutes the stream to such an extent that but few, if any, ma-
ture fish can survive in them.

The offal from distilleries, and the sawdust from sawmills,
likewise settles on spawning beds, so that if any fish eggs are
deposited they are smothered and the embryo perishes. Chaff
from the slop of distilleries and sawdust from the mills often
become lodged in the gills of mature fish, causing inflammation
and death.

Coal mining is also fatal to fish life, inasmuch as the wash-
ing of coal, as now practiced, not only discolors the water, but
the coal dust is deposited on the spawning beds, and if breathed
in by fish, old or young, clogs the gills, and from the well-
known hardness of carbon, irritates and inflames them.

The waste matter from oil refineries, paper mills, starch fac-
tories, etc., where poisonous chemicals or noxious substances
are used or occur as by-products, is very destructive to fish of

American Fisheries Society. 141

all ages, and is a more potent factor in the destruction of fish
food than any agency mentioned.

All of you are doubtless familiar with the loss of fish life
from the causes enumerated, but there is a source not generally
suspected that is the cause of untold havoc and destruction,
whereby millions of fish and fry perish annually. This is all
the more lamentable as it could be so easily prevented. I allude
to the wholesale destruction of fish life through the operation of
irrigation ditches. It is very discouraging to fish culturists in
the western states, after hatching and rearing fry and yearlings
with much care, labor and solicitude, to have them stranded on
the meadows and grain fields of the selfish or thoughtless
rancher. It seems to be impossible, by argument or reasoning,
to impress the average legislature in the west of the importance
of screening irrigation ditches at the intake. The only objection
raised is that it would be too much trouble, or take too much of
his time, for the rancher to keep the screen clear of leaves and
trash. This objection, however, is a mere subterfuge, for during
the season of irrigation in the summer the streams are free of
trash.

But to meet and overcome this objection I devised a very
simple affair, as some of you may know, that would be just as
effective in keeping fish out of the ditches as a screen, and one
that would need no attention after being put in place. It is an
eight-bladed paddle wheel of simple and inexpensive construc-
tion, to be placed in a short flume at the intake of a ditch, with
enough fall to create sufficient current to operate the wheel.
No fish will pass it while it is in motion. Its cost is but little, if
anything. but were its use compelled by law it would deprive
the rancher of his winter supply of salted trout, and of a val-
uable fertilizer in the shape of trout fry.

I have made two efforts to have the use of the device made
compulsory by incorporating such a provision as a section of
the game and fish laws of Montana. But both times the com-
mittee on game and fish cut it out for the reason that it might
jeopardize the rest of the pending bill, the principal feature of
which seemed to be to create a fund for the payment of the
game wardens. As the present law now stands, a resident of
Montana must procure a license to fish, and pay for it; but in-

142 Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting.

asmuch as the same law provides no adequate protection for
fish, this tax is generally looked on with much disfavor.

The only protective measure for fish in Montana is that the
sale of trout and grayling is illegal. Were it not for this pro-
vision the average rancher would have a cinch, for the town
markets would be glutted during summer and fall with trout
and grayling scooped out of his irrigation ditches.

In view of the extensive schemes of irrigation contemplated
in the arid regions of the west by the national and state govern-
ments, the proper protection of fishes should be provided for in
advance; after awhile it will be too late. Last month a big
irrigation canal, constructed by the government, was opened,
having its source in the Truckee River, in Nevada. Govern-
ment and state officials were present to celebrate the event. One
account Says:

“The gates of the dam were lowered and those of the canal
were raised, the great flood pouring into the huge ditch. The
reclamation project in Nevada was then formally dedicated.
When the gates on the river dam were lowered the bed of the
stream below was dry. In an instant the party found diverting
sport in catching the large trout that were floundering on the
rocks.”

The protection of fish by law in many states is mostly on
paper. Taking fish during the spawning season, or by means of
nets, the spear, and dynamite, and the slaughter of the inno-
cents by the conscienceless angler, are not rare occurrences. In
some states where the laws for the protection of game-birds and
mammals are rigidly enforced, and but little illegal shooting is
done, the laws for the protection of fish are frequently violated.
It is popularly considered not so great an offense to take a trout
or a black bass during the close season as to shoot a quail or
grouse when prohibited by law.

In the older states, where game-fish have become scarce,
there is now a disposition to provide stringent laws for their
protection, another instance of locking the stable door after the
horse is stolen. But on the other hand the equally important
matter of protecting the water itself, and the fish food in it, is
seldom thought of or sadly neglected. It is popularly supposed
that fish should abound, thrive and multiply, wherever there is

American Fisheries Society. 143

a reasonable amount of water, even if polluted or contaminated
by deleterious matter which is destructive of fish food, if not of
the fishes themselves. Sometimes the mistake is made of dump-
ing fry or yearlings in the main body of streams or the open
water of ponds or lakes, where but little fish food exists, and
where they are soon taken in by the larger fish.

It has been said that the proper way to train a child is to
begin with its grand-mother. So the proper way to protect fish
of inland waters is to begin with the water itself. Practicable
fish-ways should be placed in every dam or other obstruction.
Manufacturing plants and mines should be compelled by law to
construct settling ponds for waste liquid products, so that the
overflow would consist of comparatively innocuous water. In
all states where irrigation is practiced, laws should be enacted
providing for some effectual device for keeping fish and fry out

of the ditches. Close seasons for all game—and food-fish dur-

ing the breeding seasons, should be established, and severe pen-
alties should be exacted for the violation of such laws. Every
peace officer, or officer of the courts, should be made a game
and fish warden with full powers, in addition to the regularly
appointed wardens.

The sewage of towns and cities is another problem that will
have to be dealt with eventually, though at present it receives
but little attention. If these things can be accomplished better
in the future than they have been in the past, and more care be
taken in stocking waters with fry or yearlings by depositing
them in the smallest tributaries, or shallow, protected places,
where there is a reasonable amount of food suitable for them,
we will be on the road toward a better state of things, so that
by the continual stocking of waters with fish artificially propa-
gated, a fair amount of fish life may still be maintained in inland
waters.

I consider that it should not only be the privilege and pleas-
ure, but the duty of this Society, individually and collectively,
to employ every means to educate the people to a proper sense
and appreciation of protective measures, not only for fish, but
for the waters as well, and to use its influence in shaping such
wise, adequate and effectual legislation as may be necessary to
that end.

144 Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting.

As the Department of Agriculture has begun the good work
of protecting and conserving our game-birds and mammals, the
question naturally arises: Why should not Federal protection
be extended to our fishes in public waters? I can imagine no
good reason why the United States Bureau of Fisheries should
not take an active interest in preventing the pollution of public
waters, and in protecting the fishes that inhabit them. In antic-
ipation of the extensive irrigation projects contemplated by the
general government in the western states, the influence and
timely action of the bureau would prevent the almost total de-
pletion of the streams of fish life which would otherwise surely
follow.

DISCUSSION.

President: In the report of Dr. Henshall’s paper read ves-
terday at the hatchery, Mr. Clark has discovered what he claims
to be some inaccuracies, and he would like to state them and have
them corrected, so as to have it go into the published proceed-
ings all mght.

Mr. Clark: It is unfortunate that the paper of Dr. Henshall
on “Phe Protection of Fish in Inland Waters,” could not have
been read in full before the meeting. It was read before the
vathering down at the hatching station, when very few were
present, and in fact I believe part of the paper was not read at
all. Since that time | have had the privilege of reading his
paper, and after going over it quite carefully, I think it worthy
of very careful consideration.

Dr. Henshall savs in his paper: “In Michigan, in each re-
curring spring, the logs ploughed up the spawning beds of the
eravling, destroying the ova almost entirely, for many seasons.
And to this cause alone, is to be charged the almost total extine-
tion of the grayling in Michigan waters, and not to over-fishing.
Neither have they been driven out by the trout, as has been
alleged. Before the era of logging, trout and grayling had ex-
isted for all time.” I wish to call attention to the fact that in
printing the paper that way without making any explanation, it
would seem as though the Michigan and the United States Fish
Commissions had practically nothing to do with these streams,
so far as stocking is concerned. It is not a fact that the grayling

American Fisheries Society. 145

streams had trout in them. In my first fish cultural work thirty
years ago, the streams that contained grayling were barren of
trout, and the latter were not there until planted. I want to
emphasize the fact that the best streams today in Michigan are
those that have been stocked by the state and Federal Fish Com-
missions. That point I want to bring out clearly.

Dr. Henshall further says: “All of you are doubtless familiar
with the loss of fish arising from the causes enumerated, but
there is a source already suspected whereby millions of fish and
fry perish annually. This is all the more lamentable as it could
be so easily prevented. I allude to the wholesale destruction of
fish life through the operations of irrigating ditches.”

And further on: “As the Department of Agriculture has
begun the good work of protecting and conserving our game
birds and mammals, the question naturally arises: whether or not
federal protection should be extended to our fishes in public
waters. I can imagine no good reason why the United States
Bureau of Fisheries should not take an active interest in prevent-
ing the pollution of public waters, and in protecting the fishes
that inhabit them. In anticipation of the extensive irrigation
projects contemplated by the general government in the western
states, the influence and timely action of the Bureau would pre-
vent the almost total depletion of the streams of fish life which
would otherwise surely follow.”

I think that this society ought to take some official action,
now that the irrigation matter has been taken up so extensively,
to urge upon the various states and the national congress to do
something along the line of fish protection. I can see the point
Dr. Henshall makes further back about the gates being opened
and the trout rushing down and scattering out and all dying.
He gives a plan there that he thinks will remedy the difficulty
easily, and I believe it is a matter that should be thoroughly
investigated. Undoubtedly in time an effort will be made to
remedy the trouble; but it is urged that something be done now,
before the streams are greatly injured.

Mr. Fullerton: I suggest that Mr. Clark present a resolu-
tion to be acted upon in that hne.

Mr. Seymour Bower: I wish to endorse all that Mr. Clark
10

146 Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting.

has said in regard to the distribution of trout and grayling nat-
urally, in the state of Michigan. The inference to be drawn from
Dr. Henshall’s paper, as I understood it yesterday, was that the
trout and grayling inhabited the same waters indiscriminately.
According to our best information that is not true. The trout
belt and grayling belt of Michigan were clearly defined. The
great natural trout belt of Michigan was the upper peninsula,
and there is today and never has been but one grayling stream in
the upper peninsula, viz., Otter river. The great natural gray-
ling belt was in the lower peninsula; and these streams contained
no brook trout. Those that contained the grayling had no brook
trout naturally, except possibly a few where the dividing lines
nearly joined; but practically the grayling streams contained no
trout, and vice versa. ‘Today, of course, grayling are practically
extinct, but the streams are all now strictly first class trout
streams, made so through the introduction of fish from the hateh-

erles.

Mr. Titcomb: I want to ask a question on that point. Was
the depletion of the grayling caused by the introduction of the
trout ?

Mr. Bower: ‘That is a mooted question. Dr. Henshall says
it is principally through the running of logs destroying the
spawning beds. But the introduction of trout is a factor at least.
Of course the introduction of any kind of fish where there is only
one variety, as there was practically in the case of grayling, would
supplant the single variety to a greater or less extent. My own
opinion is that those streams will never be restored as grayling
streams because they are stocked with trout.

Mr. Titeomb: On Mr. Clark’s reference to Dr. Henshall’s
paper, and the effects of irrigation on the fishing, I think that
matter is just as important as the protection of the Yellowstone
Park, and I think there should be some action, state or national,
or both, in that respect; and I believe that a resolution should be
drawn by the resolutions committee on that subject. I get
reports from other sources than those to which Dr. Henshall has
access, from other superintendents and persons applying for
fish; I note that the irrigation situation is growing worse and
worse every year, and extending from one place to another. Even

American Fisheries Society. 147

in Colorado where the trout has obtained such a foothold since
the artificial propagation has been taken up there, we face the
evil results of irrigation. The stock of blue back salmon has
disappeared from the Columbia river, a fact which is largely due
to irrigation in the head waters. Dr. Evermann can vouch for

that.

Dr. Evermann: I think that is true, although I have made
no personal observation on that point; I have been told by people
in various places in the Snake River Basin, that the young blue-
back salmon go down during the spring floods, and in immense
numbers run up into the irrigating ditches ; and I know the same
thing to be true in certain places in Colorado as to trout; but as
to the fact regarding the blueback salmon, I am not personally
conversant with them, though I have no doubt that irrigating
ditches in the west are a very serious factor in the destruction of
the various Salmonidae in that region.

President: It seems to me that the importance of this sub-
ject requires especial attention. Perhaps the committee on reso-
lutions have not time to take this thing up and present it in shape
to be effective. It seems.to me that there should be a special
committee to look into that matter and draw strong resolutions.
If the committee on resolutions have the time and can get the
testimony they want and incorporate it, that is all right; but I
have heard no motion to take the matter up and refer to the com-
mittee on resolutions.

THE GOLDEN TROUT OF VOLCANO CREEK.

BY DR. BARTON W. EVERMANN, OF WASHINGTON, D. C.

I shall take but a few minutes to tell something about the
Golden trout of Volcano Creek, California. There was not very
much known about this very interesting species of trout until
recently. Up to 1875 nothing whatever was known regarding
the trout of the Southern High Sierras. In that year certain
specimens were collected from the south fork of the Kern River,
and identified as the common rainbow trout. Nothing more
was known from 1875 until 1891, when members of the Biolog-
ical Survey of the Department of Agriculture and certain gen-
tlemen living at Lone Pine, in California, collected specimens
of trout in this region.

The locality is southeast from San Francisco, 250 to 300
miles. It is the culmination of the High Sierras, Mt. Whitney,
the highest mountain in the United States, being within this
region; and the streams to which | have referred nearly all have
their headwaters in and about Mt. Whitney and its neighboring
peaks. Just over the divide is Owens Lake, in Inyo county and
east of Tulare county. Volcano Creek is due west from Owens
Lake.

In 1891 certain gentlemen at Lone Pine collected specimens
of a trout and sent them to the Nevada State Fish Commis-
sioner, who forwarded them to the California State Fish Com-
missioner, San Francisco, and they finally fell into the hands of
Dr. Jordan of Stanford University, who described the fish as a
nw species,

Nothing more was known of the fish until recently. Two
years ago, Stewart Edward White, the author of the “Blazed
Trail,” called the attention of the President to the trout of Vol-
cano Creek, and the ease with which it might be exterminated.
He stated to President Roosevelt that this trout is found only
in one creek; that while it 1s abundant in that one stream, the
number of tourists who go in there each year will be sufficient,

unless some precautionary measures are taken, to exterminate
148

American Fisheries Society. 149

the species. And as he thought the extreme beauty and game-
ness, and interesting features of this trout, merited that it
should receive some protection, he urged that this protection be
given. In response to these representations the President of the
United States asked the Commissioner of Fish and Fisheries to
have some inquiries made regarding the golden trout and the
possibilities of its extermination ; and it was in carrying out the
commissioner's wishes that I had opportunity to go into this
region a year ago.

The Kern River region is exceedingly interesting in its hy-
drography. There is one large river, the Kings, flowing west ;
another, the Kern, flowing due south for many miles of its
course; and bisecting the angle between them, is the Kaweah
River, flowing to the southwest. We went up the south fork
of the Keweah River, examining it in different places, finding
trout, and finally coming to the headwaters of the tributaries of
the Little Kkern, where we found trout not previously collected
by anyone. Then we went over the Western Divide of the
Sierras to Kern Lake, and there obtained specimens of the Kern
River trout, a species of rainbow that had been known since
1893, and a very beautiful species it is. From there we went up
Kern River, crossed it and followed up Volcano Creek, formerly
called Whitney Creek, on the supposition that it had its head-
waters on the slope of Mount Whitney, but that was a mistake.
The name Whitney Creek was then transferred to another
creek, which rises on the west slope of Mount Whitney, and
the other creek was given the name “Volcano Creek,” which
had been applied to it to some extent before, owing to the
presence of some five or six small volcanic cones along its
course. From Volcano Creek we went north and followed up
Whitney Creek to its head and examined other streams and
lakes further north.

Kern River flows through an exceedingly deep canyon, hav-
ing from 2,000 to 4,000 feet of wall on each side. It also flows
exactly south for a number of miles of its course. The streams
which come into Kern River from the east and west, come down
from the high mountain plateau on each side and drop into
Kern River over considerable falls. In nearly all instances the
falls are so great as absolutely to prevent the ascent of fishes.

150 Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting.

Those falls, of course, through the wearing down of the rock,
have come into existence gradually, and such of these lateral
streams as are peopled by fishes were doubtless stocked before
these falls became impassable. but in some instances the falls
became impassable at once, before the streams were stocked, and
as a result there are no trout or fish of any kind in many of
them. In fact, the majority of the east and west tributaries are
entirely without fish, although every indication points to the
fact that they would be exceedingly well adapted to trout. And
this is one of the good fields for fish cultural work, either by
the Bureau of Fisheries or the state of California, that is to say,
taking fish from streams where they are found and planting
them into these barren waters.

On the west side of Kern River is the Little Kern, which
has trout in a number of its tributaries. We found them in
Soda Creek, a small stream, and learned that they had been
transplanted by ranchers over to the headwaters of the south
fork of the Kaweah, and we found the trout in these two places
identical.

On the east is a stream called the South Fork, and just
north of it is Voleano Creek, the stream of most interest to us,
flowing nearly due south, and then making an abrupt bend to
the westward. At the point where it makes a bend to the west-
ward it comes within a few rods of the south fork of the Kern,
but there is a broad alluvial ridge separating them now. Vol-
cano Creek drops into Kern River canyon over at least three
very considerable falls, ranging from eighteen feet to sixty-
three feet in height, and it is impossible for fishes to get up
over any of them.

Throughout the entire length of Voleano Creek is found this
golden trout of Volcano Creek. Doubtless the trout of that
creek came originally from Kern River, and it will interest all
of you, | am sure, to compare the Kern River trout, the Vol-
cano Creek trout, and the one from Soda Creek. The Kern
River trout, or Gilbert trout, is profusely spotted throughout ;
it has a rich, rosy wash on the side. Between the rami of the
lower jaw there is sometimes a slight wash of red, but ordinar-
ily not. The important point is that they are so profusely spot-
ted all over, with the anal, dorsal and ventral fins white tipped,

American Fisheries Society. il!
y

somewhat as in the common brook trout, but it is not a Salve-
linus, but a Salmo.

In Soda Creek and other tributaries of the Little Kern, and
perhaps some other streams on the west side of Kern River, is
found a species which differs very materially from the Kern
River trout. However large the individual may get, they al-
ways retain the parr marks, but the spotting is not nearly so
abundant as in the Kern River trout, although it extends the
full length of the side above the lateral line, covering that com-
pletely, and below the lateral line to perhaps half way down the
side of the body. The lower half of the side of the body is a
rich lemon or orange color, and the belly has a very broad rich
orange or cadmium band. It is a small creek fish which never
reaches a large size. It is not related to the Dolly Varden.

Secretary Peabody: What is the extreme size of the Kern
River trout ?

Dr. Evermann: The largest one I caught weighed three
and a half pounds. It is a splendid game fish, and it puts up a
ereat fight. It is said to reach a weight of seven or eight
pounds.

On the east side in the South Fork of the Kern, is the fish
that President Jordan described several years ago, which is
very much like Soda Creek trout, with no spots below the lat-
eral line, but is spotted above the lateral line.

Then there comes the real Golden Trout found in Volcano
Creek, which has scarcely any spots anywhere. The dorsal and
caudal fins are profusely spotted, as in all the other cases, but
on the body typically there are no spots, excepting on the caudal
peduncle, extending no further forward than the adipose fin.
The rest of the body and head are entirely without spots. The
Parr marks persist in specimens eleven and a half and twelve
inches in length, that I have seen. The scales are exceedingly
small, smaller perhaps than in any other known sepcies of trout,
although the counting does not show it, but that is because the
scales are not imbricated, but separated with interspaces be-
tween. But even allowing for that, there are at least 200 in a
series along the middle of the side. Then the richness of the
side, and the extreme richness of the. broad cadmium band on
the belly, are worth nothing.

152 Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting.

Now just a few words regarding the fish cultural value of
this golden trout. In the first place, as I have already said, it
is an exceedingly beautiful trout. In the second place, it is an
exceedingly game fish. Unfortunately it will take any sort of
lure, and therein lies the danger of its extermination. Many
camping parties go into the Kern River canyon every season.
While I was on the creek a period of two or three days, there
were several parties, composed of from two to eight people, en-
camped on the creek. They were fishing all the time, and I
was sorry to see in the “Outlook” that one man, who should
have known better, as he is professedly a friend of game and
fish protection, admitted that his party of three ate sixty of
these fish for supper. That is more than our entire party of ten
people took in three days for table purposes and for specimens.

Secretary: What is the temperature of the water?

Dr. Evermann: About 53° to 55° F., when we were there,
just a year ago to-day.

The golden trout is a hardy fish. Some years ago the Cali-
fornia Fish Commission took a number of specimens out by
pack train from the creek, a long day’s pack down the Lone
Pine, and then by rail around to San Francisco, to the hatchery
at Sisson, and they reached there with scarcely any mortality.
But soon after the fish reached there they died on account of
defective water supply.

Last spring a Sportsman’s Association of San Francisco,
which was having an exhibit, sent a man to Cottonwood Creek,
and he got forty or fifty specimens of the closely related species
found there; and they reached San Francisco without the loss
of a single individual, and remained in the aquariums there for
several weeks, without loss, and finally were taken to the hatch-
ery at Sisson, where some of them still remain. The Bureau of
Fisheries made an attempt last spring to get trout out from
Voleano Creek for the Portland Exposition, but an accident
happened to the fish after leaving Lone Pine, and the attempt
was unsuccessful. But everything that we do know about the
golden trout, indicates that it is a hardy fish and can be trans-
ported easily, and no doubt would do exceedingly well in our
smaller mountain streams, particularly in various places in the
west. I do not know if it would do so well in any of the New

Qo

American Fisheries Society. Pa:

England streams, but it would be exceedingly interesting, I
think, to take some of the fish from Volcano Creek, and make a
plant of them in some small mountain stream in the east, and
note the effect it would have upon the coloration, Of course the
peculiar colors of the fish are due largely, or wholly, to its en-
vironment, and the environment of its ancestors. Volcano
Creek is made up largely of granite sand, gravel, volcanic sand,
and volcanic tufa, which resulted from various volcanic erup-
tions occurring here, all of which have a yellowish white color,
and in many places the bed of the stream is yellowish white,
and when these fish are lying close to the bottom it is sometimes
difficult to extinguish the fish if it is quiet, from the general
color of the bottom. But that is what you would expect, as
just such factors as those have had much to do with the colors
of all fishes and other animals.

There are two ways of getting to the Kern River. A good
way is to go by the Southern Pacific, or Santa Fe to Visalia,
then by stage to Redstone Park or Threerivers, and outfit there.
If you go for angling you will get two or three introduced spec-
imens, the common rainbow, the Shasta rainbow, and the cut-
throat trout, also the Soda Creek trout, the golden trout of Vol-
cano Creek, and the golden trout of the South Fork of the Kern.
You will find a larger number of fishes, and in a setting perhaps
not surpassed anywhere in the United States, for beauty and
grandeur.

I should like to repeat again, and there is no field that I
know of where fish cultural operations can be extended to better
advantage than in the headwaters of the Kern, and certain head-
waters of the Kaweah and Kings Rivers. There are large num-
bers of small mountain streams, and high mountain lakes, which
are well supplied with trout food, and which are now entirely
without fish of any kind, and these regions are sure to come into
greater and greater prominence year by year, as more tourists
go there.

Ordinarily it is said that it does not rain in this region in
the summer time, and we went in taking that statement at its
face value; but it rained on us every day for fourteen days, but
fortunately the majority of the rains were not heavy enough to
cause us inconvenience.

154 Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting.

A report upon this golden trout and its relatives, will be
published by the bureau shortly.
(Great applause. )
DISCUSSION.

Mr. Clark: As Mr. Ward Bower is here, and as he brought
out the trout to take to the Portland Exposition, I would like to
have him describe to the Society, how he brought those fishes
from the creek to the railroad point.

Mr. Ward Bower: Mr. President, I do not know that I can
say anything of interest in this matter, as I had no intimation
that | was to be called upon, but in company with a party that
camped on Volcano Creek this spring, we had no difficulty in
catching the trout with hook and line; in fact, one man went out
in three hours fishing in the forenoon took 166 with a hook and
line, with a small piece of bacon for bait. They would take most
anything. Even a bare hook, I am quite sure, would catch the
golden trout at times. We first attempted to take them in a
seine, but were not successful. We found no difficulty in hold-
ing them. Our object was to obtain eggs, but we found we
were too late. The fish had spawned.

There is a direct trail from Lone Pine over to Volcano Creek
a distance of thirty-four miles, to where we established our
headquarters, but owing to the height of the pass, about 11,000
feet, where it is necessary to cross in order to take this direct
trail, and to the depth of the snow (this was on May 25th) we
were forced to take a roundabout trail, requiring four days’ time

and a journey of sixty miles, crossing the divide at an elevation
of 8,000 feet. Although supposed to be the easier though lonzer
trail, it was necessary to make numerous detours on account of
the snow and the bogs.

After getting fish and holding them for a time, and finding
it impossible to obtain eggs, we started down for Lone Pine
with them, by the direct or shortest trail, the object being to
transport them to Portland for exhibition purposes. We had
rectangular pack cans that were made especially for carrying
fish by pack train, loaned by the California Fish Commission.
The train included five men, ten animals, a live car, cans, ete.

The cans held about nine gallons each, and were carried two

American Fisheries Society. 155

camseeper tule, ones suspended on either ‘side. In each
can we placed fifty to seventy-five specimens; on an aver-
age they were eight or nine inches in length. We started one
morning from Volcano Creek, and the first day traveled eigh-
teen miles, camping that night on a small stream. Here the fish
were transferred to the live car, which was placed in the stream
over night. The next day, after an unusually difficult half-
mile climb to get out of the creek canyon, we continued our
zigzag course down the mountains, descending about 6,000 feet
the first ten miles, and arriving at Lone Pine that night. We
lost ten trout on the journey. It was necessary to change the
water occasionally, and also to add snow to keep the tempera-
ture down. The sun was very warm during the middle of the
day, although the altitude was still high.

One of the cans was covered with three thicknesses of bur-
lap and kept wet. The temperature in this particular can aver-
aged six degrees colder than the others throughout the entire
journey. Perhaps some insulation of this kind may be of use in
transporting other kinds of fish.

We experienced some difficulty in the loss of water from
the cans, some of which had only a screen wire cover. The
country being very rough, the water splashed out and had to be
replenished whenever possible. I would advise, in the future,
the use of a tight cover with perforation. We delivered the fish
in good condition to a messenger of the bureau, who started
with them for Portland.

THE PROBLEM OF LOBSTER CULTURE.

Experimental Work of the Rhode Island Commissioners of
Inland Fisheries.

BY A. D. MEAD, PROVIDENCE, R. I.

Some years ago the Commissioners of Inland Fisheries of
the State of Rhode Island began an investigation of the prob-
lems connected with the growth, distribution, and abundance
of lobsters, clams, and other shell and food fish of the state.
For the last five years particular attention has been paid to
the lobster, as the lobster fisheries of the state are exceedingly
important and at the same time so extensive as to threaten the
total extermination of this delectable food animal.

At the suggestion of Dr. H. C. Bumpus, then one of the
members of the Rhode Island Commission, an attempt was
made, partly in collaboration of the United States Bureau of
Fisheries, to rear lobster fry in sufficient numbers to preserve,
or if possible to increase, the supply of lobsters.

For a long time the hatching of lobsters has been carried
on artificially by the United States Bureau of Fisheries, but at-
temps to rear the fry to a size where they can protect them-
selves and stand some chance of surviving when put overboard.
have repeatedly been considered by fish-culturists and_ biolo-
gists, but appeared to present insurmountable difficulties, as all
attempts to retain the fry for any length of time in the hatch-
ery proved futile, the mortality being exceedingly rapid.

It hardly seems as if the mere hatching of the eggs would
at all increase the number of lobsters, in fact it almost seems as
if it would be better to allow them to hatch naturally. The eggs
have few enemies, are well protected when attached to the under-
side of the female lobster, and have every chance of hatching
into fry. But the early stages of the fry are unprotected, they
swim at the surface and are eagerly sought after by nearly every
fish that swims. The real problem of lobster culture is to pro-
tect these early fry, to rear them to a stage where they seek the
bottom, and hide under stones and weeds, and burrow in the
gravel, where they are protected from their enemies and stand

156

American Fisheries Society. use

a chance to grow into adult lobsters. In this way only can we
hope to decrease the usual natural mortality which is estimated
amounts to about 999 in every thousand. This was the prob-
lem laid out for the Commission by Doctor Bumpus, and this is
the problem which has been carried out to a successful solution.

As has already been said the eggs need little or no protec-
tion except from man. ‘The mother lobster securely fastens
them to the appendages of the under side of her body, carries
them safe protected for many months, continually aerates them
by the movements of her appendages, and as they slowly hatch,
scatters them widespread as she moves about from place to place.
Most states recognize the importance of protecting the ege-
bearing lobsters. Laws are on the books imposing a penalty for
taking, having in one’s possession, or selling them, and if a
careful inspection by deputies with power of arrest and prose-
cution is made, a certain protection will be afforded. It is
needless to say that at the present time the strict enforcement
of these laws is impossible and that many of the short and “egg”
lobsters caught, are not returned to the water.

The newly hatched fry, however, are at once the victims
of circumstances. They float helplessly about with every shift-
ing current. Everyone who has studied the subject at all has
admitted that the early stages of the fry are the critical stages
of a lobster’s life, and could they be protected and permitted
to grow to the stage where they change their habits, seek the
bottom and burrow in the sand, the problem of the lobster cul-
ture would be solved.

The little lobster which hatches from the egg begins to eat
immediately, grows but little until it is about three days old,
when it sheds its skin and becomes a considerably larger sec-
ond stage fry. It remains in this stage on an average four or
five days when it moults and grows again and becomes a third
stage fry. Again after five or six days it again moults and be-
comes a fourth stage fry. It is during this stage, that it changes
its habits from a free-swimming larva and takes to the bottom
to assume the habits of a full grown lobster. The whole process,
varying with many factors such as temperature, food, ete., takes
from eleven to twenty-one days.

The difficulties connected with rearing the fry to this later

158 Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting.

stage are in brief, first, their terrible cannibalism, second,
the difficulty of keeping them properly aerated and free from
fouling from their decaying food, third, the supply of proper
food, fourth, protection from a growth of diatoms and other
vegetable and animal forms, which appears on the surface of
their bodies and prevents them from swimming and feeding.
To combat and overcome these difficulties one by one has been
the work of the Rhode Island Commission for the past few years.
I will try to review briefly how this has been done.

In 1898 Dr. H. C. Bumpus commenced a series of experi-
ments at Woods Holl, and in 1900 some of them were trans-
ferred to the house-boat laboratory of the Rhode Island Fish
Commission at Wickford. Up to this time a great many de-
vices for enclosing the fry were tried, and proved to be imprac-
ticable, and the one which finally promised the best results
was a scrim bag, suspended in the water so that the movements
of the tide and wind would frequently change its shape and pre-
vent the fry from collecting too densely m any one place. The
meshes of the scrim, of course, allowed a free circulation of
water through the bag; but even in this apparatus, when the
weather was calm, the lobster fry, together with unused food,
would settle into the pockets which were made by the weights
necessarily used to keep the bag under water. When the weights
were taken off, the least wind would blow the bag out of the
water, and this was very trying to the young lobsters. Near the
end of the season of 1900 a new principle was applied, on
which has depended in a large measure the success of the sub-
sequent work.

After the numerous experiments and watching the results
for about five weeks, the conclusion was reached that the secret
of success in rearing the young lobsters was to keep the water
in continuous motion. This accomplishes two things: it pre-
vents the fry from settling into pockets to smother or devour
one another, and it keeps food in suspension, so that the fry can
obtain it.

To prove the correctness of this conclusion with the mater-
ial and apparatus at hand, it was decided to experiment with
lobsters which were at that time in small bags. Accordingly
the force at the laboratory was divided into watches, and the

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*SIaisqo] SunoA ay} Buisies 10j sSBvq ay Dui

160 Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting.

water in the bags was thenceforth stirred with an oar continu-
ously for six days. The results was ample proof that the con-
clusion was correct. There were two lots of lobsters which re-
ceived this treatment. Neither of these lots was considered to
be as promising as the average. However, from one there was
obtained 748 lobsters in the fourth stage. This is a larger
number than were obtained in any other experiment, either at
Wickford, Woods Holl or in any other station where lobster
culture has been tried, so far is I am aware. From the other
319 were obtained in the fourth stage; but as one of the bags
was old, and had a hole in it, the figures fail to give a correct
idea of the results of the experiment. One of the most encour-
aging results of this method was the clean and healthy appear-
ance of the fry in all stages. The continual stirring prevented
the accumulation of parasites found on the body of nearly all
of the specimens in the other lots.

During the following seasons this experiment was follow-
ed up with others, working upon the same theory, namely, that
the water should be constantly stirred. To do this it was nec-
essary to invent a mechanical device which would take the place
of the oar and designs for such an apparatus were immediately
made.

The mechanical device was put into successful operation
in the season of 1901 at Wickford. The apparatus consisted of
a number of rotating horizontal paddles, similar to those in
use over restaurant tables for circulating air, one in each bag,
run by a gasoline engine. The movement of the paddle blades
created a constant upward current of water in the bags, which
kept the fry off the bottom and kept the food suspended in the
water. Through its use 9,000 lobsters were raised to the fourth
stage, and in some experiments 50 per cent of the newly hatched
fry were carried through to this stage. That this was a decided
step in advance of the old methods will readily be admitted by
those who have followed the course of previous experiments.

The apparatus now used (1905) comprises a house-boat
between the pontoons of which are three small hatching bags
6 x 6 x 4 feet, made of canvas; tWo side floats constructed of
6 x 6 in. spruce beams bolted together and buoyed by barrels, each
supporting five large canvas rearing bags about ten or eleven

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162 Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting.

feet square and four feet deep. Each bag has in it a two-
bladed propeller, or “paddle,” revolving about ten times per
minute, which creates an upward whirling current of water
strong enough to keep the fry and particles of food suspended.
The vertical shaft of each propeller is geared to one of three
longitudinal horizontal shafts; these, in turn, to a transverse
shaft which is belted to a two-and-one-half horse power gasoline
engine. Each paddle shaft can be thrown out of gear by a lever.
The transverse shafts of the somewhat movable floats are coupled
to the one running across the house boat by a universal joint
and sliding shaft. The latter is a square shaft in two pieces
sliding in a sleeve which is cast in two pieces for the sake of
economy in manufacture. A drive of 75 feet of shafting is
required to reach the farthest paddles, and the bed for the
shafts is not, by any means, an example of modern “mill con-
struction.” Indeed the floats are constantly bending with the
motion of the water, and also warp more or less. The shafts
also are almost continually bending, but as they are compara-
tively light no trouble results from the lack of rigid construc-
tion and the transmission is very satisfactory.

The improvements in this phase of lobster culture, namely,
that of hatching and rearing to the fourth stage, will, it seems
to us, be mainly in the construction of the bags, the feeding of
the lobsters, and the prevention of parasitic growth. The lat-
ter difficulty, however, is not so serious at Wickford as it was
at Wood’s Holl. Undoubtedly the percentage of yield can be
raised by experimentation along these lines.

It is interesting to trace the actual results of these im-
provements in apparatus. In the year 1899 in the floating
scrim bags at Wood’s Holl Doctor Bumpus succeeding in rear-
ing about one hundred lobsterlings to the fourth stage. This
was one hundred more than had been reared to that stage pre-
viously by any method. In 1900 at Wickford 3,425 fry were
reared to the lobsterling stage and 748 of these came from one
experiment which was stirred with an oar night and day. This
latter number was more than had been reared previously by
the combined efforts at all other localities. With the mechanical
device of 1901 the number reached 8,974; in 1902, 27,300; in
1903, 13,500; in 1904, 50,597. The total number for the pres-

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164 Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting.

ent season, 1905, is 192,000; the entire total for all previous
years is 103,796. The largest number reported from any other
station is 3,750, reared by an apparatus of the same principle at
Wood’s Holl in 1902.

In ascertaining the number of lobsters reared to this stage
the methods of estimating are not trusted, but the lobsters are
counted one by one as they are dipped out of the water with a
tea strainer fastened to the end of a stick.

It is obvious, of course, that the output of “lobsterlings”
might depend upon the number of newly hatched fry available
and on the extent of the apparatus. ‘Taking these things into
consideration the comparison is still more favorable to our sta-
tion, for in most, if not all, other stations the supply of fry
has been greater and the per cent of lobsters hving through
the three moults smaller.

The exact proportions of newly hatched young reared to
the fourth stage can be ascertained accurately only by counting
the number at the beginning and at the end of the experiment.
The time required for counting is so considerable that only
in few cases were the fry counted at the beginning of the ex-
periments.

On June 7 and 8, 1905, 20,000 in the first stage were count-
ed and placed in one bag. The “fours” began to appear in
ten days and all that lived reached this stage before the end of
the twelfth day. 9,635 lobsters in the fourth stage were counted
from this twelfth bag; a yield of 48.1 per cent.

On June 28 and 29, 20,000 young fry, of the first stage,
were counted into one bag. From this lot 8,178 in the fourth
stage were counted; a yield of 40.8 per cent.

These two experiments illustrate very well the general
results of the season’s work, as there was no extraordinary care
given them nor were they conducted under especially favorable
conditions.

The proportionate yield is large as compared with that
of other stations. The largest of these reported heretofore is
6.6 per cent.; Appelof, of Norway, and 21 per cent. at Wood’s
Holl, where the Wickford apparatus was used. The 6.6 per cent
was obtained as an experiment beginning with 1,500 fry in the

American Fisheries Society. 165

second stage. The 21 per cent was obtained in an experiment
beginning with 3,000 (estimated) fry in the first stage.

A higher percentage has been obtained at Wickford with
a smaller number; for example, 50 per cent. fourth stage lob-
sters were obtained from a lot of 1,000 in 1901, but in order to
make the results practical they must be conducted on a larger
scale.

The question of course arises are the efforts of the Rhode
Island Commissioners in thus rearing and planting lobster fry
apparent in an increase of lobsters in the waters of the state?
The time has hardly come to answer this question. From our
experiments it has been determined that it requires some five
or six years for a lobster to attain a size of nine inches or more
and the planting of fry has not been carried on as yet on a large
scale for that length of time. However, in the vicinities where
these lobsters were liberated, the lobster fishermen report that,
for the last two winters young lobsters of about eight inches in
length were abundant along the shore many of them being dug
up by the clam diggers and by ourselves, and it is said that
small lobsters have not been seen in abundance in these locali-
ties for twenty vears. The lobster fry planted by this Commis-
sion should be about as large as these young lobsters by this
time, and it seems probable that this large supply of voung
lobsters is the result of the efforts of the Commission. Again
this past spring the lobster fishermen report a surprising abun-
dance of young lobsters too small to be held in their pots. When
the pots were pulled the little fellows scampered out between
the slats. It certainly looks as though in a few years more,
with continued efforts on the part of the Commission, the
lobster industry of the state, now so dangerously near total ex-
tinction, might be rescued.

We feel that the efforts of the Rhode Island Commission
have meet with success. There are many difficulties to be over-
come, and many chances for improvement. Among the sub-
jects to be further investigated is that of the proper food for the
fry. We at present feed finely chopped clams. At Wood's Holl
finely chopped fish was used. Neither one is a perfect food.
With improvement in the food probably a larger percentage
could be raised to the fourth stage and in less time.

166 Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting.

The presence of a growth of diatoms and other organisms
on the fry is another serious difficulty. The amount of this
growth varies with different seasons. !t can be partially over-
come by proper shading of the bags. A warm temperature, clean
water, proper aeration and circulation of water, proper food
will so hasten development that trouble from this parasite growth
will be largely eliminated.

There are many other problems connected with the latter
stages of the lobster which are of great importance, both econ-
omic and scientific. ‘The Rhode Island Commission has under-
taken the solution of some of these. The habits and require-
ments of the young lobsters which have passed through the
earlicr stages, the rate of growth and age of lobsters up to the
marketable size, the migration of adult lobsters along the
shores and to and from waters of adjoining states, their mi-
erations to and from deep water, the rate of growth of large
lobsters, the extreme age to which lobsters may live and breed,
the rate of moulting of the old and young lobsters, questions
connected with the loss of claws or appendages and the relation
of the growth of new claws or appendages to growth and moult-
ing.

But these are problems for the future. It is sufficient for
us at present that we have worked out a method of lobster
rearing which enables us to hatch and rear lobsters on a large
scale, is comparatively cheap, at least cheap enough to be prac-
tical, is capable of indefinite expansion and which will enable
us each summer to rear a large number of lobsters to a stage
where they will, when liberated grow into large lobsters in suf-
ficient numbers to restock the waters of the state.

DISCUSSION.

During the reading of the paper by Dr. Mead, Dr. Gorham
said :

Forty-eight per cent. of survival of lobster fray is about all
that can be expected.

About half the young lobsters consume: each other. With
better food, however, the percentage of survival may be in-
creased,

In the side and bottom of the box are wire screens to allow

American Fisheries Society. 167

circulation. The crates circulate in the water until the eggs are
all hatched. The hatching is done direct in the water, the eggs
are removed and the lobsters are fed at proper intervals day and
night. In anywhere from eight to twenty-one days, varying with
the temperature of the water principally, these fry pass through
their successive changes, finally changing their habits when they
reach the fourth and fifth stage, and are then ready to be
liberated.

Dr. Smith: Do you consider it possible, with the apparatus
now employed, to rear the fourth state, say 1,000,000 lobster-
lings, without undergoing an expense that would be prohibitive ?
It seems to me that is the crucial question, as applied to this
method which has been so successfully evolved by the Rhode
Island Fish Commission.

Dr. Gorham: Without any great increase in expense, using
the same horse power engine, simply by extending floats, and
increasing the number of bags, we could extend the plant so that
without very much difficulty we could rear in a season a million
fry to the fourth stage.

Mr. Atkins: Would it not take an extra lot of men to oper-
ate those bags?

Dr. Gorham: I think the entire number could be easily
cared for by the same number of men.

Mr. Titcomb: What do you estimate the cost of the present
plant to be?

Dr. Gorham: The laboratory of the Rhode Island Fish
Commission spends about $3,500 in a year in its investigations
of lobsters, clams and other shell fish. The lobster season ex-
tends from the middle of May till the middle of July, or the lat-
ter part of July, and I should say that certainly less than half of
the appropriation was devoted to the lobster work.

Q. Can you give me an estimate of the cost of the plant
itself, aside from operating expenses ?

A. I could not say offhand.

President: The expenses, including all the machinery and

168 Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting.

everything connected with it, labor, food and salary of some of
the men that are employed, are about $3,500 a year, and it has
been divided up so that in any one year we have not had any
great expense, nothing to exceed $3,500, probably about $3,000.
In the first place we got the Marine Laboratory that cost us
$1,000, and then as was necessary and these experiments called
for it, we added gradually. To start right with a plant to hold
a million lobsters, I do not believe it would cost over $5,000 for
the plant, machinery and everything. You do not need a large
house-boat. Ours only cost $1,000.

You must remember that all our work is not devoted to this
one subject, and all this expense which is charged to the labora-
tory work is divided. We spend a great deal of time on the
clam business. We have developed an industry there in which
there is any amount of money commercially, if people will take
it up. We have demonstrated practically that sea farming pays
better than land farming. We have demonstrated beyond ques-
tion that seed clams placed in the shore and protected, in four-
teen months will become edible. When they become edible they
sell readily at wholesale at $1.25 per bushel. We can raise from
700 to 1,500 bushels to the acre. That is quite a farm.

Then we have taken up the artificial propagation of fish to a
limited extent there. We thoroughly investigated the Star fish
in all its phases. We have been through all these things and
worked them down to a final conclusion. The only thing we
have not reached is about some diseases of fish; and I do not
think anybody is going to reach that right away.

We have arrived at this point, that there is a great deal of
interest in our state in the work we are doing. In our largest
fair we made an exhibit last year called “Sea Farming” which
attracted the attention of the public. This year they have asked
us to make another, and we shall elaborate on the former ex-
hibit.

We are doing a labor of love. We do not get anything for
it. Even Dr. Mead gets nothing for his services; but we think
we are going to do some good. New Zealand has appropriated
£7,500 for fish farming; and has sent over for all of our plans
and apparatus, and are going into it with that amount appro-
priated already. We have a good deal of correspondence from

American Fisheries Society. 169

all over. Men have been there from Germany, Japan, and all
over, to visit this work, and it has attracted much attention ; and
we feel very proud of it. We do not want to blow our own
horn, but hope you will get interested in this matter, especially
those of you who are located on the sea shore.

I do not think the United States government could take hold
of anything that would add more to the industries of this
country than the work of growing lobsters. The lobsters are
going, not growing.

One of the difficulties in a large plant would be to get the
eggs of the lobster. We have an understanding with all the
lobster fishermen, that if they will hold their egg lobsters we
will buy them and pay them more than the market price, and
then return the lobster to the waters. In Maine you can get any
quantity of them, but on our coast it is difficult to get female
lobsters.

Mr. Titcomb: The work of the Rhode Island Commission is
most practical. That is a kind of scientific work that the world
admires, and the practical results are admirable. [ am asking
these questions as a business proposition. As I understand it
now, the statement that the plant cost originally $1,000, does not
mean that the actual lobster hatching plant cost that much.

President: Oh, no, not by any means. Of course, to get
this machinery was quite a little item, and required quite a little
study on the part of Dr. Mead; and he had to work the whole
plan out. Of course, it is not perfect yet by any means. I do
not think he had a machinist there at all. He would think out
an idea and go to some machine shop and have it executed and
put it in there and try it. All experimental work, as you know,
was a matter of delay, worry and effort, building up one thing
on another—it is at that stage now. Dr. Gorham has been there
only a short time, but he has done remarkably well and we
think a great deal of him. The whole credit of this enterprise is
really due to Dr. Bumpus. When he was in the employ of the
United States Government he was also with our commission.
He took hold of this matter and had an idea that the problem
could be solved; and you know Dr. Bumpus goes ahead and

170 Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting.

don’t give up. We have only followed along on the lines on
which he started us.

Mr. Titcomb: I would like to ask Dr. Gorham what per-
centage of fry he thinks he gets by allowing the eggs to hatch
naturally on the lobster, as compared with the percentage which
he would hatch by the artificial method ?

Dr. Gorham: It is a little dangerous to attempt to estimate
the proportion that can be hatched by the artificial method. We
have tried a number of times to get an accurate estimate of the
number of eggs hatched when they have been removed from
the lobster. As near as I can figure it, 71 per cent. would cover
the actual number hatched by that method.

We are sure, by experimenting, that the number of eggs
hatched from the eggs while still on the lobster, provided the
lobsters have been properly treated and not kept on ice till the
eggs are killed, is something like 98 per cent. We can then rear
approximately 50 per cent. of these fry to the fourth stage,
where we are sure that a large number of them can care for
themselves and grow into large lobsters. There can be no doubt
of that. We have made a number of experiments in which we
have counted the actual number of fry hatched from the eggs,
and the actual number of fourth stage fry reared from those
that have been hatched and with the apparatus as it stands at
present, we know we can rear every time about 50 per cent. of
the fry to the fourth stage, and we also know that with the
same plant increased for the accommodation of a larger number
of fry, without increasing the size of the house-boat itself, and
without increasing the size of the engine, we can rear ten times
that number of fry, without any doubt. And it seems to me that
when we know the great possibility of these fourth stage fry
living to reach the adult stage, and the great advantage that we
have in planting fry of that age over planting fry that have been
hatched directly from the eggs, there can be no question but
what any efforts we can make to increase the number of these
fourth stag fry that are planted, would be crowned with consid-
erable success, and would certainly increase the number of lob-
sters in the waters where these fry are planted.

Mr. Titecomb: What would you do with 10,000 to 15,000

American Fisheries Society. ; ip

egg lobsters? Would you try to have the eggs hatch on them
naturally ?

Dr. Gorham: You mean in the season? We impound our
lobsters through the winter so that we can have that condition
during the spawning season. By shipping eggs on lobsters we
rear a larger number than by stripping the eggs.

©. Do you think it possible to do it on that stupendous

A. Yes. We keep lobsters impounded until the eggs are
near the hatching point, and so we would have a comparatively
small proportion in number of lobsters in our crates at a given
time. Those lobsters are kept in crates about forty-eight hours,

e

when all the eggs will be found to have hatched into fry.

Mr. Titcomb: We keep these lobsters in pounds. When
lobsters are impounded the eggs almost all hatch simultaneously.
That is due to this large collection of lobsters being at an even
temperature instead of being collected from various parts of
the coast where they are in different temperatures. We find
that the impounded stock gives better eggs than stock collected
from fishermen along the coast at different places. But they
all come out almost simultaneously. If you obtain the young
lobsters in that way, would you undertake to rear to the fourth
stage from 50,000,000 to 100,000,000 fry ?

Dr. Gorham: We might have to vary our methods, pro-
vided a large number of eggs were at the hatching point at the
same time. It might be better in that case to hatch the lobsters
in a pound without rotating mechanism, and then collect the fry
as they hatch, and place them in rearing bags. Some such
scheme could readily be devised to take care of large numbers
of eggs coming to the hatching point simultaneously. At the
Wideford station we would have increased the output consider-
ably 1f we had more egg-bearing lobsters. The number of egg
bearing lobsters is small compared with the large number of frv
which we carried to the fourth stage.

Q. Do you use a closed jar?

172 Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting.

A. No. We have experimented with stripping lobsters
and putting the eggs in the bags, but we find it better to hatch
the eggs while still on the female.

Mr. Titcomb: We had some eggs hatched in open-top jars
at Woods Hole, and experimented with them in two other sta-
tions, in comparison with the closed-top jar. Most of the super-
intendents consider the jars equally good, but object to the
square aquarium into which the open jar empties, because of
the dead space in the aquarium where the lobster fry, shells,
etc., collect, and there the fry gets smothered or devoured.

Dr. Gorham: If the open-top McDonald jars could open
directly into one of our bags with a rotating fan, it would solve
the difficulty.

Mr. Titcomb: We have learned one other thing this las}
winter. Perhaps you have tried it. We have carried in live
cars at the Woods Hole station, lobsters throughout the winter,
which were collected in the fall of the year. That is the first
time that has ever been attempted with us.

Dr. Gorham: We have reared lobsters from the egg until
they were four and five years old, keeping each lobster in a sep-
arate compartment, sinking cars to the bottom of the channel,
where they are free from freezing. Those were individual lob-
sters on which we were making observations for growth, moult-
ing, etc. We have not kept lobsters throughout the winter on a
large scale.

Mr. Titcomb: These were cared for, about 200 lobsters to
a car.

Dr. Gorham: They fight so that I think it is better to keep
them separate.

Mr. Titcomb: We lost some lobsters. Mr. Locke stated
that he thought some had been stolen, as there was no remnant
of lobster found where they had disappeared.

It seems to me this work is getting into a state where we all
ought to take hold of it. The bureau ought to take hold of it
and follow on, starting from where you now have it. But it

ies)

American Fisheries Society. 1

will be a tremendous proposition when you consider rearing to
the fourth stage from 70,000,000 to 200,000,000 lobsters. We
shall probably take 175,000,000 to 200,000,000 eggs on the
Maine coast.

President: Let us have some of them.

Mr. Titcomb: The people on the Maine coast would rather
have their lobsters killed than give them away.

President: I understand that what lobsters you take, the
fry has to be returned to their waters.

Mr. Titcomb: ‘That is the understanding and the law. Un-
doubtedly there are 200,000,000 or 300,000,000 eggs going to
waste there every season, but the fishermen themselves will sell
the female lobsters, stripping the eggs from them first, rather
than sell them to us for the same price.

Dr. Gorham: In rearing lobsters to the fourth stage, the
question of temperature is very important. In Maine, where
the temperature is low, it takes twenty-one days to carry them
through to the fourth stage, while at Wideford in July, it takes
less than nine days to carry them through to the same stage.
That would be an argument in favor of establishing rearing sta-
tions in the warmer waters. The temperature is an extremely
important factor in determining the rapidity with which the fry
go through their various moults.

Mr. E. D. Roberts: - You have spoken about your fourth
moult lobsters. I will present you with a fifth.

(Laughter. )

(Mr. Roberts referred to a little lobster pin which he was
distributing. )

NOTES ON SMALL MOUTH BASS CULTURE AT THE
NORTHVILLE, MICHIGAN, STATION. |

BY FRANK N. CLARK.

In the Bulletin of the Michigan Fish Commission, No. 7, on
“The Breeding Habits, Development, and Propagation of the
Black Bass,” by Jacob Reighard, a work prepared largely on ob-
servations made, and information collected in the spring of
1903, at the State Hatchery at Mill Creek, Professor Reighard
says: “For some years efforts have been made, chiefly by the
United States Fish Commission, now Bureau of Fisheries, De-
partment of Commerce and Labor, and by the Michigan Fish
Commission, to artificially propagate the black bass.” ‘‘These
efforts,” he states, “have met with many difficulties.”

This, as will be noted, was said two years ago, and so far

as my observations go, the difficulties still arise, and must be
overcome by the practical bass breeder. It is, | presume, con-
ceded that with the large mouth bass, most of the problems in
connection with their culture have been surmounted, and a con-
siderable degree of success achieved. With the small mouth
bass, however, so far as my investigations go, together with in-
formation from reading the works of others, it seems that there
is much to be learned before arriving at a point of reasonable
success, or where we can supply one-half the demand.
It is true that Mr. Beeman tells us, in his report for the years
1903-1904, to the Connecticut State Commissioners, page 28,
that he estimated 400,000 small mouth bass fry were produced
from a stock of twenty-five parent fish put in the ponds the fall
before. It is probable that Mr. Beeman would revise his figures
somewhat at the present time, or at least he would if he had the
same kind of small mouth bass we have at the Northville
Station.

The following are the breeding ponds in use this spring,
with the area of each and the number of male and female bass
placed therein:

174

American Fisheries Society. 175

Area Acres. Males, Females. Total.

1 O16! 2p ieee On earare 0.04 25 30 55
OMG O) se esha ee he. 0.60 30 34 64
CGI gle ee erie 0.70 35 40 75
‘TCV aya a doa al ae are a aa go 104 194

On account of the backward season, the drawing down of
the ponds in which the adult bass were held was delayed until
later than desirable, being May 6, 7, and 8. It is thought that
handling the fish so near the mating period had the effect of
discouraging the spawning of many. Moving the parent bass
from the ponds in which they are wintered, and transferring to
other breeding or nesting ponds, is not thought desirable. Just
previous to the spawning season each pond was provided with
as many Lydell nests as the area would permit. The arrange-
ment of the nests being very similar in all, only one pond will
be noted.

Pond P, which was considered one of the most desirable as
to available spawning area, was arranged with twenty-four arti-
ficial nests, as shown in the accompanying diagram, and repre-
sented by “X,’ while “O” designates the natural nests. The
latter in the center of the pond were in -from four to six feet
of water, considerably deeper than the artificial, and further-
more, the natural nest in the center of the group produced the
largest number of fry, yet was in the maximum depth of water
above mentioned. Of the twenty-four artificial nests placed in
this pond nineteen were cleaned by the bass and spawned on,
and fifteen of this latter number hatched fry, fourteen of which
produced fry ready for shipment.

It will be noted by the diagram that there were eight nat-
ural nests prepared, seven of which were spawned on and pro-
duced fry. Of the seven, two died before the fry were more
than twenty-four hours old, making five the final result. Thus
it will be noted that of the total number of nests in the pond on
which eggs were deposited, namely twenty-six, nineteen fur-
nished fry for distribution or holding for further development.
These were estimated at 85,000 in number. There were taken
out of this pond 35,000 as fry and distributed to applicants,

176 Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting.

-

Fish produced, artificial nest.

Oo x

Fish produced, natural nest.

S

Artificial nest not used.

Natural nest cleaned but not used.

O,

R, Eegs died, artificial nest.
*, Eyg@s died, natural nest.
Le

a

Fish died, artificial nest,

2
~2

American Fisheries Society. ay

20,000 were placed in Pond M for rearing, and an estimated
number of 30,000 left in the pond, Since then it has been
drawn down, and 10,500 fingerlings, actual count, taken out.
These fish were from one to two and one-half inches long, sam-
ples of which are before you.

The following extracts are made from the daily record of
observations more particularly affecting the pond we are en-
deavoring to follow:

May 5, 1905.

Twenty-four artificial nests placed in Pond P.
May 6, 1905.

Forty females and thirty-five males put in pond.
May 10. 1905.

Today’s examination showed ten artificial nests cleaned up
nearly ready for eggs; temperature of water 59° F.

May II, 1905.

Water dropped to 52°, caused by cold hard rain. Spring

water turned on, creek water being very roily.
May 13, 1905.

Creek water warmed to 62°; almost clear. Valves, there-
fore, changed, and it was again turned into pond, being consid-
erably warmer than the spring water. Male bass cleaning up
more nests.

May 15, 1905.

Water very clear; temperature 64°. Examined nests and
found that nearly all had eggs on. Several natural nests
cleaned up.

May 17, 1905.

Examined nests in Ponds L, O, and P, and as a result forty-
five with eggs on were found. Some fungus appears on older
nests. Temperature of water 63°.

May 18, 1905.

Temperature dropped to 59° ; cold rain; not severe enough

to roil water to any extent.
May 21, 1905.
A few fish hatched; first of the season. Temperature of

water 62°.
12

178 Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting.

May 26, 1905.
Eges all hatched, thus making the spawning and hatching
period eleven days, in a mean temperature of 63° Fahr.

The nests were nearly all screened on the sixth day after
hatching, and on the seventh and eighth days the fry had risen
to the surface, and the distribution was commenced. Tempera-
ture of the water at this time was 69°. Very few were put out
as fry, and this in not to exceed a period of five days, for there-
after the fry requiring food it is necessary to discontinue the
distribution. At this point it might be well to say that the dis-
tribution of small mouth bass as fry is not considered advisable
where they are to be in transit to exceed ten or twelve hours.

The young bass begin to change in color from the black to
a mottled green in from ten to twelve days after rising, in a
temperature of about 70°. This latter was registered by the
thermometer during June and the fore part of July, with an
occasional day when it reached 80°.

In summing up the observations and experiments in connec-
tion with Pond P, the question naturally arises as to why cer-
tain artificial nests were left, and natural nests, in deeper water,
cleaned up and used instead. Also why did the eggs die on four
of the artificial nests, and again why did the fish die on two
natural nests and on one of the artificial. In my judgment all
of these questions are to be answered by saying the fish were
handled too near the time of spawning. No fault whatever,
could be found with the fish at the time of moving from the
ponds in which they had been through the winter. They were
in excellent condition. In fact, comment was made by the en-
tire force at the time as to the plumpness of the fish, both male
and female.

From the experience the past two seasons, it has been fairly
well demonstrated that from twenty-five to thirty artificial
nests, arranged in favorable locations, would be most productive
of results in an area of water equal to Pond P, or seven-tenths
of an acre. It has also been decided that the previous fall the
ponds should be thoroughly cleaned, and nothing left to be done
the following spring except to place the nests. At the time of
cleaning in the fall, the ponds should be drained perfectly dry,

American Fisheries Society. ie)

if possible, so that any scattering yearlings that may have es-
caped the seine the previous spring may be removed. This is
essential if success is to be had with the succeeding hatch, for
even a few well advanced yearling fish in the pond would, the
following season, destroy large numbers of fry and fingerling
fish.

With reference to the guarding of the nest by the male, the
observations at Northville could hardly substantiate what has
been said of this feature of the small mouth bass work by others
to the effect that the male guards the young bass until they are
about one inch in length. The writer’s experience has proved
that soon after they begin to take food, from eight to ten days
old, the young bass begin to distribute themselves around the
edge of the pond, the adult male fish giving them practically no
attention. They are fairly well scattered about che edge of the
pond, if it is not too large, long before they are an inch in
length. Furthermore, I see no reason why they should be
guarded, and kept huddled up, as they are in quest of food, and
the more they scatter, the more and better feeding grounds are
to be found. It is also certain that fry transferred from the
screened nests to a rearing pond, away from the care of the
adults, do equally as well as those left in the pond with the
parent fish. In this connection, another point to be brought out
is that practically none of the young bass are eaten by the parent
fish of either sex, until they are from one and one-half to two
and one-half inches long.

In no paper or publication has been discovered any state-
ment as to the exact period of incubation, in a given tempera-
ture of water, of the eggs of the small mouth black bass. It
may, therefore, be of interest to cite a specific case observed at
the Northville Station the season just passed, that gives this
data with considerable more exactness. In order to arrive at
something like a definite conclusion, an artificial nest selected at
random at the beginning of operations, was marked, and care-
fully studied thereafter. On May 16th, between 10:00 a. M.
and 3:00 P. M., eggs were spawned on this particular nest. It
was examined very closely from day to day until May 21st, on
which day at I1:00 A. M. there was no indication of the fish
leaving the shell, but at 3:00 Pp. M. all were hatched, thus deter-

180 Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting.

mining the time of incubation to be five days at an average tem-
perature of 63 3-5°, Fahr.

With regard to the volume of water supplied to each pond,
it may be anywhere from 200 down to ten gallons per minute,
which latter is ample for the average pond to offset evaporation
and seepage. In fact, it is much better to have a light flow,
as the temperature will be higher, and it is considered that
natural food will increase faster in the warmer water. Also at
the spawning time it is absolutely necessary that as small a
quantity as possible be used, that the temperature may be kept
above the danger point on cold days of 54°.

From conditions recently noted, one can conservatively say
that a pond of seven-tenths of an acre, should, with the proper
proportion devoted to spawning area, produce from 75,000 to
100,000 fry on the average. This same area, with one-third to
one-half that number of fry retained in the pond, should pro-
duce from 10,000 to 15,000 fingerlings, with also possibly from
1,000 to 3,000 to turn out in the fall at the final cleanup.

In order to obtain the best results at a small mouth bass
breeding station, the ponds should not be too large or too deep,
but have plenty of them. It is preferable that they be from
one-half to not over three-quarters of an acre in area, and a
maximum depth of six feet in about one-quarter of the pond is
best. It is thought that by removing one-half of the fry from
a spawning pond used to its full capacity, practically as good
results will be obtained with the number of fingerlings turned
out, as though all the fry had been left, unless at some time in
the future, greater quantities of food may be grown in a limited
area.

DISCUSSION.

During the reading of his paper Mr. Clark said:

I call these nests in my paper, the Lydell nest, because he
invented them, and I want to give him the credit.

We have our pond so arranged’ that whenever there is a
“roil,’ which of course is considered fatal to the eggs on the
nest, we can, by closing one valve and opening another, change
from creek to spring water. This is very desirable in a bass
pond, when you have the roil; and it forms the basis of a very

seat

American Fisheries Society. 181

interesting and easy experiment. It is said by both Mr. Bower
and Mr. Lydell, to be a very good feature of the Northville
plant.

Mr. North: Is your object in using the creek water and
spring water in combination, to keep the water warmer ?

Mr. Clark: There is no combination.

Q. You use spring water at one time and creek water at
others ?

A. Yes, sir.

Q. What is the object of that?

A. We prefer the creek water, but we change in case of
roil in the creek water, which we want to avoid. Of course,
where you have not got any spring water, the creek water can
be turned off and no water run in the pond at all, so long as you
can keep the water high enough.

Mr. North: In our hatchery at London we use spring wa-
ter entirely.

Mr. Clark: That is not so good for the young fish, because
you have not got the food there.

Mr. Whish: What water plants do you have in your pond?

A. We have several, but I like the chara moss the best. It
produces the most food. Interest might be aroused in describ-
ing how I spent an hour one Sunday morning lying down to
watch the young bass apparently eating the vegetation. Of
course they were not, but instead were after the little insects on
the vegetation. In no place did I see them attack any plants
whatever except the chara moss. I watched particularly to see
if they would not take hold of any other vegetation, but they
kept going around naturally and I did not see them touch any-
thing else.

Dr. Evermann: You said it was observed that the parent
fish did not feed practically at all upon the young until they
were an inch and a half or two inches and a half long?

A. That is my judgment.

182 Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting.

©. What was your observation as to feeding on the young
after that age?

A. None at all.

©. Have you observed the young fish feeding on each other

A. I never saw them do it, but I have no doubt of it.

(Mr. Clark produced bottles containing specimens of small-
mouthed bass. )

Mr. Clark: You will notice in the largest specimen bottle
where the fish are fifty-four days old, they measure three and
one-quarter inches in length; and here are others of the same
age which do not exceed one inch in length. These latter are
starved fish and all were taken from the same pond.

Mr. Lydell: Did you not have a later spawning with that
sized fish?

Mr. Clark: Possibly, but they were all put in that pond the
very same day from the very same nest.

Dr. Evermann: Fed in the same way?
A. Yes, natural food.

©. Are the sizes typical sizes?

Ace aNeee

Mr. Lydell: I understood those were left in the ponds with
the old fish?

A. No, they were not.

In this connection I wish to state that I thought I had solved
the problem why these fish were starved. Possibly I have, but
it is not es clear as I thought it was, last Friday night when I
told Mr. Ward Power in regard to it, and that I wanted the
men to be sure to catch some of the fish for me on Saturday,
some of the starved fish and some of the large fish that had es-
caped from Pond N into that pond. All the fish in that pond
seemed to be large. He said, all right, and they were there the
next morning, and after dinner they went to work. The fish

American Fisheries Society. 183

culturist asked me to go with him, and I did so. I wanted the
larg’ tish out of that pond, where there are any quantities of
vegetation, and this chara moss more than any other pond, and
I thought that was why they were so large. We caught those
and got as many specimens as I wanted, and then I told them to
go across to the stunted pond and they did so, and they made
two or three little hauls; and, by the way, we have a large
quantity of shiners in that pond. That I thought was why these
fish were starved, because their food had been destroyed by
these shiners.

Mr. Lydell: Are all of your fish in that particular pond of
that size?

Mr. Clark: Just a minute. No. They went across to the
pond and got two or three specimens; they moved up the shore
and the first thing they knew they got hold of a big one, which
was quite strange. We got a few more specimens and they
then went around and obtained quite a number of the large fish.
That, of course, upset my theory. of the large fish in Pond Q,
because here were some in this other pond also of large size.
But I reasoned the problem out in this way, that the most of the
fish in the pond were starved at an early period; the food that
they should have had was eaten by the minnows, of which there
was an enormous number. A number of them, however, suc-
ceeded in getting a start sufficient to permit of their feeding on
the starved bass and very little minnows.

Mr. Lydell: Last year we held some fish in our screens
too long before planting, and they never recovered. They were
like Mr. Clark’s fish, they were starved. I did not know but
perhaps you had held your fish in your screen too long before
transferring them to the rearing pond.

Mr. Clark: Here are some from other ponds transferred at
the same time (showing specimens), and they are of good size.
There was nothing of that kind. These fish were moved from
the screens at the proper time.

Mr. Lydell: In shipping this vear from Mill Creek our fish
varied a great deal in size, but not as much as that.

184 Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting.

Dr. Evermann: Was any examination made of the stomach
contents of the big fish?

Mr. Clark: That is being done now, to see whether they
have young bass in them. For fear you might think that some
of these larger fish were small yearlings, I have brought along
another specimen which is a small yearling, to show the dif-
ference.

(Specimen exhibited. )

Mr. Lydell: There is one part of your paper where you
speak of your fish spawning in deep water, that is very interest-
ing. I had some fish spawn in four feet of water, and the old
bass stayed there and took care of those fry. They were scat-
tered along the shore, a distance of probably thirty or forty
feet, and the old bass patrolled his beat with great rezularity.
Although at Mill Creek we took a screen and put it over our
nests, over half of those were still watched by the old fish swim-
ming around outside of the screen.

Mr. Clark: Don’t misunderstand what I say here. I do not
mean that the male bass does not guard them, for he certainly
does, but not until they are an inch long.

Mr. Lydell: I never saw him do that except where I made
my earlier observations, there J have seen them guarding young
bass when they were an inch and a quarter long. They would
be scattered a long distance up the shore, but you could see the
old bass would swim the length of the school and back and
forth; so it was very positive that he was guarding that lot of
fish. But I have not seen that in our ponds. In the absence of
enemies probably he thinks it is not necessary.

Dr. Greene: Mr. North and I have been talking about this
matter to-day. The superintendent of our farm at London has
been using the apparatus devised by Mr. Lydell. They used it
two seasons and used it this year; and in conjunction with that
he has gotten up a device of his own. He goes along the bank,
puts down gravel for a bed, then he also drives a stick down
there in which he puts in partitions with slots, that he can slide
partitions in; and if the bass use that bed and the eggs are laid

aa de

American Fisheries Society. 185

there ; he then stalls that off ; and we are trying that this year in
connection with Mr. Lydell’s apparatus. Mr. North and | have
decided to have our superintendent keep a careful record of his
work this year; and next year we want him to address the
Society as to the comparative value of these two methods. We
have at London, I think, the best springs and best ponds that I
have seen or heard of anywhere. We have, within a distance of
a quarter of a mile, a thirty-foot fall. That is one thing that is
very desirable. Our waters, unfortunately for bass culture, is
very cold spring water. The ponds are in tiers, starting from
the west, and placed crosswise, parallel with the stream that
formerly carried this water ; and we cannot use the first pond or
two on account of the cold water. We have no streams in the
state where trout can be planted to advantage; but our third,
fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth ponds, on down, where
the water is warm, are very desirable for bass.

I have not had much experience, but have heard the super-
intendent talk about the question of the male guarding the
spawn. He insists that they do that. He does not believe in
cleaning his ponds too closely at the edge, but leaves all the
vegetation and moss, because he regards them of advantage for
the safety of the young fish. As soon as they take care of them-
selves they get into this moss and are free from their enemies,
and protected there.

Mr, Clark: That examination of the specimens has just
been completed. No bass or other fish were found in them.
The specimens were taken out in the pond and immediately
placed in formaline without being held any length of time. I
still think, however, that the theory I expressed to the effect that
they may have been feeding on the starved bass, or very small
shiners, may be correct.

Mr. Meehan: In regard to the cannibalistic tendencies of
voung small mouth bass, | would say that last vear, about the
first of July, we placed 20,000 small mouth bass, probably an
inch long, in a small pond. They were fed with ground fish,
six times a day, and on the average it is estimated that they ate
about three times their own weight of that food. On the first

186 Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting.

of October we took the fish out and counted them, and there
ere I1,200,

Mr. Clark: In this connection I would like to state more
fully and forcibly my idea on the rearing, or partial rearing of
the bass. I think that a pond somewhere from three-quarters
of an acre, to an acre in size, is better perhaps than a larger
one, and can be handled easier ; if you are going into bass oper-
ations on a large scale you should have a great many of these
small ponds. The work of caring for them does not amount to
anything. You have no food to prepare; no time is required in
feeding ; and one man will take care of 200 ponds just about as
easily as five or ten. All he has to do is to screen them, and
the feeding operation is going on all the time. Of course, with
your artificial food you may be able to get out a better per-
centage, but we are looking for quantity as well as quality. I
have been feeding fish for many years, but I am not prepared to
say that the artificial food fish is as good as a natural food fish.
Get back to nature, that is my plan; let them feed themselves
and all the time. At Northville, instead of having the six ponds
we have, there should be sixty, if we are going to do a great
work,

Mr. Lydell: I had arranged this spring to carry on experi-
ments in regard to feeding young bass, but unfortunately just
as | had my ponds stocked and the fry ready to be introduced
into these small ponds, we had a flood there that put us out of
business, practically, as far as the small mouth bass were con-
cerned. We only used two ponds there for breeding them this
year, and from those two I had 58,000 that I had to ship as fry,
because I did not have rearing pond room for them, although
we used all our ponds for that purpose except one for large
mouth bass.

In one of our ponds the chara weed was driven out by some
other notorious brute of a weed that I do not know the name of,
and there was no food there for the young bass. They did not
seem to collect on the substitute weed as it did on the chara. I
went around the shores of this pond and cleaned down probably
five or six inches of dirt and spread white sand on that, and in
a few weeks the chara came up through the sand and the other

American Fisheries Society. 187

weed disappeared. The nests that Mr. Clark spoke of in the
beginning of his paper I lay no claim to whatever. In my article
read at Put-in-Bay, you will find that I say something about the
nests being used by Mr. Stranahan, and I give him credit for
getting up that nest at that time. Although the idea was orig-
inal with me, I found afterwards that he had used the nest long
before I conceived the idea. So that I lay no claim to its in-
vention.

I have some specimens of fish here to which I would like to
call Mr. Clark’s attention and ask him to compare them in age
and size with his specimens, to classify them, and to state how
many he would ship per can. They are mostly large mouth
bass.

Mr. Clark: I do not think that the question of the numbers
in the can has been brought up here.

Mr. Lydell: No, it has not, and this committee that we had
appointed a few years ago has not decided yet what we shall
call these fish.

Mr. Clark: The committee themselves do not seem to be
decided.

Mr. Lydell: I am still shipping mine as fry, as baby-finger-
lings and fingerlings, advanced fry, and yearlings, and two-
year-olds, and several other sizes.

Mr. Atkins: I am still taking the pains to say just how
many days old our fry are from the egg. I put that down in
my report. I have not learned yet what the name fingerling
means, so I never dared to use it.

Mr. Lydell: I find you cannot go according to ages for the
the reason that we have, for instance, fish two months old vary-
ing in length from half an inch to two inches.

Mr. Seymour Bower: In regard to the standard of size, I
could not agree with Mr. Clark’s suggestion, calling them No.
I, up to thirty days, etc., but I like the idea of classifying them
by number. But I would rate them according to length, 1 inch,
Nov 1; 2inch, No: 2; 3 inch, No. 3, etc.

188 Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting.

Mr. Clark: What would you call an inch and a half?

Mr. Bower: I would call them No. 1. Above an inch and
a half or perhaps two inches I would call No. 2. You will come
a good deal closer to understand what is meant if you classify
them according to length rather than according to age. As you
have shown, starved fish may be only one-tenth the size of
others of exactly the same age; but in classifying them by
length you cannot be more than half an inch out of the way,
either way. That is my idea of the proper method to grade
the fish, so we may know very closely what is meant every time,
whereas you cannot if you grade them according to age.

Mr. Clark: As to the shipments per can, about which Mr.
Lydell asked, he ships large mouth bass an inch long twenty
days old, a thousand per can. This is about the same number
we ship of the small mouth, except in cases of abnormal growth.

President: I think Mr. Titcomb made the suggestion that
they did not care much at the Fish Bureau what designation
was given fish; they sent out what they had. Will you please
state your mode of classification at the bureau?

Mr. Titcomb: At the present time we have a plan of dis-
tribution showing fry, fingerlings and yearlings. Of course that
is very broad. Fry are the young fish until they have been fed

for a time and are perhaps an inch or an inch and a half long.
Then they begin to be fingerlings, and continue to be finger-

lings until they are perhaps three inches long, which depends _

on the kind of fish; and then in the fall of the year, as they get
larger, they are called yearlings. Mr. Bower suggests number-
ing, as I suggested, only he has reference to the length of the
fish, while I have reference to the age of the fish, and he has
reference to one species of fish, while we want the committee
to select it for all species. If we could, in our fish cultural par-
lance, not only designate them as No. 1 for one month old, but
in connection with that give the size or weight per thousana,
we would know what we are talking about. But for generai
tabular distribution, it seems to me that the numbering accord-
ing to age would be suitable. In all this work I think we want
to get into our tables and into our papers, not only a description

American Fisheries Society. 189

of the fish at a certain season of the year, or of a certain age,
‘but the weight or some designation equivalent to that. Local
conditions vary so at the different hatcheries of the country that
fish of the same age may be an inch long in Maine, and three
inches in Texas, respectively. Whatever kind of fish we are
talking about, and when we are discussing questions of food and
growth, I think we want to give all possible data, but in giving
the tables to the public, it seems to me the general plan we have
adopted in the bureau now, is as good as any, to call them fry,
fingerlings, and yearlings. As far as the public are concerned
they are satisfied,

Secretary: Do you mean to say that a bass the same age
would be three inches long in Texas, and one inch in the
north?

Mr. Titcomb: Yes, just about—not always, of course.
There is a great variation of growth there, just as there is with
us here, only it is much more marked.

Mr. North: Would it not be advisable to get up a combina-
tion name to indicate both age and length; for instance, No. 1 A
thirty days old. No. 1 B sixty days old, and have the figure
designate the length, and the letter the age. For instance, a
fish an inch long and sixty days old may be No. 1 B.

DISCUSSION ON MR. TITCOMB’S REPORT ON
POND CULTURE.

Mr. Clark: I have not anything in particular to say regard-
ing Mr. Titcomb’s paper on “Pond Culture,” but I do think,
now that we are working into the bass culture problem, that
there ought to be more papers along similar lines; more espe-
cially in reference to the vegetation and on the question of
growing natural food. I hope something will be brought out
more particularly next year, perhaps not as much on how long
a bass will grow, etc.; but we do want to know how, when, and
what to put in our ponds to grow the proper vegetation and
make the proper quantity of necessary natural food.

Dr. Evermann: I am rather inclined to believe that some
of the difficulty is due to confusion of species. I have observed
in aquariums, for instance, that Myriophyllum, Cerratophyllum,
and a species of Bidens are often mistaken one for another.

The horsetail Ceratophyllum is objectionable because it is a
floating plant and is not so desirable as the Myriophyllum, or
the Bidens becku. There are many species of the so-called
water weed, and they differ a great deal in their values as
forming a nidus for the growth of aquatic food, the different
species of crustacea and various species of protozoa.

I would like to know upon just what is based the statement
that the different species of chara are particularly valuable. At
first blush it would seem that chara might not be so valuable
a plant as a food producer as some of these other plants. It is
coriaceous, lime-coated and hard; and is not a plant that would
furnish food on which the young fish might feed in so large a
degree as other plants.

Some little time ago some investigations were made by the
Bureau of Fisheries at a certain lake in northern Indiana (Lake
Maxinkuckee ), and certain relations were discovered or thought
to be discovered between the presence of young bass, large
mouth and small mouth, and certain species of aquatic plants.

The lake was two and three-quarters or three miles long and
190

American Fisheries Society. oa

one and a half or one and three-quarters wide, and quite regular
in outline ; and seining was carried on around that lake periodi-
cally for four months in the shallow water of the entire shore.
It was seined with a fine-mesh Baird collecting seine during the
first week of each month for four months, and the character of
the vegetation over which the seine was hauled each time, was
noted. The depth of the water, the temperature of the water,
and different species of fishes, crawfishes and other animals that
were caught, were examined; and the number of individuals of
each kind, and the approximate sizes of the individuals of each
kind, were determined; and particular attention was paid to the
young of the large mouth and the small mouth, the rock bass,
and the bluegill, for four species of food fishes found in that
lake; and my recollection is that where the chara covered
reaches of the shore, our efforts did not result in capture of as
many small mouth bass as did those portions of the shore where
we found Potamogeton, and certain other species of plants.
Indeed, the Chara-covered part was regarded by those who
carried on the work, as the barren portion of the lake. We
would find there certain species of darters in considerable num-
bers, but neither the large mouth nor small mouth bass was
found there in considerable numbers.

Now as to what species of plants are oxygenating and what
are food-producing, | doubt if you could make any classifica-
tion that would be of very much value on that basis. All
aquatic chlorophyll-bearing plants are the same, except in de-
gree, and as to what the plant will do in those regards depends
on the time of the day and many other factors.

Mr. Titcomb: There was no confusion as to the different
plants, so far as we went through them. They were all identi-
fied by the chief of the Bureau of Plant Industry, Mr. Covil and
his assistants, before we made up our minds as to what we liked
and what we did not, what had good features and what bad.

I will give you a list of what we considered the best at the
fish ponds in Washington :

1. Ceratophyllum demersum.
2. Cambomba Caroliniana.
3. Vallisneria spiralis.

192 Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting.

4. Potomogeton crispus.
5. Potomogeton foliosus.
6. Philotria canadensis.

But some of the sub-species are more valuable than others,
and in talking the matter over with the plant physiologist it was
agreed that it was not at all impossible to ascertain the compara-
tive oxygenetic powers of the various aquatic plants. Perhaps
it would be necessary to take a young man out of college as a
scientific assistant or something of that sort, and let him work
at it a year or possibly two, but it would be a valuable contri-
bution to literature and to all those interested in these questions.
We are going it blind. We have a lot of objectionable plants in
our ponds. They are just as objectionable as the pig weed in
our gardens. We want to know what they are; we do not want
to introduce them where we start anew, or introduce them in
the ponds of the anglers where they want food plants. All those
questions are constantly coming up in the Bureau of Fisheries ;
and IT’ might say that there are gentlemen here now who would
like to know what to put in ponds full of stunted, starved bass.

Dr, Evermann: You have no species of chara in that list?

A. No.

Mr. Clark: I want to put in an emphatic protest against
the criticism of the chara plant, for if it does not furnish food
I do not know what our bass are feeding upon. We get excel-
lent results where there is not a particle of vegetation in the
pond excepting chara.

Mr. Meehan: This chara plant grows in bunches, does it
not ?

Mr. Clark: It forms one solid mass. We had some that
was taken out this spring, and find that it decomposes to lime ;
that is, it is a lime plant. And the fresh water shrimp that the
doctor discovered came off that chara plant. The smaller bass
keep nipping, nipping on chara plant, and in this pond that I
have mentioned there was other vegetation, yet they touched
nothing else.

Mr. Lydell: I want to endorse Mr. Clark’s remarks regard-

American Fisheries Society. 193

ing chara. I was out for the Fish Commission a couple of years
and we got a great abundance of this plant, chara. And if
that plant does not produce food I don’t know what does. In
one of our ponds this year where there was nothing but chara,
you could see great clouds of food over this plant. You could
take a pan and dip it up and could not see the bottom of the
pan. What this food was I don’t know. It is a new food that
came there last year. I sent some to Ann Arbor to be identified,
but never received a report.

Dr. Evermann: Have you made any comparison as to the
value of different plants?

Mr. Lydell: Yes, sir. I found that Potomogeton drove
chara out, and I could not raise 100 fish where before the chara
went I could raise 1,000. I would like to find out what this
new food is. It comes when the young fish are coming off the
bed. When you look down on it you see a little three cornered
black speck. Along the shores of the pond were thousands of
little black shells about one-eighth of an inch in diameter, from
which apparently these animals were hatched.

Mr. Seymour Bower: Two years ago this summer our
board of Fish Commissioners engaged the services of Professor
Reighard, the well-known zoologist. He was employed at the
Mill Creek Station for three months to solve some problems in
connection with bass culture. I have copies of his report with
me and will be glad to give one to any who may desire it. My
recollection is, his conclusion was that the chara was the best
food producer of anything in the ponds.

Mr. Lydell: Professor Reighard said he never saw a pond
so teeming with bug-life as ours with the chara in it.

, Mr. Clark: Is it not probable that the vegetation which
produces the animal food for our ponds at Northville, if trans-
ferred to other waters, say in Washington, Georgia, etc., might
not do?

Dr. Evermann: I think so, decidedly.

Mr. Clark: The water and other conditions may produce

this food at Northville, whereas the chara might be barren at
13

194 Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting.

other points. We have got the plant that produces the food;
we grow the bass with this vegetation, and until something is
furnished which is better, it seems as though it is the plant we
want to use.

Mr. Lydell: If there is any aquatic plant which we can
substitute for the chara, and which has superior food producing
qualities, we want it, but we would like to grow 5 or 6 or pos-
sibly too fish to every foot of water. So if you have any old
weed that will produce the food, produce the weed. (Laugh-
ter.) If we have been working in the dark and produced thou-
sands where we could produce millions of fish, we should like to
be convinced of our mistake.

Dr. Evermann: The characters of the different species of
chara depend on the ground. I have seen some places where
there is very little lime in the soil or water, where none of the
species of chara would do well. In this lake that I have in mind
there is a wide belt of marl beginning out at a depth of perhaps
2% or 3 feet and extending on into the water 8 or Io feet in
depth. Well, on the outer half of the strip of marl, and further
on to the shore, various species of chara grow in abundance,
but in some other parts of the lake they do not. When, how-
ever, we came to the end of one of these chara patches, where
there is a certain species of Potomogeton with the broader
leaves, not the fine-leaved Pectinatus, we found the young bass ;
but we did not find them under the fine-leaved Pectinatus at all.

YELLOWSTONE PARK AS A NATIONAL FISHING
RESORT.

(Illustrated by Lantern Slides.)
BY A. H. DINSMORE.

An outline of the lecture is as follows:

In 1872 Congress passed a bill setting apart a great volcanic
plateau locked away in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, and
comprising an area of more than 3,500 square miles, as a
“public park and pleasure ground for benefit and enjoyment of
the people.” Because the greater part of its surface is drained
by the Yellowstone River, this reservation has been called The
Yellowstone National Park.

Yellowstone Park is most widely known as a region of
strange natural phenomena and beautiful mountain and canyon
scenery. It was for the preservation of these features alone
that Congress was induced to exempt this vast region from
settlement. But public measures, good or bad, seldom fail to
reach in their ultimate results far beyond the conception of the
assemblies which pass them. And so Yellowstone Park has
become famous for many things of which its most enthusiatic
advocate never dreamed. Thus, as the nucleus of a great tim-
ber reserve, its magnificent forests protect the sources of three
of the most important rivers of the North American Continent,
—the Missouri, the Columbia, and the Colorado of the west.
This one feature, as a safeguard from flood and a potent factor
in the great problem of irrigation, is alone worth to the Ameri-
can people many times the cost of its maintenance.

Then, as a great natural game reserve it is of inestimable
worth for its preservation of the wild life of the west. Here all
the animals indigenous to the Rocky Mountain region find an
asylum where, unmolested by the hand of man, they may roam
at will. And though elsewhere many species have already be-
come rare or ceased entirely to exist, in the Park they are as
abundant as ever and so tame as to be continually under the

observation of the tourist.
195

196 Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting.

All these features have been written about and talked about
till they should be matters of general knowledge. Of one fea-
ture, however, of greatest interest to us as fish-culturists and
fishermen, little is known, for little notice has been taken of the
trout which now abound in its splendid lakes and streams.

But there is, perhaps, a reason for this ignorance in the fact
that only a few years ago all its waters, except those of the Yel-
lowstone basin, were entirely destitute of fish life of any value.
The absence of trout from these streams and lakes has been
accounted for on the assumption that all animal life was de-
stroyed by the flow of volcanic matter which formed the
plateau, while fish have been unable to ascend the streams from
below on account of the great natural obstructions which they
contain. But if these theories are accepted it becomes necessary
to explain their presence in the Yellowstone, whose mighty cata-
ract exceeds by far the falls of any other stream.

Scientists, some years ago, advanced the theory, which other
writers have followed, that black-spotted trout, with which the
entire Yellowstone system abounds, came here from the Pacific
slope through Two Ocean Creek, a remarkable stream which,
sub-dividing, sends part of its waters to the Atlantic and part to
the Pacific. No account seems to be taken of the fact established
by the geological survey, that Yellowstone Lake once stood 150
feet above its present level and then vented its waters to the
Pacific through Outlet Creek and Hart River. As there were
then no obstructions between the Yellowstone and the natural
trout waters below, why may trout not have come here while
this system of waters was still a part of the Pacific coast drain-
age?

However this may be, the fact remains that the Yellowstone
had trout in great abundance when the region was first discov-
ered, while they were entirely absent from all its other waters.
The idea of creating from these barren lakes and streams a
Great Natural Fishing Resort seems to have originated in 1889
with Capt. A. F. Boutelle, the then acting superintendent.

No stronger commentary on the success and value of fish-
cultural work exists than that found in several pithy paragraphs
from various reports of Capt. Boutelle and some of his s*~ces-
sors. In his first report for 1889, Capt. Boutelle calls atrention

American Fisheries Society. IES),

to the original condition of things by saying: “I notice with
Saapmse * ~.* ~*~ the barrenness of most of the waters of
the Park. Beside the beautiful Shoshone and other smaller
lakes there are hundreds of miles of as fine streams as any in
existence without a fish of any kind.” He at once brought the
matter to the attention of Col. Marshal McDonald, then the
U.S. Commissioner of Fish and Fisheries. Through his efforts
7,000 young fish were planted that year and 150,000 the vear
following. The work was remarkably successful from the first.
For we read from the report of his successor, Capt. Anderson,
only four years later: “During the season fish are taken in all
the lakes and rivers in numbers almost passing belief. All
streams heretofore stocked with trout now offered excellent fish-
ing, probably no better exists anywhere.”

Frequent reference in late reports of Major Pitcher, the
present acting superintendent, to the fine fishing in these lakes
and streams is sufficient proof of the lasting results of this work.

In stocking these waters, it has been the plan to place but
one species in each river basin. Thus to the Gardiner and its
tributaries has come the brook trout from the east. The Gibbon
has received the rainbow from the Pacific coast, and the Fire-
hole the Lochleven from Scotland. Below the junction of these
last named rivers, in the Madison, both species mingle with the
black-spotted trout, the Montana grayling and a native white
fish. Other waters on the west side of the divide have been
stocked with the lake trout and land-locked salmon, while the
native black-spotted trout has been left practically undisturbed
in their natural habitat, the Yellowstone.

The importance and value of this work will be understood
if we remember that fully fifty miles of Park roadway, over
which more than 10,000 tourists pass each year, lies along the
course of these streams or skirts the lakes. But its greatest value
is in its permanency. When other streams throughout the coun-
try become unsuited for trout life, as many already are, the
beautiful lakes and streams of Yellowstone Park preserved in
their primeval purity will carry to future generations a knowl-
edge of these lords of the finny tribes.

Then, too, the region may in the future be the source from
which shall come, from territory entirely under Government

198 Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting.

control, many of the eggs of the various species of trout needed
by the hatcheries scattered throughout the country. For sev-
eral years past Yellowstone Lake has been utilized for the suc-
cessful collection of black-spotted trout eggs. But with proper
direction and oversight it should be an easy matter to extend
the work to other species. :

All other features of this great public park are being jeal-
ously guarded and fostered. Soldiers patrol its roadways, pro-
tecting its game from poachers; its formations from vandals,
and its forests from the fires of the careless campers. Civilian
scouts perform the same duties in the outlying districts. Its
ish alone are left mainly to shift for themselves.

Here is a region belonging in a peculiar sense to all the
people in which are trout waters of greater extent and value
than those of many of the states, and yet its fishing interests
are left entirely without skilled oversight. It has always seemed
to the writer since he became familiar with these facts, that the
National Bureau of Fisheries should have a representative in
the Park that these interests may receive the same intelligent
oversight and direction given such interests in the various
states or the other interests of the Park. This seems the more
important since its administration is in the hands of army offi-
cers, men of the highest ability and integrity but subject to fre-
quent change, and in the very nature of thinzs possessing no
knowledge of fish-cultural matters. Hence there is constant
danger that wrong plants may be made and the plan of keeping
the various species separate ruined beyond remedy.

Under the directions of a superintendent of fisheries the fish-
ing in many waters may be improved, fish may be planted in
other waters still barren and the Park made in all truth the
Great National Fishing Resort.

ee

THE INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF FISHERIES
AT VIENNA, 1905.

BY HUGH M. SMITH.

The Third International Fishery Congress convened at
Vienna in June, 1g05, under the patronage of the Austrian Fish-
ery Society—a large, flourishing, and influential body which
celebrated its twenty-fifth anniversary during the meeting of the
congress.

The plan for holding international fishery congresses at reg-
ular intervals originated at Paris during the exposition of 1900,
when the first congress was held. The second congress met at
St. Petersburg two vears ago. I| had the privilege of attending
both the Paris and Vienna congresses as the representative of
the United States Government.

The president of the Vienna congress was Prof. Dr. Franz
Steindachner, of Vienna, one of the foremost ichthyologists and
the director of the admirable natural history museum of that
city. The attendance was large, nearly 400 delegates being
present; and the foremost fishery and fish-cultural authorities
and workers in Europe were present. About twenty countries
were represented, although there were some conspicuous ab-
sentees. Most of the European countries had official delegates,
although the governments of such important fishing powers as
Great Britain, France, and Norway had no representatives.
From the far-distant British colonies of Australia and India
special delegates were sent. The great western hemisphere
made a poor showing; besides the United States, the only coun-
tries represented were olr progressive sister republics, Argen-
tina and Chili.

It is not necessary to refer in detail to the proceedings of
the congress. Suffice it to say that the papers and discussions
covered a very wide range of subjects; and it was the general
opinion that the meeting was more successful and important
than either of its predecessors.

Armed with authority from the Commissioner of Fisheries
199

200 Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting.

and the Secretary of Commerce and Labor, I extended to the
congress an invitation, on behalf of the United States Govern-
ment, to hold its next meeting in the United States. The matter
was first considered by the permanent committee on interna-
tional congresses, of which I am a member, and was then re-
ferred to the full congress for final action. It was very grati-
fying to me that the congress voted unanimously to accept our
invitation, out of sincere regard for and interest in the country
which is foremost in fish culture and economic fishing. The
time for the meeting was fixed for the latter part of September,
1908, and the place selected was very appropriately Washington,
DEC.

At the proper time, I shall ask this society to take action
with a view to its co-operation with the local committee of ar-
rangements. I do not want the Society to commit itself too far
in advance, but it seems to me that it will not only be proper
but decidedly advantageous for the Society to meet in conjunc-
tion with the international congress—perhaps a day or two be-
fore—and I trust you will regard favorably the suggestion that
you determine informally to hold your 1908 meeting in Wash-
ington.

It is incumbent on the United States to make the interna-
tional meeting a great success; the reputation of our country is
at stake. No people can contribute so much to secure the de-
sired end as the members of this Society, individually and as a
body; and I bespeak for this important project your cordial
support.

THe Ss) ATUS OF THE CARP IN: AMERICA,

BY LEON J. COLE.
(Read by Dr. Evermann.)

(Presented by permission of Hon. George M. Bowers, U.
S. Commissioner of Fisheries.)

It is impossible to present in a paper of a length suitable
to these meetings even a tolerably complete review of the carp
question in this country. But since this is a topic of discussion
which has not infrequently come up at previous meetings, and is
one on which divers opinions have been expressed by members
of the Society, a brief resume of the principal conclusions
reached during an investigation of the subject by the writer, ex-
tending over a period of three or four years, may not be without
interest. Manifestly very little of the data upon which these
conclusions rest can be given, but it is expected that there will
soon be published a full report on the work, which was under-
taken by direction of the U. S. Bureau of Fisheries. The in-
vestigations were made principally on Lake Erie and Lake St.
Clair and were prosecuted, for the most part, during the sum-
mer months of 1901, 1902 and 1903.

The first introduction of carp into America is a matter of
more or less uncertainty. Although the name appears occa-
sionally in earlier writings, apparently referring to some species
of native fish, the first record bearing any stamp of authenticity
is one by which Henry Robinson, Esq., of Newburgh, Orange
County, New York, is credited with introducing these fish into
the Hudson River in about 1831 or 1832. It has since been con-
tended that the fish brought over by Mr. Robinson were not true
carp; but in 1872 undoubted scale carp were successfully ac-
climatized by Mr. J. A. Poppe in Sonoma County, California,
where they thrived well and multiplied with great rapidity. The
first importation by the U. S. Fish Commission was made in
the spring of 1877, and was followed by two or three other lots

in succeeding years. Ponds were constructed for these fish in
201

2()2 Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting.

Washington and Baltimore, and it is their progeny which were
distributed and have populated nearly all of the available waters
of the United States.

At first the carp met with great popular favor and requests
for young fish came to the Fish Commission from all parts of
the country far faster than they could be filled. Largely on ac-
count of ignorance of the proper methcds, or negligence and
want of proper care, pond culture did not, however, meet in
most cases with success; and not only was almost all attempt at
artificially raising the fish soon abandoned, but they came into
general disfavor almost as rapidly. This was probably due to
a variety of causes. In the first place the quality. of the flesh did
not compare favorably with many species of native fish, and in
this respect did not fulfill expectations. To make carp palatable
it is usually cooked in ways that were more or less unfarniliar
or unknown to those who were trying the experiment in this
country, and for this reason, too, it was not appreciated even for
its true worth. But the adverse criticism became even stronger
and more widely spread as, coincident with the rapid decrease
which was noticed to be taking place in the numbers of many
of our native fishes, the carp as rapidly multiplied and came to
be exceedingly abundant in all the waters adapted to them. Not
only were they held to be responsible for the decrease of other
fisheries, but, owing to their propensity to stir up the mud and
to root out aquatic plants, they were charged with destroying
the vegetation in the marshes, and thus, secondarily, were said
to be the cause of the rapid decline in the numbers of wild ducks
and similar birds, whose feeding-grounds, it was claimed, were
thus destroyed. The constant roiliness of the water, especially
in reservoirs, due to the presence and operations of the carp, in
many cases became a positive nuisance. But since nearly every-
one is familiar with the strong dislike with which the carp has
come to be regarded in all but perhaps two or three sections of
this country, it is unnecessary to go further into detail. The in-
vestizations here reported were undertaken with the view to as-
certain, in so far as was possible in a limited time, the true state
of affairs—to find to what extent the carp was responsible for
the changes taking place; and, on the other hand, to determine

American Fisheries Society. 203

its value as a food fish, and whether in this respect it was being
utilized to the fullest possible extent.

I have elsewhere summed up the principal charges against
the carp as follows: (1) that the carp thrashes about and stirs
up the mud, so that the breeding-grounds of other fishes are
spoiled; (2) that the carp roots up the vegetation, destroying
the wild rice, ete., thus ruining good duck-shooting grounds ;
(3) that the carp eats the spawn of other fishes ; (4) that the carp
eats the young of other fishes; (5) that the carp 1s of no value
as a food-fish; (6) that the carp is of no value as a game fish.
To the first of the above charges should be added as a corollary
that the stirring up of the mud of supply reservoirs often makes
the water unfit for use.

In studying the relation of carp to other fishes special atten-
tion was paid to the small-mouthed black bass, which breeds
abundantly in Lake St. Clair, and to the whitefish in Lake Erie.
The former species builds its nests in numbers on the shoal,
sandy bottoms at the St. Clair Flats, and as the carp is plentiful
in the same localities, this seemed a favorable opportunity to
make observations on the two species together. One breeding-
ground in particular was watchd continuously. But although
the carp frequented and fed among the rushes of the shallow
water near shore, they were never seen on the actual area occu-
pied by the bass, and it could not be learned that they inter-
fered with the bass in any manner whatever. Examination was
also made of intestinal contents-of carp taken in the same neizh-
borhood, but in no case were the eggs of any kind of fish found
among the material thus obtained. The principal food at this
place was found to consist of certain aquatic plants, especially
the stonewort (chara), and the larve of insects—imainly that of
the May Fly, or “June Bug,” as it is often popularly called.

At the western end of Lake Erie, where the whitefish come
in the fall to spawn upon the reefs, especially in the neighbor-
hood of Kelley's and the Bass Islands, there had been much
complaint among the fishermen that the carp were also on the
reefs in great numbers, and that at such times they destroyed
large quantities of the whitensh spawn. In the fall of Igo1 at-
tention was turned to this phase of the question, and from Port
Clinton, as a base, trips were made with the fishermen to the

204 Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting.

fishing-grounds. In addition many carp which had been taken
in the pound-nets with whitefish were examined at Port Clinton.
The results of these investigations showed that comparatively
few carp were on the spawning-grounds at this season of the
year, while all that were taken were small fish, seldom exceed-
ing two or three pounds in weight. Examinations were made
of the stomach contents of carp taken in gill-nets directly on the
reefs, and only in two cases was anything found that could be
identified as eggs of the whitefish. Moreover, the water is cold
at this season of the year, and under such conditions carp are
usually inactive. It thus appears that although they do un-
doubtedly destroy some spawn the total damage done to the
whitefish by the carp is probably small. It is rather generally
conceded, too, that the supply of whitefish is being in large part
maintained by the work of United States and state hatcheries,
by which means the spawn is being removed from the danger of
being devoured until the young fry have hatched.

There is little evidence to support the conclusion that carp
eat the young of other fish. It has been known to happen on
one or two occasions when the fish were confined in aquaria, but
probably is not frequent under natural conditions. The carp,
with its sucking mouth, devoid of teeth, is not adapted to preda
tory habits.

The charge that carp uproot and destroy much aquatic vege-
tation, and cause the waters in which they live to be in an al-
most constant state of roiliness, appears to rest upon a better
foundation. But it is doubtful if the effect of this condition
upon other fisheries and the wild fowl is quite as serious as has
sometimes been supposed. One great objection is, however, that
beautiful bodies of water are sometimes disfigured, and as has
been said, the fish may cause great annoyance in the reservoirs
used for storage of drinking water.

The other side of the question can best be examined under
two heads: (1) The present commercial value of the carp and
how its usefulness may be extended; and (2) what we may call
the incidental value of the fish. The two great sources of carp
for the eastern markets are the [linois River and the suitable
portions of the Great Lakes, namely, Lake Erie, Lake St. Clair,
and the adjoining marshes. It was estimated by Townsend that

American Fisheries Society. 205

in 1899 the catch of carp in Lake Erie amounted to 3,633,697
pounds, worth $51,456. In 1900, as nearly as I could determine,
the catch was 4,598,090 pounds, with a valuation of $68,971.35,
wholesale. Indications are that in the succeeding years it was
even greater, while the fisheries of the Illinois River appear to
exceed considerably those of the Great Lakes. This is enough
to give an idea of the extent to which carp are now being used.
Some attempt has been made at smoking the larger fish, and
other methods have also been used to preserve them, but those
products appear never to have gained any considerable demand.
The smoked fish, nevertheless, compares favorably with many
other kinds now used for that purpose, and it would seem that
persistence in this line should finally meet with success.

As illustrating the ways in which the carp may be said to be
of use more or less incidentally, it may be noted that in Izaak
Walton’s time it was considered to be worthy of the angler’s
attention, and that even now in this country its capture fur-
nishes amusement as well as acceptable food to many, especially
those of the poorer classes. Furthermore, it is probably of value
for its destruction of mosquito and other aquatic larvee, and it
has recently been shown to be an important factor in some sec-
tions of the country in keeping in check the parasite known as
the liver fluke, which attacks sheep, often killing them in large
numbers. Certain of the stages of this parasite are passed in the
pond snail, which is eaten by the carp. It has also been found
that the young carp, which can easily be raised in large quanti-
ties, make very good food for trout and bass.

The carp has sometimes been spoken of as “the poor man’s
fish,” and such is essentially the position it would appear to be
destined to occupy in the economy of our country. Those who
are able to obtain better fish will undoubtedly continue to prefer
them. But for feeding the great communities of foreigners and
newly-made citizens in our large cities, any source of cheap
wholesome food is of much importance, and, as has been shown,
the use of carp for this purpose is increasing with each year.
One often hears it stated that a bounty should be put upon
these fish in order to attempt their extermination, or at least to
keep them in check. It must be recognized that it is sheer non-
sense to think of their extermination by any such means, and the

206 Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting.

most effectual factor in holding them in check 1s the catching of
them to supply a commercial demand. If, then, anything should
be done, it should be to make the food value of the fish more
widely known, and thus increase the market. At present there
is no need to plan protection for the carp. They seem well able
to care for themselves. But even now it is found profitable to
capture them when they are plentiful in the spring, and to hold
them over in retention ponds of one kind or another until the
market prices are higher in the fall.

Finally, it may be said in conclusion, that whereas the carp
undoubtedly does considerable damage in one way or another,
it nevertheless is a valuable resource to the country, its value
in this respect far outweighing the damage done. The whole
situation may be summed up in the statement that the carp is
here and we could not rid our waters of it, even were such a
course desirable ; therefore we should turn our efforts to utiliz-
ing the fish in all ways possible.

DISCUSSION.

Before reading the paper Dr. Evermann said:

I will say as a word of preface, that this paper which Mr.
Leon J. Cole, of Cambridge, Massachusetts, presents, on “The
Status of Carp in America,” is a brief abstract of a much larger
report which he made to the Commissioner of Fish and Fish-
eries, covering certain investigations which he carried on for a
number of years.

CARP, “AS SEEN BY A FRIEND:

BYSDRASS ab BARE Ean Ol (OUUNGY WEE EN Ors:

(Read by Dr. Smith.)

This point of view being so rare as to be almost unique, it
may be wise, perhaps, to give some of my reasons for holding
it, in order to free myself from possible suspicions as to my
complete sanity on the subject.

As I understand it, the work of the fish commissions was
designed to produce the greatest amount of benefit to the great-
est number of people, the question of increasing the supply of
food entering into it to as great a degree as the financial interests
involved. The work necessarily has to cover localities of various
and contrasted conditions, and in fitting it to such conditions it
naturally follows that no one locality can be taken as a criterion
as to the results which may follow the same methods in another
locality or state. It is my purpose to endeavor to show that the
introduction of the carp into the waters of Illinois by the United
States Fish Commission, was a wise proceeding, and one that
will do more toward causing these waters to produce their full
quota of food than any other plan ever worked for the interests
of this locality. J am aware that the waters of all the states
are not so well adapted as natural homes for the carp as are
those of Illinois; perhaps a brief explanation of the reasons for
this may be in order. I have watched this branch of the work
carefully, and while I may be a trifle more enthusiastic than
many of my fellow workers, it is possible that my knowledge
of conditions and results justifies my position,

I have been here a long time and my intimate acquaintance
with the waters of Illinois has given me a better knowledge
of the facts than that of the average man, at least, and I have
seen the depletion of the fishes indigenous to those waters con-
tinue year after year, through wanton waste and lack of protec-
tion, until the fish industry, once great in its proportions, had
dwindled to such a degree that the wholesale fish dealers were
practically “down and out.”

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208 Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting.

Owing to the peculiar conditions governing them, the wa-
ters of Illinois have been great breeding places for the coarse
fishes. Thousands of acres of the low grounds are inundated
every year along our great rivers, at the season when the
buffalo, the greatest commercial fish of the state, are “rolling”
or spawning. At this time great quantities of buffalo were
easily taken, and they were shipped in large lots to the greater
markets, principally to St. Louis, on commission, to the whole-
sale dealers, and the markets were frequently so glutted with
fish that sales were almost impossible, and the freight was
hardly realized. During the “sixties” the Mississippi river had
two lines of steamboats running daily between St. Louis and St.
Paul, and the Illinois river had as many, running between St.
Louis and Peoria, and at every landing sugar hogsheads packed
with buffalo were offered for shipment to St. Louis. At the
wharf here at Quincy, I have seen so many hogsheads of fish
offered for shipment that only a small part could be taken, as
the boat was carrying shipments from all points above, and
could take only part offered at each landing. At this time the
boats offered almost the only facilities for the transportation of
freight between river towns, and enormous quantities of freight
drawn from the country back of the rivers naturally accumu-
lated at these towns, and nearly always more freight was of-
fered than could be taken, and although preference was given to
perishable articles, still the fish were brought in such quantities
that it was impossible to handle them all, and a great waste
resulted. This was at a time when there were no protective
laws, and it was possible to take fish anywhere and in any
way. It needs but a moment’s consideration to see what this
wholesale waste would lead to. The supply could not long
sustain it, and the inevitable result must and did follow, the
practical depletion of the waters. Well, to be brief, the buffalo
practically disappeared, and the large concerns engaged in fish-
ing as an industry gradually dropped out, until only an occa-
sional small concern was left, depending on local trade for main-
tenance. Later, protective laws were enacted, but were little
observed, the fishermen resenting any interference with what
they considered their natural, vested rights, and only by the
education of the people generally to the necessity of a proper

American Fisheries Society. 209

protection could any progress be hoped for toward a proper en-
forcement of the laws. The buffalo increased slowly, if at all,
and instead of the former great runs in early spring, there was
no perceptible increase. Then the carp was introduced. Liter-
ature on the subject showed it up as a great fish, immensely
prolific and of rapid growth, all that was required was a mud
hole and a dozen carp to insure a year’s supply of fish. The
farming community went wild over them, and in a single year
3,000 ponds were constructed or arranged for the raising of fish
in Illinois. I remember well the first carp Illinois procured. We
were allotted a few hundreds and they were taken to St. Louis,
and by some mistake, were put, with the Missouri allotment, in
the Forrest Park ponds. The State Commission, of which I
was one, went to St. Louis and insisted on having our share.
The ponds were seined and I[ think I managed to get ninety-two
of our allotment. Twenty-two of these were placed in the Sni
Ecarte to save them, and the rest were issued, in lots of five,
to various applicants. The next season the U. S. Commission
had a large supply and Illinois was given a generous amount,
so that every applicant possible was supplied.

Again the effort to get something for nothing prevailed,
and any old mud hole was utilized to raise the carp in. Hogs,
and stock of all kinds, ducks and geese, had access to these
ponds, but the carp, true to their nature, lived and grew fast,
and as spring approached, began to show on the surface of the
waters. From these conditions they were taken and cooked and
naturally proved a disappointment, soft, oily and muddy in taste.
With the help of the county papers they soon got a bad reputa-
tion, and why not? Black bass, under the same conditions,
would do the same. Then the ponds were neglected and soon
became broken, and the carp escaped into the creeks, and from
thence into the larger streams, until in time they became well
and thoroughly stocked with carp. Fishermen began to take
them, but threw them away as worthless, for their name had
gone before them; with so much adverse criticism they had been
condemned from the start.

Then followed a year in which more intelligent attention
was given them. Men made ponds for fish culture and gave

their fish the same chance they gave their stock or poultry, good
14

210 Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting.

food, good water, and intelligent care. When they were wanted
for the table they were properly treated and properly cooked,
and they found the carp at least on a par with the former favor-
ite coarse fish, the buffalo, and gradually they came into more
general use. The quantities obtainable attracted the attention of
eastern parties, and investigation was followed by a steady
market and demand for them. Carp have found their way into
every city and town of the west, and on almost every table. Not
always on the bill of fare as carp, but under various names, from
carp to salmon, it is served to the public daily. All this hag,
of course, followed only as a result of a better knowledge of
how to care for carp and how to cook them.

Now, we again find great concerns handling thousands of
tons of coarse fish from the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers to
the east, and thousands of men are given employment in the
work incidental, and a number of towns are absolutely sup.
ported by this industry.

Gentlemen, conditions are following the text, the greatest
amount of food for the greatest number of people for the least
price is being produced, and the introduction of the carp is
responsible for it.

It is not necessary for me to undertake to prove that, from
a commercial standpoint, none of the other varieties of fish
compare favorably with the carp as a money or food producer.
speaking of Illinois waters only, but a constantly increasing
supply of the gamier varieties goes to show that their introduc-
tion has not only given more food for man, but has increased
the supply of food for the game fishes, as well.

I think I have shown that I am a friend of the carp for good
reasons. It is adapted to such waters as the Illinois River and
the lakes adjacent to it. It is in no sense a destroyer of other
fishes, being a vegetable feeder, except as it disturbs the vege-
table growths and, in a way, drives out some species into clearer
water. It is of commercial value, being hardy, prolific and of
rapid growth, and being tenacious of life is easily transported,
and it is a good food fish, cheap and wholesome.

I am conscious that our state is especially fortunate in being
able to supply the conditions most favorable to the successful
cultivation of the carp, and regret that so many must, of neces-

American Fisheries Society. 211

sity, live in less favored localities, into whose waters the intro-
duction of the carp would be detrimental, but without wishing
to seem patronizing or boastful under superior advantages, I
must insist that the work of investigation and introduction of
the carp has been one of the best, in its results, of all that has
been done by one of the greatest food producing factors of the
world, the United States Fish Commission.

DISCUSSION.

President: In several of the former meetings of this So-
ciety, this carp question has been very prolific of discussion. It
is now before you.

Mr. Meehan: This subject has been threshed out a good
many times, but there is a little I would like to say. I have
often heard that there are two things that it is idle to discuss,
one is religion and the other is politics, for the reason that when
two partisans of either get together, when they are through they
hold the same position as they did before. I think we ought to
add carp to that list. There was once a man who had a horse
of which he thought a great deal and he was very enthusiastic
about it. He got around among a lot of his friends one day and
began to describe that horse and tell of its beauties, health, etc.,
and wound up by saying: “This horse is just about the right
size, 16 feet high!” A friend said: “Surely you mean 16 hands.”
“Wait a moment. If I said 16 feet high that horse is 16 feet
high, and it is going to stay 16 feet high.’ There is also an old
Latin saying, De gustibus non disputandum; about matters of
taste it is idle to discuss.

For these reasons it is really, I suppose, idle to have any ex-
tended discussion on this subject. But I have often wondered
whether or not, in states where people are very friendly to the
carp and strong advocates of it, the fish were different and had
different habits in those states from what they have in my own.
I must say that I have eaten Illinois carp, and have not found
them any better than the carp taken from our own waters.

It has been said on various occasions by advocates of the
carp, that they do not eat spawn. It has been said for years
and years, and they have also stated that there has been no

212 Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting.

proof offered that they eat spawn. In fact no later than yester-
day, one of the members here made the statement in his paper,
that all charges that carp eat spawn were mere pipe dreams.
It must have been a pipe dream on my part then, for I have seen
them eat spawn, I have written about it, I have stated it in the
newspapers, in the fishing magazines and spoken of it to the
people ; and almost invariably the reply would be: “Well, this is
the first time that any regular out and out proof has been given
of the fact, but you must remember that other fish are cannibals,
too.” The trouble is, however, that 1n a few days we will find
the very same people get up again and say, “There is no proof
that these fish eat spawn.” So I say it is practically idle to dis-
cuss the matter.

In Pennsylvania the carp do eat spawn, and the majority of
the people of Pennsylvania believe that they live entirely on
spawn. I do not agree with that, nor do I agree with the ma-
jority of the people in Pennsylvania in the statement that the
carp is a principal factor in the decrease of the number of black
bass. They are decreasing, but I do not believe carp is the
principal factor. I think we must look for other causes. But
we claim that carp is a nuisance in our streams; that it is one
of the factors in some of the localities of the depletion of black
bass and other valuable food and game fishes (and by valuable
I mean not merely from a sporting standpoint, but from a food
standpoint) ; and that it 1s therefore not a desirable fish in our
waters.

I can very well understand how Dr. Bartlett could be a
great friend of the carp in [linois, from a money standpoint.
Pennsylvania pays a great deal of money to Illinois for carp.
The state of Illinois may sell from 1,000,000 to 2,000,000
pounds of carp to Pennsylvania, the bulk of which goes to Pitts-
burg and Philadelphia. Nevertheless, it is regarded by us in
Pennsylvania, and is undoubtedly, a very inferior food fish.
While we sell a great deal of carp in Pennsylvania, it is only
sold to two classes of people, one a very estimable class, who
buy the fish alive in order that they may kill them according to
their religious rites; the bulk of the fish are, however, sold to
what we consider largely a very undesirable class of people, the
Italians. The price is high, running sometimes as high as 16

Co

American Fisheries Society. Pile

to 18 cents a pound. But when they mix the fish up with
potato, turnip, garlic, onions, herbs and bread, it makes a very
cheap dish for them, and perhaps the condiments hide the
muddy taste of the fish.

I think myself I am prepared to modify my former opinion
of the carp for cultivation purposes, to this extent: If they
can be kept or raised in ponds where they cannot get out into
the open streams, and can thus be prevented from diminishing
the supply of fish in those streams, I am in favor of so raising
them ; because I believe as long as an industry can be made out
of any fish that it should be to a certain extent fostered. But it
is not a suitable fish for the streams of Pennsylvania, most of
which come from the mountains, naturally pure, and these fish
befoul these waters.

They do destroy plant life. There 1s no question about that
with us. It cannot be disputed in Pennsylvania that they de-
stroy the water vegetation, and destroy it in large quantities. It
is also undoubtedly true that they keep the water muddy and
drive the bass and other fishes therefrom.

By destroying the vegetation in the water they destroy the
minute animal life on which bass fingerlings thrive.

Not only bass but other and game fish are deprived of food
and shelter by the carp.

It is for these reasons that I am not a friend of the carp,
and why | have opposed its further introduction in waters, and
why I have heartily approved in Pennsylvania of the enactment
of a measure which makes it a misdemeanor to plant the fish
in any public waters in Pennsylvania.

In short, I consider the German carp undersirable fish.

Mr. Atkins: The trouble seems to be that people allow
themselves in matters of taste to be led by prejudice rather than
be controlled by careful judgment. There is quite a general
prejudice against the carp throughout the country; but in IIli-
nois the carp is found to be a good thing.

It might be a surprise to some who are fond of black bass
and have a high opinion of it, to know that there are sections of
the country where for fifteen or twenty years past there has
been constant opposition to the black bass. That is the state of

214 Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting.

things in Maine. But the black bass is not to blame for that.
It is a good fish, well worthy of introduction. But the people
who first caught it were for some reason disappointed about it ;
or they did not catch the other fish that they had gone after; so
they began to curse the black bass ; and the next man caught the
disease and the prejudice has become almost universal. I cannot
recollect an instance of having heard any citizen of the state of
Maine speak respectfully of the black bass.

Now I am inclined to think the trouble about carp arises
somewhat froma similar source. People do not wait to investi-
gate facts, but are contented to found decisions upon prejudice.

Secretary: For several years | have been very much inter-
ested in the discussions of the carp question before the Society,
both on the part of those who favor and those who are opposed
to the fish. I have noted this fact, that those who speak favor-
ably of the carp speak by the card, they speak from investigation
and actual knowledge. But I know that those who speak
against the carp do not always speak from actual investigation.
This state of things exists in my own state, where there is a
strong prejudice against the carp. If I am present at some
little gathering it frequently happens that somebody will start
off with a tirade against the carp ; but come to find out, he knows
nothing about it; he assumes that the carp muddies the stream,
and destroys the bass spawn. Certain people interested in fish-
ine raised quite a large sum of money last vear to seine out the
carp from a small lake near Fond du Lac, on the ground that
the carp destroyed the bass and the pickerel! They seined dili-
gently for one week and did not find a carp in the lake. (Laugh-
ter.) Yet for several years to the presence of carp he has at-
tributed the cause of the poor fishing in that pond. (Laughter.)

Lake Koshkonong is the Wisconsin home of the canvas back
duck on its flight from the arctic regions to the south; and can-
vas back duck have been very plentiful there for fifty years, un-
til within the last half dozen years, when perhaps they have
been less plentiful. Shooting clubs and others interested laid
the decrease to the carp. They did not realize that a law in the
state preventing spring shooting had been repealed; they did
not realize that there were ten guns where there used to be one;

OU

American Fisheries Society. 21%

that each gun went off about ten times as fast as it used to, and
all that sort of thing. So they went at it to seine out the carp.
While they were doing this a gentleman in Milwaukee of a
scientific turn of mind, investigated the subject, and demon-
strated that the canvas back duck did not eat wild celery at all;
and that if the carp really destroyed the wild celery it had noth-
ing to do with the duck question. That scientific assertion dam-
pened the ardor of the duck hunters somewhat as to their charge
against the carp; however, they went to work and caught carp
with seines at Koshkonong Lake. But they discovered that
there were more bass in the lake than there were carp. Asa
matter of fact, they caught comparatively few carp; and there-
fore the ground that the carp had destroyed the supply of the
canvas back duck, does not seem tenable.

Now | am very much interested in this subject and have no
prejudice either way. But when there is an under dog I have
sympathy for him, and as everybody jumps on the carp, I have
been waiting for some positive information, some real investiga-
tion, to prove that carp affected the breeding of other fishes,
that they destroy the spawn of the black bass, or that they inter-
fere with the spawning beds. Now I think that this paper of
Mr. Cole’s here, perhaps does not dispose of that subject en-
tirely ; but it certainly gives a good deal of strong evidence that
carp do not affect the spawning beds of other fishes.

I wish if anybody has any positive information, the result
of investigation on this subject, that we could have something
definite before this meeting, so that we could tell whether carp
were a real injury or not.

Mr. North: We havea great many carp in Ohio, and a very
large industry around Port Clinton, catching and shipping carp.
There is no question, however, but that the carp are very in-
jurious to duck marshes. They feed on the wild rice, and the
marshes are deprived of vegetation; and the ducks absolutely
do not come to those marshes which they formerly used to fre-
quent in great numbers; but it appears to me that the carp 1s
with us, and is with us to stay; and you cannot exterminate it
by talking. The only way to do is to educate a lot more Penn-
sylvanians to eat them, and thus reduce the supply. (Laugh-
ters)

216 Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting.

Mr. Meehan: It is possible that I may be among those who
know nothing whatever about the carp, but one statement I would
like to make emphatically, and that is, | have seen carp on many
occasions eat spawn; I have seen carp on many occasions muddy
the water greatly; I have seen carp root up water plants. IT
cannot make it too emphatic. [I may not know much about the
habits of the carp, but I can trust my eyesight.

I have among my force a superintendent who has also seen
a great deal of that sort of thing; and a few moments ago he
stated to me a matter that he had seen himself. In Lake Fries
within a year, a twenty-pound carp which was caught, was
found to be simply packed so full of spawn that when it was
taken from the water the spawn poured from its mouth; and,
furthermore, carp had been seen time and again in the waters
of the peninsula adjoining Lake Erie, taking the spawn from the
spawning beds.

Secretary: What kind of fish was on those spawning beds?

Mr. A. G. Buller: The carp was seen going on the beds of
the pike and eating the spawn.

Mr. Whish: In view of the fact that the carp is an infernal
nuisance, although his many friends do not believe it, I move
that we lay the spawn matter on the table. (Laughter.)

THE POLICY OF CEDING THE CONTROL OF THE
GREAT LAKES FROM STATE TO
NATIONAL SUPERVISION.

BYBNER. €. D. JOSEY N.

Mr. President and Gentlemen :—When I was called upon by
our secretary some months ago to write something upon the
policy of ceding to the federal government the control of the
Great Lakes, I gladly assented, but according to my usual cus-
tom, put off the task until the last minute, and now I must con-
fess that I have not written a paper, so must speak from. notes
written since I came here.

Until a few years ago, Michigan was engaged in raising and
planting whitefish in the lake waters which well nigh surround
her. It is safe to say that in this work she was very successful
under the circumstances. But after a while we realized that the
efforts of a single state, no matter how well directed, were
wholly inadequate to meet the demands and accomplish practical
results ; that unless the work was systematically done all along
the Great Lake chain, the work of one state alone would be of
very little avail. So an agreement was made with the proper
representatives of the federal government, whereby the federal
officers took charge of our whitefish hatching stations, collected
spawn of whitefish, lake trout, and wall-eyed pike from Michi-
gan waters, and returned 75 per cent. of the product of that
spawn to the lake waters bordering on the state. From that time
on Michigan has had planted in the waters surrounding her,
from 50,000,000 to 250,000,000 whitefish and other fry every
year since, at a cost to her of, perhaps, $300 or $400 per annum.

At the present time it may be said that probably nearly all
of the successful work in planting food fishes in the chain of
lakes, is done by the United States government. That it has
been successful is beyond a doubt. But the wltimate results will
in a great measure depend upon proper protection to that work
which the federal government is not now in a position to give.

Years ago in many places where whitefish were abundant,
17

218 Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting.

the catching of them was so reckless and wasteful, that they
were soon exterminated from those places. Now at many of
those points they are reappearing, notably in the Detroit River.
All of you who are familiar with whitefish planting know that
a planted fish can be told from a native. We know that the fish
which are coming in now are the results of planting.

When these fish appear in sufficient numbers they will again
attract the attention of the fishermen and will be again extermi-
nated. Without the power to protect its own work it is per-
fectly clear that even the United States cannot keep up and
make good against the reckless destruction of fish that now goes
on in that chain of lakes on which eight states border. Each of
those states is interested in the great fishing industry in those
waters, but every state in the Union is concerned in having the
fisheries so conducted that the bountiful supply of edible fish
which nature has provided, shall remain for the present and
future generations.

In the very nature of things the laws of the different states
intended to protect the edible fish supply, are not and never will
be uniform. What one state deems wise another does not. Some
have a closed season, others have not. Some have it at one time
and some at another. The evils growing out of this situation
have long been recognized, especially by those living around the
lakes. Meetings have been held by representative men from the
bordering states and from the Dominion of Canada, but no satis-
factory agreement as to what should be done has ever been
reached, nor has there been any uniformity of opinion upon the
most important questions until last April. At that time such a
meeting was held in Chicago and there appeared a determina-
tion to get together. The result of the meeting was that we did
agree upon several recommendations to be made to the respect-
ive legislatures of the states represented. But the sad sequel of it
all is that no two of the legislatures agreed to nor followed these
recommendations. Some states followed some part of them,
other states followed some other part, but there was no uni-
formity and no unanimity. So that we are just where we started
—nothing accomplished.

In the meantime the food fishes, generally speaking, are dis-
appearing from the lakes. Although the federal government

American Fisheries Society. 219

has been successful with regard to some of them, there are oth-
ers which need looking after, and all sadly need protection which
the states cannot give.

“Imported Russian Caviar” is made and put up at Grand
Haven, Michigan! It is made mostly from sturgeon’s eggs
captured mainly from Lake Michigan, but to some extent from
the other lakes. This industry has been carried on to such an
extent that this valuable fish has been almost exterminated from
these waters.

This 1s a subject which was under discussion at the meeting
in Chicago, and a resolution was adopted recommending that
there be a closed season for this fish for a long term of years—
ten years, I think. Michigan recognized the importance of that
recommendation and last winter enacted a law forbidding the
taking of sturgeon for ten years. But, let me inquire, of what
use is such a law in Michigan unless the other states and the
Dominion of Canada do likewise? It is quite true that Michi-
gan, with its two thousand miles of coast line, cuts a great figure
in this matter, but it is absolutely idle to say that it alone can
accomplish any lasting good.

There is another feature: Even if these bordering states
could get together, there is yet Canada to be dealt with. From
the head of Lake Superior to the foot of Lake Ontario, one side
of this great chain of lakes, except Lake Michigan, is bordered
by a friendly but foreign country. Friendly as our neighbors
are, willing as they are to co-operate with us, it yet remains that
no state can make a valid and binding agreement with Great
Britain or any of its provinces. The Province of Ontario, and,
I think, the entire Dominion of Canada, are very much alive to
the serious condition of the lake fisheries; yet, without a valid
treaty to bind them, their legislative bodies, like those of the
states, are quite likely to yield now and then to the importunate
demands which “‘vested interests” in the fishing industries may
and sometimes do make.

In the circumstances, then, nothing like uniformity can be
attained. Still, if the fish of our Great Lakes are not to be en-
tirely destroyed, if they are to be propagated, planted and pro-
tected in these waters, so as to produce the best, or even bene-
ficial results, it must be done in a uniform manner, under uni-

220 Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting.

form laws, uniformly enforced. It is too plain for argument
that this uniformity can only be brought about on our side of
the lakes by our national government. So forcibly have these
things come home to us who live on the lakes, that at the meet-
ing in Chicago which I have mentioned, it seemed to be the
unanimous opinion of those present, that the entire matter of
propagating, planting and protecting fish in our inland seas,
should be put in the hands of the federal government. This is
certainly and surely the only means of saving the food fishes
which naturally thrive in them, for those who are to come
after us.

It remains to be considered whether this can be done without
seriously infringing on the internal police powers of the several
states. I most unhesitatingly assert that it can. It will be re-
membered that quite a number of the powers granted the fed-
eral government in the United States constitution were given
only after acrimonious discussion. Grave fears were expressed
that these powers would destroy the right of the state to regu-
late their internal affairs. But we know now that they have not.
Who now doubts the wisdom of the commerce clause of the
federal constitution under which President Roosevelt broke the
Northern Securities monopoly. Under it Congress has again
and again asserted its right to regulate interstate commerce ; yet
the Supreme Court of the United States has many times upheld
state police regulations of such traffic.

A few years ago the state of Alabama enacted a statute 1m-
posing a penalty of $100, I think, upon telegraph companies
which should negligently fail to deliver a message within its
borders. A suit was brought against one company to recover
such penalty, and it undertook to defend on the ground that the
Alabama statute was an interference with interstate commerce.
But the Supreme Court of the United States said it was not;
that Alabama had a perfect right to inflict a penalty upon the
company for not carrying out its contract within her borders.

The federal government carries our mails and regulates
their use, and no honest person is harmed by this exercise of
federal power.

In fact the people would not now tolerate state regulation of
our postal affairs. Federal courts are given jurisdiction in all

American Fisheries Society. 221

admiralty and maritime matters, but no one has ever supposed
that such jurisdiction has interfered with the laws of any state
on the subject of water-craft, nor with its criminal courts.

Moreover, the matter of preserving the food fishes in the
Great Lakes is not merely a state matter. It is one which con-
cerns the entire country; it affects all the people of the country
and is therefore a question of national importance. The nation
only can deal with it successfully.

May I add a word of sentiment ?

I will allow no one to go before me in giving allegiance to
my own state. If ceding control of the Great Lakes to the fed-
eral government for the purposes just spoken of would in the
least interfere with the right or power of Michigan to manage
its own affairs within its own borders, then, emphatically, it
should not be done. But our experience shows conclusively that
it will not.

The structure of our national government is upon founda-
tions laid deep and strong. To my mind the master builder was
John Marshall of the Old Dominion state.

It was he who demonstrated to the judicial world that the
federal constitution created a nation and contained within itself
the power of self-maintenance; that 1t was not constructed for
a day, but for all time. The arbitrament of the sword subse-
quently demonstrated its physical power.

While each state is a perfect entity with plenary and ex-
clusive power to regulate its own domestic affairs, yet each
most loyally yields to the federal government, full and ample
power to sustain itself as one of the great and independent na-
tions of the earth.

Jealousy of federal control should no longer enter into the
discussion of a question of this kind. We are one people. We
are not strangers to each other. The citizen of Michigan ts at
home and among friends and neighbors in West Virginia, and
the West Virginian is equally at home and among friends and
neighbors in Michigan.

Our interests are common. Our hopes and our aspirations
are everywhere the same. The question of state advantage no
longer troubles us. What is the best for a// is now the question
which the true statesman considers. East, west, north and

222 Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting.

south all subscribe to the great underlying principle—the great-
est good to the greatest number. Our state governments have
become permanently welded together into one nation now
known and honored as the foremost in all the world. Every
citizen of every state is a patriotic worshiper and defender of
his country’s flag. Everywhere we teach our children to respect
and revere it. Every American citizen is proud of his country
and proud that it has produced a Roosevelt.

Shall it be said, then, that we fear to make its banner the
emblem of authority on our great inland seas over which ride
more ships than enter and clear any port in the world? Most
surely not. We are not afraid of federal power. We are not
afraid of federal encroachment. We stand uncovered before the
old flag ; the new flag ; the flag of the future! Now, as it always
has been, always shall be, the flag of the free.

“Flag of the stripes of fire!

Long as the lofty bard his lyre

Can strike, Thou shalt inspire
Our song.

We'll sing Thee round the hearth!

We'll sing Thee on strange earth!

We'll sing Thee when forth to battle we go
With clarion tongue.

Flag of the free and brave in blood,

Be Thou for aye the blest of God.”

PROPAGATION AND CARE OF YELLOW PERCH.

BY NATHAN R. BULLER, PLEASANT MOUND, PENNSYLVANIA.

Yellow perch is as widely known as the sun fish sometimes
called yellow Ned. Unlike some fishes called perch it is a true
perch with the black bass and rock bass as near cousins. It is
one of the purest types of the family. It is, in fact, the most
perfect type that swims in American waters. It is one of the
original representatives of the genus. Far back in the earlier
ages of the world, during the period the geologists call Devon-
lan, when fishes were the dominant form of life, perch of a
character almost identical with the yellow perch of to-day,
formed part of the family.

The yellow perch is found in nearly all the waters of Europe
and those of Eastern America, from Labrador to Georgia, and
in my opinion should be more extensively propagated, and by
successfully doing this it can be made to become commercially
valuable as well as affording ample sport for the disciples of
Izaak Walton.

By the advice of my chief, Hon. W. E. Meehan, I have taken
up the study of the yellow perch, to find out economical meth-
ods of propagation, and I will relate what my efforts amount to
thus far, and I trust there will be discussion had and ideas
advanced by those present who have made efforts in that direc-
tion.

In order to demonstrate that yellow perch could be placed
in ponds and artificially fed, I placed 500 in a pool 150 feet long
by 45 feet wide, varying in depth from 4 feet to 12 inches. We
commenced to feed with ground liver and found that in the
course of time the fish took it very readily. From all appear-
ances they thrive and continue in a healthy condition.

These fish, which were yearlings and two-year-olds, were
placed in a pool one year ago and are the fish that I received my
eggs from, but I would advise that the parent fish should have
very large ponds, covering four or five acres if possible, cer-
tainly not less than one-fourth of an acre.

223

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224 Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting.

April 15 the ice left my pond and shortly afterwards I found
perch in the act of spawning, which continued on until the 12th
of May. Most of the eggs were gathered in strings after the
fish deposited them on the branches which I placed in the ponds
for that purpose, and they were therefore very easily collected.
When the intention is to hatch in a pond instead of allowing the
eggs to remain on the branches, gather them and place on egg
trays, allowing the trays to float loosely over the pond, the
action of the waves will keep the eggs free from sediment.

At the present time I am unable to say how successful my
pond work will be, as I do not intend to draw off the water until
the month of September.

The method that appeals to me as being the proper one to
pursue, is the using of a series of troughs 16 feet long, 18 inches
wide and 8 inches deep. Eggs can be placed in the troughs on
trays. A trough of the dimensions I have mentioned has a
capacity of 10,000 perch until they are three months old. They
will readily accept milk-curd as soon as the sac is absorbed.
I continued feeding the curd until they were twelve days old,
and after that I fed them on ground liver, which was taken
very readily. In my observations I have not found any disease
of any kind to attack them.

I have also been watching very closely to discover any indi-
cations of cannibalism. Thus far I have not detected any.

I verily believe that by using these methods and growing
the fish to the size here exhibited, our rivers and inland lakes
will soon again teem with these fish.

DISCUSSION.

Mr. Buller said while reading his paper: I have a few spec-
imens in a bottle that I have fed on milk curd and beef liver.

( Exhibited. )

I know these can be hatched in jars.

There is a chain of lakes in the state of Pennsylvania cover-
ing five counties, and these lakes are kettle holes, varying in size
from 150 acres to a thousand; and I| think there are 192 in the
chain. Long years ago these lakes were practically all inhabited
by brook trout, but by the denuding of the forests the brook

Ca)
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American Fisheries Society.

trout have disappeared, and to-day they are inhabited by yellow
perch, pickerel and bass. The object of this work is to discover
methods to grow these perch economically, and restock these
lakes by changes of blood from one lake to another, and if
anyone has done any work in this respect we would like to hear
from him.

The eggs are placed on the trays in lace form; and another
thing that I observed of this matter is this: I had placed
grasses in the ponds and eggs were deposited on the grasses ;
but I found that the action of the waves had taken a great many
of the eggs off the grasses, and they fell to the bottom and
smothered; but by measuring them up after the fish had
spawned and placing them on the trays, that was avoided, and
for that reason I used the tray.

Mr. Harron: To handle yellow perch eggs on troughs
would require a great many troughs, would it not ?

Mr. N. R. Buller: They can be easily handled.

Mr. Meehan: Is not the trough made particularly intended
for the purposes of distribution in our inland streams?

Mr. N. R. Buller: Yes. To plant the fry in large quantities
it is necessary to use jars. The trough would not be practicable
for that purpose.

Mr. Harron: I undertook to hatch them at our station, but
found I could not do so. You can easily develop them in
troughs, but you cannot hatch them loose in troughs, I under-
stand, for they become like a mass of jelly, and so buoyant that
they will float down and constantly clog the screens.

Mr. Buller: I have found no trouble in handling them on
a tray.

Mr. Titcomb: How many toa tray?

Mr. Buller: About 50,000. I intended merely to raise
10,000 fingerlings.

Mr. Titcomb: Did you raise 10,000 fish to the fingerling
state ?

ee eS:

15

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226 Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting.

Mr. Harron: They did nicely until about ready to hatch,
and then we had to transfer them to our collector courier, and
they were placed in there as a solid mass, and hatched out 88%.
3ut it requires constant care and attention to prevent smother-
ing from dead corners of waters, that is, where there is not a
complete circulation of water through the bottom of this tank.
My idea is that the best way to handle perch eggs on a large
scale, is in an open mouth jar with a spout attached so as to pass
the young from the hatching vessel to the receiver.

Mr. Buller: I agree with you, when you hatch the fry in
large numbers.

Mr. Titcomb: It is remarkably good work to handle 10,000
fry in those troughs. What is the loss?

A. The loss is very light.

©. Do you count out your fish?

Ate Messsite

Mr. Titcomb: I think that is remarkable.

Mr. Buller: I found very little trouble after the sac period.
They took food very readily and I brought up these questions
because | think the matter is very important to our inland lakes,

Mr. Meehan: Did you not find this successful on a large
scale, [ mean the mere hatching, by using the trays on the ponds
as you describe, simply putting the eggs on the trays and allow-
ing the trays to float loose on the pond?

Mr. Buller: Yes.

Mr. Meehan: There is another question and that is the
temperature of the water. We found where the water was cold,
just about the time the eggs were hatching out, a large number
of fry died. It fell to 44° and little fish died by the thousand.

Mr. N. R. Buller: I took some of the eggs over into the
trout department, put them into those troughs, and the tempera-
ture of my spring water at Pleasant Mount, is 47° ; and they all
died in twenty-four hours.

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American Fisheries Society.

Mr. Harron: At what temperature did the fish begin
spawning ?

Mr. Buller: I dont know what the temperature of the pond
was,

Mr. Harron: My experience is they begin always at 42°.

Mr. Buller: I notice in all our lakes, as soon as the ice has
left the lakes, the fish commence to work.

Mr. Titcomb: Did you try transplanting the yellow perch
eggs in considerable numbers any considerable distance ?

Mr. Buller: No, but I have taken the time and have held
them on the trays for forty-eight hours.

Q. In water?

A. No, sir, with a dampened cloth, and also had them in
cans the same length of time in water, but a great many of them
smothered. But on the dampened flannel trays they were all
right.

Mr. Meehan: We shipped some eggs from Erie to Belle-
font, about 250,000, in cans. Many of them hatched on the way,
and the bulk of the eggs that arrived were dead.

Mr. Titcomb: Did you aerate the water?

Mr. Meehan: Yes. In one instance I accompanied the eggs

myself. It was remarkably cold all the way through. The tem-
perature of the water remained stationary, 44°, from Erie to
Wayne; and the fish began to hatch shortly after the car moved ;
but they died almost as fast as they hatched, and before we
reached our destination nearly all the eggs that were not hatched
were dead.

©. Do you consider the experiment conclusive ?

Mr. Meehan: I should call the shipment of eggs in cans in
this manner, a failure under those conditions,

Mr. A. G. Buller: How do you place yceur eggs, in jars?
Mr. Harron: I hatched them nearly all in the open tanks.

Mr. A. G. Buller: What would be your method of putting

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g Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting.

Cas)

your eggs in the jar when you use the jar? Do you just lay
them in the jar?

Mr. Harron: I place them in the jars, just let them drop
right in, without suspending them from a string, placing avout
260,000 eggs in a jar. |

Mr. A. G. Buller: I tried that in the Erie hatchery and I
found when the fish were about ready to latch out that they
were smothered, and few eggs came out, and wat did not come
out were smothered. Perhaps I did not run enough water.

Mr. Harron: I ran about two gallons. In the future I pro-
pose to hatch them all in the jars.

Mr. Buller: My experience was that about the time they
were hatching out they died. What few came out died and
what did not come out smothered in the egg.

Mr. Harron: The fry rise very readily after hatching, and
there is no reason why they should die in the jar.

Mr. Buller: Probably I did not have enough water running.

Mr. Titcomb: At another one of our stations we decided
that the open pump, Downing jar, is the best thing for hatching
yellow perch eggs. I hope that there will be further experi-
mentation on the subject of transportation. It is possible for the
bureau to go to the head of Lake Champlain and take hundreds
of millions of yellow perch eggs. The yellow perch on Lake
Champlain is a drug in the market. When the water rises in the
spring these perch go into marshes and spawn, and the spawn
is left hanging on the weeds as the water recedes ; so it is possi-
ble to collect hundreds of millions of eggs—gallons and gallons
of them.

Mr. Meehan: We intend to pursue this matter, because of
the conditions that exist in portions of our state. With us it is
a question of propagating these fish in enormous quantities.
We must do it. It has come to a point where for a greater part
of the state it is necessary to hatch them in that way, and we
intend to limit ourselves by our capacity to get them out, so that
it will become a question of successful transportation,

Mr. Downing: A few years ago I had a little experience in

American Fisheries Society. 229

hatching yellow perch. I did it as an experiment. I was en-
gaged in another work, but I had a chance to get a few of the
eggs, and I carried them from North Bass Island to Sandusky,
ina pail andina pan. When I got to Sandusky I found a large
part of the eggs stuck to the bottom of the pan, and I saw that
if I removed them from the pan I would injure them, and I left
them in the pan and turned a small stream of water on them and
arranged them so that the water would go into a screened box;
and the others I put into a jar. In putting them into the jar I
let them wind right around the tube, and in eight days they
hatched, and so far as I could see they hatched 100%. I did not
see that any died or were wasted; and it seemed to me at that
time, that it was a very easy matter to hatch that kind of fish.

Mr. Harron: I would like to ask Mr. Downing if he noticed
the temperature of those that hatched in eight days.

Mr. Downing: Pretty high—about 70°. That was some
time ago and | do not exactly remember the temperature.

Mr. Harron: My experience is that it takes the yellow
perch egg 10 to 20 days to hatch out at a mean temperature of
47> to 54°.

Mr. Townsend: We have had a half bucket full of eggs
which kept in good condition and 30,000 to 50,000 hatched out
each season.

Mr. Buller: How far had the eggs advanced?

Mr. Townsend: They hatched pretty promptly. The fur-
ther the eggs are advanced the harder it is to transport them.

Mr. A. G, Buller: That was the trouble with the eggs that
Mr. Meehan took; they were hatching on the way; and also
with those that I sent to Bellefont—they were practically all
hatched out. The eggs Mr. Nathan Buller spoke of were green
eges and not difficult to carry; but as for carrying them any

distance on trays when they are ready to hatch I do not think it
can be successfully done.

Mr. Meehan: There does not seem to be any limit in reason
to the number of yellow perch that may be carried. You can
carry nearly as many yellow perch in a pond as you can of trout

230 Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting.

relatively. They do remarkably well, and feed on the same food
readily.

Mr. Nathan R. Buller: Most all my eggs were gathered
green, and I found the trays gave the best satisfaction carrying
green eggs in water. While they had all the attention possible
I found a great many of them were dead. I don’t say carrying
them half a day, but these experiments of holding these eggs
were for a couple of days. And I have also taken the eggs from
the lake and carried them on the trays and placed them in the
evening, and had perch in the morning, and they went through
successfully. I brought up this question about the perch in the
pond because I believe that it can be made a very fine pond fish
with pond culture, the same as trout, if we do not run up against
something next year that we did not see this year.

Mr. Downing: I would like to ask if the eggs handled were
taken from the fish?

Mr. Buller: Most of the eggs were gathered. I expressed
some of the eggs; but the natural impregnation was much better
than mine was.

Mr. Downing: In my experience I took the eggs from the
fish.

Mr. Buller: The natural impregnation was better than
mine.

Mr. Lydell: Some years ago when I was collecting wall-
eyed pike spawn in the Saginaw district for the Michigan Fish
Commission, I had opportunity to take a great many perch eggs,
and we used to strip them as they came aboard of the boat in
great numbers and turn them over into the bay. At one time
we stripped a large pail full of them and sent them down to the
hatchery at Detroit. We took the eggs ourselves right from the
fish and put them in a jar that had some cross-sections in it,
and the eggs were wound around in there so that they could not
float up against the screen. They apparently did hatch, and
after the last egg had hatched, I either drew upon my imagina-
tion a great deal, or they seemed to commence hatching from
the gelatin after that. (Laughter.) I did not know exactly
when it was going to stop.

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American Fisheries Society. Re

Mr. Whish: In New York state the yellow perch is a favor-
ite fish, and although we do not attempt to raise them we dis-
tribute them, because we find that where there are a lot of yellow
perch to be caught in the ponds, the small boy and the average
fisherman are satisfied to catch them, and do not bother the bet-
ter class of fish. There are certain small streams running into
one of the lakes, and in these streams the small perch seem to
come up from the lakes. I have always thought they came up
to escape the large fish. At any rate, we take advantage of
their coming and simply go there with a little net and cans, and
scoop out millions of them in the fall and ship them as finger-
lings. I might also say for the edification of the yellow perch
brethren, that I would as soon catch yellow perch on a light rod
as trout. “If that be treason, make the most of it.” Yellow
perch sometimes grow to a weight of four pounds in New York
state, and if any gentleman wants to know where those perch
are found, I will send him a map of the district.

Mr. Meehan: I think one of my superintendents, Mr. Wil-
liam Fuller, of Corry, was the first in Pennsylvania to begin the
work of experimenting on yellow perch, and he will tell you
something about expressing the eggs from the fish themselves.

Mr. Buller: I had no trouble in placing them and they fer-
tilize just as well as any.

Mr. Harron: I think Mr. Downing spoke of the egg stick-
ing. I have made some little experiments with the impregnation
of the eggs, and | found that it was always the case that they did
stick for a while. In the case of the eggs that I collected from
the fish, whenever I would hoist the car to take out the eggs I
did not find a single string attached to the car. They were all
loose and floating buoyantly over the bottom.

Mr. Downing: One reason that they stuck so persistently
to the bottom of the pan was, that the pan was a little bit dry
when the eggs were put in, and they adhered to the bottom and
they stayed in the pan till they hatched, and they hatched as
well out of the pan as out of the jar, and apparently they all
hatched.

NOTES ON THE TAKING OF QUINNAT SALMON
EGGS.

BY WARD T. BOWER.

The quinnat and other salmons of the Pacific are now well
established as a staple article of food throughout most civilized
countries ; and to the extent that they can be produced at a rea-
sonable price to the consumer, the demand for this valuable
food staple is certain to grow as population increases. It is evi-
dent, therefore, that to maintain a normal balance between con-
sumption and supply, the latter must be greatly increased as
time goes on. The future of an important source of food wealth
presents a serious economic problem, the solution of which it is
now generally conceded depends in a great measure on fish cul-
tural effort.

Assuming then that the future of the salmon industry rests
quite largely on hatchery propagation, it is timely to inquire
whether production in this way may not be substantially in-
creased through improved methods that practically eliminate
all loss prior to the eyeing stage of the ova and, though perhaps
of less importance, incidentally effect substantiat economies in
the cost.

My experience in salmon culture leads to a positive convic-
tion that the single feature of releasing the ripe ova by incision
and gravity rather than by expression, effects a saving of 5 to
15% of the ova and reduces the cost of production to the eyeing
stage at least 33 1-3%. It is this point that form the basis of the
account which follows. Barring perhaps some minor details, no
claim is made to originality, for taking salmon eggs by incision
has been tried in various ways by others, though perhaps not on
so large a scale and during a full season’s operations. It is the
purpose to describe briefly what may be termed the old and the
improved way, make comparisons and submit the results as evi-
dence of the superiority of the one over the other.

In the fall of 1903 and again in 1g04, the writer was in im-
mediate charge of the U. S. Bureau of Fisheries Sub-station at

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American Fisheries Society. ees

Battle Creek, California, where quinnat salmon have been propa-
gated for a number of years.

A barrier is placed across the stream at this point to prevent
the ascent of the fish to their natural spawning grounds imme-
diately above. Below this barrier or rack for a distance of
about two and one-half miles to where Battle Creek empties
into the Sacramento River, the current is moderate, the stream
broadens and is much deeper in places.

About one-half mile below the closed or upper rack, a second
or retaining rack has been placed across the stream, so arranged
as to permit free entrance to the fish and yet preventing in a
ereat measure their dropping back. The fish are taken by sein-
ing at various points between these racks, and range in size
from about ten to forty pounds, the average being about twenty.
The method of taking the eggs in 1903 1s practically the same as
had been employed for several preceding years. The ripe fe-
males, as fast as caught, are transferred to pens, whence all are
removed daily and spawned. The crew for this purpose consists
of ten men, as follows: One man to dip the males, one the fe-
males, one tail-holder, one head-holder, one stripper for females
and two for males, one egg mixer and two egg washers.

A female is dipped from the pen and the net handle so bal-
anced on a rest that the fish is swung a few inches above the
floor. While in this position it struggles violently, but is seized
at once with both hands by the tail-holder, who wears woolen
gloves to secure a firmer hold, and raised to a vertical position.
The head-holder, with hands protected by heavy horse-hide
gloves, then grasps the fish by inserting his thumbs in its mouth
and his fingers under the gills. The tail-holder, resting upon
one knee, brings the tail of the fish to the floor and the vent just
above the edge of the spawning pan, a rectangular vessel sim-
ilar to the ordinary breadpan. The latter is placed in a frame to
prevent overturning should the fish slip from the grasp of the
attendants. The stripper then expels the eggs 1n the ordinary
way, passing both hands two or three times down the full length
of the abdomen. As a twenty or thirty-pound salmon has great
strength and remarkable contractive powers, it is generally
necessary for the stripper to exert his utmost strength to start
the eggs, even when they are fully mature; in fact, strength

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Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting.

rather than skill is necessary at this stage. The eggs are then
fertilized in the usual manner, a number of males having been
thrown out on the platform a sufficient length of time to allow
them to become exhausted, and they may be easily handled. The
egg mixer stirs the mass in the pan with his bare hands and the
pan is then transferred at once to the washers. The eggs are
cleansed immediately and turned into buckets, which are placed
on an independent platform to prevent loss or injury through
vibration or concussion during the extremely delicate stage of
adhesion and separation, or until they are fully hardened.

For a number of years past, up to and including the season
of 1903, it has been the practice at the Battle Creek station to
return all females as they are stripped to a separate pen; then,
after the day’s stripping is done, throw them all out and kill
and open them to secure the ro to 15% of eggs that remain
after stripping or that cannot be obtained by pressure. The
eggs taken by this secondary process, designated by hatchery
employes as “butchered eggs,” are not equal in quality to those
stripped, though nearly so, and are well worth saving. The
heavy pressure exerted on the vital organs of the fish during
the process of stripping releases a considerable quantity of blood
and foreign matter, which mixes with the eggs and necessitates
the time and trouble of washing them several times in a normal
salt solution.

Fishing and spawning operations at the Battle Creek station
were carried on during the season of 1903 as above outlined.

During the season of 1904 the fish were caught in the same
manner as in 1903 and preceding years, but a radical change in
one important point of spawning the fish was decided upon.
Instead of forcing the bulk of the eggs by main strength and
securing the remainder by opening the fish, they were taken
by the simple method of incision and gravity. The spawning
crew is the same as under the old method, with the exception
that one man, the head-holder, is entirely dispensed with. The
female is dipped up as before, grasped by the tail-holder and
laid on the floor. Immediately the man who occupied the rela-
tive position of spawn-taker in the old method, strikes a sharp
blow on the back of the head of the fish with a hammer, causing
instant death. The tail-holder then releases his hold and inserts

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American Fisheries Society.

one finger in the gill opening and raises the fish to an upright
position, the vent being above the edge of one side of the pan
with the abdomen towards the “‘spawn-taker.” The latter, in a
kneeling posture, grasps the tail with his left hand in order to
keep the fish from swaying, while with his right hand a knife is
inserted between the pectoral fins, and with a single vertical
movement of the arm an incision is made down the entire ab-
domen of the fish to about one-half an inch to one side of the
vent. The eggs immediately pour in a mass into the pan below,
gravity being the only force exerted upon them. They are then
impregnated in the usual manner. An ordinary pocket knife is
used for cutting, the end of the blade having a keen edge to
facilitate the rapidity of the work. It is essential that not over
an inch of the blade be allowed to penetrate the fish, for fear of
cutting some of the eggs. This is easily managed by firmly
grasping the blade an inch or less from ‘the point between the
thumb and forefinger, which serves well the purpose of a gauge
while making the cut.

Practically no blood falls into the pan following a quick,
sharp incision, thus avoiding the necessity of previously bleed-
ing the fish. In the methods of incision heretofore tried—most
of which have been in an experimental way—it seems to have
been considered necessary to bleed the fish before making the
cut for eggs. But in practice it is found that but a mere trifle of
blood flows from a simple incision of the abdominal walls, so
long as no vital parts are cut or forced. Preliminary bleeding
appears to be a waste of time and effort without any advan-
tages.

The point may be raised against the plan of killing the fish
in advance of taking the eggs, that considerable loss may be
occasioned by killing green fish, whereas in the old way the
fish could be tried and then returned to the water if unripe. In
practice, however, we find that if ordinary care and skill be
exercised in sorting the fish at the time of capture, the number
of green fish cut is reduced to an insignificant minimum.

The total number of females stripped during the season of
1903, when the eggs were taken by stripping followed by cut-
ting, was, in round numbers, 4,200; total number of eggs taken,
27,343,000 ; eyeing percentage, 79.

236 Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting.

During the season of 1904, when the method of incision and
gravity was tried the first time for a full season’s operations, the
number of females stripped was 9,400; number of eggs taken,
58,068,000 ; eyeing percentage, 9714.

In making a comparison between the fishing and spawning
work of the two seasons, it is only fair to state that weather
conditions were considered somewhat better in 1904 than in
1903. The increased catch in 1904 was not due to a heavier
run of fish but to the fact that in 1903 a sudden flood carried
away the upper rack in mid-season. But so far as spawning
results are concerned, if there was any advantage in 1904 over
1903 it was probably offset by excessive crowding in the hatch-
ery in 1904 and also by the bad condition into which the hatch-
ing equipment had fallen for want of an appropriation to re-
place it.

The most striking point of advantage of the new method is
the improvement in the quality of eggs obtained, the loss under
the old plan being 21% in 1903, while under the new plan it was
a trifle less than 24%%. No doubt the difference would not be so
great every season, but the writer firmly believes that the eyeing
percentage should never fall below 95 with the improved plan,
under any and all weather conditions.

It seems reasonable to assume that the improvement in the
quality of the eggs is due chiefly to the elimination of the heavy
pressure on the soft and delicate ova, that is necessary to start
the flow. It is true that as soon as the eggs are started the
pressure may be somewhat lessened, but a great deal of force
must still be used to resolve the mass of eggs into a small liquid
stream through the vent. The unnatural force thus brought to
bear unavoidably subjects the eggs to the danger of crushing
and straining, and also starts and expels a part or all of the
green eggs that should not and need not be taken. Incidentally
it should be noted that a limited number of green eggs are
present in nearly all salmon spawned at the right time, for if
the taking of the eggs is deferred until the last one is ripe, loss
by hydration of those nearest the vent frequently occurs.

That some eggs are crushed in stripping is evidenced by the
fact that shells are washed from nearly every pan; and it seems
reasonable to suppose that a pressure sufficient to rupture even

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American Fisheries Society. 23

a small percentage of the eggs is responsible for additional loss
before the eyeing stage, if not afterwards.

But if there were’ no improvement in the quality of the
eggs taken by direct incision of the female, the saving in labor
and expense by this method strongly commends its general
adoption in quinnat salmon work. The old plan requires two
handling ; first, to spawn by hand, and then to kill and cut for
the purpose of securing the remaining Io to 15% of so-called
“butchered” eggs. With a well trained crew it requires but
little more time to take all the eggs at one handling by the
clean and quick method of direct incision than it does to take the
“butchered” eggs; thus one handling is entirely cancelled. In
practice, we found that 100 females are spawned by direct in-
cision in less than one-third the time required by hand stripping
followed by cutting.

Furthermore, the old plan required two crews, one for fish-
ing and one for spawning, the latter sometimes making a few
seine hauls near the close of the day. In 1904, working under
the new plan, the regular fishing crew was entirely dispensed
with, and a single crew attended to all of the fishing and spawn-
ing, the daily spawning work being ordinarily cleaned up by 9
o'clock in the morning. Seven less men were used for this work
in 1904 than in the preceding year.

Another considerable item in the line of economy appears in
the hatching house. To eye the 58,068,000 eggs on a 9714%
basis means that only one-ninth as many eggs must be picked
out by hand as though the eyeing percentage were only 79. If
we concede one-third of the improvement in quality to weather
conditions or other causes, there is still a heavy balance to the
credit of the improved plan.

To sum up: In 1903, under the old plan, sixteen men in
thirty days caught 4,200 females, from which 27,343,000 eggs
were taken and 79% eyed.

Under the improved plan the year following, nine men in
sixty days caught 9,400 females, from which 58,068,000 eggs
were taken and 9714% eyed. ;

The comparison between the two seasons is a fair one, for
although a sudden flood stopped the work thirty days after the

238 Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting.

opening in 1903, the take of both eggs and fish was not equal to
that of the first thirty days in 1904.

The operating cost of fishing and spawning in 1904 was
approximately $12.00 per day less than in 1903, and this does
not include the saving in the egg-picking account, which was
about $10.00 per day.

Simplicity, expedition, a decided improvement in the quality
of the eggs, and economy all the way to the eyeing stage—these
are the salient points to the credit of spawning quinnat salmon
by direct incision. The results speak for themselves.

COLLECTING, HATCHING AND DISTRIBUTION OF
PIKE-PERCH: WHY THE GREAT LOSS
OF EGGS.

BY Sa W. DOWNING.

T shall make no apology for this paper, more than to say that
our worthy secretary said “‘write” at the same time giving me the
subject upon which to write, and the paper now before you is the
result of that writing. But you must expect nothing flowery in
this article; I tried that once and the result was such that I am
willing henceforth to abstain from anything in that direction,
the incident was this:

While in charge of the work at the Clackamas, Oregon sta-
tion, | had occasion to visit a sub-station upon Elk creek, a
tributary to Rogue river, and in a letter written home describing
the Steelhead trout as seen trying to ascend the rapids, I bor-
rowed from Quackenbos in his description of the “Golden trout”
and wrote as follows: “The coloration is gorgeous bevond ex-
ample, the deep purplish hue of the back and shoulders seems
dissolved into a dreamy sheen of amethyst through which the
inconspicuous pale lemon spots of midsummer flame out in points
of lemon or vermillion fire, while below the lateral line, all is
dazzling orange.”

This was so entirely foreign to my plain way of expressing
myself that my wife became alarmed, and in her next letter she
said, “When I commenced reading your letter, I thought that you
were describing a fish, but before I finished was not sure whether
it was fish, a bird of Paradise or a rainbow, and I think that
you had better come home at once, or use some other brand of
liquor.” This was enough for me, and I determined right there
that from that time all my writing should be in the plainest
language possible.

So I will endeavor in my weak way to first describe the man-
ner of collecting the eggs.

The eggs collected by the force sent out from the Put-in-Bay
station are secured from the fish caught by the commercial fisher-

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240 Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting.

men. A spawner, as the men comprising this force are called,
going in each boat, and as the fishermen raise their nets and the
fish are thrown into the boats, the eggs from the live ripe fish
are collected. By ripe fish we mean those ready to deposit their
eggs. I think that I can describe this process no better to those
assembled here than to give the instructions that are handed to
each new man that is put into the field, after first stating that
each spawner is provided with an outfit consisting of a wooden
pail, one or more wooden kegs, a dipper and two common milk
pans.

Instructions to spawners: Take the eggs from one female
if large, and not more than two if small, use plenty of milt, and
stir with the naked hand carefully, being sure that the milt from
the male fish comes in contact with every egg, let stand about
half a minute, add a little water and gently stir again, then lower
and empty carefully into the keg which has previously been
partly filled with water. Continue this process until the keg
has as many eggs in it as it will safely carry. After the eggs
are all taken then add a little water at a time until the keg is
full. In adding the water do not pour it directly onto the eggs,
but against the inside of the keg. After the keg is full then
pour some of the water off, being careful in so doing to not pour
the water down so low that the eggs will be exposed to the air,
as this will cause them to form into a cake at once. Continue
to add and pour off water until the eggs are thoroughly washed
free of milt, and hardened up, after which time change the
water as often as once an hour while in your possession, or until
you put them onto the trays for shipment to the station.

As will be gathered from the “Instructions to Spawners,”
some of them are located in fields near enough to the station so
that the eggs are picked up by the boat kept for this purpose,
and brought to the station in the kegs, other kegs being left with
the spawners for the next day’s collection; while others are sent
to fields so remote that this can not be done, in this case the
eggs, after becoming fully hardened up, are evenly spread on
cotton flannel trays, the trays placed in cases made especially
for the purpose, and shipped to the station. Owing to storms
and other causes, the shipment of the eggs from the field is
often delayed for several days, the eggs remaining in the cases
during this time, and usually with no apparent bad results.

American Fisheries Society. Pan

After the eggs reach the station they are washed off the trays
into the large wooden tubs, the common wash tub being used.
the name of the spawner and that of the fishermen from whom
the eggs are obtained together with the date upon which the
eggs are taken, are written on a card and attached to the tub, so
that a record may be kept not only of the spawner’s work but the
date upon which the eggs are taken and the locality from which
they came. The eggs are usually left in the tubs over night, the
mght watchman changing the water on them every hour. ‘The
next morning they are placed in the hatching jars, from three
to three and a half quarts being placed in each jar. And right
here is where the fish culturist’s work begins, and we believe that
all those who have propagated this fish will agree that it requires
more work and vigilance to successfully care for a given number
of quarts of the eggs of the Pike-perch than of any others that
are hatched in jars. The farmer’s boy in describing the work
of “watching gap” while the grain is being hauled from the field,
very aptly describes the work of the fish-culturist. The boy
asked if the fence could not be put up so that he would not have
to stay and keep the cattle out of the grain. His father said,
“Oh pshaw, boy, that isn’t hard work.” The boy said, “No, I
know it aint, but it is so d—d busy.” And this is the case with
the fish-culturist’s work. He gets the eggs overhauled, siphoned
off, and his jars adjusted to his satisfaction and is feeling pretty
well satisfied with himself. He then goes away for a few min-
utes to attend to some other matter, and returns to find the jars
full to the top and on the point of overflowing, the eggs in nearly
a solid mass with little canals running through them from the
bottom of the jars upward through which the water winds its
devious way to the top; then there are cuss words, and a strong
wish that all eggs of this class were in perdition, but it avatls
nothing, and there is nothing for it but to take down the jars,
pass the eggs through the screen and set them up again.

This year, however, we have been bothered less with this
banking in the jars than ever before, and we credit our freedom
from it to the use of corn starch. Each spawner was supplied
with a quantity of corn starch and instructed to place just
enough of the starch in the water to make it of a milky con-
sistency, then the eggs are taken according to the previous

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242 Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting.
“Instructions to Spawners,” and placed in this starch water,
milt and all and not washed until all the eggs were taken, when
washing was commenced and continued until the water came off
clean and clear, all the milt and starch having been washed out,
after which the same care was taken with the eggs as though no
starch were used, and the result was that the spawners had less
trouble in the field, there was far less trouble with the eggs in
the jars at the station than on any previous year, and as the
number of eggs hatched was one per cent greater than ever
before, we feel that there were no bad results from the use of the
starch.

After the hatching, then comes the distribution of the fry.
Experience has taught us that the fry of the Pike-perch carry
the best at from twenty-four to forty-eight hours after hatching.
and as nearly as possible the fry from this station are liberated
at that age, and those liberated in Lake Erie, which usually con-
stitutes nine-tenths or more of the hatch, are distributed by the
regular foree at the station and is accomplished in the follow-
ing manner:

We have a small steamer which is operated in connection
with the station and lies at the wharf but a few feet from the
hatchery door. Upon the deck of this steamer are from 100 to
140 12-gallon wooden kegs conveniently arranged for filling with
water and placing the fry in them. These kegs are first filled
about half full of water, the fry is then dipped out of the tanks
into wooden tubs, carried out to the boat and placed in the kegs
with a dipper, care being taken to put as nearly the same number
into each keg as possible, they are then taken out into the lake
and liberated. This is done by pouring them out of the keg, water
and all, into the lake while the boat is running at full speed.
This scatters them effectually, as during the time that it takes
to liberate a load the boat will have covered several miles, and
the hatch of a single season is thus distributed over an area of
from 80 to 100 square miles, so that the loss from being over-
crowded is reduced to minimum.

WHY THE GREAT LOSS OF EGGS?

This is something that I am unable to inform you with any
degree of certainty, but will give you the results of some of the

American Fisheries Society. 243
y

observations that have been made during the past few years and
let you draw your own conclusions, or a discussion may follow
that will clear the matter up more to your satisfaction.

Up to last spring I think that we were seeking, at least to a
great extent, in the wrong direction for the solution of the ques-
tion of what caused so large a per cent of poor eggs, and were
putting nearly the entire blame upon the spawners, and every
time a poor lot of eggs came in we would write to the field fore-
man telling him that such and such a man was sending in poor
eges, and instruct the field foreman to jack him up about it, the
men always protesting that they were doing the best that they
could, and as the same men were employed for the whitefish
work in the fall, and usually sent in eggs of an excellent quality,
I could not bring myself to believe that they would do good work
in the fall and intentionally do poor work in the spring, so I
commenced looking in other directions for the cause of the in-
ferior quality of the Pike-perch eggs.

In the spring of 1904, I was directed to take six millions of
Pike-perch eggs to the St. Louis exposition. ‘These eggs were
some of the very last eggs received at the station, and usually the
last eggs taken are of a poorer quality than those taken earlier.
However, these eggs were placed in the common field cases and
crushed ice packed in the space between the trays and the inside
of the case, upon arrival at the exposition grounds about thirty
hours later the cases were opened and quite a quantity of ice was
found in the cases, the temperature of the eggs being about 47
degrees. The eggs were taken out and allowed to stand until
their temperature rose to nearly that of the water in which they
were to be hatched, which was 62. The eggs were then placed in
the jars and at the end of four days were nicely eyed, fully 65
per cent of them eyeing, while the eggs left at the station, col-
lected on the same day as those taken to St. Louis, were twelve
days in eyeing and the average hatch but 48 per cent. These
results were so marked as to lead us to commence a research
along the lines of temperature.

We first compared the record for the past five years at this
station, taking the average water temperature during the period
of incubation, and the per cent of eggs hatched, the results of
this comparison are given as follows:

244 Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting.

1901—Average water temperature 4914, gave a hatch of 55
per cent.

1902—Average water temperature 45 2-3, gave a hatch of 47
per cent.

1903
per cent.

1904—With an average water temperature of 47, gave a
hatch of 48 per cent.

1905—With an average water temperature of 48, gave a
hatch of 56 per cent.

Average water temperature 47, gave a hatch of 53 8-10

It will be noticed that during the hatching seasons of 1903
and 1904 the average water temperatures were the same, while
there was a difference of 5 8-10 per cent in the hatch of cggs,
and that while the season of 1901 had an average water tempera-
ture of 1144 degrees higher than that of 1905, yet the hatch of
1901 was one per cent less.

We think that these facts can be accounted for in this way:
During the incubation of 1903, the water temperature during the
first three days ranged from 39 to 4014 degrees, from which time
it steadily increased until the eggs were hatched, while during
the incubation of 1904 at the receipt of the first eggs, the water
temperature stood at 391, rose to 40 the next day and then
dropped back to 39 and remained at that mark until the eleventh
day of incubation. And during the season of 1901 the lowest
water temperature was 41 degrees, while during the season of
1905 the lowest water temperature was 42.degrees, remaining at
that mark but one day, after which time there was an increase.

Continuing the inquiry along these lines, we find that the
Pike-perch eggs which were sent direct from the field to the
Pennsylvania commission and were hatched at Erie, Pa., during
the season of 1904 in water of an average temperature of 49
degrees gave a hatch of 68 per cent, and during the season of
1905 the water temperature at Erie stood at an average of 5)
degrees, and the eggs shipped in the same manner as on the
previous year resulted in a hatch of 80 per cent, while at Cape
Vincent, N. Y., eggs sent from the same field and collected by
the same spawners, and hatched in water with an average tem-
perature of 43 degrees, yielded a hatch of but 20 per cent: also
a record of 10,000,000 Pike-perch eggs sent direct from this

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American Fisheries Society. 24:

same field to the Duluth Minnesota station in the season of 1904
resulted in a hatch of but 381 per cent, and while the water tem-
perature at this place is not known to the writer, it is presumed
from the geographical location that it is lower than at either
Put-in-Bay, Ohio, or Erie, Pa.

We also have a record of 10,000,000 Pike-perch eges shipped
to Mr. M. E. O’Brien at St. Joseph, Mo., during the season of
1902 and hatched in water with an average temperature of 54
degrees, which gave a hatch of 80 per cent. We have still other
records at the station, all tending in the same direction, but we
feel that enough has already been given to show that the higher
the average water temperaure during the period of incubation,
the greater will be the percentage of eggs hatched.

During the past hatching season the writer was asked if a
water temperature of 40 degrees and below was not fatal to the
egos of the Pike-perch, and while my temperature records showed
that the temperature had been as low as 39 for several days at a
time during the season of 1904 and that our hatching record for
that year showed a hatch of 48 per cent, yet to determine if pos-
sible how low a water temperature the eggs of the Pike-perch
would stand, we had seven quarts of eggs placed in a keg, and by
the use of ice the water temperature reduced to 38 and held at
that mark for a period of 48 hours, when the temperature was
allowed to gradually rise until it reached the normal. The eggs
were then placed in the hatching jars and the same care given
them. as was given the other eggs, the result was that 12 per cent
of these eggs hatched, proving that while a water temperature
lower than 40 degrees is not necessarily fatal, yet it is very
injurious to the eggs, and we do not doubt but that if the eggs
have been carried in water of a temperature higher than 40 de-
grees until after segmentation is well advanced, and then the
temperature drop to 40 degrees or lower, the result would be
fatal. However, we have not seen this point tested.

During the first few days of the past spawning season the
weather was fine, and the eggs sent in by one of my most experi-
enced men were of a very good quality. The weather then turned
colder accompanied by snow and rough weather, and the eggs
secured by him during this cold snap were nearly worthless.

Also the eggs secured by others of the force whom I knew to be

¢

246 Thirty-fourth Annual. Meeting.

earnest painstaking men, proved to be no better, and from the
facts given in the foregoing statements we have arrived at the
conclusion that the “Great Loss of Eggs” is not due so much to
the manner of manipulating them at the time of taking, and
carelessness in subsequent handling, as to the weather conditions,
and the consequent effect upon the water temperature after they
are placed in the jars, and during the process of incubation.

However, we would not abate one whit from the former care
and vigilance practiced in the field, but continue to be as careful
and painstaking as possible in every detail, and then hope for
the most favorable weather conditions afterward.

DISCUSSION.

Mr. Whish: The state of New York began hatching pike-
perch eggs in 1894. The highest take of eggs since the Con-
stantia Hatchery was established was 78,000,000 this season.
We base our estimate as to the number of fish we will have for
distribution, in getting the application blanks ready for the
hatchery, at 60 per cent, and for several years it has been 70
per cent.

Mr. Clark: The paper by Mr. Downing is very interesting
indeed, and to me at the present time probably more so than to
any other member present, as last spring I collected a large quan-
tity of pike-perch eggs. Of course previously we had collected a
great many, but not to so large a scale as this past spring. From
the title of the paper, I was in hopes that some of the problems
in regard to the great loss might be solved. However, consid-
erable light has been thrown on the subject.

Mr. Downing speaks of the question being asked if a tempera-
ture of 40 degrees was not fatal. ‘This was brought up in the
correspondence between myself and the Washington office, and
at that time I stated in my report that the low temperature was
causing a loss. Later on I revised my opinion in this regard
somewhat; still I think that there may be times (as Mr. Down-
ing says) when the low temperature may be very injurious.

J wish to state here our experience last season. We took all
told, 370,000,000 pike-perch eggs, at two field stations, one being
on Saginaw Bay where we gathered the larger number—lI think

American Fisheries Society. RAT

a total of about 325,000,000—and the other on the St. Clair
river. The 325,000,000 collected in Saginaw Bay were taken
under circumstances similar to those under which Mr. Downing
collected his—from the boats of the fishermen. Out of 197,100,-
000 green eggs we succeeded in eyeing but 21,150,000, about 10
per cent. ‘The percentage of eyed eggs has always been low in
Michigan, but I think never before so low as this.

We want better eggs from Saginaw Bay; for even larger
quantities can be taken there than in Lake Erie.

After completing the work at Saginaw Bay, I sent the force
to Robert’s Landing on the St. Clair river. There they sue-
ceeded in getting 17,500,000 eggs, and of that number we eyed
11,250,000, about 70 per cent. These eggs were treated exactly
the same as the Saginaw Bay eggs and by the same crew, up to
the time they were ready to transfer to the station. From the
Bay City headquarters they were moved by wagon and rail to
Detroit to the hatchery. From St. Clair river they were taken
by row boat to the dock, and there put on the steamer for De-
troit. Eggs were taken the same way and handled in a similar
manner with the exception of the transportation, and in one case
we got less than 10 per cent and in the other 70 per cent of
eyed eggs.

Various ideas have been brought out as to how matters can be
improved. I have suggested that we establish an eyeing station
at Bay City, thinking possibly it might be an advantage. Some
believe that the Saginaw Bay water is detrimental. Mr. Down-
ing I think is of that opinion. The water in the St. Clair river
is of course very much clearer than it is in Saginaw Bay. The
probabilities, however, are that before we establish an eyeing
station on Saginaw Bay, I shall ask the commissioner to send a
scientist to that point when we establish the field station next
spring, to see if we are actually getting eggs that are all right.

First we must see if it is the eggs that are not right, or the
milt that is not right, or the water that is used. This low per-
centage of eyed eggs must be increased. That there is no use of
the Bureau taking large quantities of eggs and only getting 10
or 12 per cent of them eyed is evident. We hope to do something
to better conditions, and I think that probably the first thing
to do is to look into the matter thoroughly with the aid of our

248 Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting.

scientific friends. If it is found that we are getting good eggs
and the loss is subsequent, an eyeing station must be established
near the place of taking. There will be no dearth in the supply,
for there are billions of eggs in Saginaw Bay.

Mr. Fullerton: How would you eye the eggs at that station ?

Mr. Clark: Mr. Downing’s experience is practically ours.
At first they appear to be the nicest looking eggs you ever saw;
but shortly after that you have the worst mess imaginable; and
still 50 or 60 per cent of them will be eyed.

Mr. Fullerton: You will have to get a battery of jars on
your fishing grounds at Saginaw Bay.

Mr. Clark: We would simply put up a hatchery, that is all;
not temporary, but rather a cheap affair. I have some plans
prepared that have not yet been submitted to the office.

Mr. Fullerton: Then you would not hatch them out right
there?

Mr. Clark: No, only what are to be planted right there in
Saginaw Bay. If we should take large numbers of eggs we could
plant some of the fry back in the bay at that point and simply
eye and send the remainder to the hatching stations. One of our
arrangements with the Michigan Fish Commission was to annu-
ally turn over 50,000,000 eyed eggs, which we nearly accom-
plished this year.

Mr. Fullerton: We are interested in the pike-perch in Min-
nesota; and our methods are somewhat lke those described in
the paper read; but we are always very careful, and it pays to
have lots of tubs. We use the corn starch very freely and keep a
man continually washing them out; and we find the more they
are washed with that corn starch water, fresh water being added
to the corn starch, pouring that off and washing the eggs again,
and keeping them in motion, the better results we have. In fact
we have hardened them in sample tubs, then placed them in
marked jars, and hatched over 90 per cent. Only one female was
used, a medium sized fish, and the eggs would be all like shot,
never stuck together, no fungus in the jar; and I think it would
pay each state to give more attention to that particular point.
But it will require more work and more men.

American Fisheries Society. 249

It will pay in the long run to give attention to the eggs in
the washing, and the corn starch, so that they wont stick to-
gether, and harden them in tubs. We find careful attention paid
to the eggs in the first place pays in the long run.

Mr. Meehan: What temperature did you have when you
got 90 per cent?

Mr. Fullerton: Fifty-two degrees. This was only in the
samples of the tubs that we took for experimental purposes. But
we took particular care of them, and kept the tubs continually
washed and in motion, and when they were finally put in the jar

they were lke shot, and never stuck together.

Mr. Clark: In the case of the eggs taken on the St. Clair
river where it showed 70 per cent, there was no corn starch used
whatever. In fact nothing was used.

Mr. Fullerton: I don’t see how you got along.
Mr. Meehan: Nothing but the water?
Mr. Clark: Yes.

Mr. Downing: Along the lines of temperature I asked Mr.
Buller, who had charge of the Erie station, to whom the eggs
were shipped, and he hatched 80 per cent as against my 56 per
cent, in regard to the water temperature, that is, about his water
supply; and he said it was pumped about two and one-half
miles to a reservoir, then let through pipes to the hatchery an-
other two miles, and his water temperature was constant. But
I believe that after segmentation has commenced and they are in
the most tender stage, if the water temperature drops very low,
it is very detrimental, if not fatal, to the eggs.

Mr. Clark: This is a vital subject. Speaking of handling
the eggs as Mr. Fullerton does, I differ with him. I think the
less they are handled and have them clean, the better. If the
eggs could be taken and properly washed and hardened, without
any stirring whatever to keep them free, it would be all the bet-
ter, and I think Mr. Downing will agree with me.

Mr. Fullerton: You cannot do it.

Mr. Clark: I have a notion that the Saginaw Bay eggs were

250 Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting.

perhaps hurt more in handling than in any other way. The St.
Clair eggs not being handled so much, because the water was
clearer, gave better results.

Mr. Fullerton: How can you handle the eggs without put-

foto}
ting something on to take the stickiness off ?
Mr. Clark: I think Mr. Downing will agree with me that
millions of eggs have been hatched without the aid of anything
further than water.

Mr. Downing: We bought eggs this year and paid for them
by the quart; and they were taken by a man whom I have never
seen, but he is one of the foremen for the firm that we bought
our eggs from, and he did not use starch or anything, and on an
average from beginning to end his eggs were the best that we
had.

Mr. Fullerton: I am here to learn, but [ am telling you the
results that we have had.

Mr. Downing: ‘There has been only one year before in my
five years’ work, while I have been in charge, that I have used
anything.

Mr. Clark: I would like to ask Mr. Downing why he used

starch this year, and if it was used on all the eggs?

Mr. Downing: The men that I sent out myself, I gave in-
struction to use starch on all of them.

Q. Why?
A. Because I was of the opinion that it was a good thing if

properly used, and I impressed it on them to use it as nearly as
possible according to orders, as the circumstances would allow.

Mr. Clark: Did you have any better results than you did the
years you did not use starch ?

A. I got one per cent better this year, but I am not certain
whether it is due to the starch or the water.

Mr. Lydell: I would like to say a word in regard to the
starch matter. I have had a lot of experience in securing wall-

rau)
Ot

American Fisheries Society. 51
eyed pike eggs for the Michigan Fish Commission. The reason
we used the starch was, that Professor Reighard had demon-
strated that the stirring of the eggs broke the yolk sac, and
killed the eggs. We would take a female and strip her on the
beach and fertilize the eggs, and in some cases 100 per cent were
fertilized, but by putting them into a pail and stirring them he
would examine them, and say there are only 30 per cent good;
and the yolk sac burst in the shell. The last season I was on this
work at Toledo I used the starch method to get rid of stirring
the eggs; and the eggs were not stirred a particle. The method
we used was nearly the same as Mr. Downing used, and we had
about the same apparatus. The man had a big keg with a screen
near the top, and a pail that would go into the keg and empty;
then he had a small wooden chopping bowl that set on this pail,
and his instructions from me were to take not more than one
large or two small females, and give them plenty of milt and a
httle water, and they were tipped over into the pail. This pail
had probably four or five inches of water. After repeating three
or four times we lowered the pail into the keg, where we had
put three or four gallons of water with a pound of starch; and
these eggs were not disturbed at all after being put into the keg;
they were simply dumped in. When he came to the end of the
pound net string he turned the water on, as Mr. Downing did,
inside the keg, and it ran out through the screen, and the starch
washed off ; he did this until we got there. Then the eggs in this
keg were hustled on board the steamer and two of us took care
of them until we got to Toledo. We had twelve men taking eggs.
As quick as we got them on board the steamer we turned the hose
on the eggs gently, played on one keg awhile and then another,
until we got to Toledo; and no man’s hand touched the eggs.
When we got to Toledo we had an apparatus somewhat similar to
the apparatus on these fish cars here, with the exception that
water ran in, instead of air, and this was connected to each keg,
and the water was turned on; then we went away to our dinner.
When we got ready to ship they were taken from there and put
in cans or boxes. In the first lot the first year that I was there
we found a great many dead eggs, that we thought were injured
by sudden jarrings. After that we used a spring wagon with
plenty of straw in the bottom. The eggs were put aboard cars,

=

252 Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting.

shipped to Detroit and handled in the same way, to the hatchery,
and Mr. Bower will tell you the kind of eggs we got there. The
last year I do not think there was ever a finer lot of eggs taken.
We used the starch method to prevent stirring the egg.

Mr. Seymour Bower: I was in charge of the Detroit hateh-
ery at that time, and personally supervised the handling of eggs
after their receipt at the hatchery, and they were the finest lot of
pike-perch eggs for a large lot that I ever saw anywhere. We
had something over 70,000,000 eyed eggs from them; and the
actual percentage of fish hatched was 56; they were carefully
measured when received and carefully measured after being
thoroughly cleaned up, and I know that the hatching percentage
is accurate. They were handled in the jars substantially as Mr.
Downing states.

T recall one lot in particular that we eyed, which was a little
better, being 75 or 76 per cent.

Mr. Lydell: I also took eggs for a number of years on Sagi-
naw Bay, but we could not get many of them fertilized. Mr.
Marks and Professor Reighard were there for several seasons.

Mr. Clark: I would like to ask Mr. Lydell if Professor
Reighard was at Saginaw Bay and made examination as to the
fertilization of eggs?

Mr. Lydell: Yes, sir, two seasons.

Mr. Clark: That might solve the problem as to whether or
not we are getting fertilized eggs in Saginaw Bay.

Mr. Lydell: I would bring a lot of live fish and fertilize
them on the beach, and he would put them under his glasses and
say, for instance, we had 90 per cent fertilized, but when we got
them to the hatchery we could not hatch out more than 25 per
cent, but the method used in taking the eggs was not the same as
when I took charge of the work below.

The pike-perch, as you know, is very tender. If it comes in
contact with anything it will burst the yolk sae; but we had
orders at that time to take them that way, and the poor eggs
shipped down from Saginaw Bay would fill this room.

Mr. Wilish: Some of our men who have been looking into

American Fisheries Society. 253

this have noticed that there are certain seasons when the eggs do
not turn out well, and they figure that it is the season following
an unusually severe winter.

Mr. Clark: That would not explain why during the same
year we get a hatch of 70 per cent from eggs taken from the St.
Clair river, and 10 per cent from eggs taken from Saginaw Bay.

Mr. Whish: When they had an unusually severe winter on
Oneida Lake, 50 per cent hatched; last year when it was warmer
they got 90 per cent.

Mr. Fullerton: I would like to ask Mr. Lydell if his idea in
using the corn starch was because he did not want to stir the

eggs?
Mr. Lydell: Yes.

Mr. Fullerton: You say you pour the corn starch into the
pail?

Mr. Lydell: We put corn starch in the keg with plenty of
water, and when the eggs settled the corn starch settled with
them, and got between the eggs, and kept them from adhering.

Mr. Fullerton: There is nothing in the world worse than
corn starch to settle at the bottom and get into a hard cake; and
it is worse than sand. It is like white lead after white lead set-
tles, and I do not see how you can use it except you keep it
stirred all the time and wash it off.

Mr. Lydell: Undoubtedly you use too much corn starch.

Mr. Fullerton: We use a pound package to a gallon of water,
stir it thoroughly and put it in a tub holding about thirty gal-
lons. We dip it out with a dipper. We never allow any one’s
hand to touch the eggs. The water is poured in with a dipper.

Mr. Seymour Bowers: I am strongly inclined to think that
temperature has a great deal to do with the quality of the eggs.
A peculiar thing about the spawning season in Saginaw Bay is,
that during the season we operated there we found that we would
get mature fish just as soon as the ice went out, while the water
was pretty close to a freezing temperature.

254 Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting.

Mr. Clark: The temperature was 35 degrees to 39 degrees.

Mr. Bower: And in the St. Clair river they did not begin to
spawn until over a month later. I have known pike-perch eggs
to be taken there as late as the 5th or 7th of June. They are all
through spawning by the 5th of May in Saginaw Bay. We al-
ways get a very much higher percentage of fertilization in St.
Clair river than in Saginaw Bay or anywhere else, as far as I
know.

In regard to the effect of low temperature on eggs, I remem-
ber in 1893 we were conducting experiments as to retarding the
development of eggs so as to make a shipment, if possible, for
the World’s Fair in Chicago. We lowered the temperature with
ice, and while I am not absolutely certain as to the temperature,
but my memory is that we reduced it to 38 degrees. JI am speak-
ing now of the green eggs; and it was fatal to nearly all of
them. They did not survive a temperature of 38 degrees. We
made a number of experiments and found that we could not
successfully retard them; and I do not believe you can success-
fully retard the development of any fish eggs very much below
the normal. I think it is very injurious at least to have the
development of the eggs arrested. I believe that is one of the
causes of the poor eggs that were taken under Mr. Clark’s
supervision last spring. I was at the hatchery frequently when
the eggs were received, when different lots of eggs came in while
the water temperature was 45 degrees, later falling to 39 de-
grees, and hovering about there for several days. I do not be-
lieve when the development has started that it can be arrested
for any length of time without more or less injury. It must go
forward at a greater or less rate, and when you arrest the devel-
opment or check it entirely, as must have been the case, or nearly
so at least, when the temperature dropped from 45 to 39 degrees,
I believe it killed a good share of the eggs.

Mr. Lydell: What percentage did Mr. Fullerton get in his
hatching ?

Mr. Fullerton: We had 90 per cent hatched in the sample,
roughly. We had 49 per cent in the general hatching.

Mr. Lydell That is a big percentage.

ol ene

American Fisheries Society. 205

Mr. Clark: Were not those eggs from one fish ?

Mr. Fullerton: No, they were from three fish. One was a
good sized fish and the other two small.

Mr. Lydell: A man can select one or two females and males
and perhaps hatch 95 per cent of a quart of eggs; but in taking
a big lot of eggs, the biggest I ever had was on the St. Clair river,
which was 75 per cent.

Mr. Clark: I am of the opinion that in special cases, with
special fish or something of the kind, it is possible to do what
Mr. Fullerton has done, and perhaps it might be raised to 100
per cent.

I do not think that the attention is what gave Mr. Fullerton
95 per cent. It was a special lot of special fish sorted out for
that purpose.

Mr. Fullerton: I will make an experiment on a larger scale,
and I think the results will be the same with the same care.

Mr. Downing: Almost every year I have a few individual
to) Cy
jars that turn out anywhere from 50 to 80 or 85 per cent, and
they are of good quality; and I cannot account for it except that
J 2
it happens so.

REMARKS ON SPONGE CULTIVATION.

IBYOUDR Eto Viiss dS Melamen:

Perhaps you are not averse to turning your attention for a
moment from, fishes to the long suffermg and humble sponge.
All the gentlemen present may not be aware that for a number
of years we have been growing sponges from clippings at several
farms on the Florida coast. Those who care to pursue the sub-
ject further are referred to the paper by Dr. H. I. Moore on
“Progress of Experiments in Sponge Culture” which appeared
in the proceedings of the society for last year (page 231). Dr.
Moore has been in charge of those experiments and I want to
exhibit some speciments which he brought up from the farm
near Anclote Key, on the west coast of Florida this spring.

The sponges are grown, as I have said, from cuttings, the
cuttings being about a cubic inch in volume; and the advantage
of this method is that irregular sponges having little market
value, can be planted and will grow into perfectly symmetrical
sponges of better quality than wild sponges grown on the same
ground, for reasons that have been explained before.

I exhibit a string of sponges three years old, having a value
today of $3.50 a pound. If left on the ground another year
they would be worth $4.50 to $5.00 per pound, about twelve
sponges to the pound. Gentlemen who are interested are re-
quested to feel these sponges, more especially the moist ones,
and see what excellent quality they represent.

DISCUSSION, |

Mr. Clark: I would like to ask Dr. Smith a question: Do
sponges of any form grow in fresh water?

Dr. Smith: Yes, sir, but they are of no commercial value,
only as biological curiosities.

Mr. Clark: There was brought into my office this spring a
small piece of sponge, as I called it, taken off the stones in a
bass pond.

Dr. Smith: They are usually of very small size.

256

FROG CULTURE.

BY W. E. MEEHAN, COMMISSIONER OF FISHERIES.

In May, 1904, a four-line item sent out by the Associated
Press appeared in the Pennsylvania newspapers, announcing
that the Department of Fisheries would receive applications for
frogs or tadpoles for public planting. In anticipation of this
announcement the Department of Fisheries had prepared about
1,000 blank application forms. To the astonishment of the
Department the 1,000 blank application forms were taken up
within ten days and it is safe to say that nearly 1,000 letters
in addition were received, asking to be supplied with frogs for
stocking purposes. Editorials appeared in the majority of the
country papers and even in the metropolitan daily papers call-
ing attention to what they termed an admirable effort on the part
of the Department of Fisheries to rear frogs. To my surprise
and pleasure hundreds of letters poured in commending this
branch of the work and before long the news of Pennsylvania
going into the work of frog culture extended beyond the state
and letters of inquiry came from many state fish commissioners
and from magazines devoted to fish cultural work.

I had always regarded it as important that frog culture
should be undertaken because I saw that an important industry
could be developed. Almost immediately upon assuming my
duties as Commissioner of Fisheries I directed the various super-
intendents to experiment with a view of successfully raising
frogs. My wishes in this particular were well known not only
in Pennsylvania, but elsewhere, consequently when the public
announcement was made that applications for frogs would be
received and filled it was naturally supposed that success had
followed the experiments. This, however, was not the fact,
although one of the superintendents, Mr. William Buller of the
Corry Hatchery, was on the eve of what now appears to be a com-
plete success. The tadpoles and young frogs distributed in 1904
under the calls were raised from wild spawn, gathered in the
marshes on Lake Erie by Mr. A. G. Buller, superintendent of
the Erie Hatchery.

17 257

258 Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting.

The work of Mr. A. G. Buller nevertheless was exceedingly
interesting. ‘The spawn was in various stages of development,
from green to nearly hatching. Indeed much of the spawn was
so far advanced that hatching took place on the way from the
marsh to the hatchery ponds at Erie.

The eggs were placed in a small pond, the water of which
was from 57 to 60 degrees and the period of complete incubation
was in about twelve days.

Almost immediately on hatching the little creatures clung
closely to the gelatenous mass from which they emerged and
began to eat it and they never left until it was entirely gone.
Then they spread over the pond hunting for food. There were
rather more than 30,000. They soon cleaned up every particle
of food which was in the pond and Mr. A. G. Buller then sup-
plied them with dead fish, and so great was their voracity that
they easily devoured from 16 to 25 pounds of fish a week. On
one occasion they completely stripped a 16-pound carp in four
days.

The temperature of the water rose a little above 60 degrees
and in this the tadpoles grew very fast and in about two and one-
half months from the date of their hatching began to develop
their hind legs. Three weeks later they broke forth their fore
legs and the outline of the body and head began changing to
that of a frog. The tail also began to be “absorbed.” The mo-
ment the hind legs appeared and before the tail was absorbed
and before the body completely changed to frog outlines the
creature ceased to feed on dead food. For a few days they
seemed to refuse any kind of food, but before the tail was half
absorbed they began to take live creatures only. They confined
themselves almost exclusively to insects and spiders. As illus-
trating the extreme voracity of tadpoles and the eagerness with
which they would take dead food was markedly shown on one
occasion at the Wayne County Hatchery this spring. A black-
bass weighing about four pounds and extremely maloderous,
having been dead several days, was thrown into a portion of the
pond in which for the moment there were no tadpoles. Within
two minutes at least 200 tadpoles nearest to the fish, began a
number of curious evolutions. They rolled and tumbled over
each other in thick masses until they formed almost a ball and

Or
ie)

American Fisheries Society. RE

in this manner they rolled and tumbled and swayed rapidly
toward the dead fish on which they fastened themselves at once.
The tadpoles even at the extreme end of the pond some twenty
feet away seemed to be cognizant of the presence of the food, and
large numbers of them made their way in the same strange
evolutions to the tidbit and settled themselves so thickly thereon
that within five minutes it was impossible to see anything but a
mass of tadpoles outlined lke a fish. They stripped every par-
ticle of flesh from the dead bass within an hour.

Returning to the tadpoles hatched in 1904, by the first of
August there was not one in the Erie ponds, but had changed
entirely into a perfect frog. Shipping began in July. Three
hundred and fifty were sent on each application and they were
sent in tadpole form with the cans about half filled with water.
The first shipment of tadpoles having legs were made in the
same manner, namely in water, but it was found that they did
not carry well, and the frogs, it was learned, carried best when
placed in damp glass. It was unnecessary to send any messen-
ger along with either the tadpoles or frogs, excepting where more
than one railroad transfer had to be made. Nothing could be
done as far as known, to benefit them by sending messengers, and
no aeration is necessary because the higher the temperature the
better the tadpoles would probably like it. *

This year two ponds at the Erie hatchery were set aside for
hatching wild spawn and about 60,000 were hatched in each
pond. Owing to weather conditions the water was much colder
than last year and the hatching period was from 15 to 18 days.
The tadpoles were much smaller than those hatched last year,
probably on account of the cold water. They appeared, how-
ever, to be as healthy and active. They remained in this condi-
tion for about five weeks, when suddenly the tadpoles in one of
the ponds sickened and died. Thirty thousand died in one night.
The rest were hurriedly planted in the marshes at Erie the fol-
lowing day, some dying on the way. The tadpoles in the other
ponds remained apparently all right for about ten days, when
they too died, the whole pond becoming empty of live tadpoles
within thirty-six hours. An examination showed that on the
stomachs of each tadpole was a round red spot. Unfortunately
no microscopic examination was made and no specimens were

260 Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting.

sent to my office for examination owing to my absence from Har-
risburg. The tadpoles at the Wayne Hatchery, several hundred
thousand in number, showed no signs of disease and are now
being shipped to applicants.

The experimental work in frog culture at the Corry Hatchery
was exceedingly interesting. Mr. Wilham Buller constructed a
little pond which he concluded the frogs would naturally take
to. ‘Two hundred large frogs were brought from Lake Erie and
placed therein. Within twenty-four hours they had all climbed
the fence which surrounded the pond and departed to a nearby
woods where they have since increased and multiplied marvel-
ously. Last year he remodeled the pond, changing the form of
the fence in such a manner that the frogs could not escape.
More than 200 large frogs were placed within the inclosure and
all lived through the winter and spawned this spring. ‘They
yielded about 10,000 tadpoles and at the time of writing this
paper they are still within the inclosure and apparently per-
fectly healthy and contented. As it is well known that frogs
will eat nothing but live food the real problem was to supply a
large number in a small space and this was done by placing
boards both on the wet grass outside the water limit and by
anchoring others on the surface of the pond. On these boards
were smeared molasses and honey. Bees and other insects were
attracted in large quantities and the frogs fattened. The same
method of feeding is now pursued. Both old and young frogs
and tadpoles refuse maggots.

The pond proper is about 20 feet long with a deep bottom of
soft muck. During the winter months at the breast of the pond
the water was about four feet deep and kept so until winter
passed entirely away, when the supply of water was reduced to
about a foot at the breast and only a few inches at the upper end.
The bed of the pond sloped upward from the breast until only
there was about a few inches from the foot of the mucky bed to
the surface of the ground and this was occasionally flooded with
water and the grass allowed to grow, grass being not only hiding
places for the frogs, but also serving to attract insects. The
fence was placed about four feet from the edge of the pond.
Fitting close to the ground was placed a 12-inch board on edge
on all four sides of the pond and a 30-inch mosquito bar was

wa hess

American Fisheries Society. 261

tacked on the inner side of the board so that there was a fence
42 inches high. Posts were placed every six feet. On the top of
the fence was carefully fastened a piece of muslin 12 inches wide
and extending at right angles with the fence. It was found
necessary to place this muslin there because otherwise the frogs
would clamber up the wire screen and escape over the top, but
by tacking the muslin on they found a space or ceiling which
balked them. Great care must be exercised that the muslin fits
tight to the top of the fence, otherwise the frogs will raise the
muslin and escape under it, Just as a boy would crawl under a
canvass of a circus tent. In fact, at Lake Erie, although the
superintendent thought he had everything secure more than 200
managed to escape in one night by creeping under the muslin.
These escaping frogs by the way invaded the neighboring yards
and houses to the discomfort and alarm of the feminine occu-
pants. At the Torresdale Hatchery a 12-inch planed board is
substituted for the muslin and gives greater satisfaction.

In caring for frogs, especially in the tadpole stage it is nec-
essary to guard very carefully against the ravages of snakes.
These reptiles before they were discovered devoured fully 109,000
tadpoles at the Corry Hatchery and accomplished this feat in
less than three weeks. I have given above the results of Penn-
sylvania’s work thus far in frog culture. It has reason to be
encouraged in the behef as a result it has demonstrated that a
large number of frogs can be cared for in a very limited space
and that with ordinary precaution and the expenditure of indi-
vidual energy a very large and valuable industry can be built up
in the United States.

DISCUSSION.

At the conclusion of his paper Mr. Meehan said: ‘There are
one or two things that I would like to add which have occurred
since the writing of this paper some six or seven weeks ago. I
have stated in here that apparently the snakes were the cause
of the loss of all frogs in the Corry hatchery. While that may
still be the case to a considerable extent, I have reason to believe
that there was another cause, and perhaps one that was even
of more importance than the snakes, and that is the frogs them-
selves. Now since writing this paper Mr. Nathan R. Buller, the

262 Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting.

superintendent of the Wayne County hatchery, discovered that
the frogs were very fond of the tadpoles and devoured them
very eagerly; so it is quite possible that the frogs them-
selves were partly responsible for this destruction of many of
the frogs in Corry pond. It therefore follows that when we
carry on frog culture it will be necessary to have an additional
pond to the one in which the frogs are kept; that either the
spawn must be taken out and hatched elsewhere, or the tadpoles
and the frogs must be separated.

We find also some other enemies among birds. Not only the
ordinary preditory birds, but the crows have developed great
fondness for tadpoles, and Mr. Buller had quite a time with them
for several days, until he managed to keep them off by scare-
crows.

It is needless to say that, considering the general excitement
in regard to putting forth frogs by Pennsylvania, and in
ending what I have got to say here, perhaps it might not be un-
interesting to read you a short clipping coming from a little pa-
per in Hanover, Pennsylvania, which shows that even we our-
selves who hatch fish and frogs do not know everything. This
little item is entitled, “Pretty Little Frogs,” and is as follows:

FOUR THOUSAND HOPPERS RECEIVED BY HANOVER PARTIES.

Messrs. 8. W. Yingling, of Hotel Hanover, and H. M. Stokes,
of York St., have received from the State Fish Hatchery at
Pleasant Mount, Wayne County, a consignment of 2000 young
bullfrogs, in two cans, each can containing 1000 frogs. Two
additional cans were received by parties residing in the country
near Hanover.

The frogs are sent out by the State Fish Commission for
propagation in the streams of this vicinity. Mr. Yingling took
his brood to Waldheim Wednesday, and released them in the
Conewago Creek.

The bullfrogs in this shipment are of a different species
from that known in this section. Each frog is about one-fourth
of an inch long, and perfectly formed like a full-grown frog,
only much smaller. They are of French origin, and do not pass
through the tadpole or “mullygrub” evolution. They are dainty
little creatures in their present state, but appear lively and are
ready to hop or swim whenever given a chance.

American Fisheries Society. 263

Dr. Gorham: In regard to the disease which Mr. Meeham
spoke of as killing so many of his frogs, it is undoubtedly a
very well-known disease which occurs among frogs whenever
considerable numbers are kept in confinement. I have had
cases of that disease among frogs that I have kept for some time.
I might say also, that a very careful study of the disease, from all
standpoints, has been made and published within the past vear,
by Mr. H. Emerson and Mr. Charles Norris, in the Journal of
Experimental Medicine, New York, 1905, VII, 32, the subject
of the article being “ ‘Red-leg,’ ” an Infectious Disease of Frogs.”
The article is a complete one, and describes the disease very care-
fully, and suggests remedies and methods of prevention.

Mr. Meehan: Can you recall one of those remedies ?
A. I don‘t remember the remedies.

Q. Is it an infusorial trouble ?

A. A bacterial disease.

Mr. Titeomb: In what stage of development do you make
your distribution ?

Mr. Meehan: At first we distributed in tadpole form, but
we abandoned that and we now distribute in frog form only.
The tail may still be there, but the legs may also be present and
the frogs have abandoned the water altogether, and use only the
wet moss.

In shipping, I ought to add, that it is very necessary if you
use the cans the same as we do, that is, with a single round hole
in the top, to put over the top of the can a piece of mosquito
netting, or the frogs will crawl out.

Mr. Nathan R. Buller: All of the reports have been very
favorable in regard to the successful shipment of frogs.

Mr. Dinsmore: I remember reading some years ago quite a
lengthy description on frog culture, in which the conclusion
reached was, that there was no trouble in rearing the tadpoles
in unlimited numbers, but you could not supply food for the
frogs. Now why can you not supply the frogs with the super-
fluous number of tadpoles, if, as the writer says, you can get the
tadpoles in unlimited numbers ?

264 Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting.

Mr. Meehan: I have not had an opportunity to talk with
Mr. Buller much about that. He reported to me that he found
frogs eating the tadpoles. He can tell you to what extent they
did it.

Mr. Densmore: Do you use any particular species of frogs?

Mr. N. R. Buller: At Erie we use the great western frog,
the large frog; at Wayne the green frog; at Corry the western
frog altogether.

Mr. Dinsmore: What was the actual size of the frogs that
you shipped ?

Mr. Buller: About an inch and a half long.

Mr. Lydell: At what time does the tadpole shed his tail ?
I have collected large tadpoles to feed as food to the bass. They
are just now commencing to form legs. We have seined them up
there in ten or fifteen quart pails full, to feed the bass. I took it
for granted that these frogs were from the spawn of the frog last
year, because the big green bullfrogs are now spawning.

Mr. Meehan: Apparently there are two periods of spawn-
ing. We have frogs spawning early in the season and they are
spawning again. We find them preparing to spawn in the
Wayne ponds.

The period of changing from tadpole to frog form will vary
considerably according to the temperature of the water. It is a
curious fact that several years ago, five or six, or perhaps more,
Mr. Wiliam Buller raised a large number of tadpoles at Corry ;
and he carried them through to this spring in tadpole form, and
they were in spring water at a temperature of 50 degrees. They
retained the tadpole form throughout the winter and did not
change to the frog form until the spring, that is, until one year
had elapsed. On the other hand we have hatched them out and
in about thirty days we have the full tadpole of the same species.

Mr. Lydell: Then I think ours the two-year variety.

Mr. Meehan: These frogs you see here were this spring’s
spawning.

Dr. Gorham: In New England all our frogs have one spawn-
ing season.

LIST OF MEMBERS.

ACTIVE.

Adams, E. W., 114 Wall Street, New York.

Adams, Fred J., Grand Rapids, Mich.

Ainsworth, C. E., Sault St. Marve, Mich.

Ainsworth, G. G., United States Bureau of Fisheries, Leadville,
Col.

Allen, A. D., Superintendent Wallowa Hatchery, Elgin, Ore.

Allen, G. R., Roxbury, Vt.

Alexander, A. B., United States Bureau of Fisheries, Washing-
LO

Alexander, George L., Grayling, Mich.

Alexander, L. D., 50 Broadway, New York.

Anderson, J. F., Djursholm, Sweden.

American Fish Culture Co., Carolina, R. I.

Andrews, Barschall, Columbus, Ga.

Annin, James, Jr., Caledoma, N. Y.

Ashford, W. T., 712 Prudential Building, Atlanta, Ga.

Atkins, Charles G., Hast Orland, Me.

Atwood, Anthony, 73 Waterest Street, Plymouth, Mass.

Ayer, F’. W., Bangor, Me.

Babbitt, A. C., Williamsburg, Mich.

Babcock, John P., Fisheries Commissioner, Victoria, British Co-
lumbia, Can.

Bailey, Nelson, Wells River, Vt.

Baldwin, O. N., United States Bureau of Fisheries, San Marcos,
Rox:

Ball, E. M., Leadville, Col.

Barbour, Thomas, Museum of Comparative Zoology, Cambridge,
Mass.

Barrett, W. W., Church’s Ferry, N. Dak.

Bartlett, Dr. S. P., Quincy, Ill.

Bastedo, 8. T., Toronto, Can.

265

266 Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting.

Beaman, D. C., Boston Building, Denver, Col.

Beeman, Henry W., New Preston, Conn.

Bean, Barton A., United States National Museum, Washing-
ton, D.C.

Bean, Hon. Tarleton H., Battery Park Museum, New York City.

Beardsley, A. E., Greeley, Col.

Beeson, W. E., care of Foster, Stevens & Co., Grand Rapids,
Mich.

Beasom, W. H., Yreasurer Nashua Saddlery Hardware Co.,
Nashua, N. H.

Bell, Currie G., Bayfield, Wis.

Belmont, Hon. Perry, 580 Fifth Avenue, New York City.

Bennett, Charles P., Secretary of State, Providence, R. I.

Bennett, Charles, Woonsocket, R. I.

Bentley, B. C., Westerly, R. I.

Benton, Judge Henry T., Seale, Ala.

Bickmore, Prof. A. S., American Museum of Natural History,
New York City.

Birge, Prof. E. A., Madison, Wis.

Bissell, John H., Detroit, Mich.

Blakeslee, T. J., 353 Fifth Avenue, New York City.

Boardman, W. H., Central Falls, R. I.

Bogle, C. M., Editor Pacific Fisherman, Seattle, Wash.

Booth, DeWitt C., Spearfish, 8S. Dak.

Bottemanne, C. J., Bergen op Zoom, Holland.

Bowdre, N. H., Plummerville, Ark.

Bower, Seymour, Detroit, Mich.

Bower, Ward 'T., United States Bureau of Fisheries, Northville,
Mich.

Bowers, Hon. George M., United States Bureau of Fisheries,
Washington, D.C.

Bowman, W. H., Rochester, N. Y.

Bowman, W. F., Breakwater Hotel, Woods Hole, Mass.

Boyce, F. C., Hiko, Nev.

Brewster, C. E., Grand Rapids, Mich.

Brewster, W. K., Durand, Mich.

Britton, F. H., Vice President and General Manager St. Louis
Southwestern Railroad, St. Louis, Mo.

Brass, John L., Mill Creek, Mich.

American Fisheries Society. 267

Brewer, E. S., Owosso, Mich.

Brower, J. F., Torrisdale Hatchery, Holmesburg, Pa.

Brown, George H., Jr., Money Order Division, Post Office, Bos-
ton, Mass.

Brown, George M., Saginaw, Mich.

Brown, G. W. N., Hrwin, Tenn.

Brown, Thomas, Salmon, Ore.

Brush, Dr. HE. F., Mount Vernon, N. Y.

Buck, William O., Hast Orland, Me.

Bulkley, H. 8., Odessa, N. Y.

Bullard, C. G., Kalamazoo, Mich.

Buller, A. G., Hrie, Pa.

Buller, Howard M., Bellefonte, Pa.

Buller, Nathan R., Pleasant Mount, Pa.

Buller, William, Corry, Pa.

Bumpus, Dr. H. C., American Museum of Natural History, 77th
and Sth Avenue, New York City.

Burner, W. G., Durbin, W. Va.

Burnham, E. K., United States Bureau of Fisheries, Washing-
ton DC:

Bush, ©. P., Columbus, Ga.

Butler, H. A., Mauch Chunk, Pa.

Campbell, S. H., State Fish Commission, Laramie, Wyo.

Carter, E. N., United States Bureau of Fisheries, St. Johnsbury,
Ve:

Casselman, E. 8., Dorset, Vt.

Chamberlin, F. M., United States Bureau of Fisheries, Wash-
ington, D. C.

Champlin, John H., Westerly, R. I.

Chase, H. C., 1020 Arch Street, Philadelphia, Pa.

Chandler, Horatio, Kingston, Mass.

Cheney, Major Richard O., South Manchester, Conn.

Clark, C. C., 306 Hast South Street, South Bend, Ind.

Clark, Charles G., General Treasurer's Office, Providence, R. I.

Clark, Frank N., Northville, Mich.

Clark, Fred, Mill Creek, Mich.

Clark, Walton F., Westerly, R. I.

Cobb, E. W., St. Johnsbury, Vt.

268 Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting.

Capehart, Dr. W. R., Avoca, N. C.

Cobb, John N., United States Bureau of Fisheries, Washing-
ton, OCs

Cogswell, 'T. M., United States Bureaw of Fisheries, Washing-
ton, D.C.

Cohen, N. H., Urbana, Til.

Coker, Robert E., Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Md.

Cole, Leon J., 37 Mellen Street, Cambridge, Mass.

Collins, Hon. J. C., Providence, R. I.

Comee, J. F., care of P. 0. R. R., San Louis Obispo, Cal.

Cone, Moses H., Flat Top Manor, Bowling Rock, N. C.

Cooper, E. A., Cold Spring Harbor, L. 1.

Corliss, C. G., Gloucester, Mass.

Coulter, A. L., Charlevoix, Mich.

Cox, Hon. Henry C., Wellsboro, Pa.

Cranson, 8. E., Northville, Mich.

Crosby, H. F., 41 Wall Street, New York City.

Cruickshank, James, 217 Central Park, West, New York City

Cunningham, F. W., Gloucester, Mass.

Curry, W. F., Freeland, Pa.

Curtis, J. M., Cleveland, O.

Dale, J. A., York, Pa.

Davis, EH. A., Bethel, Vt.

Davis, Hon. George B., Utica, Mich.

Davis, B.4., Palngyra Ne Ye

Dean, Herbert D., United States Bureau of Fisheries, Neosho,
Mo.

DeCarlo, G. Postiglione, Naples, [taly.

Degler, F. A., Sportsman's Association of Cheat Mountain, Cheat
Bridge, W. Va.

Demuth, H. C., 144 King Street, Lancaster, Pa.

Dennis, Oregon, Milton, Secretary Maryland State Game and
Fish Protective Association, Baltimore, Md.

DeNyse, Washington J., Gravesend Beach, Borough of Brook-
lyn, N.Y:

De Puy, Henry F., 296 West End Avenue, New York City.

De Rocher, James D., Nashua, N. H.

Dickerson, Freeman B., Detroit, Mich.

American Fisheries Society. 269

Dinsmore, A. H., Hast Orland, Me.

Donahue, L. H., United States Bureau of Fisheries, Leadville.
Col.

Douredoure, B. L., 103 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, Pa.

Douglas, W. B., St. Paul, Minn.

Downing, 8. W., Put-in-Bay, O.

Doyle, E. P., Port Richmond, N.Y.

Dunlap, I. H., United States Bureau of Fisheries, Washing-
ton, D. C. .

Ebell, Hon. F. W., Harrisburg, Pa.

Edwards, Vinal N., Woods Hole, Mass.

Ellis, J. Frank, United States Bureau of Fisheries, Washing-
ton, D.-C.

Evans, Barton D., Harrisburg, Pa.

Evarding & Farrell, Messrs., Portland, Ore.

Evermann, Prof. Barton W., United States Bureau of Fisheries,
Washington, D. C.

Everman, J. W., Assistant General Manager Texas & Pacific
Railroad, Dallas, Tex.

Fassett, H. C., United States Bureau of Fisheries, Washington,
Dat:

Fearing, Hon. D. B., Newport, R. I.

Ferry, C. H., Room 1720, Old Colony Building, Chicago, Ill.

Filkins, B. G., Northville, Mich.

Finch, George C., Thompsonville, Conn.

Fisher, John F., Chapinville, Conn.

Follett, Richard E., Auditorium Hotel, Chicago, Ill.

Fox, Captain J. C., Put-in-Bay, O.

Frook, John E., Paris, Mich.

Fudge, Andrew, Covington, Va.

Fullerton, Samuel F., St. Paul, Minn.

Gardener, W. E., Hollidaysburg, Pa.

Gavitt, W.S., Lyons, N.Y.

Gebhardt, A. E., Secretary Oregon Fish and Game Association,
Boz 927, Portland, Ore.

Geer, Dr. E. F., St. Paul, Minn.

270 Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting.

Geer, E. H., Hadlyme, Conn.

George, Hon. A. F., Swanton, Md.

Gibbs, Charles, Hast Orland, Me.

Gifford, Franklin L., Woods Hole, Mass.

Gill, Dr. Theodore, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D. C.

Gilmore, Charles C., Swanton, Vt.

Goldsborough, E. L., United States Bureau of Fisheries, Wash-
ington, D. C.

Gordon, Jack, Paris, Tex.

Gould, C. B., 83 Moss Avenue, Oakland, Cal.

Graham, A. R., Berkeley, Mass.

Grant, R. P., Treasurer Anglers’ Association of St. Lawrence
River, Clayton, N.Y.

Grave, Dr. Caswell, Johns Hopkins Unwersity, Baltimore, Md.

Gray, George M., Woods Hole, Mass.

Green, Chester K., Fisheries Station, Monument Lot, Washing-
tong D3.

Green, Dr. D. W., Ohio Fish and Game Commission, Dayton, O.

Greene, Myron, Franklin, Vt.

Grindle, C. 8., United States Bureau of Fisheries, Hast Orland,
Me.

Guard, J. E., Bullochville, Ga.

Gunekel, John E., Toledo, O.

Haas, William, Corry, Pa.

Hagert, Edwin, 32 N. Sixth Street, Philadelphia, Pa.

Hahn, Captain E. E., Bureau of Fisheries Station, Boothbay
Harbor, Me.

Haley, Caleb, Fulton Market, New York.

Hall, C. E., Superintendent Parkside Hatchery, Cresco, Pa.

Hamilton, Robert, Greenwich, N. Y.

Hampton, F. F., Hill City, Tenn.

Handy, L. B., South Wareham, Mass.

Hansen, G., Osceola, Wis.

Harron, L. G., United States Bureau of Fisheries, Washing-
ton, D.C.

Hartley, R. M., 627 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, Pa.

Hay, Prof. W. P., Howard University, Washington, D. C.

Hayes, J. R., Esq., Detroit, Mich.

raw)
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feos

American Fisheries Society.

Hamberger, Hon. John, Hrie, Pa.

Helmer, D. 8., Post Allegheny, Pa.

Helmer, E. R., Post Allegheny, Pa.

Hempshill, T. J., Hollidaysburg, Pa.

Henkel, C. D., United States Bureau of Fisheries, Tupelo, Miss.

Henkel, C. P., Tupelo, Miss.

Henry, W. 8S. Parkside, Pa.

Henshall, Dr. James A., Bozeman, Mont.

Mill, J. H., Superintendent Umpqua Hatchery, Hoaglin, Doug-
las County, Ore.

Hill, John L., 115 Broadway, New York City.

Hines, W. B., White Sulphur Springs, W. Va.

Hobart, T. D., Pampa, Gray County, Texas.

Hogan, J. J., La Crosse, Wis.

Hogue, William F., Marion, Ala.

Holden, H. S., Syracuse, N. Y.

Hughes, Frank L., Ashland, N. H.

Hoxsie, Charles A., Carolina, R. I.

Howell, John H., P. O. Box 485, New Bern, N. C.

Hubbard, Waldo F., Nashua, N. H.

Hudson, H. T., 110 Third Street, Portland, Ore.

Hume, R. D., 421 Market Street, San Francisco, Cal.

Hunsaker, W. J., Detroit, Mich.

Huntoon, B. W., care of Huntoon Oyster Co., Fairhaven, Wash.

Huntington, L. D., New Rochelle, N. Y.

Hurlbut, H. F., Hast Freetown, Mass.

Hutchinson, E. §., 1331 G Street, Washington, D. C.

Ingraham, E. W., Oil City, Pa.

Trish, Clifford E., Lake George, N. Y.

Isaac, George H., United States Bureau of Fisheries, Spearfish,
S. Dak.

Jansen, Peter, Escanaba, Mich.

Jennings, G. E., Fishing Gazette, 203 Broadway, New York City.
Jewett, Stephen S., 614 Main Street, Laconia, N. H.

Johnson, D. W., Hartwell, Ga.

Johnson, F. M., M.D., 43 Tremont Street, Boston, Mass.
Johnson, O. J., Glenwood, Minn.

co
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Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting.

Johnson, R. S., Supt. Manchester Station, Manchester, La.

Johnson, George H., Riverside, R. I.

Johnson, 8. M., Union Wharf, Boston, Mass.

Jones, Alexander, United States Bureau of Fisheries, Fishery,
Tenn.

Jones, Col. James H., New York City.

Jones, Dr. O. L., 116 West Seventy-second Street, New York.

Joseph, D., Columbus, Ga.

Joslyn, Hon. C. D., Detrovt, Mich.

Kashiwa, A. M., Pacific Block, Seattle, Wash.

Kauffmann, 8. H., Hvening Star, Washington, D. C.

Keeseeker, A. G., Fishery, Tenn.

Keller, H. N., California Fish Commission, Santa Monica, Cal.

Kelly, H. L., Jr., Oregon City, Ore.

Kennedy, Edwin M., Ohio Fish and Game Commission, McCon-
nellsville, O.

Kendall, Dr. William C., United State Bureau of Fisheries,
Washington, D.C.

Kent, Edwin C., Tuxedo Club, Tuxedo, N. Y.

Kenyon, A. W., Usquepaugh, R. I.

Kiel, W. M., Tuavedo Park, N. Y.

Kisterbrock, Josiah, Jr., “The Continental,’ Philadelphia, Pa.

Kittredge, Benjamin R., Kent Cliffs, Putnam County, N.Y.

Knight, Prof. A. P., Queens University, Kingston, Can.

Lambert, E. C., Amoskeag Mfg. Co., Manchester, N. H.

Lambson, G. H., United States Bureau of Fisheries, Baird, Cal.

Lamkin, J. Bayard, 605 Massachusetts Avenue, N. W., Wash-
ington, D.C.

Lamprey, Judge Uri L., St. Paul, Minn.

Landers, E. T., Hopeville, Ga.

Lane, George F., Silver Lake, Mass.

Latchford, Hon. F. R., Toronto, Can.

Laumen, Felix, San Marcos, Tex.

Lawton, Herbert, Quincy, Mass.

Leach, G. C., United States Bureau of Fisheries, St. Louis, Mo.

Leary, John L., United States Bureau of Fisheries, San Marcos,
Tee

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American Fisheries Society.

LeGette, H., Centenary, S. C.

Lewis, C. C., United States Bureau of Fisheries, Northville,
Mich.

Lewis, Charles E., Chamber of Commerce, Minneapolis, Minn.

Locke, E. F., Woods Hole, Mass.

Lovejoy, Samuel, Bullochville, Ga.

Lydell, Dwight, Mill Creek, Mich.

Mahone, A. H., 668 Via Monte, Buenos Ayres, Argentina.

Mallory, Charles, Burling Slip, New York.

Manning, W. W., Marquette, Mich.

Mansfield, H. B., Captain United States Navy, 368 Hancock

Street, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Manton, Dr. W. P., Detroit, Mich.

Marchers, George, London, O.

Marks, H. H., Sault St. Marie, Mich.

Marks, J. P., Paris, Mich.

Marsh, M. C., United States Bureau of Fisheries, Washington,
JO Ors

Martin, Timothy J., care of Davis, Collamore & Co., Fifth Ave-
nue, New York City.

Mathewson, G. 'T., Thompsonville, Conn.

May, W. L., 1655 Market Street, Denver, Col.

Mayhall, L. B., Supt. Commercial Trout Co., Sultan, Wash.

McCook, George M., Ohio Fish and Game Commission, Steuben-

volle, O.

McDonald, A. G., care of A. Booth & Co., Detroit, Mich.

McDougal, J. M., Gunnison, Col.

Mead, Prof. A. D., Brown University, Providence, R. I.

Meehan, W. E., Commissioner of Fisheries, Harrisburg, Pa.

Meeker, D. W., Moorehead, Minn.

Merrill, F. H. J., Aléamont, N.Y.

Merrill, M. E., St. Johnsbury, Vt.

Mershom, W. B., Saginaw, Mich.

Miller, Hon. Charles L., Altoona, Pa.

Miller, Frank, Put-in-Bay, O.

Miller, George F., Put-in-Bay, O.

Miller, Walter H., United States Bureau of Fisheries, Spear-
fish, S. Dak.

18

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Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting.

Miller, W. J., Scott Depot, W. Va.

Milligan, Dr. J. D., United States Bureau of Fisheries, Woods
Hole, Mass.

Mills, G. T., Carson City, Nev.

Monroe, Otis, Mill Creek, Mich.

Monroe, William, Mill Creek, Mich.

Moody, G. C., Mill Creek, Mich.

Moore, Charles H., Detrovt, Mich.

Moore, Dr. H. F., United States Bureau of Fisheries, Washing-

ton, D. C.

Morgan, H. A., University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tenn.

Morrell, Daniel, Hartford, Conn.

Morris, Robert T., D.D., 616 Madison Avenue, New York City.

Morton, W. P., Providence, R. I.

Mussey, George D., Detroit, Mich.

Myer, Hon. Charles R., Atlantic City, N. J.

Nash, Dr. S. M., 63 West Forty-ninth Street, New York City.

Neal, John R., 2214 “T” Wharf, Boston, Mass.

Neal, L. J., Mill Creek, Mich.

Nevin, James, Madison, Wis.

Norris, J. Olney, President Maryland State Game and Fish Pro-
tective Association, 317 Charles Street, Baltimore, Md.

North, Paul, Ohio Fish and Game Commission, Cleveland, O.

Oberfelder, R. S., Sidney, Neb.

O’Brien, W. J., South Bend, Neb.

O’Connor, E. W., Savannah, Ga.

Ohage, Dr. Justus, St. Paul, Minn.

O’ Malley, Henry, Baker, Wash.

Orahood, H. M., 1010 Seventeenth Street, Denver, Col.
Orr, W. J., Bay Port, Mich.

Palmer, Dr. Theodore 8., United States Department of Agricul-
ture, Washington, D. C.

Palmer, Stephen S., Monticello, N. Y.

Palmer, W. A., Buchanan, Mich.

Parker, J. Fred, Assistant Secretary of State, Providence, R. I.

Parker, W. H., Lac la Peche, Quebec, Canada.

oo
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American Fisheries Society.

Parkhurst, Hon. C. Frank, Providence, R. I.

Partridge, H. E., Minneapolis, Minn.

Paxton, Thomas B., Ohio Fish and Game Commission, Cincin-
nate, O.

Peabody, George F., Appleton, Wis.

Peoples, Hon. Hiram, New Providence, Pa.

Pierce, Captain T. C., United States Bureau of Fisheries, Wash-
ington, D. C.

Peck, Hon. Stephen, Warren, R. I.

Perdum, James K. P., Woods Hole, Mass.

Pike, Robert G., Middletown, Conn.

Plumb, Charles, Mill Creek, Mich.

Pollock, Robert L., 510 Sykes Block, Minneapolis, Minn.

Pope, 'T. E. B., United States Bureau of Fisheries, Washington,
IDG?

Powell, W. L., Harrisburg, Pa.

Powers, J. A., 280 Rwer Street, Troy, N.Y.

Powers, John W., Big Rapids, Mich.

Prather, J. Hub, Lexington, Ky.

Prendergast, Charles F., 1420 Lincoln Street, Savannah, Ga.

Preston, Hon. John L., Port Huron, Mich.

Preston, Dr. Henry G., 54 Greene Avenue, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Price, Andrew, Marlinton, W. Va.

Price, Calvin W., Marlinton, W. Va.

Proctor, Hon. Redfield, Proctor, Vt.

Race, E. E., Green Lake, Me.

Ramsdale, Frank C., Bayfield, Wis.

Randall, G. W., Plympton, Mass.

Rankin, J. H., Ohio Fish and Game Commission, South Charles-
ton, O.

Rathbone, William F., D. d H. R. R., Albany, N.Y.

Rathbun, Richard, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D. C.

Ravenel, W. DeC., Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D. C.

Reed, C. A., Fish and Game Warden, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz
County, Cal.

Reighard, Prof. Jacob E., University of Michigan, Ann Arbor,
Mich.

Richards, G. H., Sears Building, Boston, Mass.

276 Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting.

Rippel, Robert, Woodruff, Wis.

Roberts, A. D., Woonsocket, R. I.

Roberts, W. A., United States Bureau of Fisheries, Washing-
ington, D.C.

Robinson, A. H., Portsmouth, N. H.

Robinson, Robert K., White Sulphur Springs, W. Va.

Robinson, W. E., Mackinaw City, Mich.

Rogers, Frank A., Grand Rapids, Mich.

Rogers, J. L., United States Consul General, Shanghai, China.

Rogers, J. M., 154 La Salle Street, Chicago, Ill.

Rooney, James, Fort Stockton, Tex.

Root, Henry T., Providence, R. I.

Rosenberg, Albert, Kalamazoo, Mich.

Ruge, John G., Apalachicola, Fla.

Russell, Henry, Detroit, Mich.

Safford, W. H., Department of Fisheries, Harrisburg, Pa.

Salmon, Alden, South Norwalk, Conn.

Sampson, E. R., care of New York Aquarium, Battery Park,
New York City.

Sanborn, F. G., 612-613 California Street, San Francisco, Cal.

Saunders, A. A., Carolina, R. I.

Saunders, Dr. H. G., Chattanooga, Tenn.

Scarborough, L. A., Columbus, Ga.

Schley, Dr. F. V., Columbus, Ga.

Schute, John A., Havana, Ill.

Schweikart, Walter, Detroit, Mich.

Seagle, George A., Wytheville, Va.

Self, E. M., Bullochville, Ga.

Sellers, M. G., 1306 Arch Street, Philadelphia, Pa.

Sherwin, H. A., 100 Canal Street, Cleveland, O.

Sherwood, George H., American Museum of Natural History,
77th and Sth Avenue, New York City.

Shurtliff, Merrill, Fish and Game Commission of New Hamp-
shire, Lancaster, N. H.

Simmons, Walter C., Providence, R. I.

Simons, Max, Columbus, Ga.

Singleton, James H., Woonsocket, R. I.

Slade, George P., 309 Broadway, P. O. Box 283, New York City.

AN «wera

American Fisheries Society.

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Smith, Henry D., Appleton, Wis.

Smith, H. G., Minneapolis, Minn.

Smith, Jay, care of J. W. Marston & Co., Lewis Wharf, Boston,
Mass.

Smith, L. H., Algona, La.

Smith, Dr. Hugh M., United States Bureau of Fisheries, Wash-
ington, D. C.

Smith, J. A., 13 West 25th Street, Baltimore, Md.

Snyder, Dr. F. D., 10 Center Street, Ashtabula, O.

Snyder, J. P., United States Bureau of Fisheries, Spearfish,
S. Dak.

Snyder, J. P., Tonesdale, Pa.

Southwick, J. M. K., Newport, R. I.

Spencer, L. B., Superintendent Aquarium, 37 West 128th Street,
New York City.

Spensley, Calvert, Mineral Point, Wis.

Springer, F. H., Columbus, Ga.

Stapleton, M. F., United States Bureau of Fisheries, Mammoth
Spring, Ark.

Starbuck, Alexander, Cincinnati, O.

Starr, W. J., Haw Clare, Was.

Steele, G. T., Chicago, Ill.

Sterling, J. E., Crisfield, Md.

Stevens, Arthur F., 227 West Grand Street, Elizabeth, N. J.

Stevenson, Charles H., United States Bureau of Fisheries, Wash-
ington, D. C.

Stewart, Charles E., Westerly, R. I.

Stewart, A. T., Northville, Mich.

Stone, Arthur F., St. Johnsbury, Vt.

Stone, Charles A., Plainfield, N. J.

Stone, Livingston, Cape Vincent, N. Y.

Story, John A., Hast Orland, Me.

Stotz, Martin, 996 Market Street, Philadelphia, Pa.

Stranahan, J. J., Bullochville, Ga.

Stranahan, F. A., Cleveland, O.

Stranahan, F. F., Cleveland, O.

Streeter, H. R., Carolina, R. 1.

Sumner, Dr. Francis B., College of the City of New York, New
York City.

278 Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting.

Surber, Thaddeus, United States Bureau of Fisheries, White
Sulphur Springs, W. Va.

Suthers, Frank, Madison, Wis.

Sykes, Arthur, Madison, Wis.

Sykes, Henry, Bayfield, Wis.

Talbot, Henry, Interstate Commerce Association, Washington,
DIC:

Tankerslay, A. 8., United States Bureau of Fisheries, Tupelo,
Miss.

Tawes, J. C., Crisfield, Md.

Taylor, A. R., 318 Main Street, Memphis, Tenn.

Taylor, Robert Kirby, 66 Leonard Street, New York City.

Teal, J. N., Worcester Block, Portland, Ore.

Thayer, W. W., 234 Joseph Campau Avenue, Detroit, Mich.

Thomas, Henry G., Stowe, Vt.

Thompson, Carl G., 78 Henry Street, Huntington, Ind.

Thompson, George B., Davis, W. Va.

Thompson, James F., Martinsburg, W. Va.

Thompson, William H., Secretary Anglers’ Association of St.
Lawrence River, Alexander Bay, N.Y.

Thompson, W. P., 1020 Arch Street, Philadelphia, Pa.

Thompson, W. 'T., United States Bureau of Fisheries, Leadville,
Col.

Tinker, E. F., St. Johnsbury, Vt.

Titcomb, John W., United States Bureau of Fisheries, Wash-
ington, D.C.

Townsend, A. A., Carolina, R. Tf.

Townsend, Charles H., New York Aquarium, New York City.

Trumpour, D. A., Bay City, Mich.

Tubbs, Frank A., Neosho, Mo.

Tucker, Edmund St. George, Bedford Row, Halifax, N.S.

Tucker, Dr. Ernest F., “The Marquam,” Portland, Ore.

Tulian, Eugene A., Piscicultor National, 668 Via Monte, Buenos
Ayres, Argentina.

Turner, Avery, Vice President and General Manager of Pecos
Valley Lines, Amarillo, Tex.

Turner, J. C., Columbus, Ga.

American Fisheries Society. 279

VanDusen, H. G., Master Fish Warden of Oregon, Astoria, Ore.

Veeder, John J., Woods Hole, Mass.

Venn, Harry 8., United States Bureau of Fisheries, Washing-
ton DE.

Vineent, W. 8., United States Bureau of Fisheries, Cape Vin-
cent, N.Y.

Vogelsang, Alexander T., Mills Building, San Francisco, Cal.

Von Lengerke, J., 318 Broadway, New York City.

Walker, Bryant, Detroit, Mich.

Wall, Joe, Salmon, Ore.

Wallett, W. H., Put-in-Bay, O.

Wallich, Claudius, United States Bureau of Fisheries, Oregon
City, Ore.

Walsh, Joseph, Woods Hole, Mass.

Walters, C. H., Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y.

Ward, Prof. H. B., Lincoln, Neb.

Warner, 8S. M., Glen Farm, Dorset, Vt.

Waterhouse, Rev. E. M., Broadway and 71st Street, New York
City.

Webb, W. Seward, 44th Street and Vanderbilt Avenue, New
York City.

Wentworth, E. E., United States Bureau of Fisheries, Baker,
Wash.

Wentworth, Nathaniel, Hudson Centre, N. H.

Weed, W. R., Potsdam, N. Y.

Wetherbee, W. C., Port Henry, N.Y.

Wheeler, Charles Stetson, Hobart Building, San Francisco, Cal.

Whish, John D., Secretary of Forest, Fish and Game Commis-
sion, Albany, N.Y.

White, R. Tyson, 320 Bridge Street, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Whiting, Caspar, 239 Fifth Avenue, New York City.

Whitaker, Hon. Andrew R., Phoeniaville, Pa.

Wilbur, H. O., 235 Third Street, Philadelphia, Pa.

Wilbur, P. H., Little Compton, FR. I.

Willard, Charles W., Westerly, R. I.

Willetts, J. C., 27 Pine Street, New York City.

Williams, J. A., Burlington, Vt.

Wilson, C. H., Glen Falls, N. Y.

280 Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting.

Wilson, S. H., Cleveland, O.

Winn, Dennis, United States Bureau of Fisheries, Washington,
DAG.

Winn, S., Carolina, R. I.

Wires, 8. P., Lester Park, Duluth, Minn.

Wisner, J. Nelson, Jr., United States Bureau of Fisheries, Ore-
gon City, Ore.

Wolf, Herman T., 489 The Bourse, Philadelphia, Pa.

Wolters, Charles W., Dr., Philadelphia, Pa.

Wood, C. C., Plymouth, Mass.

Wood, Frank, Hdenton, N.C.

Worth, S. G., Beaufort, N. C.

Wride, George A., Grindstone City, Mich.

Zacharie, Col. F. C., 345 Corondelet Street, New Orleans, La.

Zweighapt, 8., Deer Park, Haines Falls, N. Y.

HONORARY.

Borodine, Nicholas, Chief Specialist in Fish Culture, Depart-
ment of Agriculture, St. Petersburg, Russia.

Cortelyou, Hon. George B., Washington, D. C.

Denbigh, Lord, Colonel of the Honorable Artillery Company,
London, England.

Fish Protective Association of Eastern Pennsylvania, 1020 Arch
Street, Philadelphia, Pa.

Fryer, Charles E., Supervising Inspector of Fisheries, Board of
Agriculture and Fisheries, 3 Delahay St., London, England.

Hamilton, Dr. J. Lawrence, M. R. C. 8., 30 Sussex Square,
Brighton, England.

Hofer, Prof. Dr. Bruno, Munich, Germany.

Kishinouye, Dr. K., Imperial Fisheries Bureau, Tokyo, Japan.

Lake St. Clair Shooting and Fishing Club, Detroit, Mich.

Mrs. Frank M. Johnson, Boston, Mass.

Matsubara, Prof. S., President Imperial Fisheries Institute,
Tokyo, Japan.

Metcalf, Victor H., Secretary of the Department of Commerce
and Labor, Washington, D. C.

New York Association for the Protection of Fish and Game,
New York City.

American Fisheries Society. 281
y

Peck, Hon. George W., Milwaukee, Wis.

South Side Sportsmen’s Club, Oakdale, L. I., N.Y.
The President of the United States.

The Governors of the Several States.

Woodmount Rod and Gun Club, Washington, D. C.

CORRESPONDING.

Ayson, Lake F., Wellington, New Zealand.

Ayson, Charles L., Hakataemen, Oamaru, New Zealand.

Apostolides, Prof. Nicoly Chr., Athens, Greece.

Armistead, J. J., Dumfries, Scotland.

Birbeck, Edward, Esq., W/. P., London, England.

Brady, Thomas F., Esq., Inspector of Fisheries, Dublin Castle,
Dublin, Treland.

Calderwood, W. L., Esq., Inspector of Salmon Fisheries, Edin-
burgh, Scotland.

Feddersen, Arthur, Copenhagen, Denmark.

Feilding, J. B., Upper Downing, Holywell, North Wales.

Gigholi, Prof. Enrico H., Florence, Italy.

Jaffe, 8., Osnabruck, Germany.

Landmark, A., /nspector of Norwegian Fresh Water Fisheries,
Christiana, Norway.

Maccleay, William, President of the Fisheries Commission of
New South Wales, Sydney, N. S. W.

Marston, R. B., Esq., Hditor of the Fishing Gazette, London,
England.

Olsen, O. T., Grimsby, England.

Sars, Prof. G. O., Christiania, Norway.

Smitt, Prof. F. A., Stockholm, Sweden.

Solsky, Baron N. de, Director of the Imperial Agricultural Mu-
seum, St. Petersburg, Russia.

Trybom, Dr. Filip, Stockholm, Sweden.

RECAPITULATION.

PNG MMM oe emir e Sires Sehr atoie se iarsiecd ce» oe St'v ane soe 437
relearn Oct ay Me eee eet, ee en ace we cee cial «Selita o/s) ala vovslate 67a eos oT ars 61
BESTS PMO UUM TH pester Sires Seanet Aces ee Sey csc, 2 at aliey Soba. Sede ive avaco ota 19

Micialbenaemnbers Mapes. sia He doa tcre ft ache area oe be 514

CONSTI Vea Oy

(As amended to date.)

AR DICWE WE
NAME AND OBJECT.

The name of this Society shall be American Fisheries Society.
Its objects shall be to promote the cause of fish culture; to
gather and diffuse information bearing upon its practical success,
and upon all matters relating to the fisheries; the uniting and
encouraging of all imterests of fish culture and the fisheries, and
the treatment of all questions regarding fish, of a scientific and
economic character.

ARTICLE II.
MEMBERS.

Any person shall, upon a two-thirds vote and the payment of
two dollars become a member of this society. In case members
do not pay their fees, which shall be two dollars per year, after
the first year and are delinquent for two years, they shall be noti-
fied by the treasurer, and if the amount due is not paid within a
month thereafter, they shall be, without further notice, dropped
from the roll of membership. Any person can be made an hon-
orary or a corresponding member upon a two-thirds vote of the
members present at any regular meeting.

Any person shall, upon a two-thirds vote, and the payment of
$25, become a hfe member of this society, and shall thereafter
be exempt from all annual dues.

ARTICLE III.
OFFICERS.

The officers of this Society shall be a President and a Vice

282

American Fisheries Society. 283

President, who shall be ineligible for election to the same office
until a year after the expiration of their term; a Corresponding
Secretary, a Recording Secretary, a Treasurer and an Executive
Committee of seven, which with the officers before named, shall
form a council and transact such business as may be necessary
when the Society is not in session, four to constitute a quorum.

ARTICLE IV.

MEETINGS.

The regular meeting of the Society shall be held once a year,
the time and place being decided upon at the previous meeting
or, in default of such action, by the Executive Committee.

AR EICGE OV

ORDER OF BUSINESS.

1. Call to order by President.

2. Roll call of members.

3. Applications for membership.
4. Reports of officers.

a. President.

b. Secretary.

e. Treasurer.

d. Standing Committees.

5. Committees appointed by the President.
a. Committee of five on nomination of officers for ensu-
ing year.

b. Committee of three on time and place of next meeting.
c. Auditing committee of three.

6. Reading of papers and discussions of same.
(Note—a. In the reading of papers preference shall be
given to members present.

b. The President and two Secretaries are em-
powered to arrange the papers of the meet-
ings of the Society.)

7. Miscellaneous business.

8. Adjournment.

284 Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting.

ARTICLE VI.
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 regu-
lar meeting, provided at least fifteen members are present at said
meeting.

aca e FE isheries Society will be held Jul

7 g of the i

x

Ne to ee ' ea Ae ‘

Divtelod of Fishes
8, ational Muse

ne

TRANSACTIONS

“OF THE

| AMERICAN FISHERIES
_ SOcIETY

TRANSACTIONS

OF THE

| AMERICAN
FISHERIES SOCIETY

AT TS

Thirty-fitth Annual Meeting
wry 24-525 AND: 26, 1906,

At Grand Rapids, Michigan.

THE POST PUBLISHING COMPANY, PRINTERS AND BINDERS,

Officers for 1906-1907.

IPPOSUUEUT PRS. Sateen ee E, A. Brrae, Madison, Wis.
Vice-President... 2) ani as H. M. Smiru, Washington, D. C.
Recording Secretary...... GEORGE F, PEasopy, Appleton, Wis.

Corresponding Secretary, CHARLES G. ATKINS, East Orland, Me.

AN COSUMEN Scie Moiaich aes Saece seh C. W. WiLLarp, Westerly, R. I.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.

Joun D. Wuisu, Chairman, Albany, N. Y.
E. Hart Geer, Hadlyme, Conn.
J. A. HeNSHALL, Bozeman, Mont.

S. F. #uLLEerRTON, St. Paul, Minn.

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AMERICAN FISHERIES SOGIETY.-

Organized December, 1870.

PRESIDENTS.
AVVATUHaTING Li fitrmteae pepe eae po ris ictens. ep eisos sh) <tea ta abe tes varoeneate 1870-1871
RU Vpilliliretirvaes Oh tifiteaee sev ene pe a Meow eomtonaitsisy Stowers = 15 coin teeters areiseetsrae 1871-1872
AV aril LT eairvaiin @liiititepearesy oth cus oho, Secrets oyaeusy ao ix eunhn ic pasacholseor aioe eas 1872-1873
FVODE tay eECOOSCVEIUHes crscaate acs oro sitheess a cute bite eoeea ore act aes 1873-1874
VOD ETE EVOOSCViCD Es octes. 5.0: cates! tars oe etseureneild faye a bepee eracaes ena one 1874-1875
ODER BeVEVOOSCVICLE: lesa. occu cte ooo tein eve nAseoeeieees eheresekele 1875-1876
FVODERtEDS ce ECOOSCVECLibin c's exo-scntie wisiace eiaiste oh SP iiceoeen inl Serene 1876-1877
EVOHER i Dae LtOOS CVElURI saseroueeleveksicjatebe ous.auake lesenereonte cue telier stems 1877-1878
FRODEEE EE a EROOSCV CLUS ave ate & cadets coyote as stage siageteraiec Suele Gke pene 1878-1879
FVODETG ws EROOSC Vl tie cis cxcrena ee cbitie ce ereyes ore aka) aera oweuie’siaye/aenere 1879-1880
UO DCLEAE{ UOOS GVEliGs a iits cnotomseotsiee ortho oe cheleseueheroneler steuciete 1880-1881
RODE te BoROOSGVEltes na: meciecin citinerare sie oicimieeaemrccl 1881-1882
CCOreecs hepaTrd ea PASe cr macs s tele Sie lale ol hus he ateiie wleze 1882-1883
JAMES IBemMKa ysis occ tiers seeis\ olin eteie der chewohe eatecee chante dross 1883-1884
Ab al(exoxe Koyiteel Baya dale) alse pen nee remiss A cree TRON ee CO MRE IE 1884-1885
Mires hnaylite sVie 8) oral dees fone) ose gartop sy ereres = iste etcu ones csoe@ tapeeevioncrepebelis.6 1885-1886
AW Aee VIM ETUC SOM mia erator aie orarsiay chasers exatote ee ekertoontralere ne ene 1886-1887
AVVcill Mittennaaal liars airy 2ce stots es srstcue scnene auton’ oteoinecs chs a aansie slaacths 1887-1888
Oh MBER SE ISS eliliep way wevcte ats kossi cncsehel ave lace seltencie: sbe-ai eudvene ae somes 1888-1889
MUSeN ea Gag laAaCkhOnGie resets merelet icc. oheva ceaiel ce. t ede dieans acess 1889-1890
MUZeENe zee lAckhOndk wren cantcseteerenccee ele ise he Soe ee eleles 1890-1891
JAMES PAS MELSTIS I eli Ae eee uses dekchicveyolens sires sieve ies: 0s ayareravetaiens 1891-1892
EHerseheleawihitakenr sc sss cceeiels. ses er egue sss SA Feed sees sle 1892-1893
LETTE a OB LOT ee nse errs Satan ocak hie Sse oidleve vegdaieae awe 1893-1894
AVA silliTiileasrangesl easne Veh y ie ren aan otis Cece. Uy cmc vo isis: Stele ses: oscar ay eters 1894-1895
Hopes) Meme atl OMe eters ais senators ckatowsiseare <0 aie cia: Shoah seuerelen 1895-1896
ers ehieleawihitakie reece = sestapaicestercis le 6 cuciehelis. sca-cusisreleveneuae 1896-1897
VW silted Tiss VU eager cceen etc cee eaten Sonos oSeiese, tens cig vevale inns “ots aes 1897-1898
CG CORZOaM SECA OVE haces ote eo icon oi es orem euare. eerste) oe erence misies 1898-1899
SOL Wire CC OID Mealnvenscorie isi) Salix or stscclone Oielerets @ soars seotereuste 1899-1900
eS eee DT CCL S OM a teradereileteioteiele eens ere ete eheitera lw io elias vet'ss eliedlet oitelisteite 1900-1901
IDL, 1B, BIPWERM Eis ote Gio esta lO a EO nG ORE eS OCR ERE IOI Rice 1901-1902
CGeoTnl em Mem OWES Eric cic eiirrcione curiae seclshe sais snes Ghoysuerens 1902-1903
HFN eL Nisan Newey Cul eaTalceo te tepeasencrene (6 apatsv’oasscrc\cievshes soeus ee aieewe wiahenersie 1903-1904
ENE TNs Varnes EMO Ota eneyaeey. eisie eccte ove eus eacie aia e silo tel sucus toreudeshings 1904-1905
CSD UOSIN ths Ss Ste cisterna oOo Sen IE RNC ote aCe een hon 1905-1906

DG? AG IB IRR Ss o-0 aise SiR Eig EOE TIC 0 CRE Dito noe OID ona 1906-1907

CON he NTs

Page
FNGURESSe Dye EGOS CLOM Se eaure th crateves cous ie Dielc lee. dr ol odes seebene tine vals cnmcekenteteteyorats 9
OMS PIU OM ge sae een tes ero cea al arco aio a deeibe.-o ass ad Rites eR Goa sattal oromaahisues orev ers 252
NERS tee O tee VICTIND ERS meets aicccne se lanreee oclic cong Sheree ate ameie ie, cuisine eaatelneeare) sioner: 237
RESISTCT COM ACTEN CACO ikerare s:lsichevsnsr 5, coskaters. 21's Getater® sueten avers ausceue a: siaite share 12
Reportior Committee-on Nominations: ... ..0 2. «2 ess) sere «i 27
REPORT Ole WECASUE Cli cocra) sieve cs crete he Siena! tra oe ote el enetloueie: She ae oe aceetoteneys 14
SCIENTIFIC PROCEEDINGS—

On the Identification for Legal Purposes of Mutilated or
Dressed Specimens of Whitefish and Herring from the
Great wakes—Prot. Jacob Reighard <; 2210.2 sacs. sso e ees oe 47

Protection as an Aid to Propagation—Samuel F. Fullerton... 59

Some Experiments in the Propagation of Rainbow Trout—
PID STE SVOSSTD ETE tee cea: Sov onaye asia ctomed eo tesccue len enana Sie aust taohe sean le 87

Fishery Legislation before the Fifty-ninth Congress, First
Ses Silom — lea NIN SIUM hye ais saeeee Seances tev ele sock Semee teue Sus es ereue saerles 91

Fish Distributed by Pennsylvania from January 1, 1906, to
JWihy aL USOC IB, INA WLS Gig clo Oo pO UP DEOdeoUUDOD ODODE 97

Progress and Experiments in Fish Culture in the Bureau of
Fisheries During the Fiscal Year 1906—John W. Titcomb. 98

Experiments in Fasting of Fry—Charles G. Atkins.......... 123

Gases Dissolved in the Waters of Wisconsin Lakes—Dr. E. A.

TENDERS Tes pe riates either betes Eater ato nee CCIE ER ETIE ORR STERIC ote area ero mS 143
The Fisherman and Reforestation—Filibert Roth............ 164
New Type of Jars for Hatching—W. E. Meehan............. 169
The Bass at the Mill Creek Station—Dwight Lydell.......... abl
Propagation of Black Bass—H. W. Beeman................. 182

Assorting Brood Black Bass to Prevent Cannibalism—J. J.

Seema iN ana sete useemeireyien simene operon avail slit -itoue sosci over th~. el oie sy onensive. ol sist) hele 183
The Best Paint for Screens—Dwight Lydell................. 187
MD CatOneACr Aine Wiater—— Jake ICs. cisa ss cvs as sly ee eels 188
Report of Committee on Foreign Relations—Chas. G. Atkins.. 189
Questions ox John ae Care yive tc piescseie costelekel alle: wie cencienousecie) eyetekeners 225
Care and Feeding of Fry in Pond Life—F. M. Johnson....... 230

Fishway at Grand Lake Stream—W. O. Buck............... 233

PART 1.

BUSINESS SESSIONS.

Transactions of the American Fisheries
Society.

Tuesday, July 24, 1906.

Convention called to order at 12 m. by the Prevtden+ Mr.
C. D. Joslyn, of Detroit, Michigan, at the Board of Ti ade — uld-
ing, Grand Rapids, Michigan.

President: Gentlemen of the American Fisheries Society,
1 take pleasure in calling you to order for the thirty-fifth meet-
ing of this society. This is not the time nor the occasion for a
speech from your president. We have quite a large membership
and quite a large number present in the city. The incoming
trains are just about due now and will bring probably quite an
addition to our numbers, but I have thought, in view of the fact
that we have some guests present and we have the mayor of the
city of Grand Rapids from whom we wish to hear, that I would
call you to order at this time without waiting for the members
who will be in here later.

Last year I think those of us who met with you at White
Sulphur Springs told you that if you would come to Grand
Rapids you would never be sorry, and I may say to you now that
the city of Grand Rapids is one of the very best in the country.
As the Hon. James G. Blaine once said, it is the largest city for
sits size that there is in the country. Its hospitality is un-
bounded, and as soon as the citizens of this city knew that we
were to meet here they were only anxious to know what we
wanted them to do, and they have showered honors and invita-
tions upon us, some of which we will not be able to accept, and
do business at the same time. They would entertain us during
the three days that we were here, and not give us a chance to
work at all if we would let them. We have with us here, as usual,
our old and honored friend, our ex-president, Mr. Root. Long
may he live and meet with us! We have probably the most con-

10 Thirty-fifth Annual Meeting

venient man in the country also with us, our treasurer, Mr. Will-
ard, who pays the bills and debts of the society and trusts to us
to reimburse him later on. (Great laughter and applause.) We
also have with us as usual, our secretary, Mr. Peabody, who daes
all the work in preparing for these meetings and gets out the re-
ports afterwards; then, of course, the president takes the credit
for the entire job. (Applause.) I might go on and mention
the familiar faces that we see here, but it is not necessary ; it is
good to see all these familiar faces again.

I now take pleasure, gentlemen, in introducing to you the
mayor of Grand Rapids, Mr. Ellis, who will welcome you.

Mr. George E. Ellis of Grand Rapids: Mr. President and
gentlemen, it is surely a great pleasure to say to you a few words
just now, although at this particular hour I know that you do
not expect very much. It is a good deal ike a man who was in-
vited to talk to a Sunday school class and he said: “Now, child-
ren what would you rather I would talk about.” One of them
said: “We would rather you would talk about a minute.”
(Laughter.) I guess that is about the way it is now, as it is so
nearly your luncheon hour.

Your president is feeling especially good today. He was tell-
ing of a little incident that happened to him in Detroit the other
day. He came down town and he told how well he felt. He said,
“T feel better than I have for a long while, because my wife
thinks Tam such a good man. Why, this morning before I came
down she told me that I was a model husband.” So he told that
to two or three people, and he was so pleased that he finally met
his pastor and he told him about it. And he said, “Mr. Joslyn,
before you tell that to many more people you better look in the
dictionary and find out what ‘model’ means, and then you will
learn just what kind of a husband you are.” So he looked in the
dictionary and found out that a ‘model’ was ‘a small imitation of
the real thing.’ (Laughter. )

Now we are greatly pleased to see you here, and while you are
in the city there will be no closed season, and you can go in any
part that you want, and I will guarantee in this metropolitan
city that, no matter what your desires and tastes are, you can
gratify them, (laughter and applause) and if you do not find

American Fisheries Society. Ad

it with ease, I see the four gentlemen here who represent the
Grand Rapids committee and I will guarantee they can tell you
very easily where it is, because they have been there themselves.
(Laughter.) Mr. Adams, who was going to speak a few words
to you, had a dream the other day, and he dreamt that he had got
into heaven, strange as it may seem, and he told his wife how he
had trod the streets of the New Jerusalem and what great sights
he saw; and she said, “Fred, if you ever got into such a nice
place as that, what made you get out?” “Why,” he said, “the
heat woke me up!” (Laughter.) Now, no matter how hot or
cold it is, it is always good weather when good fellows are tio-
gether, and if there are any people who are good fellows and en-
Joy associating together, it is the fishermen; you will make
more lasting friendships when you are fishing or hunting than in
any other line that I can recall, and in that it reminds me of a
little saying on old friends which I will give you.

“Make new friends but keep the old,
For the new are silver but the old are gold.
New-made friends like new-made wine,
With age may mellow and refine.
Unlike old age with hair so gray,
True friendship never can decay.
So make new friends but keep the old,
For the new are silver but the old are gold.” (Applause.)

President: Before we go to our lunch, gentlemen, I want
to say to you that they have a real sportsman’s association here in
Grand Rapids, with all that that imphes. That being so, I desire
to call on the president of that association to say a few words of
welcome to us. I should be very glad to have him come for-
ward.

Mr. Otis A. Felger of Grand Rapids: The president is
here under promise from me that under no circumstances would
he be called upon, and he has engaged as his substitute, Mr. W.
R. Shelby. He is not the president but a very active and honored
member.

Mr. W. R. Shelby of Grand Rapids: Mr. President and
Gentlemen of the American Fisheries Society: The gentleman
introducing me to welcome you on behalf of the Consolidated

12 Thirty-fifth Annual Meeting

Sportsmen’s Club of Grand Rapids says its President cannot
make a speech, thus intimating that I can. I will say that while
President Felger is too diffident to talk he is one of the finest
shots in Michigan and takes pleasure in trying to teach me how
to shoot, so that I am pleased to do some one thing better than he
can. While not professing to be a public speaker I am inspired
by the eloquence of your President and our Mayor, who preceded
me, to say, that we are glad your Society has come to Grand
Rapids to hold its annual meeting. I am connected with the
Grand Rapids & Indiana Railway Company, which has always
taken great interest and done much for the propagation of fish
in Michigan and we welcome any effort to increase and maintain
the finny tribe in our waters. The people of Grand Rapids and
Michigan would be astonished and pleased to know the wealth
the State gains by her fisheries; to know the number of people
who come into the state only because it is a place to fish and be-
cause it has the “Fishing Line” to bring them. Tourists coming
to Michigan to fish do not have to be told “when they go to a
certain place that they should have gone over to the other place.”
They can catch fish anywhere in our rivers and lakes.

Our Mayor calls attenticn to “This being your noon hour”
and I will not detain you longer because after becoming better
acquainted with you, will be able to talk more interestingly to
you, but on behalf of the Sportsmen’s Club I welcome you to
Grand Rapids and hope your visit will be pleasant and the ob-
ject of your Society materially advanced by your presence and
stay among us.

The registered attendance at the meeting of the society is as
follows:

Alford, Jabe, Madison, Wis.

Atkins, Chas. G., Hast Orland, Maine.

Avery, Charles, Hutchinson, Minn.

Bartlett, S. P., Quincy, Ill.

Bassett, C. R., Paw Paw, Mich.
Bean, Tarleton H., New York City.
Birge, E. A., Madison, Wis.
Boardman, W. H., Central Falls, R. I.
Bower, Seymour, Detroit, Mich.

American Fisheries Society.

Bower, Ward T., Northville, Mich.
Brass, J. L., Drayton Plains, Mich.
Brewer, E. S., Owosso, Mich.
Brown, George M., Detrovt, Mich.
Carter, George L., Lincoln, Neb.
Clark, Frank N., Northville, Mich.
Clark, Fred, Mill Creek, Mich.
Cutler, William, Mill Creek, Mich.
Dean, H. D., Neosho, Mo.
Dickinson, G. C., Harrietta, Mich.
Filkins, B. G., Northville, Mich.
Fullerton, Sam F., St. Paul, Minn.
Gunekel, John E., Toledo, Ohio.

Hankinson, T’. L., Charleston, Ill.
Hogan, J. J., La Crosse, Wis.

Hughes, Wm. H., St. Louis, Mo.
Johnson, R. 8., Manchester, Towa.
Lydell, Dwight, Mill Creek, Mich.
Marks, J. P., Paris, Mich.

Meehan, W. E., Harrisburg, Pa.
Monroe, Otis, Mill Creek, Mich.
Monroe, Wm., Mill Creek, Mich.
Morcher, George, London, Ohio.
Morton, William P., Providence, R. I.
Nevin, James, Madison, Wis.
O’Brien, W. J., South Bend, Nebraska.
Peabody, George F., Appleton, Wis.
Porter, Richard, Paris, Mo.

Reighard, J. E., Ann Arbor, Mich.
Roberts, A. D., Woonsocket, R. I.
Root, Henry T., Providence, R. I.
Rosenbery, Albert, Aalamazoo, Mich.
Shortal, J. M., 906 Chestnut St., St. Lowis, Mo.
Thayer, W. W., Detroit, Mich.
Titcomb, Jno. W., Washington, D. C.

14 Thirty-fifth Annual Meeting

Whish, John D., Albany, N. Y.
Willard, C. W., Westerly, R. I.
Wires, S. P., Duluth, Mich.

Zalsman, Phil. G., Paris, Mich.

Registered attendance of Visitors:

Adams, Fred J., Editor, Grand Rapids, Mich.

Ellis, George E., Mayor, Grand Rapids, Mich.

Felger, Otis A., Grand Rapids, Mich.

Roth, Prof. Filibert, Ann Arbor, Mich.

Shelby, W. R., Grand Rapids, Mich., Vice President
Rapids & Indiana Railway Co.

The treasurer then presented his report as follows:

Grand

To the American Fisheries Society of the United States of America.
Gentlemen:—I herewith submit my annual report as Treasurer

from July 25, 1905, to July 24, 1906:

RECEIPTS.
1905.
Mife-memibership t6es.n...2 0 soe Aaa tee ee $ 60.00
WGA Ly UL CS se Sox oxahewts crctkteroatole one ers fn Saree ane Meee 647.10
Salle Of mepOrts.s var cicpencvs sues cia tera a een 25.3
EXPENDITURES.
Iulye 25—Ralance due: DPreasurerin. sss. osose ce eee mc $111.87
July 27— Cas Gs Atkins sprint esses cemeeesrekcrere eet 2.66
Augc229—Stampedmenvelopesena tii ciiaceeioneeieiae 10.70
Sept. 1S—Murray Lyceum Bureau, stereopticon...... 4.25
Oct, (Aj He Dinsmore stercopticoOl sy... +e ect 5.00
Oct - 1L0=One Metter ile: tis aaa eee eee ee eee =
INov.- 6—Stamped envelopes! sa. .sctaces ocicie ine 10.70
Dec. 22—Telegram to Geo. F. Peabody, Secretary.... 70
Dee 28 — Fy pewritime? a7 scram wee an Oe eee 1.25
Dec. 23—H. D. Goodwin, stenographer.............. 202.00
1906.
Mars 15—Post Publishing (Comsrepomtcrsae ete eines 289.15
Mar. 15—G. F. Peabody, Sec’y, mailing reports, etc... 74.85
Apr. 14—GaihlsoneBrossecincularsh open ace meee Sli)
Jwlivei—“Stampedueniwelopesmenrciie aici. cree 10.70
July 17—Post Publishing Co., circulars, etc......... 15.50

July 17—Geo. F’. Peabody, Sec’y, stamps, etc........ ies
Julye24—Balance. dues Treasurer. ack iosincie siemens Dees

Respectfully submitted,

$732.49

C. W. WILLARD, Treasurer.

American Fisheries Society. 15

Motion made, seconded and unanimously carried, that the
report be referred to auditing committee.

President: I will appoint as members of the committee Mr.
Geo. M. Brown, Mr. R. 8. Johnson, and Mr. A. D. Roberts.

The following is a lst of applicants for membership in the
association, made since the last meeting:

Alford, Jabe, Fish Commissioner, Wis., Madison, Wis. (Pro-
posed by E. A. Birge.)

Avery, Charles, Minnesota Fish and Game Commission, Hutchin-
son, Minn. (Proposed by Samuel F. Fullerton.)

Bassett, C. R., Glen Springs Trout Co., Paw Paw, Mich.

Bassett, F. R., Glen Springs Trout Co., Paw Paw, Mich.

Bigelow, Hayes, Brattleboro, Vt. (By H. M. Smith.)

Brown, Thomas W., Minnesota Fish and Game Association,
Glenwood, Minn. (By S. F. Fullerton.)

Burkhaus, Jerry H., Torresdale Hatchery, Holmesburg, Phila-
delphia, Pa. (By W. HE. Meehan.)

Canfield, H. L., Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, D.C. (By
Frank N. Clark.)

Carter, George L., Lincoln, Neb. (By W. J. O’Brien.)

Conway, R. J., Director Aquarium, Belle Isle, Detroit, Mich.
(By Frank N. Clark.)

Cutter, William, Mill Creek, Mich. (By Dwight Lydell.)

Cheyney, John K., Tarpon Springs, Florida. (By H. M.
Smith. )

Davies, David, Bureaw of Fisheries, Northville, Mich. (By
Frank N. Clark.)

Delaney, O. J., 129 Front St., New York. (By H. M. Smith.)

Dickinson, G. C., Fish Culturist, Harrietta, Mich. (By Seymour
Bower. )

Evans, A. Kelly, Secretary Ontario Fish and Game Protective
Association, 25 Front St., Hast Toronto, Ontario. (By T.S.
Palmer. )

Grill, John H., Vice President, Minnesota Fish and Game Com-
mission, Sherburne, Minn. (By Samuel F. Fullerton.)

16 Thirty-fifth Annual Meeting

Hankinson, T. L., Charleston, Ill. (By Prof. J. E. Reighard.)

Hartman, Philip, Hrie Hatchery, Erie, Pa. (By W. W. Mee-
han.)

Hughes, Wilham H., Vice President Missouri Fish Commission.
221 Wainwright Bldg., St. Lowis, Mo. (By C. W. Willard.)

Johnson, O. J., President Minnesota Game and Fish Association;
Glenwood, Minn. (By Samuel F. Fullerton.)

Leisenring, W. A., Mauch Chunk, Pa. (By W. E. Meehan.)
Locher, William, Kalamazoo, Mich. (By Frank Lydell.)

Marty, John M., Fish Culturist, Minnesota Fish and Game
Commission, St. Paul, Minn. (By Samuel F. Fullerton.)

Pennington, Robert, Wilmington, Delaware. (By H. M. Smith.)
Porter, Richard, President Missourr Fish Commission, Paris,
Mo. (By C. W. Willard.)

Shortal, J. M., Secretary Missouri Fish Commission, 906 Chest-
nut St., St. Lows, Mo. (By C. W. Willard.)

Thomas, H. G., Bureau of Fisheries Station, Put-in-Bay, Ohio.
(By J. W. Titcomb. )

Tinker, Eugene, Corry Hatchery, Corry, Pa. (By W. E. Mee-
han.)

Waddell, John, Grand Rapids. (By Frank Lydell.)
Whipple, James 8., Forest, Fish and Game Commission, Capitol,

Albany. (By John D. Whish.)

Wolters, Charles A., Prospect Brewery, 12th and Mervine Sts.,

Philadelphia, Pa. (By W. E. Meehan.)

Motion made and seconded that the rules of the society be
suspended and that the secretary be authorized to cast the unani-
mous ballot of the meeting electing the foregoing applicants to
membership in the society.

Motion unanimously carried.
The secretary cast the ballot. pursuant to the motion.

President: ‘The applicants are unanimously elected to mem-
bership in this society.

American Fisheries Society. life

The following gentlemen were unanimously elected honorary
members of the society:

Prof. Dr. Franz Steindachner, Royal Natural History Museum,
Vienna, Austria.

Prof. Edmond Perrier, Director National Museum of Natural
History, Paris, France.

*Prof. P. P. C. Hoek, Scientific Fishery Adviser of the Dutch
Government, The Hague, Holland.

Dr. Oscar von Grimm, Inspector-General of Fisheries, St. Peters-
burg, Russia.

Mr. Franz von Pirko, President Austrian Fishery Society, Vien-
na, Austria. :

Mr. Guiseppe Besana, President Lombardy Fishery Society, Via
Torino 51, Milan, Italy.

Dr. Decio Vinciguerra, Director Royal Fish Cultural Station
and Aquarium, Rome, Italy.

Mr. Fred J. Adams, Grand Rapids, Mich.

President: Before we take a recess for our luncheon I will
inquire if there is any specific matter that ought to be brought
up at this time. If there is we can consider it.

It devolves upon the presiding officer to appoint standing
committees. I have busied myself as well as I could during the
morning hour, and in view of the fact that there is always more
or less of a contest on two important matters, I have deemed it
wise to name two of the committees now and reserve the privil-
ege, if I may, of naming the other committees some time during
the afternoon session.

The first committee that the presiding officer is called upon
to name is that on nominations. The other is the committee on
location. Of course, in regard to the first, | know myself that it
is a high honor and that there will be various applicants and I
thought, if that committee was named now so that those who
have claims to present would have the time to do it, it might be
perhaps more conyenient. As to the location, we all know that
there are a great many places that seek to have us hold our meet-
ing there, and likewise there would probably be some contest,

*On furlough until autumn 1907, as General Secretary to the Interna-
tional Council for the Study of the Sea, Copenhagen, Denmark.

18 Thirty-fifth Annual Meeting

and I have, therefore, thought it wise to name that committee as
well.

For the committee on nominations I have thought the society
could do no better than to have me name Mr. Henry T. Root as
the chairman. 'The other members of that committee are Mr.
Frank N. Clark of Northville; our old friend who is somewhat ill
but has been a long while with the society and a valued member
of it, whom you all know, Mr. J. J. Hogan of La Crosse, Wis. ;
Dr. T. H. Bean, whom you all know, who has been with us a
long time, and Mr. 8. P. Wires.

As committee on location I will name the following gentle-
men: Samuel F. Fullerton, Mr. W. E. Meehan, Mr. C. W. Will-
ard, Mr. Herbert D. Dean, and Dr. E. A. Birge.

Mr. Clark: There is one important committee I think neces-
sary at this time which is a programme committee for the pres-
ent meeting. We have always had one appointed.

President: I think this suggestion is wise and with the per-
mission of the society I will name our worthy secretary, Mr. Pea-
body, as chairman, Mr. John W. Titcomb and Mr. Dwight Ly-
dell.

I desire to suggest at this time that the Grand Rapids com-
mittee on arrangements, as some of you and perhaps all of you
know, have arranged for a banquet some time tomorrow evening.
It has been suggested to me that seven o’clock would be a con-
venient hour. One of the reasons why that hour has been sug-
gested is this: they have most graciously put at the disposal of
this society an electric car or sufficient electric cars to transport
the entire society to the Lakeside Club, where the banquet is to
be held, and it was suggested in the same connection that a visit
to the state hatchery at Mill Creek be taken also in the after-
noon, so that we could take the car about four or five o’clock, or
whatever time is agreed upon, and go down to the hatchery, look
that over, and then the same car would transport us to the Lake-
side Club where we have our banquet.

It will be remembered by those who attended the meeting last
year that a resolution was adopted, which, of course, would not
be binding upon this meeting but was a suggestion, that the fore-
noon of the second day of the meeting should be given up entire-

American Fisheries Society. ; 19

ly to committee meetings and be an open date, so far as the so-
ciety was concerned; but if you should determine to take the
afternoon to go over to the hatchery, perhaps the suggestion that
we meet in the morning to transact some business and have some
papers read would not be out of the way, and if that meets with
your views we will do so.

Mr. Root: I move that when we meet we meet here tomorrow
morning at 9:30 o’clock for the transaction of any business that

may come before us.

Mr. Titcomb: Was not this committee on programme ap-
pointed for the purpose of laying out the whole of this business
from now until we get through ?

President: Yes. I suppose we had better refer the whole
matter to the committee on programme.

Mr. Clark: I move that this matter be referred to the com-
mittee on programme.
Motion seconded and unanimously carried.

President: 1 take the liberty in behalf of the society to
thank our friend, the mayor, and Mr. Felger as representing the
Sportsmen’s Association, for their kind words and for their in-
vitation, and while I shall not avail myself of the suggestion to
visit the places suggested by the mayor, undoubtedly a great
many members of the society will. (Laughter. )

A recess was here taken until 2:30 p. m., same day and place.

AFTERNOON SESSION.

Same day, Tuesday, July 24, 1906, 2:30 p. m., same place.
Meeting called to order by the president.

President: I understand that the programme committee is
ready to report, and as we are without any real order of business
until we get that report, I will call for the reading of it now.

Mr. George F. Peabody of Appleton: The committee recom-
mends the adoption of the following programme:

Tuesday, July 24, 1906, 2:30 p. m.

Reports of committees and unfinished business.

20 . TLhirty-fifth Annual Meeting

Election of members always in order.

Reading and discussion of papers in the order suggested by
committee on programme.

Adjourn 5:30 p. m. j

Evening session at 8 p. m. sharp at Ryerson library.

Illustrated lecture by Professor J. E. Reighard.

The subject of that lecture is Nest Building Fishes of Michi-
gan.

Wednesday, July 25. Meet at 9 a. m.

Reading and discussion of papers.

Adjourn at 1 p. m. until 3 p. m.

At 3 p.m. take special car or cars in front of Hotel Pantlind
for Mill Creek Hatchery.

Paper by Dwight Lydell, also by Professor Reighard.

Return from Mill Creek to Lakeside Club without stop.

Guests of the club for the evening.

Thursday, July 26.

Leave Union Depot at 7:30 a. m. for Paris.

Hold a meeting there after examining the station.

Have dinner as guests of Michigan Fish Commission.

Leave Mill Creek at 2:20 p. m. for Grand Rapids.

Meeting will then adjourn.

President: In regard to the trip to the Paris Hatchery I
would state that, of course, we would expect all the members and
guests of the society to go, and we certainly hope and expect that
our friends will come along with us so that we may enjoy the
trip and the inspection of the hatchery, and probably get in some-
where during the time a business meeting as well.

We will now receive the report of the secretary.

Secretary: Mr. President, the secretary’s report is embodied
in the published proceedings for last year, which covers the en-
tire report. These proceedings are in the hands of every member

of the society.

President: It seems to me that it is a most complete report
in every detail.

Mr. Root: I move that the report be received and adopted.
Motion seconded and unanimously carried.

American Fisheries Society. 21

President: We will now receive the reports of standing
committees, and first the executive committee.

Mr. Meehan: I shall have to hand in the report in writing
a little later to the committee, but I can give it to you verbally.
I could not give it in writing before because some of the data
had not been handed to me until this morning. I have to report
that during the year there were seven deaths in the membership
reported to either the treasurer or myself.

W. Osborne of Duluth, Minnesota, who died April 1. 1905.

W. E. Robinson of Mackinaw City, Michigan, who died in
1905.

E. St. George Tucker, who died in Halifax in 1904.

J. C. Willetts, New York City, who died August 31, 1905.

Judge Uri Lamprey, St. Paul, Minnesota, May, 1906.

Robert B. Roosevelt, New York, June, 1906.

Charles lL. Miller, Altoona, Pa., Oct. 21, 1905.

Charles Walters, Jr., Philadelphia, Oct. 13, 1905.

Henry C. Demuth, Lancaster, Pa., May 30, 1906.

Mr. Demuth was for many years connected with the fishery
interests of Pennsylvania, having been the treasurer of the old
fish commission for seven years, and was a co-laborer on the
board with the late Henry C. Ford whom we all knew as promi-
nent in the fish cultural work of Pennsylvania between 1880 and
1895.

I also have to report that another and great step has been
taken toward securing practically uniform laws for the protec-
tion of fish in Lake Erie, Ohio, having passed last winter laws
practically the same as Pennsylvania did the year before. A bill
was introduced into the New York legislature—I heard inform-
ally that it has passed—but apparently it has not, at least Mr.
Whish informs me that he does not know positively that it has

been passed. Canada, of course, does not need to enact special
legislation but will adopt similar regulations as soon as all the
states bordering on Lake Erie adopt practically uniform laws.

We have also had some correspondence in connection with the
International Fisheries Society, but that matter is largely in the
hands of Dr. Smith.

22 Thirty-fifth Ann wal Meeting

Mr. Titcomb: I move that the report be accepted and adopt-
ed; that the list of names of the deceased members be referred to
the committee on resolutions for proper action in this connec-

tion.
Motion seconded and unanimously carried.

Mr. Titcomb: As a member of the committee on foreign re-
lations I wish to present a matter at this time, because it must
be attended to now if at all. You will probably remember Mr.
De Puy, a comparatively new member from New York, who at-
tended the last meeting of the society. He is going on a two years’
trip, and he will visit many countries—in fact nearly all the
countries in the world—before he returns. He is an enthusiastic
angler and very much interested in the society. I offer a reso-
lution this afternoon in order that it may reach him when he
takes his boat. If it is mailed tomorrow morning by the sec-
retary it will do so.

The resolution is as follows:

Resolved by the American Fisheries Society, here assembled
in annual meeting, that Mr. Henry F. De Puy be added to the
committee on foreign relations and made a delegate of this so-
ciety to all foreign countries which he may visit during his con-
templated sojourn abroad.

Tt is further resolved that the secretary be instructed to send
a copy of these resolutions to Mr. De Puy with the best wishes of
the society for a pleasant trip; and a formal certificate addressed
“To whom it may concern,” stating that Mr. De Puy is a dele-
gate authorized to confer with fish culturists and to represent
this society at any meetings or conferences he may find it con-
venient to attend during his absence in foreign countries; said
certificate to be signed by the president and the secretary of the
society.

Motion made, seconded, and unanimously carried adopting
_ the resolution.

Mr. John E. Gunckel of Toledo, O.: Within the past twenty-
five years I have been recording secretary several times, and when
I was recording secretary you always asked for my report. You
still have a recording secretary and I would like to hear his re-
port so as to learn what improvements have been made since the

Ca)
ee)

American Fisheries Society.

time when I held office. You know, of course, I live in Toledo
and have the reputation of being the biggest fish har in the
United States; but I continually receive letters of inquiry from
foreign countries, and some very curious scientific questions are
being asked me. The angling part of it I take a great deal of
pleasure in answering, but you would be surprised to see the cor-
respondence I have from foreign countries about the American
Fisheries Society, although I have not been recording secretary
for many years.

Mr. Peabody: As recording secretary I would lke to ask
why the gentleman does not refer this correspondence to the
present recording secretary ?

Mr. Gunekel: I generally refer everything of a scientific
nature to you, but as to the other matters I perform my duties
under my salary and answer the communications myself.

Mr. Peabody: JI have a communication from Dr. Smith
that perhaps would come under the head of unfinished business.
It is as follows:

You will reeall that I corresponded with the officers and the
executive committee relative to an award to be offered by the
Society at the next International Fishery Congress. All re-
sponded favorably, and the majority of those who suggested any
subject for the award mentioned fish diseases. Accordingly, I
made the following announcement in the circular which has been
sent to the members:

“By the American Fisheries Society: For a paper embody-
ing the most important original observations and investigations
regarding the cause, treatment and prevention of a disease affect-
ing a species of fish under cultivation, $100 in gold.”

Will you please bring this matter to the notice of the Society,
and have the foregoing action ratified ?

Dr. Birge: I move that the action of Dr. Smith be ratified
and accepted as the action of the society.

Motion seconded and unanimously carried.

Prof. Jacob Reighard then presented a paper on “The Identi-

fication for Legal Purposes of Mutilated or Dressed Specimens
of Whitefish and Herring from the Great Lakes.”

24 Thirty-fifth Annual Meeting

Prof. Reighard: This paper and the one that follows on
the programme are announced as illustrated by lantern slides.
When the local committee made its arrangements, they thought,
from the fact that lantern slides were mentioned in the pro-
gramme that this paper might be suitable for the general public
and therefore placed it in the evening. On learning of this ac-
tion I undertook to give an evening lecture that would possibly
interest the general public more than this paper, and I have
therefore cut out the lantern shdes from this paper, but I have
here three or four photographs which will serve to illustrate it.

Mr. Samuel F. Fullerton of St. Paul, Minnesota, read a
paper on “Protection as an Aid to Propagation.”

Mr. George F. Peabody then read a paper by Mr. Albert
Rosenberg of Kalamazoo, Michigan: “Some Experiments in
the Propagation of Rainbow Trout.”

Mr. Titcomb then read a paper by Dr. Hugh M. Smith, on
“Fishery Legislation before the Fifty-ninth Congress,” (first
session ).

Mr. Titcomb: I think it would be a good idea if the society
could have at each meeting the bound volumes of the proceed-
ings of the society for all the years. My suggestion is that the
secretary be authorized to have a set of the transactions of the
society bound and put in a proper box which can be taken from
one meeting to another, and during the sessions be accessible to
all the members, and I make a motion to that effect.

Motion seconded and unanimously carried.

Mr. Titcomb: I move that the auditing committee be also
made a committee to co-operate with the se¢retary and treasurer,
in order to weed out delinquent and deceased members from the
present list and revise the list for the next publication. Some
of the addresses now given are wrong. Some have passed away,
and Mr. Willard can undoubtedly report on some who have not
paid for years. Is not that so?

Mr. Willard: I can.
Motion seconded and unanimously carried.

President: I will appoint as the auditing committee:

American Fisheries Society. 25

Mr. George M. Brown, of Michigan; Mr. A. D. Roberts, of Rhode
Island; Mr. R. 8. Johnson, of Iowa.

As members of the committee on resolutions I will appoint:
Mr. John D. Whish, of New York; Mr. W. E. Meehan, of Penn-
sylvania; Mr. John W. Titcomb, of Washington, D. C.

Mr. Meehan read a statement of the fish distributed by Penn-
sylvania from January 1, 1906 to July 1, 1906.

Adjourned to 8 o’clock p. m., same day, at the Ryerson Pub-
he Library.
EVENING SESSION.

Public Library, same day, 8 p. m. Prof. Jacob Reighard
delivered a lecture on the subject of the Domestic Life of Fishes
that Build Nests and Take Care of Their Eggs.

Adjourned to next day, Wednesday, July 25, 1906.

Wednesday, July 25, 1906.

Board of Trade Building, Grand Rapids, Michigan, July 25,
1906, 10a.m. Meeting called to order by the President.

Mr. Titcomb: There is an organization in this country
called the American Breeders’ Association, formed two years
ago by the Assistant Secretary of Agriculture. This association
has taken up the work of improving breeds of animals and plants.
You have undoubtedly all read about Burbank’s work out in Cali-
fornia, the wonderful things he has accomplished in plant life
of all kinds.

Now the American Breeders’ Association has the work divid-
ed up by committees, each committee having a special line. I
was made chairman of the committee on fish breeding and was
requested to ask the co-operation of all members of this society
in certain lines. For instance, we would like to know from every
one who has done any work on hybridization of fishes, details as
to what they have done, and how far the work has been carried.
We would like to have every one who has done any fish cultural
work, or who has had any opportunity to do fish cultural work,
continue still farther these attempts to cross different species.

26 Thirty-fifth Annual Meeting

Now it is very surprising to think that you can take the eggs of a
50-pound rock bass and fertilize them with the milt of the herr-
ing, or the opposite, though, of course, with that class of fish it
is almost impossible to carry your experiments to a conclusion,
because the fish are liberated as fry and go to the ocean. But
we want to take up this subject of hybridization on a larger scale,
cross the inferior species perhaps with some finer ones, and rear
the fish to see if we can get any results by continual attempts
at crossing.

Then this committee wants to take up some other subjects.
This will apply more to the commercial hatcheries such as im-
provement by selection. We would like reports on what has
been done by commercial breeders, breeding for increase on egg
production, breeding for resistance or immunity to disease.
There is a large field in those directions, and the data on what
has been done in the past are very limited.

The committee appointed by this association consists, besides
the chairman, of Mr. Seymour Bower, of Detroit; Mr. C. A.
Vogelsang, of San Francisco; Mr. Charles G. Atkins, of East
Orland, Me.; Mr. C. C. Wood, of Plymouth, Mass.; Mr. H. M.
Smith, of Washington, D. C.; Mr..W. J. Moenkhaus, of Bloom-
ington, Ind.; Mr. A. D. Mead, of Providence, Rhode Island; Mr.
H. J. Wolf, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and Dr. George W.
Field, of Boston, Massachusetts.

Mr. Meehan: Do I understand you to say that there was
successful fertilization between the rock-fish or striped bass and
the herring ?

Mr. Titcomb: Yes sir.

Mr. Clark: By what association was this committee ap-
pointed ?

Mr. Titcomb: Appointed by the American Breeders’ Asso-
elation which really originated in the Department of Agriculture.
The association advised this committee, and I think this ‘society
ought to co-operate with it in every way they can.

Prof. Reighard: That is a committee of the Breeders’

Association and not of this society.

Oo
we

American Fisheries Society.

Mr. Titcomb: That is true.

Mr. President: Any suggestion or resolution in connection
with this?

Mr. Titcomb: No. I thought it would get on the record in
the report in this way, so that the members would contribute
when anything occurs to them.

President: It occurs to the president that this is a very
wide subject. The representatives from the different states who
are in charge of fish culture in those states, would do well to
take heed to these suggestions by Mr. Titcomb, with a view to
ascertaining what results can be produced. In a year or two we
will be getting reports I believe that will be of value to all the
states.

We will now listen to the report of the committee on nomina-
tions.

Mr. Root: When you appointed me on this committee you
gave me what you beheved to be a pretty difficult task. You
were never more mistaken in your life. I never sat on a com-
mittee where there was more unanimity. There was not a sug-
gestion contrary to what I shall report. Of course in a society
of this size there are a great many men who are worthy of being
president and capable of it and whom we would like to see in
that office but we cannot all get there the same year.

The first nomination made was of a gentleman for.president
and these are in-

who not only has an international reputation
ternational days, you know—we have to have a little “‘interna-
tional” in everything—but he also has a great local reputation
as a scientist and practical fish culturist; and I am glad to say
that he is one of your western men. Without further remarks I
will put in nomination the list decided on in a very few minutes
with perfect unanimity.

For President, Dr. E. A. Birge, of Madison, Wis.

For Vice President, Dr. H. M. Smith, of Washington, D. C.

And let me say right here that Dr. Smith would naturally
have been nominated for president this year, but we all know
of the great international congress that is coming, and it was
the feeling of the committee that he should be nominated for

28 Thirty-fifth Annual Meeting

our president next year. Of course that will be for the next
year’s meeting of the society to say.

For Recording Secretary, George F. Peabody, of Appleton,
Wisconsin.

For Corresponding Secretary, Charles G. Atkins, of East
Orland, Me.

We had a good deal more discussion about the treasurer than
anything else. (Laughter. )

C. W. Willard, of Westerly, Rhode Island.

Executive Committee :

John D. Whish, Chairman, Albany, New York.

Mr. E. Hart Geer, Hadlyme, Conn.

EAS: Henshall, Bozeman, Mont.

S. F. Fullerton, St. Paul, Minn.

Prof. Reighard: I move that the rules be suspended and
that the secretary be instructed to cast the unanimous ballot of
the society for the entire hst of nominees as read by the chair-
man.

Seconded, unanimously carried and so done.

Dr. Birge was called for. (Great applause.)

Dr. Birge: I feel it is a great honor to.be elected president
of this society. I shall endeavor to perform the duties of the
office to the best of my ability, and | trust the meeting over
which I hope to preside a year from now will be a successful one.

(Mr. Titcomb called for.)

Mr. Titeomb: I am sure if I say anything for Dr. Smith I
shall be talking for a man that won’t blow for himself; he is
one of the most modest men I ever knew, a thorough gentleman,
who is well posted on the work of the Bureau of Fisheries, the
results of many years’ experience. His heart is in this work
and in the later years I have -been pleased to see him take such
an active interest in this society. I think he has secured more
members in the last two years than any other member here. I
am sure we have not made a mistake in honoring him with the
position of vice president and I hope on the occasion of the Inter-
national Fisheries Congress that he will be the president of this
society.

American, Fisheries Society. 29

President: J know you will all be glad to hear from the
newly elected chairman of the executive committee.

Mr. Whish: Mr. President and gentlemen, after reading our
constitution carefully and consulting with the members of the
committee, I will know more about what this committee is ex-
pected to do than at the present time. Of course our progress
will be largely guided by the very efficient executive committee
preceding this committee. A considerable experience in organ-
ized bodies has led me to believe that the executive committee is
not a place for play. It ought to be a place for work, and in a
body like this, for a lot of good work. The able men with whom
I shall be associated will undoubtedly make up for deficiencies
on my part; and I sincerely hope the work this new committee
does will be as satisfactory to the society as has been the work
of similar committees in the past. Any suggestions which any
member may have in mind will be gladly received by this com-
mittee, I know. I shall be glad at any time to hear any sugges-
tions from any member of the society, and inasmuch as my
name is easily written and my address is readily remembered,
there will be no difficulty in reaching me, there being fortunately
only one family of my name in the United States that I know,
and certainly only one man of that name located in the capitol
at Albany.

Thank you for the very high honor I have received. (Great
applause. )

(Secretary Peabody was called for.)

Mr. Peabody: Gentlemen, I feel very grateful for the honor
of being continued as secretary, but my gratitude is somewhat
tempered by the knowledge that the only reason I am made
secretary is because nobody else will take the office, (great
laughter) and I must admit that there are some defects perhaps
in my administration. It is very difficult to keep a correct record
of the addresses. There is a very large number of men belonging
to the society whose dwelling place changes, and I would ask
every one to be particular and send me any change of address,
that it may be properly recorded, so that all the members may get
the documents, pamphlets and whatever is sent out by the
ciety.

mM

O-

30 Thirty-fifth Annual Meeting

President: The general promoter of the financial welfare
of the society is called for—Mr. Willard.

Mr. Willard: I did not hear any one call for me.
President: I can speak louder. (Laughter. )

Mr. Willard: I deem it an honor to serve this society in any
capacity and I thank you very much for this further evidence of
your confidence and esteem, and I will try to serve you as faith-
fully in the future as I have in the past. If there is a shortage
IT will make it up. (Great applause.) If there is a superabun-
dance of funds I will divide with you. (Laughter. )

President: That is very fair indeed.

I am glad to see the society return to a course which I be-
heve is the wisest it can pursue, in selecting for its president
such a man as Dr. Birge. I have honestly felt that while I am
identified somewhat with the fish cultural work of Michigan,
am not a well-known scientist, and indeed not a scientist at all,
and it has seemed to me during the entire time that I have held
this office that the interests of the society would have been much
better promoted had it then selected some well known scientist
of international reputation as its president; and it is well for the
society to return to the policy of selecting such men as Dr. Birge,
and other men whom I hope in the future will follow, as chief
executive officers of this society. I am glad to say to Dr. Birge
that the society in honoring him, in my opinion, has still more
honored itself. As my predecessor said to me, I am obliged to
say to you, that | cannot at this moment yield up the gavel to
you, but at the close of the meeting here I shall turn it over to
you with the utmost pleasure.

(Great applause. )

Dr. Birge: May I say just a word in reply to your kind
words? I feel deeply the honor to science as well as the personal
honor involyed in my election as president. Yet I should feel
it a very great misfortune to this society if that policy which you
indicate should be adopted and pursued regularly. The great
charm of this society, to all of us who are members, Hes in the
fact that it brings together not merely the scientists but all

American Fisheries Society. 31

those who are interested in fish culture, from every point of view.
The standing of the society in the United States depends on the
strong union of all interests for fish culture, and on having all
of those interests represented in the society and in its officers.
IT am very glad, Mr. President, that you were elected President
last year. It would be a misfortune if men who are interested
in the practical culture of fish as you are, should feel themselves
im any way barred from the control of the affairs of the society.
Such a misfortune is impossible since a most important part of
the control of the affairs of such a society as this comes from
men who are interested from the point of view which you and
your fellows in the society hold.

I need not say that the remarks of the President in regard to
his own administration were altogether too modest because we
all of us appreciate the success which the society has had during
the past year and to which he has contributed so much.

Mr. Clark: If I am not trespassing upon the time of this
society I would like to say, as a member of long standing in the
organization, also as a practical fish culturist and not a scientist,
I would like to say to Dr. Birge and the members, that the
practical side of fish culture from now on must have more of the
help of the scientist. In other words the successful practical
fish culturist of today has to be a scientist so far as possible.
We have come to that day and age when our farming, breeding
and nearly all other pursuits are followed on well based scientific
principles, and we must have more of the help of the scientist
in fish cultural work. Therefore, I say, let the scientist element
have better recognization than has been shown in the past.

President: [I am compelled to tell a short story in regard to
the outcome of this election. Away back in the 8)’s the State
of Michigan had a very furious canvass on for the nomination for
the position of governor, in the republican party. I think there
were six candidates and all had about the same number of fol-
lowers in the conventicn. The late Roswell G. Horr presided
at that convention, and what he said to that convention before
it opened its labors I would like to have regarded as said to this
society with regard to the outcome here. He said, “Gentlemen,
you are all here, each one earnestly active in support of his own

Os
oo

Thirty-fifth Annual Meeting

candidate, and*thinking that the world swings around and will
be governed by the success of his own candidate; but when it is
all over and the final ballot is cast, every one of you will see then
that the hand of Providence was in it from the start.” (Laughter
and applause. )

Is there any miscellaneous business to be taken up at this
time?

Secretary: I should like to read the following communica-
tion:

Silver Lake, Mass., July 18th, 1906.
Mr. Geo. F. Peabody, Secretary, Grand Rapids, Mich.

Dear Sir: It is with sorrow that I write you that my father,
Mr. George FI’. Lane, passed away yesterday.

He has been failing the last two years and died of a weakened
heart.

He was taken away when the prospects of the trout business
seemed the best, as he had more stock on hand at the time of his
death than ever before. Yours truly,

Harry L. LANE.

(This communication was referred to the committee on reso-
lutions. )

Mr. Titcomb then read a paper on Progress and Experiments
in Fish Culture in the Bureau of Fisheries During the Fiscal
Year 1906.

Mr. Seymour Bower: I would like to have the chair take a
rising vote as to the number of members who will go to Paris
tomorrow.

President: It is rather necessary in order to make arrange-
ments with the railroads that we know exactly who will go to
Paris tomorrow, and in order to ascertain that, before Mr.
Atkins starts with his paper, I will ask you to rise, stand and be
counted.

Mr. Dean: There are some strangers here and we would
like to know about the fare, ete.

Mr. Bower: If fifty go the fare will be $1.85 for the round

American Fisheries Society. 33

trip. If we cannot get fifty they will probably make a little
higher rate, but will give special rates. If there are any strang-
ers here who have not been to Paris, they will miss the oppor-
tunity of their lives if they do not go. The wild trout for a good
dinner are all caught and ready to be dressed.

President: As I understand, everything has been caught
but the men.

Mr. Dean: What time can we return to Grand Rapids?

Mr. Bower: We leave Grand Rapids at 7:30 in the morn-
ing and return here at 4:45 p. m.

A vote was taken and thirty-three said they would go.

Mr. Charles G. Atkins of East Orland, Me., read a paper on
the subject of Experiments in the Fasting of Fry.

Dr. E. A. Birge then read a paper on the subject of Gases
Dissolved in the Waters of Wisconsin Lakes.

Mr. Brown: In the absence of the President a couple of
weeks ago, and in the line of our interests in beautifying our
grounds as an object lesson at one place, and at another to beau-
tify them and to protect the springs and streams that furnish
the water of our hatcheries, I wrote to Prof. Filibert Roth of
the Michigan University, asking him if he would make a few
remarks on the line of forestry, which I thought would be easily
adapted to our and many United States Stations very much to
their advantage. He,is present with us and we would like to
have him give us the benefit of his experience.

Prof. Roth then addressed the society on the subject of The
Fisherman and Reforestation.

Mr. Meehan then explained a new type of jars for hatching,
designed by himself.

President: There are on the table here some circulars with
reference to the International Fisheries Congress to be held in
1908 at Washington, showing the awards of premiums offered for
different papers. They he on the table and we will be glad to
have the members take them as they pass out.

34 Thirty-fifth Annual Meeting

An adjournment was then taken to 3 o’clock p. m., same day,
at Mill Creek.

AFTERNOON SESSION.

Mill Creek Hatchery, 4:30 p. m., same day. Convention
called to order by the president.

Mr. Seymour Bower read a paper by Mr. Dwight Lydell of
Mill Creek, on the subject of The Bass at Mill Creek Station.

Secretary Peabody: I have received a letter from Mr. Henry
W. Beeman, of New Preston, Connecticut, who has been raising
small-mouth black bass for about four years and has had re-
markable success in their propagation. I requested a paper from
him on the subject, but he has been too busy to prepare one, and
he simply wrote a letter that has a few points in it that might
be noteworthy to those interested in black bass.

The secretary then read the letter referred to.

Mr. Clark then read a paper by Mr. J. J. Stranahan of Cold
Springs Station, Bureau of Fisheries, on Assorting Brood Black
Bass to Prevent Cannibalism.

Mr. Lydell explained the advantages of Sherwin & Williams
Pure Atchison Graphite Paint, for painting screens.

Mr. John L. Price, of Drayton Plains, Michigan, explained
the advantages of a device invented by him, consisting of a
tube for aerating water.

Meeting adjourned to conyene at Lakeside Club, Grand
Rapids, Michigan, at 8 p. m., same day.

EVENING SESSION.

At 8 p. m. a banquet under the auspices of the Consolidated
Sportsman’s Club was given at the Lakeside Club, Reed’s Lake.
Mr. Fred J. Adams acted as toastmaster. He said that he
thought Michigan had one of the best fish’ commissions in the
country, and that it was entirely out of politics; that the appro-
priation of the commission was small, but that they made every
dollar count.

“Our lakes and streams are in excellent condition and they

American Fisheries Society. 35

would be in still better condition if they were properly protected,
and the method of protection is a problem that still confronts
TS - 2 :

President Joslyn: I am very glad to hear these remarks of
Mr. Adams commendatory on the work of the fish commission.
I am proud to say that we really never have had any politics in
the commission.

We have believed that the work in which the commission is
engaged is a serious one; we have believed furthermore that it
was a work which would interest the people of the state. We
are engaged in the same work that you gentlemen of the society
are engaged in—work not for ourselves, not for our immediate
friends or relatives, but almost exclusively a work for those who
are to come after us. Because of the character of our work we
believe we can see what the future is to bring forth in regard to
the food fishes of this country, unless some work like that in
which we are engaged is done; and so 1 take pleasure in saying
that, so far as the Michigan Fish Commission is concerned, and
1 know that so far as our society is concerned, we have let poli-
tics severely alone and given our whole time and attention to the
work which we had in hand, and that is the reason, Mr. Toast-
master, why we could give so little time to the generous propos-
tions for entertainment which you made when you found out
that we were coming to Grand Rapids. But I will say io you,
and I believe the members of this society will agree with me,
that the papers which have been read at the meetings thus far
held in’Grand Rapids, and the discussions which followed the
reading of those papers, have been of the very best, and will, be-
yond all question, be productive of good results, not only of ad-
vantage to us in Michigan, but to every fish and game com-
mission throughout the United States which has had repre-
sentatives here to hear and take part in these discussions.

I take occasion here now, because it probably will not again be
afforded me, as our time will be fully taken up with other mat-
ters tomorrow, to say to you one and all that I most thoroughly
and gratefully appreciate the honor which you gave to me a
year ago, of presiding over your deliberations. It is an honor
which I shall always remember and I realize that even if our

36 Thirty-fifth Annual Meeting

constitution did not prohibit, the years which have rolled over
my head are so many that in the ordinary course of a lifetime,
it is an honor which can never come to me again, and I want to
return my thanks to this society for the courteous manner with
which they have carried on their deliberations, and the respect
they have paid each other and the dignity of the society, and I
thank you gentlemen, one and all. (Great applause.)

The toastmaster then called upon the president-elect, Dr. E.
A. Birge. (Great applause.)

Dr. Birge: There is only one thing I want to say and that
perhaps I may say as coming from the next door neighbor of
the state of Michigan. ‘The state of Wisconsin has looked to
Michigan for many good things. I know that perhaps better
than any of you here, because we who have belonged to state uni-
versities anywhere in the country, look toward the University of
Michigan as the mother of the state universities of the country.
We have looked to Michigan for a great many years for help in
state university affairs and have never failed to find it, we have
looked to the University of Michigan as representing in a very
high sense the State of Michigan, and we have been proud to
recognize the state and the university together. As a member
of the Fish Commission of a sister state, I may say that there
too we have had great assistance from Michigan in carrying on
our work. We, too, have had no politics in our commission ; our
employees have been with us, many of them, all their lives. Ten,
fifteen and even twenty years they have served us, and we expect
them to serve us as long as they live. They have been efficient
men and we do not know or care what their politics are. Poli-
ticians have always let us alone; we have not had politics thrust
upon us, and we have not in any way courted politics ourselves.
We have attended to the propagation of fish, and in working in
that way have found ourselves in full sympathy with the efforts
of the commissioners on this side of Lake Michigan. We have
felt that their policy strengthened ours, and sometimes hoped
that our policy on our side of the lake has been of advantage
to them when they needed it. And the policy of the fish com-
missioners, as I have known them in general, seems to have been
that of this Fisheries Society, organized for work rather than

American Fisheries Society. 37

for play, organized for business rather than for junketing trips.
And so while we have met here, Mr. Toastmaster, and have en-
joyed your kind hospitality, and are grateful for all your kind-
ness, we, in some sense, are glad that we could not enjoy it any
more, because we feel that we have accomplished in some meas-
ure the work which our states have sent us here to do.

Adjourned to meet at Paris, Michigan, next day, Thursday,
July 26, 1906, at 11 a. m.

Thursday, July 26, 1906.
Paris, Michigan, July 26, 1906, 11 a. m.

Meeting called to order at the grounds of the State Fish Com-
mission, by the president.

President: If you will come to order we will transact a
little business. There is yet some unfinished business and some
few reports that have not been made, and I think we will trans-
act the business first. JI understand that there are those who
desire to ask some questions about this hatchery. If there is
time we will take that up after the transaction of business.

The report of the Auditing Committee is now in order.
Mr. Brown: We checked the bills and accounts and certified
on the report of the treasurer its correctness.

Report unanimously adopted.

President: We will now hear the report of the Committee
on Foreign Relations, Mr. Atkins.

Mr. Atkins: Mr. President and gentlemen, the committee
on foreign relations has prepared a report of which I think the
volume will be a little too much to read to you now, and I will
therefore beg to read the introductory pages and some of the
details, and will then file the report.

Mr. Atkins then read the report.

On motion of Mr. Meehan the report was received and
‘accepted.

38 Thirty-fifth Annual Meeting

Report of the Committee on Resolutions by Mr. Whish,

chairman.

Mr. Meehan has prepared resolutions of regret on those who
have passed away. I suggest that inasmuch as the late Robert
Roosevelt was president of the society, more detailed obituary
notice be prepared of his death, for next year.

1 would like to offer a resolution in this connection relative
to the very handsome treatment we have received at the hands of
the Sportsmen’s Club at Grand Rapids.

Resolved, that the consideration shown to the American
Fisheries Society by the people of Grand Rapids, and especially
by the Board of Trade, whose commodious meeting room was
placed at our disposal, merits hearty thanks, and that the sec-
retary convey the hearty appreciation of the society for courtesies
received.

Resolved, that thanks be tendered to the Sportsmen’s Club
for the handsome entertainment given this society. We found
them to be true gentlemen and we congratulate them on their
work for the preservation of the fish and game of Michigan.

It has seemed to me that in view of the very remarkable
practical work which we have seen of the commission in this
state, that something should be said expressing the appreciation
of the society, as shown individually and collectively in its dis-
cussion of this work.

Resolved, that the visits paid by the American Fisheries
Society to the several hatcheries of the Michigan State Fish
Commission, disclose how advanced and extensive is their work,
and the society congratulate the commission on its position in
the front rank of fish culture.

Resolved, that the heartiest thanks of this society are extend-
ed to President Joslyn and his associates for their earnest and
successful efforts in advancing the interests of this society.

American Fisheries Society. 39

ROBERT BARNWELL ROOSEVELT.
Born, August 7, 1829.
Died, June 14, 1906.

A kindly man who loved the gentle art of angling, and whose
interest in his favorite sport led to the first practical work in
fish culture in the United States, was Robert B. Roosevelt, once
President of the American Fisheries Society. By birth he was
a New York City man; by education, a lawyer; by every instinct,
a true sportsman. Sometime in the early sixties, generally
agreed to be in 1865, while at the annual gathering of the State
Sportsmen’s Association, he met the famous Seth Green, and a
mutual interest in fly casting made them fast and hfe-long
friends. A few years after this meeting Mr. Roosevelt inherited
ample means and gave up the practice of the law which he began
in 1850, to devote his time to the congenial work of assisting his
friend to make trout culture at least a possibility, and to secure
adequate laws for game protection. With his aid Green started
a little hatchery at Caledonia, in New York state, and here work-
ed out the problem of brook trout culture. The place is now the
site of the greatest fish hatchery which the Empire State owns,
and is known the world over.

In 1867 Mr. Roosevelt drafted the bill under which the
Fisheries Commission of New York state was created and _ be-
came one of its members. Mr. Green was its superintendent.
In 1872, while Mr. Roosevelt was a member of Congress, the bill
was passed creating the National Fish Commission, whose work
is the greatest in the world. In 1888 he was appointed Minister
to the Netherlands and served with honor. Politically, socially
and as a sportsman he worked for the general betterment of
things as he found them. He was frequently honored by his
fellow citizens and was continually an honor to them. As a
president of the American Fisheries Society he added much
to its efficiency as an organization, and the Society has ordered
this page set apart to his memory in its published transactions.

Report unanimously adopted.

40 Thirty-fifth Annual Meeting

President: The chair desires to state that he prepared a
notice with reference to Dr. Parker as he was requested to do a
year ago. He submitted it however to some of the friends, who
desired to make a little revision, and for that reason the obituary
notice was not received in time to print in the present proceed-
ings. In view of the great work which Dr. Parker did I still
think that a notice of him and his work should appear some-
where in these proceedings and would ask permission to have it
sent to the secretary of the society so as to appear in the next
year’s transactions, if that is agreeable to the society, and un-
less I hear objection I will take it for granted that it may be
done.

President: We will next hear the report of the Committee
on Location.

The report was presented by the chairman recommending
that Erie, Pennsylvania, be the next place of meeting.

Motion made, seconded and unanimously carried adopting
the report.

Mr. Meehan: On behalf of the City of Erie, Pennsylvania,
T wish to say that I think the members haye chosen wisely, and
I am quite satisfied from what I know of the City of Erie, and
the people who live there, that the society will have made no
mistake in going there. There are many things that will be of
distinct advantage to the society. The city is not what you call
a large city, having only 62,000 inhabitants, but it has several °
good hotels, and one in particular which is first class and will
house the entire society. The Board of Trade and Chamber of
Commerce and one or two of the other prominent concerns in
the city will look after our comfort and pleasure and so will
the Department of Fisheries of Pennsylvania. ‘There are very
large fisheries on the lake and boats will take us to the fishing
grounds, and observe the methods of work in Lake Erie and our
fisheries rank second on that great lake. There are at least two
hatcheries, aside from the. one in the City of Erie, which
will be of interest probably to the members, one being for trout
and the other for bass and lake fishes, and in the City of Erie,
there is a little hatchery not supposed to be in operation in July,

American Fisheries Society. 44

being a battery station. You will find two things of interest, one
a little frog pond, another an illustration of our work in retain-
ing whitefish in quantities for planting in the lake, after bring-
ing them to fingerling size, to three and “four inches. Those
who may want to extend their trip a little further, can with
readiness, visit some of the other hatcheries in the state; and at
that time there will be members of the board and myself who
will see that they are attended to any or all of the hatcheries they
may wish to visit. There will be many other things of advantage
also which I will not enumerate, but keep as pleasant surprises.
(Great applause. )

Mr. Fullerton: I desire to offer a resolution regarding the
protection of the fish in our Great Lakes.

President: I am under the impression that we adopted
something of that kind last year.

Mr. Fullerton: I believe in keeping at it.

President: If the society desires again to go on record as
still being firm in the belief, I see no reason why it should not
be done.

*>Mr. Meehan: I introduced a similar resolution myself at
the last meeting, as chairman of the committee on resolutions.

President: We adopted a broad resolution last year.

Mr. Fullerton: I believe federal control is our only salvation.
We should keep at it eternally. If we had as good protection as

we have propagation, there would not be any question about our
fish.

Upon motion made, seconded and unanimously carried, the
resolution was referred to the committee on resolutions.

Mr. Clark: In view of the excellent reports, so far as we
have heard, of the committee on foreign relations and believing
that a similar feeling as to its excellence exists on the part of
every member, I would moye that the same committee on foreign
relations be appointed for another year.

Motion seconded and unanimously carried.

42 Thirty-fifth Annual Meeting

President: The committee is continued for another year
with the same salary. (Laughter. )

Mr. Fullerton: 4 move that a vote of thanks of this associa-
tion be tendered to our retiring president, Mr. Joslyn, for his
eminent ability and fairness and for the courtesy extended to
each member, during his term of office.

Motion seconded, put by the secretary and unanimously car-
ried.

Mr. Joslyn: I thank you most sincerely for your kind words.
IT am like the man who had written on his tombstone out west,
“He done his damndest—angels could do no more.” (Laughter. )

Mr. Seymour Bower: At nearly all annual meetings we
have elected one or more honorary members and there is a
man in Grand Rapids whose name Mr. Lydell would lke to
present for that honor.

Mr. Lydell: I offer the name of Mr. Fred J. Adams of
Grand Rapids, whose paper is always open to anything we ask
for, and who has always been ready to do anything he can for
the interest of the fisheries of the United States. He could not
be with us today and regrets it.

Motion made, seconded and unanimously carried that the
rules be suspended and that the secretary be instructed to cast
the unanimous ballot of the society electing Mr. Adams as honor-
ary member.

So done.

President: It was suggested that somebody desired to ask
some questions about this hatchery or the mode of conducting it,
and if so those questions would be in order now.

(Questions were asked and the subject discussed. )

The committee on resolutions presented the following further
report: This resolution was offered by Mr. Fullerton.

Whereas, the members of the American Fisheries Society
now assembled at Grand Rapids, Michigan, view with alarm the
threatened depletion of whitefish, lake trout and other fishes in
the waters and boundary rivers of the Great Lakes;

ipa

American Fisheries Society. 43

And whereas, Ontario, to the north of us, advocates, “stop-
ping fishing for five years”; and we do not believe such action
will produce the desired results, but on the contrary we believe
that lack of uniform laws between Canada and the several states
bordering on the Great Lakes, and the lack of concurrent juris-
diction for boundary streams, without enforcement of existing
laws, poor protection given during spawning season, and a total
disregard of the size of fish caught by fishermen, are at the
root of the evil; therefore:

Resolved, That it is the sense of this meeting that Canada
and the United States ought to enter into a treaty looking to the
control of the fish in our Great Lakes, not only the stocking
but the protection.

Resolved further: That there should be federal control of
boundary streams, and that the states concerned should cede
their rights to the national government.

Resolved further: That we heartily commend the efforts
that have been made by the Hon. George Shiras, of the third
congressional district of Pennsylvania, looking to federal con-
trol, and that we heartily pledge him our undivided support.

Resolved further: That a copy of this resolution be fur-
nished to each of our senators and representatives at Washington,
also to each member of the Dominion’s House of Parliament.

Motion made, seconded and unanimously carried adopting
the resolution.

Secretary Peabody: I have some questions for the question
box sent by Mr. John L. Leary, superintendent of the San
Marcos, Texas, station, and I will read them and the society
can decide whether they wish to answer them, or appoint some
one to answer them. It might be well to have these questions
published perhaps, with the proper replies.

The secretary then read the questions.

Adjourned sine die.

PART IL.

SCIENTIFIC PROCEEDINGS.

ON THE IDENTIFICATION FOR LEGAL PURPOSES
OF MUTILATED OR DRESSED SPECIMENS OF
WHITEFISH AND HERRING FROM
THE GREAT LAKES:*

BY PROF. JACOB REIGHARD OF ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN.

The statutes of Michigan provide (Act 151, P. A. 1897 See.
2.) “that it shall be unlawful to market or have in possession any
whitefish weighing less than two pounds.”

Acting apparently under this statute, the deputy game and
fish wardens of Michigan, as I learn from a letter written me
by the Michigan State Game and Fish Warden under date of
February 8, 1906, have frequently seized fish which they believed
to be immature whitefish. On February 8, 1906, the Michigan
State Game and Fish Warden sent me samples taken from 18
kegs containing 7,800 pounds of fish seized by his deputies as
“immature whitefish.” Concerning the samples he wrote:

“The fish taken from the kegs, the men from whom they
were seized claim are menominee, while all the old fishermen
whom we have had examine the same, all the deputies who are
to-a greater or less extent in the commercial fishing business
and are educated in the difference between the commercial
fishes known under the Michigan law, pronounce them to be a
regular whitefish. What we desire at the present time is expert
testimony relative to the fish seized from the fishermen, and
have it in such form that it could be readily used as evidence
in case a suit was appealed to a higher court, showing the differ-
ence between a menominee whitefish and a regular whitefish.
A fisherman who had followed the business all his life, or one of
our deputies might be well versed and well satisfied in his own
mind that he could readily tell the difference between a white-
fish and a menominee after the head was removd; however, if a
lawyer should ask either of these men to define the difference
he would be unable to do so by pointing to any feature or con-

*Contributions from Zoological Laboratory of the University of Michi-

gan, No. 106.
47

48 Thirty-fifth Annual Meeting

dition of either fish which would differ from the other after the
head was removed. I presume you will understand what we
desire and if we can get the information in such shape that we
can instruct the deputies of this department, it will be a great
assistance in enforcing the commercial fishing laws. It is quite
an important question in the department at this time and I will
be under great obligation-to you if you can obtain this informa-
tion in such form that a person not possessing a mind educated
in science may comprehend the difference.”

With reference to this letter it may be noted that the term
whitefish as used in the statute is interpreted by both the game
and fish wardens and by the fishermen to mean the true white-
fish (Coregonus clupeiformis), though I am not aware that the
statute has ever been interpreted by the courts. In order then
to secure conviction under the statute, it is necessary to show that
the fish in question are true whitefish. If they are not true
whitefish, it does not matter what they are. It is not necessary
to show that they are either menominee, black fins, long jaws or
herring. It is not necessary that the game and fish wardens
should know how to distinguish between menominees, black
fins, long jaws and herring. They need to know merely white-
fish from that which is not whitefish.

As the question raised by the State Game and Fish Warden
is that of distinguishing between whitefish (Coregonus clupei-
formis) and menominee (c. quadrilateralis) it may be assumed
provisionally that the question of the separation of the true
whitefish from the various other species of whitefish and herring
present in the Great Lakes does not arise or presents no diffi-
culties.

I received from the State Game and Fish Warden thirty-five
fish which had been cleaned by removal of the head and viscera
and then split and salted. These were the fish in dispute. <Ac-
companying them were specimens in the round of whitefish and
menominees (Coregonus quadrilateralis). Most of these fish sent
in the round reached me in such condition that I could not use
them, but by utilizing the collection of the University of Michi-
gan and the markets of Detroit, I had for examination in the
round: six menominees from Lake Huron; twenty-two white-

American Fisheries Society. 4')

fish, one from Lake Huron, twenty from Lake Erie and one of
unknown origin; all of legal weight, i.e. two pounds or over.

It was desired to find some means of separating the white-
fish and menominees without using the characters founded on the
head or viscera. The characters given by Jordan and Evermann
(Fishes of North and Middle America, p. 465) for separating
these fishes are based wholly or in part on the head, with the
exception of (1) the color, (2) the number of rays in the dorsal
and anal fins, and (3) the number of scales in the lateral line
and of scale rows above and below it.

The color is so nearly the same in the two species as not te
afford a rehable means of separating them. ‘The same remark
apples to the fin rays, in which the individual variations of one
species overlap those of the other. The number of scales in the
lateral line and the number of scale rows was found in the
specimens examined to be insufficient in itself to separate the
two species, the numbers sometimes coming together or over-
lapping.

It seemed essential in order to distinguish the whitefish and
menominee to make use of some character not hitherto used for
this purpose. The structure of the scales as they appear under a
magnifying glass was finally made use of. Five to ten scales
were removed from each of the fish. In each case the scales were
taken from the same place, midway between the first dorsal fin
and the lateral line on the left side. In order to clean them they
were placed for ten or fifteen minutes in a one per cent. solution
of caustic potash and were then rinsed and brushed to remove
any shreds of soft tissue that might adhere to them. Thus pre-
pared, the scales of each fish were placed between two slides of
clear glass and these were fastened together by pieces of gummed
paper.

If any one of the scales thus prepared be examined with a
good pocket magnifier giving a magnification of ten to twenty
diameters the following points may be readily made out. The
outline of the scale is somewhat that of a bent bow with its
string. The outline is not straight at any point, but one part
of it corresponding to the string of the bow is more nearly
straight than any other part. At its middle this part projects
into a more or less rounded angle as does the bow string when

4

50 Thirty-fifth Annual Meeting ;

pulled back by the hand. At its end it joins the rest of the
margin by rather sharp angles which correspond to the points
where the bow string is attached to the bow. The portion of the

The scales are viewed as transparent objects and are magnifled about ten diameters.
From a photograph by the writer.

FIG. 1—Scales of Whitefish (Coregonus clupeiformis Mitchill) and Menominee whitefish (Coregonus quadrilateralis Richardson), both from Lake Huron.
That of the whitefish is at the left.

American Fisheries Society. 51

margin of the scale that corresponds to the bow-string is di-
rected towards the head in the natural position of the scale and
we may eall it the cranial border of the scale. The rest of the
margin, corresponding to the bow, forms a continuous and more
or less smooth curve, but may be divided into three parts. One
of these looks towards the tail in the natural position of the scale
and is the caudal border. One is directed towards the back of
the fish, the dorsal border, and the other toward the belly, the
ventral border.

Somewhere near the center of the scale is a small, smooth
area, which represents the center of the original scale of the
young fish to which additions have been made from time to
time by the growth of the scale. This smooth area may be called
the growth center of the scale. Between the growth center and
the border are numerous fine striations which form concentric
lines parallel to the border and, like the rings in a tree, mark
successive stages in the growth of the scale. Running from the
growth center to the margin are four radiating ridges which
divide the surface of the scale into four triangular areas. Hach
of these areas is bounded by one of the four borders of the scale
and the areas may be called therefore the cranial, caudal, dorsal,
and ventral areas. In the natural condition three of these areas,
the cranial, dorsal and ventral, are covered by the overlapping
of adjacent scales and only one, the caudal, is visible when the
scales are in position in the fish.

The characters mentioned as belonging to the typical scales
are common to both of the species under discussion but the scales
of each species differ from those of the other in certain char-
acters which enable one to distinguish them.

Among the typical scales there are a few in which the central
part of the scale is occupied by an irregularly granular aree
which has a diameter half that of the scale and suggests a great-
ly enlarged growth center. Scales of this sort were probably
formed after the fish had grown to some size and in place of
scales that had been lost. They should not be taken into account
in attempting to separate species by the scales.

In all the menominees the growth center is in the center of
the scale, midway between the cranial and dorsal borders. In all
of them the caudal border is strongly crenated (or scalloped)

52 Thirty-fifth Annual Meeting

and from the crenations well marked flutings converge toward
the growth center. In all of them the striations on the caudal
or exposed area of the scale are much more numerous near the
center of the scale than near the caudal border.

On the other hand, in the whitefish the growth center is in
90 per cent. of the fish distinctly behind the geometrical center

FIG. 2—A typical scale of whitefish (Coregonus clupeiformis Mitchill). This scale is distinguished
by its very large, irregular central area. The caudal border is at the left. The scale is viewed
as a transparent object and is magnified about ten diameters. From a photograph.

of the scale. The caudal border shows but little trace of crena-
tion and the caudal area but little fluting. Striations of the
caudal area are apparently as numerous near the border as at
the center of the scale.

The differences between the scales are such that they may be
easily distinguished at once by a good hand lens.

Turning now to the salt-fish which were seized as illegal
whitefish, we find that in their scale characters (position of the
growth center, crenation, fluting, and striation of the caudal
area) they agree with the menominees. Twenty-eight of the

American Fisheries Society. 53

thirty-five are wholly typical, i. e., agree with the menominee in
all the characters mentioned. Seven (20 per cent.) are not
typical in all their characters, but are typical in one or more
and are recognizable as menominees. These salt-fish were repre-

The caudal borders of both scales are at the left
From a photograph.

The herring scale is at the left.
and both are magnified about ten diameters.

FIG. 3—Scales of Saginaw Bay herring (Argyrosomus artedi Le Sueur) and of the blackfiln (Argyrosomus nigripinnis GIll),
both from Lake Huron.

sented by but two samples from a keg. Had more than two fish
from a keg been available for examination, it is probable that
entirely typical menominees could have been found in each keg.

As a result of this examination the salt fish which had been

54 Thirty-fifth Annual Meeting

seized as immature whitefish were returned to the parties from
whom they were taken.

In addition to the whitefish and menominees I have exam-
ined in the round eleven Great Lake herring (Argyrosomus
artedi), seven from Saginaw Bay and four from Lake Erie, and
one blackfin (Argyrosomus nigripinnis), presumably from Lake
Huron. ‘The blackfin and the Saginaw Bay herring are dis-
tinguishable from the whitefish by the scale characters, position
of growth center, and striation of caudal area. The Lake Erie
herring were of unusual size, between three and four pounds
weight and I am unable to separate them from the whitefish.

In conclusion it may be said that the method employed served
its immediate purpose of separating the Lake Huron whitefish
and menominees, apparently better than any other method avail-
able. Any. general statement passed on the data at hand must,
however, be regarded tentative. Before the method can be gener-
ally employed for separating these two species it is necessary to
examine a much larger number of fish than were at my disposal.
Perhaps a thousand fish from different localities and of differ-
ent sizes and selected at random from a much larger number
should be examined. If they are found to agree with those al-
ready examined the method may thereafter be used with con-
fidence for separating the whitefish and menominees.

It is probable that, the method could be extended to the
other species of whitefish and herring in the Great Lakes, but the
material at my command is not sufficient to warrant any final
statement on that point. If the method can be extended to other
fishes it may be made of service not only in enabling deter-
mination of imperfect specimens for legal purposes, but in mak-
ing it possible to identify by the scales the partly digested fish
found in the stomachs of other animals. It is often impossible
to identify these partly digested fish by the methods now in use.
To identify them with certainty would add materially to our
knowledge of the food habits of our fishes. Even sould the
method not prove to have wide application it may still be of
value in the identification of fish remains from a restricted
locality. It is to be hoped that some one will take up this sug-
gestion and make an extended microscopical study of the scales
of the fishes in some one locality.

American Fisheries Society. 55

DISCUSSION.

Prof. Reighard (during the reading of his paper): In ex-
amining scales to distinguish whitefish from menominee, it is
necessary to neglect the atypical varieties. ‘There are three char-
acteristics that will enable one to distinguish menominee from
whitefish: First, the position of the center; second, the char-
acter of the striations on the caudal area; third, the character
of the crenations of the border. In some species the growth
center is in the center of the scale, and in some it is nearer the
caudal border, in others nearer the cranial border. Finally in
some species the striations on the caudal area are almost con-
fined to that part of the area which is near the center. That is,
we find in some species that these striations extend from the
growth center to the edge of the caudal area while in other
species they are not equally numerous over the whole of that
area. These characters serve to distinguish the whitefish from
the menominees. The most striking difference between them is
that in the whitefish these striations on the caudal area are close
together and cover the whole caudal area; that you can see in the
photograph—the caudal area is the lighter one of the two. In
the menominee these striations are very numerous in the center
and hardly exist near the border. The growth center in the
whitefish is nearer the caudal border. The crenations at the
edge are practically absent in the whitefish, and the flutings
running from the crenations toward the center are also practical-
ly absent.

President: Does a difference in the age of the fish make any
difference in the character of the scale ?

Prof. Reighard: I do not think it does. I do not know from
the examination of the scales, but from the fact that the scales
grow outward from a center you would expect it to be alike
all the way out.

Question. Are there any menominees caught in Lake Erie?

Answer. No—nor blackfins—the only fish of the sub-family
there are whitefish and herring.

Mr. Meehan: Whitefish, herring and the jumbo herring.

56 Thirty-fifth Annual Meeting

Mr. Clark: Then I understand that the true whitefish has
a smooth border ?

Prof. Reighard: Yes sir.
Q. And the menominees have a corrugated border ?
Prof. Reighard: Yes sir, as the photographs illustrate.

President: Can you state the relative merits as table fish,
of these different specimens ?

Prof. Reighard: Of course, the whitefish is more esteemed
by the people generally, but these jumbo herring in Lake Erie
are being sold as whitefish.

Mr. Meehan: Only to a limited extent.
Prof. Reighard: The longjaw is a good fish.

President: The purpose of the inquiry is to see whether all
these different varieties should not be specified in a protective
law.

Prof. Reighard: If they were | suppose it would be neces-
sary to specify different sizes as being legal for different species.
The whitefish grows larger than any of the others. The mini-
mun size of whitefish which may be taken should be specified ; the
minimun size of herring, of course, should be less.

Mr. Bean: I want to express my pleasure in hearing this
paper of Dr. Reighard’s and to say that in my judgment this
society and its associates could perform an excellent service
for the protection of fishes of all states, by getting into the laws
a clear definition of what the fish really are; for instance, take
the pike-perch, that is protected in many states during the
spawning season. Now there are other fish closely related to the
pike-perch, especially the blue pike. Is it the intention of the
law to protect that fish or not? In New York the question has
come up practically. Seizures have been made of blue pike as
being pike-perch. It seems to me that the services of this society
and of scientific men generally could very well be lent toward the
interpretation, first, and the unifying afterward, of the laws
upon the statute books. What I mean is this: You want to

American Fisheries Society. 57

protect the pike-perch. Do you wish to protect only the common
elass-eye, wall-eye, or do you mean to protect its allies, many of
which are just as good as the common pike-perch? Clearly the
intent of the law in New York was to protect the whole genus.
Whatever we can do to introduce in to the laws such explana-
tions of the term pike-perch as will lead to the protection
of all the fishes of the genus, would be a great gain for the
cause.

Mr. Meehan: I fully agree with what Dr. Bean has said.
We have had great difficulty in our own state in several particu-
lars—not in reference to the pike-perch, because it happens that
in our law we did that—we say pike-perch, wall-eyed pike, com-
monly known as jack salmon, wall-eyed pike, and blue pike—
they are all mentioned separately—but it often happens that in
our laws mention is made of a particular species of fish by
some common or local name, and there are perhaps two, three or
four species, and it makes it a little difficult to understand
whether they can be enforced or not. We had one forcible illus-
tration of that in the question of terrapin, in our state, which
caused a good deal of laughter and cussing besides. Some gentle-
man from Pennsylvania introduced a bill into the legislature
for the protection of terrapin, a couple of years ago, and before
very long the query arose all over the state: Is the snapping
turtle to be protected, is the mud turtle to be protected? Be-
cause strictly speaking the whole class of terrapin would in-
clude those two. Finally we had to go to the attorney-general
to get a contorted opinion, so that the snapping turtle should
not be protected by the act. Dr. Bean’s proposition seems to be
sensible and timely.

Mr. Titcomb: I want to concur in what Dr. Bean and Mr.
Meehan have said. When I was commissioner in Vermont for
twelve years, we had the whitefish protected; but the whitefish
in our lakes differed. In Lake Memphramagog as I remember,
we had the menominee whitefish, and in another lake we had
the labradoricus; and in Lake Champlain we had the true white-
fish to some extent. But it was understood that the whitefish
was protected as a whitefish. It seems now that we have got
to fix our laws so that all these whitefish can be embraced prop-

58 Thirty-fifth Annual Meeting

erly, and it should be so worded that we are not obliged to make
ichthyologists out of each one of the commercial fishermen—we
have got to get some common names that will identify the differ-
ent fish properly and have them plainly described in the laws of
the different states.

Mr. Seymour Bower: It seems to me a great deal of con-
fusion and uncertainty would be avoided if, whenever a law is
enacted for any kind of fish, the scientific name followed the
common name. You won’t find that in any of our laws, and
many cases that have been tried in this state have fallen through
because only one of a number of common names was given; and
there are a number of local or common names for nearly every
kind of fish. Mr. Lydell was a witness in a case which fell
through on those very grounds. Certain persons were arrested
for catching black bass, and the defense was that they were not
black bass, but “river bass”; and the defense made the jury be-
lieve it and the case failed. Now if the scientific name had been
inserted in the statute they could not have evaded the law on
any such pretext as that.

PROTECTION AS AN AID TO PROPAGATION.

BY SAMUEL F. FULLERTON, ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA.

Mr. President and gentlemen of the American Fisheries
Society: The subject that I am asked to write a paper on—
“Protection” —is so closely allied with “Propagation” that it is a
very difficult matter to separate the one from the other; alone
either is worthless. Protection is just as essential as propagation
if we would reap the benefits from the money and labor expended
in the propagation of our fish.

T need not relate what every thinking man knows to be a fact
and that is our fish are disappearing from the Great Lakes.
Every housewife is reminded of that fact when she calls up the
fish dealer, by the price—that great barometer of supply and
demand.

Now, when the American people are confronted with a prob-
lem they naturally ask what is the cause. Are not the waters
in the Great Lakes just as pure as they were thirty years ago?
No known disease has destroyed these fish. The government has
been most liberal and year after year has supplied these waters
with millions of fry. Have the States bordering on the Great
Lakes, whose duty it is to look after the fish and protect them,
done their duty? There is only one answer, an emphatic “No”.
They have not appreciated the necessity of taking care of that
which was intrusted to their keeping for the benefit of all the
people.

Efforts from time to time have been made to get the States
interested. I have attended three meetings in Chicago, myself,
called for the purpose of arousing the States.to action. Reso-
lutions were passed and speeches made but the matter ended
when the meetings adjourned. There is only one solution—
FEDERAL CONTROL.

Now, I do not want to say one word that would in any way
detract from the splendid work done by the United States Fish
Commission and the different State Fish Hatcheries and the

men in charge of same, but I do claim that we do not get the
59

60 Thirty-fifth Annual Meeting

results we are entitled to from the amount of fry propagated
and distributed.

Take for example one United States Station located at
Duluth, Minnesota. The amount of whitefish and lake trout fry
distributed during the last ten years from that station alone
Was 228,808,626 (that does not include the blue-fin whitefish,
pike-perch and brook trout) and I am positive that nearly all of
those young fish were deposited in the Great Lakes; in fact, the
great bulk of them went into Lake Superior. —

Now, with intelligent planting and proper protection, aided
by the natural increase, we ought to have good fishing in Lake
Superior. I know the other lakes in the Great Chain have been
treated as liberally and they, also, ought to show results. Not
only have the Great Lakes suffered by the criminal policy pur-
sued by the States, whose duty it is to protect, but that splendid
fish, the shad, is disappearing from the same cause.

Twenty years ago in the city of Duluth, Minnesota, you could
get all the whitefish you could carry home with you for five to
seven cents per pound. ‘Today you are a lucky purchaser if you
get any, but if you do, you will pay from fourteen to seventeen
cents per pound and then you will have to be careful that you do
not get Winnipeg whitefish instead of the Lake Superior. While
the lake trout are not so scarce nor the price so high, they are not
by any means so plentiful as they were twenty years ago—all
because we have been criminally careless. I just read a dispatch
from Ontonagon, Michigan, which I have inserted in this paper
and which bears out what I have been saying in regard to the
scarcity of the fish in the Great Lakes:

“A large Lake Superior fish company, operating at Ontona-
gon, has suspended operations for a month in the hope that white-
fish and trout then will be found running better. The lifts have
been hght this season, during the last few weeks especially, and
the business has not been profitable. Similar complaint comes
from other ports on the south shore of Lake Superior. Poor
catches are reported from Marquette and Grand Marais, while
instances are noted where commercial fishermen have transferred
the scene of their operations to Minnesota waters on the north
shore. At Manistique, the Coffey fleet of three tugs has been
laid up for the season. The fishing was poor last year and im-

©

American Fisheries Society. 61
y

provement was expected this season. But the contrary is the
case.”

Why, gentlemen, what would you thing of a farmer, who,
after carefully attending to his cows all winter, giving them the
best of care, when those cows had their young would turn the
young out in barren pastures without food, shelter or water; or
the poultryman who watches his incubator through the twenty-
one days of incubation, after the young were hatched would
turn them out to be a prey for hawks, weasels and all other
enemies of bird life. You would say that the dairyman and
poultrvman were crazy. Well, just as crazy things are done
in the protection of our fish. The fish culturist selects with care
his breeders and after fertilizing the eggs, watches them during
the period of time required to hatch, feeds them carefully until
the time comes to plant, when they are turned over to the man
who distributes, either in a car used for that purpose or in cans.
If intended for the Great Lakes, they are placed on a boat run-
ning from eight to sixteen miles an hour, dumped from the gang-
way without any regard to whether the water in that part of the
lake is suitable or not. If for the inland lakes, they are taken
to the nearest place on the lake from the railroad station and
there deposited, regardless—the only condition that there is
water.

Why, gentlemen, I have seen twenty cans of pike-perch or
wall-eyed pike fry, which were sent by the United States govern-
ment to a lake in our state, met at the depot by a committee,
who with team took them to the lake, only about one-half mile
from the village. Instead of taking the fry out in the lake, they
dumped the whole twenty cans in a creek that runs under the
road which divides the two lakes, where the fry was intended for.
That creek was filled with shiner and chub minnows, and the
way those minnows went after that pike fry was lke a hungry
tramp after a pie—‘the kind that mother used to make.” I
don’t believe that in one hour there were 1,000 fry left of those
twenty cans. ‘The committee who met those fish ought to have
had instructions where to plant them and how to plant them.
This is not an isolated case, and I have no doubt that the mem-
bers here present who are engaged in the work have experiences

62 Thirty-fifth Annual Meeting

to relate where fry might better have been dumped in the gutter
than taken to the lake or stream.

A short time ago one of our wardens at the city of Minne-
apolis, Minnesota, seized several barrels of fish, mostly lake trout.
They were shipped from a neighboring state to my own. There
were over three hundred of those trout that would not average
one “pound and several that weighed less than one-half pound.
Now, what is the use of going to the expense of propagating lake
trout and whitefish when fishermen are allowed to catch and sell
fish of this size? They don’t do it in Minnesota. Our law is
2 pounds undressed, 1144 pounds dressed. After the seizure, [
wrote the proper authorities to take the matter up with the
shippers, whose cards we took from the package, and offered to
go and testify if necessary. So far, nothing has been done that
T have heard of, but hope the parties responsible will be brought
to trial and a lesson taught them so that in the future they will
be good. The great trouble with us as a people, we allow our
greed for gold to blind us, but, after the fish have disappeared,
then we wake up and do things that should have been done years
ago.

In states where separate boards exist, one for the propaga-
tion of the fish and another for the protection of the game
and fish, the best of harmony does not always prevail between
these two boards, but they ought to work hand in hand because to
have complete success both must work together. Very often
politicians interfere with the work and ruin the labors of the
fish culturist. Fortunately, our fish culture work has not been
interfered with much by politicians but the protection, which
must go hand in hand with propagation, has, and to that extent
we have suffered.

REMEDY.

A proper method of distributing the fry. They ought to be
placed in the water as near as possible to where the parent fish
would select for their spawning ground. A Federal Law and a
treaty with the Dominion of Canada, making a uniform closed
season on the Great Lakes so as to protect those fish in the
spawning season. A license system for all market fishermen and
a rigid inspection of their catch. No whitefish or lake trout

American Fisheries Society. 63

allowed on the market in any state less than.two pounds un-
dressed. A sufficient number of boats owned by the government
of both countries to look after the planting of the fry and see
the young are placed in the most natural surroundings. ‘Those
boats to patrol the lakes where fishing abounds and their duty to
not only see that all fishermen are licensed and that their catch
conforms to law but that the exact spawning grounds are located
and no fishing allowed thereon, except for propagating purposes.
That no fish be taken for their spawn except under the direct
supervision of the proper authorities. That no gill nets be al-
lowed during the time fish are taken for their eggs. That all
fish not “ripe” or those already spawned be returned to the water
with as little injury as possible. That the utmost care be exet-
cised in the selection of the men in charge of those boats. They
should be honest, fearless and with ability to enforce the law
without fear or favor.

This apples to the Great Lakes or to our commercial fishing
but the problem in regard to our inland lakes is just as trying.
Care is not taken. When the fry are planted, people are allowed
to catch any and all kinds regardless of size. Even the spawn-
ing seasons are encroached upon, but especially is this true in re-
gard to our Great Lakes and our only salvation is federal control

This Association ought to go on record, not simply pass reso-
lutions (while good in themselves as far as they go) but each
state representative should go to his home determined to get con-
gressmen and senators at Washington committed to this proposi-
tion. Show them how our fish are disappearing, not through any
fault of the propagation but through the poor policy, or no
policy, of the states bordering on the Great Lakes. Either put
no fish whatever, in these waters, if they are not protected or else
change our policy, for I firmly believe that we can never do any-
thing with the individual states. So our only salvation, if we
would save our fish, is by the Congress of the United States first
making a treaty with Canada, for any scheme that leaves out
Canada, as far as the Great Lakes are concerned, would not be
feasible. Then after the treaty is made, let the United States,
with the co-operation of the Dominion, assume control of not
only the propagation but the protection and I predict here before
this convention that we can have our old time fishing restored in

64. Thirty-fifth Annual Meeting

the Great Lakes, not only to what it was twenty years ago, but
with the added knowledge that has come to the Fish Culturist, an
increase of a thousandfold.

DISCUSSION.

Mr. Titcomb: Do I understand from Mr. Fullerton that he
does not think the fish distributed in the Great Lakes are proper-
ly planted ?

. Mr. Fullerton: Yes, I do; I said they were not protected.

Mr. Titcomb: Then you had reference to the inland lakes
where they are not properly planted.

e

Mr. Fullerton: I refer to the inland lakes. I do not know
very much about the planting of the Great Lakes at all.

Mr. Titcomb: The government gives the fish away and peo-
ple are furnished with minute instructions as to what to do, but
people do not read their instructions. Ungestionably, it would
be better if the states and the government could go to the expense
of planting those fish themselves in all public waters, but if we
plant all the fish in inland waters that are now delivered to ap-
plicants, it will probably cost twice as much as it does at present.

Mr. Clark: Ten times as much.
Mr. Lydell: Twenty times as much.
Mr. Clark: Yes, I think it would be twenty times as much.

Mr. Titcomb: Then that means it is prohibitive and you
must keep up a campaign of education. The people will learn
in time. Federal control is the keynote of protection on all inter-
state and international waters and until obtained you cannot
protect the fish properly. I want to bring up one illustration
because the United States Bureau of Fisheries had boasted for
years of its great results from the propagation of shad, and for
nearly twenty years after such propagation was begun there was
a steady increase in the commercial fisheries; during the last
four years the commercial shad fisheries have gone down very
rapidly; when they go down so fast you may know that the
end is coming, just as the Atlantic salmon fishery came to its

American Fisheries Society. 65

end. That is largely due to the fact that with the improved
appliances and new methods of pound net fishing, the shad are
taken before they get into fresh waters,—they are caught in the
lower bays, in salt and brackish waters. States that propagate
shad are powerless and the bureau is powerless because we can-
not get the fish from which to get the eggs. For instance, at the
mouth of the Susquehanna about 8.000,000 eggs were collected
this year, where some seasons over 100,000,000 have been taken.
That illustrates the conditions, which can only be corrected by
federal control.

Mr. Fullerton: That is the only salvation.

Mr. Titcomb: Unless the millenium comes and all states
co-operate.

Mr. Fullerton: We will never get it.

Mr. Clark: I rise to disagree with our friend Fullerton in
the statement that the fisheries in the Great Lakes are decreas-
ing. I do not believe it at all; the figures will show that in
certain localities our fisheries are holding their own, if not in-
creasing.

In regard to the method of control, I do not entirely agree
with Mr. Fullerton. However, [ not only fully agree with him
on the license system, but I went on record regarding this sub-
ject thirty years ago, and I have since been much interested in
the movement. I would not only have a license system for the
lakes, but for the rod, not only to create a revenue but that the
offender may be recorded; I would rather have the penalty the
revocation of the license than a fine of $25. You reyoke a man’s
license for from one to six months and you have got him. 'There-
fore | am in hearty sympathy with anything of this nature. I
think that there should be vigorous and persistent enforcement
of the laws regarding the catching of small fish and the pollution
of the waters. If the sewage could be kept from the waters we
would have a great many more fish. We know of localities where
not only the feeding grounds but also the spawning grounds
formerly sought by the whitefish have been covered up, thus
driving the fish from their natural habitat. The Great Lakes in

5

66 Thirty-fifth Annual Meeting

many respects do not today begin to compare with what they
were thirty or forty years ago.

Mr. Meehan: I must disagree with Mr. Fullerton to some
extent with regard to the Great Lakes, at least so for as Lake
Erie is concerned. I think that statistics that we have will show
that in some particulars there have been actual increases in the
fishes. ‘Take the whitefish, for instance: a number of years ago
we had a large number of whitefish and then artificial propaga-
tion was begun, but just before it was begun the whitefish almost
disappeared. They had been caught with all kinds of nets, there
was no close season; with the result that it did not pay to put out
nets regularly for them. We have given a certain amount of
protection, we have a close season, we have certain meshes re-
quired, and we have been propagating heavily. This year we
have begun to take whitefish again in Lake Erie in quantities.
Last Friday for instance, one boat brought in 1,500 pounds,
which is a pretty good record for a starter on this work. So
the other boats yesterday and the day before came in with good
catches of whitefish.

The bluepike have been largely on the increase in the catch
and character of the fish for the last six or eight years for us in
Lake Erie.

I agree that three-quarters of the fish probably that are
planted in our inland waters are not properly planted. Mr. Full-
erton says he did not mean the Great Lakes. I think there, as a
general rule, they are planted properly, as the states generally do
their own planting; but in the interior waters people do not fol-
low the instructions given them. ;

I agree with what Mr. Titcomb says in regard to the dis-
appearance of the shad. They are falling off rapidly. Our own
experience has been that where we used to have 25,000,000 and
30,000,000 eggs a year, this year we only got a little over
3,000,000 in the Delaware river. I think not only are they
caught in the bay improperly, but, as possibly Mr. Titcomb
does not know, that one or two of the states bordering on
the Delaware river, passed laws which cut down the mesh to
next to nothing and made the open season for catching the shad
throughout the entire year, except two months. The shad can-

American Fisheries Society. 67

not stand that; that alone would have the tendency to destroy
the shad fisheries in the river.

We had another drawback this spring in the very cold
weather, which probably lessened the shad in our river. It is a
very serious matter because not only are the shad decreasing in
the Delaware, but I believe also in all the rivers along the Atlan-
tic Coast. Is not that true?

Mr. Titcomb: In North Carolina on the Roanoke River they
passed a law prohibiting the use of pound nets in certain parts
of the lower bays. As a result the Bureau hatched over
20,000,000 eggs at the Edenton station on the Albemarle Sound
the last season, as against an average of from 3,000,000 to
5,000,009 during the years before the law went into effect.

Mr. Meehan: That shows what can be done by proper pro-
tection. I think the real solution of the problem lies in federal
control. This society passed a resolution last year reeommend-
ing federal control, and in conformity with that resolution in my
report goes the recommendation to the legislature, that Pennsyl-
vanmia with the concurrence of other states will cede to the United
States federal control on the Great Lakes and on rivers of the
border states.

Mr. Nevin: For the last two or three years fishermen have
told me that they have seen more fish near the surface of the
water in Lake Superior than they ever saw before. They have
seen schools of whitefish and lake trout so large that they did not
think it possible that so many fish were in the lake. There was a
time some thirty years ago when there was no more fish caught in
the waters of Lake Superior than there have been the past two
seasons. ‘The water is so clear that, during the summer months,
when there are many nets in the water, the fishermen tell me
that they see thousands of fish feed along and pass by the nets.
If the fish are coming in full force straight for the net they
will rise and go over it. I claim that the fish have seen so much
twine in the water that they are becoming educated and keep
shy of it when possible. Any fisherman knows that fish do not
run into nets during the day time and that there are not many
fish caught during calm, still weather; also, they do not catch

68 Thirty-fifth Annual Meeting

as many fish in the hght of the moon as they do in the dark.
Fishermen tell the same story from the Atlantic to the Pacific.

Mr. Lydell: I would like to talk about seventeen hours on
this subject now, but I do not see as there is any use. We are do-
ing the best we can to educate the people as we go along to plant
fish right. I know the people of Michigan are getting their in-
structions with every can of fish we ship to them, and I think
most of the people in Michigan know how to plant fish now.

Mr. Gunckel: JI remember a few years ago down in Mont-
gomery County, Ohio, several cans of fish were sent to the farm-
ers who planted them in front of their farms in a stream which is
high in the spring and lower in the summer. They were planted
there in the early part of the season and in the latter part of the
summer the hole was dry and the stream was dry. The next
year when the rains and freshets came the people asked where
the fish were. But there was no water and no fish. That is
something that we see all through Ohio. I thing Mr. Fullerton
is correct in saying that the people do not use enough care to see
that the fish are properly planted, merely sending cans of fish to
a committee of farmers or perhaps to a committee of fish-worm
anglers; and they distribute them in the little streams in the in-
terior, and never watch them, never see that they are even in
deep water. I thing that should be remedied.

While on the floor I wish to ask to be excused. I rode five
hours to come here merely to pay my respects to this society and
show that I am still a member. I wish to take the next train so
that I can go back to my work and not be missed. That is the
way a fisherman always does.

President: Of course we will excuse Mr. Gunckel and allow
him to go to his work, but he will be missed.

Mr. Boardman: I would like to ask to what extent the pollu-
tion of streams affects the propagation and the growth of the
fish. I have always considered that the streams of New England
which were badly polluted had a bad effect on the fish; but I
came from a short trip in [lhnois and seeing how badly the
water is polluted, and how plentiful the fish are, I have come to
the conclusion that pollution of the waters has not so much to do

American Fisheries Society. 69

with the quantity of the fish as some people think. I have
changed my opinion, for certainly, in spite of the filthy-looking
water the fish are extremely plentiful, and especially in Spring

Lake.

°

Q. They are bass?

A. Large mouth. We always considered factories polluting
streams had driven out our bass, but I have changed my opinion,
and I would like to know whether I am right in changing it or
not.

Mr. Atkins: What polluted the water?

Mr. Boardman: About everything, I should judge. I under-
stand they turn the sewage from Chicago into the Illnois river
largely through the drainage canal, and I should think every-
thing that could pollute a stream was there—from the looks of it.

Mr. Atkins: It makes probably an immense difference what
sort of pollution you put into the water. It has been found in
Europe to be an excellent practice to manure ponds, so that if
you have cow-yards and stockyards draining into your streams,
according to the practice in many parts of Europe, that would be
a decided advantage to the fish.

Mr. Titcomb: What kind of fish ?

Mr. Atkins: Carp. (Great laughter.)

And at the same time it might be very deleterious to have the
water pollution or refuse from paper mills or chemical works,
and it seems to me that the whole question is one that needs to
be thoroughly investigated, and we have hardly begun it. There
needs to be a commission at work in every state investigating the
condition of the water, the causes of any pollution that they
may find, and the specific action of the particular sort of pollu-
tion upon fishes.

Mr. Clark: A word or two in regard to pollution. The proof
seems positive that pollution is highly detrimental to the waters
of the Great Lakes for,whitefish. At Alpena on Thunder Bay
river fifty or sixty years ago, whitefish weighing from 5 to 10
pounds were caught, but twenty-five years ago no whitefish were

70 Thirty-fifth Annual Meeting

taken from the river, nor until within a distance of six or seven
miles from its mouth, as can be testified by a gentleman now
present (Mr. Wires). ‘Today the men we have there do not see
any caught within nine or ten miles of that river, and the bot-
tom of the bay is literally covered with old bark and sawdust.
Now, if it was not these polluting substances that came down the
river from the mills, that drove the whitefish out, pray tell me
what it was. I know there were many caught from the river
fifty or sixty years ago, as the evidence is indisputable. If it
was not the pollution that drove them out, what was it?

Mr. Nevin: Do coal ashes have any effect ?

Mr. Clark: I think any pollution in the water will hurt the
whitefish more or less, and there should nothing go in that is in
any way harmful.

Mr. Titeomb: This is a subject upon which we could receive
testimony continually for a long time. I am sorry that Mr.
Marsh is not here from the Bureau, because he has been making
some laboratory tests with water taken from sewers and from
rivers below the tail-races of mills, and he has by that means dis-
covered the effects of different kinds of pollution. I think that
most of the so-called pollution referred to in the Illinois river,
is the wash from the farmlands and is not very injurious to fish ;
and I am told that when the cornfields are overflowed the carp
and big mouth bass grow best, and they appear to stand any
amount of muddy water. But our pollution in New England is
largely from factories in clear water streams, and that stuff kills
the fish. On the Delaware river this season I learned that the
oil steamers come in at Neweastle, Delaware, in ballast with
water; that while it is contrary to law to empty that water out
after they arrive at port, they do violate the law, and that water
is so polluted that it kills the fish. In the vicinity of the vessel
schools of young shad have come up on shore, dead. Near the
Du Pont powder works and in other places whole schools are
killed by direct pollution in that way.

Mr. Boardman: I have listened to a good many discussions
about carp and I asked a commercial fisherman at Spring Lake
what he thought about carp, and he said they certainly lessen

American Fisheries Society. 71

the number of other fish, but he thinks that the other fish were
afraid of the carp for a while but now they seem to grow together
just as other fish do; that the carp do not fight them any more
and that the other fish are increasing, and this year their catch
has been the best they have had for a number of years, in the
vicinity of Spring Lake.

Dr. Bean: |! do not hke to prolong this discussion, but the
subject is one of so great importance to fish culturists that I
would like to say just a word. I understand that the paper deals
mainly with propagation and protection, but the associated
question of pollution is one so near to the results at which the
fish culturists aim, that we cannot consider the two without also °
mentioning the third.

President: That would probably come under the head of
protection from pollution anyhow.

Dr. Bean: It appears to me that that is one of the most im-
portant subjects with which we have to deal at the present time,
not only on the part of the federal and state governments but on
the part of the private fish culturist as well. To illustrate how
destructive the matter of pollution may become (and the instance
which I have in mind is a thing which has been observed in Ger-
many and reported upon by an eminent bacteriologist, Dr.
Hofer), I would like to refer to the washings from manure heaps
and pig-sties and other domestic arrangements which are turned
into streams supplying trout ponds. That kind of pollution,
according to the researches of Hofer and others, has caused the
disease which we -have recognized in our own country only too
seriously in fact, as the boil or ulcer disease, especially among
the brown trout, and to some extent among the brook trout of
this country. Prof. Hofer had brook trout suffering from this
disease under observation in Germany, and his paper relates to
ulcer disease among brown trout mainly, but also among brook
trout. Now this very source of pollution has, in one state, to my
own knowledge, reduced the stock of one particular species of
trout from some hundreds of thousands to a few thousand in a
very short time. It is a very serious matter then for us to con-
sider and I do not believe that it has received the attention from
the states and the federal government to which it is entitled, up

72 Thirty-fifth Annual Meeting

to the present day. I do not mean-to find fault at all. We have
been so busy getting out fish that we have not stopped to think
about the enemies and the diseases which retard our work; but
we have got to do it now; we cannot afford to lose thousands of
dollars worth of stock in a season; and we must all get to work
and talk to one another and talk to the people about these things
and tell them what to do, if we know anything that can be done,
and we do in some cases. I do not wish to take up your time,
but I merely wanted to state that it appears to me that Mr. Ful-
lerton’s paper starts a subject on which we ought to talk for
hours and days, and continue to talk for years to come.

Mr. Clark: In connection with Mr. Fullerton’s paper, and
to substantiate the statements I have made in regard to the fish
and fisheries of the Great Lakes not retrograding, and with due
respect and regard to the programme committee, I would like,
if it is agreeable to the president and members, to call for a talk
and some charts that Mr. Seymour Bower is intending to pre-
sent. The subject is, I understand, right along the same hne
with the matter now under discussion.

Mr. Seymour Bower: (Speaking.) A few days ago I had
occasion to refer to the statistical records on file at the office of
the Michigan Fish Commission, and while delving through these
records for certain information, a number of points were de-
veloped that it seemed to me would be of interest to the members
of this society and worth publishing in the annual report. This
is my excuse for appearing before you in connection with a sub-
ject that is acknowledged to be pretty dry, the subject of sta-
tistics.

For the past fifteen years, or since the beginning of 1891, the
Michigan Fish Commission has employed an agent who devotes
nearly his entire time to the collection of statistics covering the
commercial fishing industry of Michigan waters of the Great
Lakes. This agent visits each fishing station at least once every
calendar year and collects the figures for the preceding calendar
year. The figures are obtained by personal interview and by in-
spection of the records and books of every fisherman, the latter
being thrown open to him freely for this purpose. By reason of
this free access to all of the records, and taking into consideration

American Fisheries Society. 73

the personality of our agent, Mr. Moore, who is unusually pains-
taking and thorough in every detail of his work, we believe that
the results obtained are thoroughly reliable, in fact that these
statistics are as accurate as it is practical to make them. Realiz-
ing that the subject is a pretty dry one, and in order to relieve
the monotony somewhat as well as to emphasize comparisons, I
have made use of a number of line charts, as I call them.

These tables and charts, then, represent the fisheries data of
the Michigan waters of the Great Lakes from 1881 to 1904 in-
clusive, 1904 being the last year for which we have complete re-
turns, all taken by the same man and without any change what-
ever in classification.

The figures in detail for whitefish are as follows:

(At the suggestion of Mr. Bower the line charts referred to
are omitted from the report, but the detailed figures are given in

full.)

WHITEFISH.
Year Total Catch, Pounds Total Value
HSS Oplieteer Re ty canes Steve aoe cosksaes o Gaeta carers 8,110,000 $351,196.00
AES OD Rae Seer cave ade aera tie rakemcuesieren ne ataan oe oncirs 6,347,000 258,011.00
TMS Ye Gi. custo Cat heey ASOT ATR Sty ch GNC MISTER. ae 5,345,000 231,189.00
HO Acer nce atic ntmyt Keel ce Cate ire rehed lone ths. Suet 8 4,470,000 163,813.00
TMG BYE stat Gretna Riera a ce Reece rane eee OR 3,353,000 30,811.00
MIRO Oh ptraers ee Fro ek konerec cis onsaeGioe ue ones 3,783,000 141,750.00
MES Oar A Mn Aa cites aeatieeak oi lane cuaes nee ena 4,639,000 186,777.00
1S Src toorcee her ook were Pa Eint. CR RCRD eRe 4,102,000 170,245.00
SO Os Sesae aie oats pe Sak eoh STATA Me LS oheut Se nhie 3,640,000 188,586.00
HL () Ee gee gente Septet tscauaetes seche to Gorfatoyet mess 3,460,000 185,010.00
ALD ile epepercsore i eee yainre series are hoe a craborels 4,173,000 236,909.00
HED Drechea araetans raree vat to deiac once cous sherey Sst paver ees 5,371,000 307,860.00
UD Seema eee other eto elect: 4,508,000 276,638.00
TESKO) eee ees oie riesecneire oak ner Oe Or mca 4,197,000 270,262.09

The first table represents the catch and value of whitefish.

All comparisons are made with the year 1891, which I take as

my basis of comparison.
In the year 1891 the total catch of whitefish was 8,110,000

pounds—this refers only to Michigan waters of the Great Lakes
of a total value of $351,196.

That is the high year.

The catch

has not been as great as that in any year since. It fell off rapidly
until 1895, which is the low year, not only in the catch, but in

74 Thirty-fifth Annual Meeting

the value of the fish. From that time on the catch has increased
as a whole until the total of the last three years of the period end-
ing with 1904 was 2,800,000 pounds more than for the preceding
three years, and for the last five years it was over 2,000,000
pounds greater than for the preceding five years.

The values have increased faster in recent years than the
catch. The total value for 1902 was nearly equal to that of 1891,
although the catch was considerably less. The claim that white-
fish have been nearly all cleaned out of the lakes is not true, at
least so far as Michigan waters are concerned. The catch has
held up well for ten years while for the last three years a marked
increase is shown.

Mr. Fullerton: Can you assign any cause for the increas?
in price ?

Mr. Bower: Everything has increased in price; meats, for in-
stance, and nearly all food staples. Moreover the producing area
for fish remains stationary, while in good times the demand in-
creases with the increase in population. Going back a little, how-
ever, we fiind an exception to the rule. Ordinarily when any
commodity is scarce on the market the price is enhanced, but we
find that in some of the years in which we had the smallest catch
of whitefish the price was lowest per pound. It seems that for
some reason or other—perhaps on account of “hard times”—the
price affected production rather than production the price. In
other words, values were so low that fishing was more or less un-
profitable.

Secretary Peabody: Was not that because the Lake Superior
whitefish was not educated in those years ?
(Laughter. )

Mr. Bower: Possibly, but the exception applies not to white-
fish alone, for the years 1895 to 1897 were the low years with al!
kinds of fish, not only in catch but in value. Beginning in the
late 90’s, however, there was a gradual increase in the ‘total value
of the catch of nearly all kinds, a conspicuous exception, how-
ever, being the sturgeon.

American Fisheries Society. V5

The next table refers to lake trout.

LAKE TROUT.

Year Total Catch, Pounds Total Value
ALSO Hi ramre Part «cite ydansr acer accuse bash elehinte ne aay ous 9,132,000 $375,200.00
SO Peer Pama er N ceva cep OCN aia Balelaue ay ai 8,860,000 358,598.09
HOS Ieee at val Wan ciAavehorcheh shee es Slain nlorene 8,948,000 366,489.00
ESO Ane yan sas cnertotey cic ove tania catovsasio/ Meteo set 7,291,000 243,261.00
RO Fader pets n6) oes Slace micoepaaae Sao pe eres ae 6,293,000 234,311.00
TUSRO ied ies ee Case a ay ee i See Bae ae Mea 6,900,000 240,902.00
ES Geer ees eee tetova dolore teers aeshaioh heeeal es 6,580,000 246,121.00
ESO Sime ett e ove eerat | his vapotsen eter’ Com onerrsico bras 6,495,000 235,915.00
FRO O Perna e sop esas mc, Seale Suey Wambinn igkay te 6,505,000 292,852.00
BI) () OR Daaecy cick cia alicee ioe st oa ore Say chore epee 6,458,000 282,711.00
ANG (Vilma ay eM era cae ara cera heise Soar « 7,388,000 337,872.00
TUS OE Saeed he Dear Pe eee 9,363,000 431,630.00
IOS SS Sb 5 SM MO OIE more OR e ac ie aero ae 9,635,000 463,690.00
HQ () Aircast acca sdava rs GaastectenSeabayemiatey oars 11,638,000 504,696.00

You will notice that 1895 was the low year both in catch and
value of lake trout. Then the catch held its own pretty well
until 1900, increasing from that time to 1904, when not only
the catch but the value was greater than for any year of the four-
teen-year period, and probably greater than at any time in the
history of commercial fishing in Michigan.

- We account for the increase in catch of lake trout to some ex-
tent by the increased amount of fishing in deep water for sis-
cowet trout in Lake Superior, which is rather expensive and
when prices are low rather unprofitable.

Mr. Clark: I would hke to ask, Mr. Bower, if this increase
is not due in a measure to the increased output of fry, more par-
ticularly of the United States hatcheries as well as from Wiscon-
sin,—the output being greater in recent years.

Mr. Bower: JI have no doubt that the increased output of
the hatcheries is also an important factor in the increased catch.

Mr. Clark: An increase of 50 per cent. at least or more than
that.

76 Thirty-fifth Annual Meeting

Mr. Bower: The figures in detail of the herring catch and
value are as follows:

HERRING.
Year Total Catch, Pounds Total Value
No Paar a i acer Bernt as DL oh ands a 7,823,000 $117,319.00
Dts} PAE SMR AaGSA cio RRR RE Ra oro ne Oa 5,564,000 71,979.00
TSO SS tN ere Rel Does ae war pene ea 10,178,000 159,313.00
NSO)! SMES Paneer ae ren. cased See ait OE Rite 8,825,000 112,046.00
ESO ARNE OA sraia wr nesuaescaitiors teh CE 10,512,000 101,618.00
SO Oise rhachis cadena ey OEE een 12,115,000 92,012.00
Toh) (piece Sates (oR Ra ORE ey OR VA, Se RLS 12,958,000 98,510.00
TIO SL aaa ae PRPC A tien al tea Cee A are ange 14,937,000 143,439.00
ERO ON eves i Core ce eotsas ee ee ten eat 17,567,000 193,000.00
OOO. Berne reece a gts cee enn eee 13,068,000 172,250.00
IU Oath ee hors capean a meer PERE et renal asta eat 14,865,000 287,850.00
NO OD ees cain A teoe oat dees eens ee ee eee 19,112,000 285,875.00
RLS 0 Biss eae tok ried See ea eco Ui DORON Poco 15,767,000 305,036.00
TD (eee ac a ce teccvcheees ered acest mee eee cote 19,927,000 332,831.00

Nineteen hundred and two was the low year; then the catch
fluctuated, but you will notice that in some years when the catch
was low the price was even still lower proportionately. Very
likely, however, the fish were just as abundant as they were in
_later years. ‘The small catch does not necessarily indicate scar-
city but rather that the price was so low that it was unprofitable
to fish for them in some localities. ‘Then you will see that the
catch increases rapidly down to 1904, when it was the largest in
the history of commercial fishing in Michigan, not only in
pounds but in value,—nearly three times as large as it was
in 1891.

Mr. O’Brien: Are not the meshes of nets now used smaller
than they were in nets used in 1891?

Mr. Bower: 'They are for Green Bay, but elsewhere the sizes
are the same as they have been as far back as 1889, except from
1897 to 1899. In 1897 our general law on meshes was so amend-
ed as to increase the size of large meshed pound nets one-half
inch and large meshed gill-nets one-fourth inch, but this amend-
ment was repealed two years later, in 1899, leaving the sizes the
same as since 1899, except for Green Bay.

American Fisheries Society. 77

Mr. Nevin: How was the fishing reported on Lake Michigan
this year ?

Mr. Bower: I have not heard.

President: Is not there a greater demand for herring than
there was fifteen years ago ?

Mr. Bower: There is a greater demand for all kinds of fish.

The next table shows the catch and value of pike-perch or
wall-eyed pike.

PIKE-PERCH OR WALL-EYED PIKE.

Year Total Catch, Pounds Total Value
HIER Oyllaeee eran ay irca Seotstie we, tareneas cits o varceeiseeieinee ies ons 2,791,000 $92,623.00
ESO Peed artes aisle cases Mus eer woes 2,356,000 84,285.00
MES ese Fen cSt Sotes isheh ce lens Laie Vasey aya: sc1Site eA 1,861,000 76,717.00
HLS QA aia are pA Sieh cewafe ecre deh ee sae a aun RTS 2,824,000 75,056.00
SG ery aN etic tase (Mea ncd dba wee shane 2,134,000 59,845.00
RO Guesracer rw ton tla ofius’ vocliseee Wash cesekiate. Sacer 2,121,000 69,106.00
ES Oi aaieena nal eRe oi Shapcao aint Moraine een eee 2,432,000 82,982.00
MISO Serer tees ictc seaeiol eae ole reuen eis eiadaieceoas one 3,113,000 98,356.00
TURNS KS) a Seti let sae len Perla Or Rae Ree ae 2,816,000 115,176.00
UD) Open ron ears nee mists nie mA eee ATS a ei 1,741,000 82,927.00
RO O sleeper cea ye ne nee 1,713,000 87,412.00
HG 2 Beem esrct Warere soe ee easter e Tevteoneto entens 2,289,000 129,540.00
LO OB Mee etre Bic odsy tales calc tkeoe s 2,904,000 174,609.00
eG (Area en Neth ok eros edison ame es 2,697,000 168,306.00

Although there was a general slump in values in the middle
90’s, the catch of pike-perch fluctuated less perhaps than most
of the other kinds. You will notice for the year 1903 the total
catch was the largest in any of the fourteen years with one ex-
ception ; and the values of 1902, 1903 and 1904 are much greater
than for any similar period of the fourteen years.

The next table represents the common or yellow perch.

PERCH.
Year Total Catch, Pounds Total Value
TIPS Leas Oat Saas eee Nee UR le eae Reel ae 2,017,000 $21,192.00
WI OAc rR An perce clay euoumeve te Oita Ny esesers: Fibs 2,560,000 “ 28,758.00
USBI 6 5 ca eeen a oer or cee Pace eaten cena ae meee 2,622,000 30,374.00
HBSS OAM epee seit eRe psn Ne ice Shore "ene, Skee, wis 2,785,000 27,435.00
MESO Syiae Pees ark ell ate Sachs Reece ate 2,437,000 25,093.00

TUS S'S Signe Cho ois neta acr at eee ae ae ae 2,010,000 19,393.00

78 Thirty-fifth Annual Meeting

Year Total Catch, Pounds Total Value
DSO cus Bomcerendeceecea cre at naes epee eepaT: 2,091,000 25,173.00
USO Sty conscete bos Sateen eet a ere ee ee 2,772,000 34,192.00
LSD Oh sacs otee ace eackocs reese re eae 3,458,000 41,473.00
ISO) ergeeecen tt na re eetkad See ON Boag ote 4,031,000 48,202.00
ED. Oa pNater cate ee eat Se ee 4,155,000 62,422.00
USO Ais. seep cpenerc ae, stewed cteeats oreo eee Oh Saaremaa 3,300,000 63,622.00
MS OB es esas eo acte poke Beara och eae 3,107,000 73,292.00
HI) 0 a ae ota a ee nar ket Lae MS 2,474,000 59,421.00

You will notice that 1896 was the low year for both catch and
value, also that during the last five or six years both catch and
value are quite largely increased. This increase in the catch
of perch, also of suckers and some other kinds of rough fish, is
due to some extent to the introduction of submarine trap-nets
about eight years ago, the use of which was abolished in this
state beginning with January 1, 1905. From 800 to 1,000 of
these nets were employed at that time.

Mr. titceomb: Do you propagate perch now?
Mr. Bower: No sir; not the common perch.
Mr. Titcomb: Do you believe it ought to be?
Mr. Bower: If it is a practical success, yes, sir.

Mr. Titcomb: It is one of the easiest fish to propagate we

Mr. Meehan: We propagated 62,000,000 this year.
Mr. Clark: This was the white perch?
Mr. Meehan: No, the yellow.

Mr. Bower: The next table refers to suckers.

SUCKERS.
Year Total Catch, Pounds Total Value
TENG) les Fa eg elie Prem We Mice Carer sustas som oe 1,392,000 $17,132.00
TOPS es Su IR ECs Sek AS! ins tater meat 2,352,000 27,701.00
BOR ARI tiet cake Hoe Ore eee 3,114,000 32,670.00
ES QATS lee ntattone & occas i en eee 3,600,000 34,054.00
ISO SRE res ctoutie ctcuscs-cistol he obitan seer eters 3,900,000 35,035.00
EES OG Baeeiatever sucess Aue e tease (ets thoes ke tn eee 1,900,000 20,067.00
SOE cenewe oars Mini tusiias>atetake issonenane fet Sree tke 2,162,000 24,428.00
SO Sys eedaceette en = Cykiinae i tnelineiereteus evel ees 1,833,000 21,183.00

HELE Sk ard eae WW Ee ee RR ego 2,017,000 27,075.00

American Fisheries Society. 79

Year Total Catch, Pounds Total Value
MOO Orwerteatrsicten orto othek occ Sone hom 2,650,000 34,167.00
Fe (Peirce sec aust Sarasa Tone cee aisthoe Ohh ocae 2,751,000 47,665.00
FG OD iepebeeeot sires ness. cece. ove vorcoetene Gis cate oaths 3,925,000 68,714.00
ALG) emer hereto Sra cv alea cee ashore eecaaie 5,432,000 99,061.00
US Watde Greig eae cach chee Ses POEL RC eee RENE ete 5,000,000 81,814.00

You will notice that the crop of suckers in Michigan in 1903
and 1904 was very large—must have been more than one born a
minute. (Laughter.) Suckers were probably as abundant in
1891 as now, but their value at that time was much lower, hence
there was less incentive for catching them. If the law prohibit-
ing the use of submarine trap-nets has been enforced since it
took effect, January 1, 1905, the catch of suckers and other coarse
fish will probably show a considerable decrease since then.

Q. Is not the sucker leading the whitefish now ?

Mr. Bower: Yes, in pounds but, of course, not in value.

Speaking of values I want to say that those I have used in all
the tables are the prices received by the fishermen. In case a
fisherman is also a dealer his fish are valued at what he would
pay somebody else for them and not what he actually receives as
a dealer. The values are on the lowest basis, the price received
at first hand.

The price and value of sturgeon, including caviar, are as
follows:

STURGEON.

Total Value,
Year Total Catch, Pounds Including Caviar
BLES Oalieke aeeeey Se cathe os Base roselahar makers ans lola: 831,000 $47,571.00
EA A ee it CP Es OP ences eee eee aR 501,000 31,817.00
SO Sten ey cars cha eon atere eto pinaee Rare 468,000 28,758.00
ES Aner eR airs NoPai hus ar sisys ee ONO oh BES 294,000 17,733.00
US Oysters ease Mien cgouccs Cua ctaS Sate 225,000 16,712.00
BLES IO Gwe tenon ee rears SAAR so ee Soe 225,000 17,483.00
LS ON Peete renee rays scesst a ep ARe Ma seicreins eter suc ests 185,000 19,303.00
IIs cy cla aah Oat CE Rek APRA RE eye are eee 237,000 25,931.00
TOSS Ns sokorcioehics ORENGR POOR ENGI CRC EO ODEEESaT 217,000 33,492.00
DIXON) 3 Oe are chan piece Reuse ERIS one eRe chane 176,000 24,847.00
TESKO AA ir ee Shc eeereRCno one ce aR SBE ee TS Ea 132,000 20,697.00
LD Deve ne cheN craic Gero tae aes 107,000 17,814.00
ANGKOR e886) ee oocee 5 clos ON REA Ae Chee ee rae ee 110,000 18,360.00

NONE Ah ein. stss ore Ce ness wate ea CR ws ees 101,000 16,800.00

80 Thirty-fifth Annual Meeting

It will be noticed that the sturgeon is rapidly on the road
towards practical extermination.

Mr. Clark: It is practically gone.

Mr. Bower: You will also notice that values have increased
much faster relatively than the catch. This is due in a great
measure to the increase in the value of caviar at first hands;
nearly every man that catches sturgeon now-a-days knows how
to make his own caviar, and he does so. Although the process
is simple and inexpensive, only a few understood it a number of
years ago—it was carefully guarded as a trade secret. Fisher-
men used to receive 15 to 20 cents per pound for the roe whereas
now they realize 80 cents to $1.00 per pound for the caviar. The
output of caviar in this state in 1891 was about 60,000 pounds,
but in 1904 it had dropped to about 8,000 pounds.

The next table covers all kinds of fish not previously classified.

ALL OTHER KINDS, PRINCIPALLY GERMAN CARP, MENOMI-
NEE WHITEFISH, CATFISH, BULLHEADS, SUNFISH,
ROCK BASS, GRASS PIKE, SAUGERS, ETC.

Year Total Catch, Pounds Total Value
ISIE eee et pe NARS of noite tec chro OmacnO Or 1,557,000 $35,790.00
DSO ZB sasctoth cr cokers aero ota e 2,795,000 72,434.00
USGS eo ad FEE her ek Matis hee elma es 1,482,000 38,265.00
DSO see Sas Besse arate Guage eieiov aga enstete rane 1,234,000 29,965.00
ADS Oy Swede ales Ae eaehshic io eRe ee eee se 1,277,000 24,165.00
MS Girne eels Hotes ee rete tare) Soe aoe 1,301,000 30,188.00
BRS EV Meet ints ces cee anhcic & Backs eamroirtn dos 1,510,000 26,536.00
IAS peepee ah een tiara, urs (0 ee dese moe 1,671,000 30,816.00
1A een etre sane: toate brane of Sk cb Gas 2,081,000 44,795.00
DOO. vers ecenacteceiee ee ee era 2,400,000 50,798.00
HG Osea eS Payal rien, 215 eS RN eae Ree 3,061,000 52,005.00
NG OR oie dis, oS 0s Ieee eee 2,763,000 55,665.00
ELD OSPR a ..S aie)» a chee Me Ree wooetons 2,384,000 56,202.00
JNO At cate MRAP Ae haces Names pata nd 1,971,000 48,860.00

You will notice the same general condition with reference to
the catch of these miscellaneous fish, viz: low in the middle
90’s, then gradually increasing. The catch, however, decreased
somewhat in the last year or two, during which time probably
50 to 60 per cent. of this class was German carp.

American Fisheries Society. 81

The aggregate catch and value of all kinds of fish are shown
in the next table.
TOTALS OF ALL KINDS.

Year Total Catch, Pounds Total Value
TLS KE A bit stat oie a cc aE ccc a eae 33,643,000 $1,058,028.00
TRS Pies sce aie Dane cae ON aoe oa ac 31,345,000 933,586.00
ISOS eeeroereg aca ys eyharcrsecraiere ak Sel cee caele Ie veiceike 34,018,000 963,778.00
BUI QU Gots rete ere MG on eters Peach cin erenaus arses exe, 5 31,323,000 703,365.00
EER Geena pts ate raid ack ccals vor op ecstayane sce os 30,131,000 627,594.00
TURKEY his sit te ee ra aes ech ae arg Ree a 30,355,000 630,902.00
TNS) hs sevice Sac ORS RCI aCe eect ear 32,557,000 709,831.00
SOR ese hates Rac Narn aeone ae Sintiioae ere fe aretinn 35,194,000 760,079.00
TLS) EY Se oe BA CheS TSS ERSTE RRR REO Scenes 38,482,000 936,453.00
HLS Oe ce ctiat a aye Saray os Shced aeaoth ae sakes aeons 34,011,000 881,002.00
LD Dillemen ee iects reo ohne heer oe taet 38,259,000 1,133,839.00
NG O Der van hereiotenses as ore eet eid ete oT 46,242,000 1,461,724.00
HG Spmehim arcs eR MeSE ceeterc aay Latha euelceel ecole. 43,857,000 1,467,520.00
HES (AGH para ch Soes SL ad alaree oe ticipate) oleae 47,992,000 1,482,990.00

You will see that the combined catch was low in 1894, 1895
and 1896, with the lowest value in 1895, and that is true of near-
ly all kinds of fish. Then there was a gradual increase until the
year 1904 when the total both in catch and value was the highest
of any year of the fourteen-year period, and probably higher
than at any time since commercial fishing has been carried on in
this state.

The next table shows in detail the data with reference to
pound-nets.

POUND-NETS.

(Includes trap-nets, fyke-nets, gobblers, and submarine trap-nets,
or all forms of nets that take fish by leading them into trap or
pound.)

Total Length of Leader in Fathoms

ites OME sewseer ee ee seMar Sta ce eis wis saretaer rat atoks ohne 304,000
HO Dieter ere chcnevets accor iach ofeseiciecsh shovsteuey uele.d fer os 245,000
LS OS peer paacear SPs ora RAST oats cd cine rebate Saar Ol seekete 237,000
RES OA Merete ten tana ronerre satin ck eneU iat cee rta ele Vet @ Stara o/s 242,000
ESO Bee prey rcorrts coos oeseael sao ecg nmalloa sae eteteuen sae re 210,000
SS Gives: ter pu bemece arta ss koe Gee eject ory soit asuets 213,000
HLS pmeyre ane acne ges ec ee teen cg LSet ee tens te fey stenece te NS 269,000
ESOS teeapetie eerste «oh ayets casy exch wbevecetah fiers see, sans 268,000
itso) ais cites Gade Gea ous ae each exele eiorera ee ceec cy Cente 290,000

UD. 0 Ol thcrarstace oxceeteaevet nocsteres ble eie eleva ols! S07 bs 305,000

For a few
dropped off.

Thirty-fifth Annual Meeting

Total Length of Leader in Fathoms
Sas Ps ening ASP ees Meek he erat 282,000
RE eae cee epee Mite e Set Te ox 305,000

DIRE o Claas bite GUD lace A OBEY 341,000

BORE eee ONO oors DO Ie Oe Oe Geos 345,000

years after 1891 the use of pound-nets gradually
The low years were 1895 and 1896, then there was

a grandual increase, amounting to 12 per cent. in 1904 over 1891.

Probably this

increase has been lost by this time, if the law pro-

hibiting the use of submarine trap-nets, effective January 1,
1905, is enforced.
The next table refers to gill-nets.

GILL-NETS.

Fathoms in Length Miles
SGA aa ea HE ghd ates Se 2,363,000 2685.2
LHe Ray cttecenote MaBe eh ocsowlin te neta shoneuepaee 2,503,000 2844.3
BE ae tat UOC CPE CIR Oe 2,815,000 3198.8
SSh EE ee SERGE eee ene 2,795,000 3171.6
abr bie ate he eeeitohaes fale er othe aero 2,616,000 2972.7
eR or ORELC at HS eicoen eroTO oR OIEN 2,410,000 2738.6
SU asiya ate a Aene ote Tee edn ne eee 2,456,000 2790.9
a apa bn otrel Ss Paareaekd ola ee see Pa 2,687,000 3053.4
BE RS ee een AS el eee 2,802,000 3184.0
Rens Reds HOR SecenS baba conta cnet arte 3,051,000 3467.0
ESPN Cen TNS COR TEEN Oe OG 3,652,000 4147.7
ees cee ea NG Oe eR ON OE, 4,032,000 4581.8
Sad SIO es nokta orc oniT 4,213,000 4787.5
at PC an PAU Et eee OR SN 4,510,000 5126.1

The use of gill-nets has increased much more rapidly than
any other form of apparatus. In no later year has there been a
less number of these nets in use than in 1891, and in the last four
years there has been a large increase, amounting to nearly 100
per cent. in 1904 over 1891.

The next table refers to seines, the use of which is relatively

unimportant.

SEINES.
Fathoms in Length

American Fisheries Society. 83

Fathoms in Length

ISG Raa Ss araeoeeR Rae Heer a Heo ece se mas eer 26,300
USO Gece wey disue. ches tirana ae uerenie olaconcseeecttenets 22,000
HISD ict ctecatn cy Mor sacuctiovel sere ich) ay aeoua) cesudeun asl ap etlace 19,000
BLESS 9 SS Rasa recht clccmos eNom ote et sogtetls tos heh ncliry hon oil 4,800
IRA See oe OBO noe Cod Se OMEN eae TOT 5,100
ANG OO rsiiparexsh cus. cuted tnt wesc Sus ah ceria wor -eartey sceanse 3,700
ED Wile eee Nore vetsscre ans ccdtetr cara aiere eo sete tad sae 4,400
IBY iS ato. 2.8 Otro bio Sinead pc ae Dies Ae eran 4,500
IDNR Aes a eioihco ov cibIbG GOODS OOK Oo Aaa Geto 4,800
IG \OL 3s Bierce cc abrers Decicnocran Get Ambit Tee ems 6,200

The next and last table shows the total investment in lands,
buildings, apparatus, etc., for the fourteen-year term.

TOTAL VALUE OF FISHERY LANDS AND BUILDINGS AND ALL
FISHING APPARATUS, INCLUDING NETS AND BOATS.

LUSSS Lebar echo G BPCR AIPM EPO Tee UM CARE $1,105,000
SO a raesysretzcren te evaiisn scekona clove ieketstate she echiets.. 1,169,000
PS OSE Rese eeete eed aera ate ove e esanes Gale ta eas 1,815,000
BLS OA ryceseponcaen rach re taue yer sa ancl wetraueRens cteysy ons ss, ay 1,200,000
ERO Diem eitpc ness doneg tackevaeemoeann mucledaeeucsOse ats 1,078,000
HS Gres ey espck esse hele tetris creeet bade aust 4s Homers 1,010,000
BS Ode Sete teu ear odsvatoteus tage she eysittanoes tae etna e ore 1,022,000
ASO Spatciessoecuet can rhet oan cpa ask ate cone iste etoed saogea nie 1,181,000
US OO ie aaort eer setters tone, clcsoecage ss! susie’ speeeis swe. 1,255,000
ELS OO) epeerar Wye hoe operat Shas, ve waoeegakemern iets: suerte 1,237,000
Me) Leesa secrtetrobetts, wou rts tesatans vale oratny Sich cnetle woth la 1,467,000
NG (Vie Waptaniha tora one) ovepis sh cnshsi soe ae eas ove Sect shale 1,670,000
ALD. OB rierctterstone itr etusi ahersh alee ate sence Scr olore Se. 1,946,000
MED DAs eee se cuctare raratooe eteoepe e cactcle, arnallcad shetctoweyae 2,175,000

The general depression in the fishing industry during the
middle 90’s is shown in this table as well as in the catch, the low
years being 1895 to 1897, the figures then increasing until the
total value in 1904 is more than double that of 1896.

The total number of men employed increased from about
4,000 in 1891 to about 7,000 in 1904. (Applause. )

Mr. Fullerton: I am delighted to know that we do not need
any change in our fishing laws, as the fish are increasing so fast !
T am tickled to death to think that our fish are increasing so
rapidly as they are! It is gratifying to me to learn that the in-
formation that I have been getting from the market fishermen
and other people is inaccurate.

84 Thirty-fifth Annual Meeting

Mr. Clark: ‘The increase to a certain extent has been by pro-
tection and propagation, and we want to continue it still more
thoroughly.

Mr. Brown: Right in this line I want to say that during the
last session of the legislature of Michigan we read some of these
figures to show the members the importance of the work, the
number of people that were employed in the business and the
amount of capital invested, and some of the members asked us
about the statistics of other states, and we had none. The United
States takes them only once in five years and we were criticised
for making our own statistics. Now I want to ask if the mem-
bers do not think that the same sort of statistics and the same
methods from all other states would be valuable and help the
fishing interests generally. Mr. Fullerton I think, overlooked in
his remarks the large increase in the amount of nets and seines
that are in use now as compared with a few years since.

Mr. Fullerton: J took that into consideration.

Mr. Brown: And the large increase in the price. I want to
speak also about sewage and its relation to pollution of waters.
Take the Saginaw river between Bay City and Saginaw where all
the ordinary sewage of the city runs into the river, there was
never any notice of the stream being depleted until they begun
to turn the beet sugar factory waste in, which contains sulphuric
acid, lime, etc., and that surely killed the fish. But between
November and Mar ch of every winter they fish with nets; and
in that thirteen miles of river in 1904 the catch was 1,600,000
pounds, of which 535,000 pounds was perch, 777,000 suckers, and
then some bass and sunfish, 122,000 pounds, and of course this
shows that it is not all pollution that makes a very marked differ-
ence in the catch, particularly in the case of rough fish.

Dr. Birge: I should like to call attention to the point that
Mr. Brown mentioned, that of the increase in the nets. I wish
that Mr. Bower, if he could find time to do so, would prepare a
correlation table showing the ratio between some unit of net
pounds or whatever he may select, to the amount of fish caught
in that year. It seems to me that the showing would be more
favorable for the fish than I had anticipated. The pound nets

American Fisheries Society. 85

show apparently considerable increase ; the gill nets show an in-
crease of about 80 per cent., as I figure it roughly. The total
catch of the fish showed an increase of about 50 per cent. over
1891. Those figures, of course, I want to verify. Now, if one
important method of catching did not increase and the other
increase was about 80 per cent., in the second important method,
then it would seem that the fish are not much less abundant in
the lakes now than in 1891—somewhat less abundant. but not
greatly so. One who is familar with the statistics could un-
doubtedly work out a much closer correlation, and show the
significence of these figures as bearing on the relative abundance
of these fish at the stations fished by the Michigan fishermen
fifteen years ago and at present.

President: I think that all these figures and suggestions
lead to this conclusion, especially in view of what has been done
in the several states in the way of protection, that there is an in-
crease of fish in the lakes. But if you turn to the protective laws
in the several states, while they were in existence in 1891, they
were not enforced as well as they are today. Now, I know that
Michigan has done better in the last six years than ever before,
and I think it is true to a considerable extent in the other
states; and therefore if | am right about that it rather strength-
ens the argument of Mr. Fullerton, that if we would put it under
a uniform system, such as federal control, the protection would
be far more effective and far more useful than now. But I think
that some of these results shown by the chart are due to the pro-
tective measures that have already been taken.

Mr. Nevin: Is the two pound lake trout law enforced in
Michigan in regard to the protection of the small fish ?

President: I don’t know.
Mr. Nevin: I know it is not in our state.

Mr. Clark: It is in force in Michigan. The lake trout law
is enforced just as well as the whitefish law.

Mr. Seymour Bower: In regard to the immature whitefish
our statistical agent is very familiar with the grounds in Michi-
gan; knows just what kind of fish are caught and how they are

86 Thirty-fifth Annual Meeting

caught at every point along our coast line. According to his es-
timate there are twice as many illegal whitefish caught in Michi-
gan waters today, in number, I mean, as there are legal whitefish
—in other words, two-thirds in number of the catch of whitefish
today in Michigan waters are illegal fish—and that very material-
ly reduces the weight and value, because most of those fish are
salted. As an illustration, last week our agent, while in Toledo,
called at a fish house and while there they received a little con-
signment of whitefish from a village on the east shore of Lake
Michigan. It was a small lot, 800 pounds, but there were be-
tween 1600 and 1700 fish by count. The shipper received three
cents a pound, whereas for a four, or five or six pound fish the
price would have been ten or twelve cents a pound. The great
curse in the whitefish industry is the catching of the small fish.
If that had been checked in the last ten years, the lines on my
chart would not go clear beyond the paper. There is not a single
commercial fish caught in Michigan where there is so great a
percentage of immature, illegal fish taken as the whitefish. The
ereat bulk of over 90 per cent. of the lake trout caught in this
state are of legal size according to our agent.- But two-thirds
of the whitefish by number are illegal fish.

President: Of course, I did not mean that this increase was
due to protection alone; but it was taken in connection with the
work being done in propagation as well. There isn’t any doubt
but that the work of propagating whitefish in the last few years
has done a great amount of good. We all know around here in
Michigan at least, that whitefish have begun to appear where
they had disappeared because they had been cleaned out by the
net

SOME EXPERIMENTS IN THE PROPAGATION OF
RAINBOW TROUT.

BY MR. ALBERT ROSENBERG OF KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN.

In presenting this paper for your consideration, I feel some-
what diffident, as I have no means of knowing that there is any-
thing new or original in it.

In view, however, of the discouraging work with these fish at
other stations as well as ours, and the radical and gratifying
résults obtained by these experiments, it will, no doubt, prove
interesting to those fish culturists engaged in this work.

If you will pardon the digression, I will begin by giving you
a short resume of the season of 1904, so that a comparison may
be made:

Our take Of e858 Was. ',25e sale howler. 252,000
TGS: Ol SOMOS: WAS Seeks Sites ca eck ote 95,000
Heschel Auleynaise tet eat ctan clea eee 81,840
LOSSY) the bg Ae a Po eo ee 11,262

The eggs were taken at side of pond, regardless of air tem-
perature, using double pan; lower one containing water. When
separated, they were carried in pails to the hatchery, washed,
measured, and placed on trays.

When hatching was thoroughly started, alevins were taken
up and placed in fish trays. Here they commenced to die in large
numbers, when from one to four days old; and all fish culturists,
who have had similar experiences can realize the awfulness of
picking dead alevins, bursted sacs, ete. ‘

We tried leaving them in tank where they were hatched ; but
the result was the same—the losses ran from 5 per cent to 100
per cent in different lots of eggs.

The next serious, and to me, new feature, occurred when the
sac was nearly absorbed, and the fish were turned out in a tank
preparatory to feeding. The little fellows scattered all over and
lay on their sides gasping—only a few swimming naturally.
For want of a better name, we christened these “side-wheelers.”

The losses in batches affected in this way ran about 90 per cent.,
87

co
co

Thirty-fifth Annual Meeting
and, strange to say, the best looking fish were attacked in this
way.

As-we are producing these fish for commercial purposes, a
very serious condition confronted us.

I attributed these discouraging results to the following
causes :

Loss of eggs caused by chilling.

Low quality of eggs and fish caused by over feeding stock
fish and the nature of their food.

Acting on these theories I took particular pains in the sum-
mer of 1904 in the feeding of our stock fish. Having fed hog
plucks to our fish, giving the large fish mostly lights, I shifted
to sheep plucks, and now use them exclusively. Hog plucks
contain too much grease, oil, etc. I also fed minnows, grass-
hoppers, worms, etc.

As soon as we got through handling brook trout during the
fall of 1904, we moved our rainbow stock fish to the breeding
pens. In looking over the fish at this time (12-20-04) found
one ripe female, which with a few males I took into the hatchery.
Pond water was displaced by using hatchery water, temp. 49.
After leaving the fish in the warmer water a few minutes, we
stripped the female. ‘This was unusually early for us to get any
rainbow eggs,-and as we got a few eggs during the month of
January, it was an easy matter to follow the development.
When the first lot of eggs eyed they were counted and dead ones
subtracted, showing 96 per cent fertile eggs. This result was
practically kept wp with—

Our entire take, which was......... 469,000
Our lossof eres *wasi yeni taken 45,000
Our. Toss: of-allevimg Swaehi hrc acter 106,313
Our ‘loss od Mary WAST ihe <oolo sidenote 13,408

Whilst the loss in alevins was still very heavy, we had only
two small lots of side-wheelers, and the losses from this cause
was small. Eges taken during the last ten days of the season
were taken at the side of pond, weather and water being fine;
nevertheless losses in these eggs were heavy, and alevins almost
a total loss. Not having any idea of writing this paper at that
time I did not keep a separate record of those eggs.

American Fisheries Society. 89

Whilst this was a great improvement, I believed we could get
still better results ; especially with alevins, and herewith give you
results of this season’s work :

Wakevole, ©oO85) ivi. ars ead ecmneisiele Sess 561,500
ass Ol. BSUS ce teas se i. Biase 57,200
Meostshipped. O0tHst sues neces 292,000
NGORS HOFF Al EVANS cM s.7ctartees) fi eteiees ees 32,603
TE QES Oi DR yh nal ve sti prea aco: 12,360

We had no side-wheelers; all eggs were taken indoors, after
the fish had been admitted to the warmer water.

In conclusion I will give you record of eggs taken February 5,
1906:

Air temperature, 4 degrees above zero.

Water of pond, 36;

Water of hatchery, 48 ;

Amount of eggs ‘taken, 187 liquid ounces ;

Amount of eggs after eying, 211 liquid ounces.

Our stock fish will not run up a raceway, and we resort to
netting them once a week in the early part of the season, and
twice a week in February and March.

Out of 230 fish stripped this season, only nine females entered
raceway, although water supply is ample.

DISCUSSION.

Mr. F. R. Bassett: I find that they are having more and
more difficulty in getting brook trout up to 12 or 15 months old
than after that.

From some cause, our greater loss is in fish between one and
two inches in length. After they reach two and a half inches in
length we seem to have no difficulty whatever in raising them.

Mr. Clark: At Northville reverse conditions prevail. We
have no trouble in raising them from one to two inches long;
the difficulty is after that. I think that it might be well to
work on a co-operative plan. We will grow them at Northville
up to one and one half or two inches and let you people raise
them after that. (Laughter.)

90 Thirty-fifth Annual Meeting

Mr. Seymour Bower: We will have to form a trust.

Mr. Clark: At Northville when the fish are about two inches
in length there is a period of heavy loss, and again when they
are a year or a year and a half old we have difficulty with the
bacterial disease that was, I believe, originally brought to notice
at Northville.

Dr. Bean: And a great many other places.

Mr. Clark: In raising brook trout up to an inch and a half
or two inches we have but little trouble. Of course we do not
have any difficulty raising the rainbow trout up to four or five
inches.

Mr. Nevin: Our trouble in Madison is to raise the trout up
to two inches long.

FISHERY LEGISLATION BEFORE THE FIFTY-NINTH
CONGRESS, FIRST SESSION.

BY HUGH M. SMITH, DEPUTY UNITED STATES COMMISSIONER OF
FISHERIES.

The Congress whose first session was concluded on June 30,
1906, had before it an unusually large number of measures af-
feeting the fishing industry and fish-culture; some of the most
important of these were enacted into law, others were favorably
reported by committee but failed to secure consideration, while
others did not get beyond the door of the committee room.

The personnel of the committees which passed upon fishery
legislation in the Fifty-third Congress—the committee on fisher-
ies of the Senate, the committee on the merchant marine and

fisheries in the House—included some of the ablest men in both

houses. Certain fishery legislation was also considered by the
committees on foreign affairs and territories.

All bills affecting fishery matters or relating in any way to the
fishery work of the government are referred by the committees
to the Secretary of Commerce and Labor and by him sent to the
Commissioner of Fisheries for a written report or statement of
the position of the government as to the merits of the proposed
legislation. Later, public hearings may be held, and the Com-
missioner or a representative of the Bureau of Fisheries may
appear before the respective committees and give testimony or
make argument.

It has not often happened that Congress has undertaken to
regulate fisheries on the high seas or on the coasts of the states.
One of the most conspicuous examples of such legislation was
the so-called close time mackerel law, enacted in 1887, expiring
by lmitation in 1893, and having for its ostensible object the
protection of the mackerel (Scomber scombrus) during the
spawning season. ‘This bill prevented the capture of mackerel
by American vessels prior to June Ist of each year, and had the
effect of wiping out the southern spring mackerel fishery which

91

92 Thirty-fifth Annual Meeting

had been prosecuted for many years. As I have elsewhere point-
ed out*, this legislation could have and did have no appreciable
influence on the supply of mackerel, and it is, of course, well
known to the members of this Society that the five years of as-
sumed protection were immediately followed by the most marked
and long-continued period of scarcity in the history of this fish
on the American coast.

I bring up this subject at this time because of the method
adopted by Congress to attain the ends sought—a method fol-
lowed by the last Congress in fishery legislation of an entirely
different nature. It is worthy of remark that Congress did not
attempt to assume any jurisdiction over the time or manner of
fishing for mackerel on the high seas, or within the three-mile
limit, or in state waters, and thus avoided an important consti-
tutional question, but it accomplished the same thing through
the customs service—that is, it prohibited the landing on the
United States coast of mackerel caught during the interdicted
period.

Entirely similar legislation was addressed to the sponge
fishery by the fifty-ninth Congress. The recent advent on the
Florida coast of more than a thousand Greeks engaged in taking
sponges by means of diving apparatus—a method prohibited by
the Florida statutes—aroused the native sponge fishermen to a
high pitch of excitement, and resulted in bringing the question
to the attention of Congress, inasmuch as the state found itself
powerless to cope with the situation, as the Greek divers pled
their trade in waters beyond control of the state and also beyond
governmental jurisdiction—that is, beyond a marine league from
the shore. After a number of hearings, at which the views of
sponge hookers, the Greek divers, and the Bureau of Fisheries
were presented, a compromise measure, framed on lines suggested
by the bureau, was agreed upon and became a law on June 20,
1906. The principal features of this bill, which goes into effect
May 1, 1907, are: (1) no sponges taken with diving apparatus
in the Gulf of Mexico or Straits of Florida shall be landed, de-
livered, cured, or offered for sale at any port or place in the
United States, with the exception that sponges so taken in water

*The Southern Spring Mackerel Fishery of the United States, by
Hugh M. Smith. Bulletin U. S. Fish Commission, 1898, pp. 193-271.

aky

American Fisheries Society. 93

more than 50 feet deep between October 1 and May 1 of each
year are exempt from the provisions of the act; (2) no sponges
from said waters having a smaller maximum diameter than four
inches shall be landed, delivered, cured, or offered for sale at any
port or place in the United States; (3) the Secretary of Com-
merece and Labor is directed to enforce the act, and is authorized
to call on the vessels of the navy and revenue-cutter service to
assist therein.

Two bills designed to prevent citizens of other countries from
engaging in the fisheries of the United States were under con-
sideration but only one was passed. It applies to the waters of
Alaska, and is particularly aimed at Japanese fishermen who, for
several years, have been visiting the Alaskan coast in their ves-
sels and making large catches of salmon and other fish. The re-
port of the House committee on territories stated that the pro-
posed legislation was “not by reason of the existence in the
United States of any feeling of hostility toward the Japanese
people, but because of the proximity of Japan to Alaska the
Japanese fishermen fish more in Alaskan waters than all other
aliens combined,” and the committee pointed out that Attu, the
most western of the Alaskan islands, is 900 miles nearer to Tokyo
than it is to San Francisco. The other measure, prohibiting
aliens from gathering sponges within one marine league of the
United States coasts, was directed against the Greeks who
have recently gone to Florida in overwhelming numbers and en-
gaged in the sponge fishery with diving apparatus. Unfortunate-
ly this fishery is not susceptible of regulation in this way, as the
entire catch is made beyond the three-mile hmit. The bill,
if it becomes a law, will have the effect of preventing the Greeks
from engaging in the sponge fishery among the Florida keys,
and, taken in conjunction with the other restrictive sponge legis-
lation, may aid in curtailing the ravages of our sponge grounds.

After a struggle extending over many years, public sentiment
in Maryland secured the enactment by the last legislature of a
general law sanctioning the rental of bottoms for purposes of
oyster culture. The law establishes a shellfish commission, and
invites the co-operation of the United States Coast Survey and
Bureau of Fisheries with the state in determining and defining
the natural oyster bars. In order to give full force to this

94 Thirty-fifth Annual Meeting

feature of the Maryland statute, Congress passed an act authoriz-
ing the desired co-operation of the two bureaus in question with
the Maryland shellfish commission and appropriating $15,000 te
cover the expenses of the government work in connection there-
with. This state and federal legislation means a great deal to
the oyster industry of Maryland and to the large number of
people who are fortunate enough to come within the effective
range of the Chesapeake oyster; and a very marked increase in
the oyster crop of the state may be expected in a few years.
Undoubtedly the most important fishery legislation consider-
ed and enacted by the Congress in question was that pertaining
to the fisheries of Alaska, which, being an unorganized territory,
is entirely under the control of Congress. The new legislation
is a recognition of new conditions, and is a response to a very
general demand for adequate protection for the vast fishery in-
terests of our arctic province, particularly the salmon. The new
fishery code for Alaska was formulated after extended hearings
before the House committee on territories, and is acceptable to
those engaged in the fishing industry as well as to the govern-
ment. The act, which became a law June 26, 1906, and is im-
mediately effective, “designed to reenact and harmonize many
provisions of existing laws relating to Alaskan fisheries; to en-
large and extend the scope of restrictive features on fishing, and
to include such further provisions for protection and regulation
as are deemed essential to preserve and perpetuate the fisheries
and to increase the natural supply by artificial propagation.”
The leading features of the law are a tax on the products
canned, salted, or otherwise prepared; the exemption from all
taxation of those persons who operate private salmon hatcheries
and liberate fry at the rate of 1,000 for every 10 cases of salmon
canned; the prohibition of any trap, barricade, dam, or other
fixed obstruction in any waters at any point where the distance
from shore to shore is less than 500 feet wide, or within 500
yards of any salmon stream less than 500 feet wide at its mouth;
the prohibition of any kind of net fishing which obstructs more
than one-third the width of any stream, creek, estuary or lagoon ;
the prohibition of the laying of any seine or other net within 100
yards of any other net, and of the setting of any trap or other
fixed appliance within 600 yards laterally or 100 yards endwise

American Fisheries Society. 95

of any other similar apparatus; the prescribing of a weekly close
season for allkinds of net fishing; the authorizing of the Secre-
tary of Commerce and Labor to restrict or altogether prohibit
fishing in waters where there-is evidence of over fishing, and to
set aside any waters as preserves which he may deem desirable ;
and the prohibition of the canning or salting of salmon dead more
than forty-eight hours; and the misbranding of any canned,
salted, or otherwise preserved fish. From the foregoing it will be
seen that a very comprehensive and satisfactory law has been en-
acted, and much benefit to the fisheries should be the immediate
result. ‘The tax on preserved fish, amounting to about $100,000
annually, was in the bill, as passed by the House, devoted to fish
cultural work in Alaska; but this feature was not approved by
the Senate and was not insisted on by the House.

The ravages of dogfish on the Atlantic coast, and the appar-
ent willingness or inability of the states to cope with the problem
of combating these destructive fish, led to the flooding of Con-
gress with petitions praying for government aid. The plans and
hopes of the petitioners were expressed in a bill introduced by a
Massachusetts member of the House which provided for a bounty
on dogfish to be paid out of the treasury of the United States,
the bounty being 2 cents for each dogfish tail delivered to the
proper officials of the United States government. The bill ap-
plied to the section between Cape Hatteras, N. C., and Eastport,
Me., and had for its sole object the extermination of the dogfish.

In a hearing before the House committee, the very serious
damage being wrought by,these sharks was fully set forth by the
author of the bill, by representatives of the fishermen, and
especially by the chairman of the Massachusetts fish commission
who had made a very thorough investigation and report of the
matter. A representative of the Bureau of Fisheries, while con-
ceding all that had been claimed in regard to the destructiveness
of the dogfish, expressed doubt as to the efficacy of the proposed
bill in materially reducing their abundance, and called attention
to the far-reaching precedent that would be established if Con-
gress should begin to pay bounties for noxious animals. The
contention of the Bureau was for government assistance, but this
should be in the direction of “‘determining the most effective
methods of reducing the numbers of dogfish and of capturing

96 Thirty-fifth Annual Meeting

them in wholesale quantities; in demonstrating the economic
value of dogfish as a source of fertilizer, oil, and leather, and the
the most suitable methods of utilizing them for such purposes ;
and in testing the usefulness of the dogfish as food when used
fresh or prepared by salting, smoking, and canning, and in de-
veloping the domestic and foreign markets for such prepara-
tions.” The views of the Bureau were embodied in a bill, but
Congress adjourned without taking any further action.

The most important measure recommended by committee
which failed of passage was the so-called “omnibus fish hatchery
bill.” For a number of years no new fish-cultural stations had
been authorized, except those provided for Alaska by the fifty-
eighth Congress; and a large number of hatchery bills had accu-
mulated in both Senate and House, and some of these had from
time to time passed the Senate. In March, 1906, the House com-
mittee on the merchant marine and fisheries made a favorable
report on a bill directing the establishment of twenty-three new
hatcheries in as many states, and one combination biological sta-
tion and hatchery on the coast of Florida. he bill carried an
appropriation of $637,000, and would undoubtedly have passed
by a large majority if it could have been taken from the calendar.
It is generally believed that at the next session the measure will
become a law.

‘FISH DISTRIBUTED BY PENNSYLVANIA FROM
JANUARY 14, 1906, TO JULY 1, 1906.

BY W. E. MEEHAN, COMMISSIONER OF FISHERIES, PENN.

MaiSGellantCousetaSheen oe torais ata sieiisuas ote Coates eyaravelele 1,296
BB aeksa ASS acca tewa-scesaiioss key ctawohavomuchsdiote abete kaa an aioe 6,000
TEN IROPERS) Somare citetna, Bev enuant re see eeery Sse era eRCLENS ieee aan 144,000
MINTS CAO. array. tons onske tens chietenelin eh onensdanetes aisle tars 155,000
VAI MPO CLOUt MMS CEUIMNES. ts 2. com sine cs eeeicl el ere 169,750
SMM aren ee nicre cee stoke tf awe cetera ciety ory eal Nemes eye ae 1,013,000
PSH OVEUIESS SS choses cuca ots eee OLAa eee ETERS CNEL riche aonee nar I rai 5,000,000
1a ey a EreL OU Fea Eley Age yee ee ie er Rm ge ae ee 6,630,000
Brooks ErOUt MST IMSS ye c-.tlem reece terol ciereian 10,388,500
ACL gua ELS GIES! OT Ee PS PA ae ae ea ee lee ll ge So 36,764,000
LE AMKERMET ETM eters ceca rk cisusadtale eievekets aie acters Oo oteiie s 39,120,000
Cape MOM MiIny, svoraparatcvorsa ane aie Sito cela olaie cack 50,600,000
EWC OwaIp CL Cheiityarntanr cera: eh iene Samia oar aaa 63,505,000
PA CIOT Glial Yorn ever tulct cat ahr os Gira See nt oh LL are 179,150,000
ERO Galli CTO UGLO MER pstera scape te trt cenedene tonsn ame ee yaie im pacenecaonete 394,646,546

In hatcheries yet to be distributed:

Blgeckepassrvap proximately ee ocs cee wins sto ste ace stare 160,000

MnOSSHAa DDRORAIMATCHy)wrie ceo biors ess eae cheer oe 100,000

SibualotSal- Ay olay op-aheneh Rely 4 ano oOo ooo omar Gone So 100,000

“GEE TIST AE ine. bagi crock Cee Ae ae eee ae eI OS Eee 200,000

COoldenishsrorkSehOolsSze ress wrouteie cure oie crstontehes 25,000

Miscellaneous eshte. oes srcrs cee eleaciene 100,000
Crandmtotale sprees ccna s ais sxcleeeus eis eval Sreleusi ae ielaiagateaeee 395,331,546

*A large allotment of sunfish is at the Pennsylvania Department of
Health to be used in the attempted extermination of malaria-breeding

mosquitoes.
97

PROGRESS AND EXPERIMENTS IN FISH CULTURE
IN THE BUREAU OF FISHERIES DURING
THE FISCAL YEAR 1906.

BY JOHN W. TITCOMB.

Experiments in the use of a salt solution for picking eggs by
the *O’Malley process were continued at the Baker Lake and
Baird stations and at the Bureau’s laboratory in Washington,
with the following results :

Superintendent O’Malley of the Baker Lake station reports
that the solution was not used in the blueback salmon work, as
the loss on this species was too small to warrant it. It was quite
generally used in picking eggs of the silver salmon at both Baker
Lake and the Birdsview substation, and for removing dead eggs
of the steelhead trout at Birdsview the solution was depended
upon entirely. It was found that the solution was in the best
working condition when the specific gravity scale registered 1.076
With this solution nearly all the bad eggs floated long enough to
be removed and all, or nearly all, of the balance could be picked
by returning them to fresh water and putting them through the
solution on the following day. As a rule the second application
was not necessary because only a few bad eggs remained and these
were picked out by hand in a few minutes. At the Birdsview
substation the loss on the eggs ran as high as ten per cent. and
the use of the solution resulted in a great saving of labor.

At the Baird-station the use of the solution in picking eggs
of the chinook salmon did not prove satisfactory but at the Bat-
tle Creek substation, where there was an unusual loss of eggs due
to muddy water, the solution was used with most satisfactory
results. The account of Superintendent Lambson’s experiments
is given as follows:

“Unfortunately orders to experiment with the solution were
not received until the eggs at Baird had been eyed and picked
ready for shipment. In the experiment of December 29 a small

*Salt Solution as an Aid to Fish Culture, by Henry O’Malley. Trans-
actions of the American Fisheries for 1905.
98

No)
No}

American Fisheries Society.

hydrometer was used for testing the specific gravity of the solu-
tion; in that of February 2, a specific gravity scale furnished by
the Department was used.

“Hxperiment No. 1. A solution of 1 part salt to 9 parts
water was placed in a tub, the hydrometer reading 44; 20,000
salmon eggs, good and bad, were placed in the solution, and at
the end of two minutes about 66 per cent of the bad eggs floated
at the top and were removed with a scaff net, 34 per cent sinking
to the bottom with the good eggs. A few good eggs floated at the
top with the bad eggs. After remaining in the solution the eggs
were removed to running water. ‘They were then well washed
and again placed in a solution reading 42 on the hydrometer
and all of them, good and bad, promptly settled to the bottom.
They were then returned to the trough. The eggs used in this
experiment were from a lot that had been injured during the ten-
der stage by an operator lifting the basket by mistake when pack-
ing for shipment. ‘They were not picked at that time and when
the salt solution was used the good eggs in the lot were well
eyed while the dead eggs were just at the closing of the blasto-
pore. The good eggs were not in the least injured by the salt
solution.

Experiment No. 2. In this experiment the specific gravity
scale was used and the eggs were all picked and counted befor
placing them in the solution. In a salt solution reading 1.076 on
the 8. G. scale 700 good eggs and 10) bad eggs were placed.
Within three minutes 95 per cent. of the good and 5 per cent. of
the bad eggs settled to the bottom. The bad eggs floating at the
top were removed with the scaff net. The eggs were then re-
turned to fresh water and well washed. After remaining in the
fresh water for 30 minutes to remove all trace of the salt they
were replaced in the solution, which had become diluted by the
fresh water from the eggs and now registered 1.070 on the scale.
In one minute all the good eggs and four of the bad ones settled
to the bottom, while 96 bad eggs floated at the top and were re-
moved by the net. The good eggs were all well eyed but the bad
ones were unfertilized and had been held several weeks in pickle,
though they were thoroughly freshened before being used. The
good eggs were not injured by the salt solution and were packed

100 Thirty-fifth Annual Meeting

and shipped. The experiment could not be concluded owing to
lack of eggs.

Experiment No. 3 was the best test of the solution since the
experiments were started. It was carried on at Battle Creek
Station where a large number of eggs had been killed by heavy
storms carrying great quantities of mud into the hatchery during
the very critical period. 'The acting foreman telephoned that it
would be impossible to pick them by hand as in some cases the
bad eggs greatly outnumbered the good, and extra pickers would
have to be employed. It was impossible for the superintendent
to go there at the time, and the acting foreman was directed to
place the bad lots in a salt solution of 1 to 9 and if this did not
work to strengthen or dilute the solution as required. ‘The man-
ner in which the experiment was conducted renders it worthless
because the strength of the solutions is unknown but it is valu-
able in that it shows what may be done with large numbers of
bad eggs. About 20 gallons of the solution, 1 of salt to 9 of
water, was placed in a tub and 6,000 eggs in a basket were im-
mersed in it. As soon as the eggs were placed in the solution
they were at once agitated with the hand to break up any bunches
among them. All the eggs floated and after remaining in the
solution for three minutes they were returned to the basket.
Fresh water was then added to the solution and the basket of
6,000 eggs was again placed in it. This time 75 per cent. of the
bad eges floated and were skimmed off, a few good eggs also
floated but not enough to count. The good eggs went to the bot-
tom in one minute. A little salt was added from time to time
to keep up the strength of the solution as it became diluted by
fresh water carried from the troughs by the eggs in the basket.
Eggs were thus treated to the number of 2,267,500. As there
were about 45,000 eggs to each basket it was necessary to divide
them into seven or eight lots as good results could not be obtain-
ed with a larger number. In making the transfer from the
trough basket to the dipping basket they were handled the same
as in packing for shipment, that is, they were dipped from one
and placed in the other with the regular hatchery dipper. After
the eggs were removed from the salt solution they were emptied
into another basket placed in the trough with running water,

~

where the 25 per cent. bad eggs that failed to come to the top

toto)

rn

American Fisheries Society. 101

were removed by the regular egg pickers. At no time could over
75 per cent. of the bad eggs be made to float. An examination of
the bad eggs that persisted in sinking showed that they were
eyed and had been killed by an influx of mud from a second
storm occurring several days after the storm that killed the great
majority. As the 25 per cent. were almost as old as the goo
eggs it would appear to prove that eggs killed at this time are
of the same specific gravity as good eggs at the same stage of
development, and therefore will not float in a solution in which
good eggs sink. The acting foreman could not determine the
exact strength of the salt solution as he had neither scales nor
hydrometer. He estimated the amount in the first instance and
then tempered it by adding water or salt until the best results
were obtained. The eggs were not injured in the least by the
brine and were later packed and shipped. This test comprised
such a large number of eggs that it is considered conclusive. It
seems to demonstrate that it is perfectly practicable to separate
bad eggs from good ones provided the good eggs have reached the
stage where they may be handled with safety and have developed
beyond the stage of the dead eggs when killed. In other words
there must be a difference in the development between the good
and dead eggs to make a difference in the specific gravity, so that
the heavier or good eggs may sink while the lighter or dead eggs
float.

From the experiments made with this solution, conducted
during portions of two seasons, the conclusion has been reached
that for removing dead eggs normally occurring in the hatchery
the process is not practicable at this station for the following
reasons: It cannot be used until after the eggs have passed the
tender stage, a period ranging from 12 to 20 days according to
temperature. If they are not picked during this time the bad
egos will gather fungus and kill many good ones. The eggs col-
lect in lumps and the salt solution has no effect upon them until
they have been separated. As from 40,000 to 50,000 eggs are
placed to a basket it would be necessary to handle them seven
or eight times to get results, and as they are frequently shipped
before they are eyed there is great danger of loss in so much
handling. Then it is found that eggs of equal development will
not separate in the solution and only such eggs that have died

102 Thirty-fifth Annual Meeting

some time before can be removed in this way. The eggs are
picked during the tender stage as it is believed much stronger
fish and smaller losses result than where they are covered until
after they pass the tender stage, and if the salt solution were
depended upon this could not be done. Even when the eggs are
covered during the tender period it is customary to give them a
very thorough picking during the first three days they are in
the hatchery and where this is done there is no benefit to be
gained from the salt as the death rate is very small; if the eggs
are covered without this picking they must remain in the basket
with all the dead and unfertile eggs for twelve to twenty days,
which would certainly cause a very heavy loss. The solution is
considered very valuable in removing dead eggs in special cases,
such as noted in experiment No. 3 at Rattle Creek. Here the
eges were all killed in a given period, and were in such numbers
that it would not pay to pick them by hand. By the salt solu-
tion they were removed and the remaining good eggs saved.
Accidents will happen at hatcheries, killing eggs in large num-
bers, and in such cases by waiting until the good eggs have
grown old enough to handle, they may be readily separated from
the bad ones with the salt solution.

To further test in ascertaining the value of this discovery
laboratory tests were made by Mr. M. C. Marsh, scientific assist-
ant, with eggs of four species of salmonoids. His results are
reported as follows:

LAKE TROUT FROGS.

“Living eyed eggs float in a solution whose specific gravity
is 1.076, and sink immediately in 1.058. The correct solution
hes between 1.067 and 1.070. The latter is nearly always too
strong. 1.068 effected an excellent separation with eggs killed
by hydrochloric acid the previous day. Such eggs are uniform,
all have the same specific gravity, and all float for one minute
or more in the above solution. Eggs which have died naturally
on different days and lain in the troughs for different periods
are not so uniform, and the separation is not so complete. Some
will sink immediately in the above solution. With those tried
50 per cent. to 75 per cent. were separated. Eggs killed at one
time by smothering are also uniform and may be separated almost
completely.

American Fisheries Soctety. 103

EYED WHITEFISH EGGS.

“Whitefish eggs nearly ready to hatch have a much lower
specific gravity than lake trout or brook trout eggs. At 1.034
nearly all float, while at 1.029 they sink immediately. The best
separation occurs at about 1.029. Eggs smothered or acid killed
on the previous day may be almost completely separated by the
above solution, although such eggs do not turn completely white
within 24 hours after death. Like the lake trout, miscellaneous
dead eggs dying naturally but not the same day, in the jars,
do not separate completely, but yet a large percentage may be
removed.

RAINBOW TROUT EGGS.

“Living eyed rainbow trout eggs from Wytheville, Virginia,
nearly ready to hatch float at 1.079 and sink immediately at
1.060. At 1.066 considerable separation occurs, but the most
favorable strength is about 1.072. Acid killed eggs may be
thoroughly separated, though not perfectly, by this strength.

“The eggs for these trials were killed by pouring a little
dilute hydrochloric acid upon some eggs in water in a beaker.
Great activity was immediately shown by the embryos, which
soon ceased (within 144 minute), leaving the embryos faintly
whitish so that the eggs were distinguishable immediately from
good eggs. After washing away the acid and returning the eggs
to the tray on the water flow, the embryo after about one hour be-
came more conspicuously white, and the next day the whole egg
had turned white.

“Some unfertilized rainbow trout eggs from Manchester,
Towa, accompanying a shipment of eyed rainbow eggs, were tried
in various salt solutions with a view both of separating them
from other eggs and of determining the effect of the salt solu-
tion after returning the eggs from it to water.

“No separation of the unfertilized eggs from living eyed
eggs could be made, as they were found to float or sink at prac-
tically the same time. They can, however, be separated from
dead eggs turned white in the same way that the fertilized eges
are separated.

“The unfertilized eggs failed to turn white after treatment
with the salt solution and return to fresh water. Following Mr.

104 Thirty-fifth Annual Meeting

O’Malley’s procedure, a 1 to 20 solution was made, which had a
specific gravity of 1.039. The unfertilized eggs were immersed
in this, allowed to remain for a half-minute, and then returned
to fresh water. Even after remaining in water over night they
had not turned white, and were not distinguishable from untreat-
ed eggs. Stronger salt solutions were tried, but even after 1.125
for 25 minutes they did not subsequently change their appear-
ance.

“The most effective separation of white eggs from live eggs
and from unfertilized eggs which had not turned white was in 4
solution of specific gravity 1.077, and not in 1.072 as with former
lots.

BROOK TROUT EGGS.

“Living eyed eggs nearly ready to hatch float in 1.077 and
sink in 1.072. Specific gravity 1.0725 separates acid killed eggs
almost perfectly, nearly every dead egg rising and nearly every
live egg sinking within the first minute. There was no oppor-
tunity to try eggs which had died in the trays.

REMARKS.

“These trials refer only to eyed eggs and unfertilized eggs
of the same age. Green eggs have not been tried, but since it is
claimed that salt solution has much separating power with un-
fertilized eggs (salmon) at an early stage of development” and
with “very immature eggs”, it may be conjectured that the same
will hold true of trout eggs.

“Hyed eggs which have died simultaneously may be well
separated by this method. Eggs which have died successively
vary in specific gravity and can be separated less completely, but
nevertheless considerably. Its application practically will de-
pend mainly on the condition of the dead eggs in this respect,
but is indicated as possible with each species named and probable
with the brook, rainbow, and lake trouts.

“The salt solution should always be adjusted with a hydro-
meter (salinometer). Special salinometers may be made to
order to some advantage, but the ordinary hydrometers on the
market will answer. Salinometers made for sea water are in-
applicable for any of these species save the white fish, since they

American Fisheries Society. 105

do not usually read above 1.030. The highest of the usual series
of three may sometimes be used for whitefish. The trials were
made by immersing the tray itself with the eggs upon it in the
salt solution.

“Evidently the temperature of the salt solution need only be
such as not to injure the eggs by the temperature change. The
temperatures of the solution actually used was between 43° F,
and 52° F., and the eggs were taken from tap water at about
42° F.

“In no case did any injury appear from the action of the salt
solution.

“The densities given here as correct for a given species need
not necessarily be rigidly adhered to. In practice at different
stations a somewhat different density may be preferable on ac-
count of the variation in lots of eggs from different sources, and
the specific gravity instruments or hydrometers used may not
correspond exactly. In these trials the density was taken in a
glass cylinder, and the hydrometer was read by reviewing the
scale from below the surface and not by the water which creeps
up the stem above the surface. If in practice it is more con-
venient to float the instrument directly in the tank or box of
salt solution the observer can not take the reading in this way
but may adopt any uniform method, remembering that this will
introduce another slight variation from the densities given above.

“Lake, brook, or rainbow eggs, recently dead, in which the
embryo but not the egg has turned white, do not separate well
from the live eggs.

“From a lot of eyed lake trout eggs arriving at Central sta-
tion January 16, and containing a number of dead eggs, about
70 per cent. of the dead eggs were separated January 16 by a
1.068 solution. A few live eggs were contained among the dead
removed from the surface of the solution.”

Tt will be observed that no laboratory tests were made to dis-
tinguish dead or unfertilized eggs at early stages of development.
If this feature of Mr. O’Malley’s discovery is practical with eggs
of other species than those already tested—notably those of the
brook trout and lake trout—it will facilitate the preparation of
eggs for long distance transportation, or for shipments to for-

106 Thirty-fifth Annual Meeting

eign countries where it is especially desirable to ship living eggs
only.

It may be of interest to note that eggs which have turned
white after death will assume the normal color of living eggs if
allowed to remain in the salt solution for two or three hours.
They resume the white appearance gradually when again placed
in water.

NOTES ON POND CULTURE.

It is impossible in this article to go into detail as to the many
experiments which have been made during the past year at the
various stations, but definite data is being gathered as to the
number of brood fish which can best be handled in a pond of
given area and depth.

Some interesting observations have been made by Superin-
tendent Green of the Fish Lakes station in connection with the
spawning habits of the yellow perch, which entered one of the
large ponds from the river as fry last season. When the ponds
were drawn off the fish were placed in a smaller pond and re-
tained through the winter. On April 2, when the water tem-
perature was 50 degrees it was noted that they were spawning.
They invariably cast their eggs on the west side of the pond.
Several pairs were transferred to another pond where the saime
peculiarity was repeated. In order to further test the matter the
following series of experiments were tried. On April 6, 12 pairs
of perch were placed in a tank in which tufts of grasses had pre-
viously been placed at each end. On April 7, 8, and 10 clusters
of spawn were found at the west end only. On April 10 several
pairs were placed in another tank and tufts of grass deposited
at the east end only. In this experiment one cluster of spawn
was discovered on April 11 on the west side. The conditions
were not changed, however, for five days, during which time no
eggs were cast. The grass was then transferred to the west end
and the following morning, April 17, three clusters of eggs were
found on the west side. Another interesting observation was
that the eggs were invariably cast at about five o’clock in the
morning. The night watchmen were instructed to make observa-
tions every hour from four p. m. to eight a. m., and during the
intervening time the observations were continued by other as-

American Fisheries Society. 107

sistants during the entire spawning season. ‘The investigations
were assisted by bright moonlight nights so that the movements
of the fish could be noted accurately. They invariably appeared
along the west side of the pond about five o’clock in the morning
just at break of day. The eggs being cast at daybreak, it is
inferred that the fish selected the sides of the ponds and tanks
which first received the sunlight. It is interesting to note that
the fish were but one year old when reproduction commenced.
Actual measurement of some of the smaller specimens showed
the males to be 44% inches in length and the females from 434 to
5 inches in length.

While collecting small-mouthed black bass fry from the
spawning beds in a natural lake in Pennsylvania some nests
were found containing eggs, very young fry, and fry ready to
scatter. As the fish culturist in charge did not visit this lake
until after many of the fish had finished spawning, no obserya-
tions were made as to just how this happened. It would be in-
teresting to learn whether more than one brood of fish worked
on the same nest or whether one male invited several females to
spawn at different periods on the same nest. The adult fish in
this lake are very small and the average number of fry collected
per nest was only about 250, the maximum number from one
nest being 470. The lake where these operations were conducted
is one of a group on the preserve of the Blooming Grove Hunt-
ing and Fishing Club in the town of Gleneyre, Pennsylvania.
It is overstocked with small-mouthed black bass and evidently
owing to lack of food the fish have become stunted. On June
5, several hundred nests containing eggs were examined on the
south and west shores of the lake. Several days later these eggs
had all disappeared. No fish hatched on these nests and there
was no evidence showing that the eggs had died. The eggs were
apparently devoured by the numerous bass. On nests where the
eggs hatched or died a green moss soon appeared over the decay-
ing eggs or shells but no such moss appeared over the several
hundred nests on the south and west shores. Great difficulty was
experienced in keeping the young fish alive more than twenty-
four hours. They were taken from the nests soon after they
began to rise from the beds. Unfortunately the bottom of the
lake in the shallows is too rocky to permit of seining young

108 Thirty-fifth Annual Meeting

fish. It was found that when the young fish were left to roam
about the shores for several days or weeks they were in much
better condition for transportation.

EFFECTS OF LIGHT ON EGGS AND SAC FRY.

At the White Sulphur Springs station the water at times
apparently contains noxious gases and at other times is super-
aerated. As a result the so-called “white speck” disease has
occurred annually. In connection with the experiments in de-
aeration by the use of perforated pans observations in a general
way showed that in some troughs of eggs and fish of the same lots
there occurred losses of such marked variation as to attract espe-
cial attention. The fish culturist noticed that in the troughs of
eyed eggs as well as young fish subject to a great amount of hght
the heaviest losses occurred. Control tests with eggs exposed to
the sunlight after being eyed and eggs kept in a covered trough
did not show much variation in mortality, the very shght differ-
ence being in favor of the covered trough. However, soon after
the fish hatched there appeared a marked difference in the losses,
the fish in the sun-exposed trough dying much faster than those
in the covered one. The loss continued for some time but again
became about normal or equal in daily loss to the covered trough.
When the yolk sac was about absorbed and the fish were nearly
ready to feed the cover on the darkened trough was removed, and
in a few days thereafter the fish in this trough began dying rapid-
ly, while the loss in the exposed trough remained about normal.
All the fish that died developed the “white speck” disease. The
fry in the troughs were carried to the fingerling stage and the
percentage of loss in the covered trough amounted to 47.2 as
against a loss of 64.8 for the unprotected trough, making a dif-
ference of 17.5 per cent. in favor of the darkened trough. Sup-
erintendent Robinson suggests that had the cover not been re-
moved for a longer period the percentage of loss would doubt-
less have been only normal, as the fish in the darkened trough
failed to develop the “white speck” disease until after being ex-
posed to the sun, which indicates that sunlight as well as very
strong light has a deleterious effect upon not only green and
eyed eggs, but upon fish previous to the total absorption of the

American Fisheries Society. 109

sac. Further control experiments will be made in order to ob-
tain more definite information on this subject.

SUPERAERATED WATER.

A suggestion comes from Fish Culturist G. W. N. Brown of
the Erwin station that fry being carried in troughs supplied
with superaerated water will thrive best if less than the normal
supply flows through the trough. No control experiments have
been made, but it is suggested that when opportunity is offered
it would be a good idea to make control experiments along this
line. He speaks of carrying from 30,000 to 50,000 trout fry
from the period of hatching to four months old in troughs having
a flow of water from three to seven gallons per minute. It was
observed that when the flow of water was increased the death
rate increased correspondingly.

COPPER SULPHATE AS APPLIED AT A TROUT HATCHERY.

At the White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, station the
water supply is from springs. For a distance of 200 feet from
the intake the water is conducted underground in terra cotta
pipes. It is then conveyed in an open ditch for about a 1,000
feet. This ditch at the water surface is about seven feet wide,
and from 2 to 3 feet deep. It is tapped at a number of places
for supplying the different ponds. Spirogyro grown very rapid-
ly in this open ditch, clogs the screens at the various intakes,
and is thus very objectionable. It has been found that the ap-
plication of copper sulphate in a mixture of about 1 part to
4,000,000 applied about 8 hours each week, almost entirely eli-
minates the algae, with no injurious effects upon the fish. After
the copper sulphate has been applied for the stated period the
fish eat but little food, and if applied 16 hours will entirely re-
fuse it. The lack of appetite lasts but about 12 hours after the
application has been discontinued.

The flow of water through the ditch was only roughly meas-
ured, hence the proportions given above may not be correct.
The experiment was conducted under the direction of the pathol-
ogist of the Bureau, M. C. Marsh. The copper solution was dis-
solved in a barrel, and was applied at the head of the ditch by

110 Thirty-fifth Annual Meeting

the use of a siphon. In order to have the same volume of the
mixture flowing constantly a floating siphon was used, so that
the same head was maintained while the mixture was being si-
phoned off. The first test made was with an appheation of 1 part
to 3,000,000. A few trout in the ditch were killed by this solu-
tion, and some of those in the ponds supplied with water from
the ditch gave signs of uneasiness. With a mixture of 1 part
to 4,000,090 there has been no loss of fish. This does not prove
that the solution can be constantly apphed in flowing water in
the proportions above given, and what proves to be a proper
remedy in this particular instance might be fatal to fish if ap-
plied in some other water system under apparently similar con-
ditions.

In considering the eradication of algae in water supplies to
trout hatcheries and ponds, and especially in connection with
intensive pond culture, it must be kept in mind that Nature’s
balance as to water aeration may be upset if the algae is removed.

* An instance is reported at Cold Spring Harbor, New York,
where a spring at the edge of a reservoir pond shows a deficit in
oxygen of 1.25, while in the middle of the pond there is an
excess of 3.11 in oxygen due to the thick growth of algae, chief-
ly Spirogyra, which lines the bottom of the pond throughout its
entire extent, but is heaviest at the middle.

GROWTH OF EGGS DURING THE PERIOD OF INCUBATION.

Observations made at various stations indicate that fish eggs
of almost all species propagated increase in*size from the time
they are water-hardened up to the time they are about to hatch.
The amount of increase is not large but will run from about
one to three per cent., according to the species. This suggests
that it is unsafe to use the same measure for green eggs and those
fully developed, especially when large lots are being handled.
In this connection attention is called to a new form of measur-
ing gauge to ascertain the correct diameter of fish eggs, devised
by H. von Bayer, architect and engineer of the Bureau of Fish-
eries, a sample of which is presented for your inspection at this
time. A scale of this character is very useful in making tests as

*M. C. Marsh: Tenth Annual Report of the New York Forest, Fish
and Game Commission.

-

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American Fisheries Socvety. aE

to the increase in the size of eggs during the period of ineuba-
tion. In connection therewith Mr. von Bayer has prepared a
diagram based upon which, after knowing the diameter of the
egg, one can ascertain the number of eggs to the quart. This is
especially useful in establishing the number of eggs to a quart
where the actual number has not been ascertained by. counting,
as frequently happens in taking up the propagation of a new
species. It is thought it will be especially useful in the propa-
gation of fish the eggs of which have a small diameter.

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American Fisheries Society. 113

TX PLANATION AND USE OF DIAGRAM.

“The diagram is constructed from a table computed by the
well known principle that the contents of solids are to each other
as the cubes of their sides, or in case of spheres as the cubes of
their diameters. ‘The diameter of the whitefish eggs was accu-
rately determined by placing a row of eggs in a graduated trough-
like measure 6 inches long, then counting the number of eggs and
determining their mean diameter in decimals of an inch. A
quart measure was then filled with eggs of this given diameter,
accurately counted, and the result used as the base in the com-
putation of said table.

FORMULA.

Gee: sae? saa, aa
Bile, == nwxde

9

dae

d= 0.127” Diameter of whitefish ege.
»
Oo

n = 33036 Actual number of whitefish eggs per quart.
di Any other determined diameter.
i Number of eggs sought.

“To use the diagram for finding the number of eggs per
quart, look for the line on the left margin corresponding to the
given diameter and follow said line to the right until it imter-
sects the curve; from this intersection proceed at right angles
to the marginal line of figures and there read the required num-
ber of eggs per quart.”

DISCUSSION.

Mr. Titcomb. (Introductory to paper.): The experiments
reported last year have been continued. Many of them must be
continued a series of years in order to get any definite data.

(At the close of the paper Mr. Titcomb said): Some ob-
servations were made this year as to the growth of eggs from the
time they are water hardened until they are eyed. We tried al-
most every species which we propagate, and after trying several
different kinds of scales for getting the actual diameters of the
eggs, with the view of recording the growth, ete., the architect

Qam.
taches
0.250,

0 240

0.2350

0.22d

0.210

0.200

0.190

0. /80}

0./70

©. 160

0.4 5

0.140

0.130

0.120

0/10

0 100

0 09a

0.084

0.070

0.060

Liagratn stoning (iinber oh kogs per t/uid quart

40000 0000 60000 709000 60000

20000 30000

10000

The curve 1s bused on the actua/ counting of
one fluid guar of Whirtetish eggs
Wan..o/2z71n
Wurnib er: 33036

49000 20,000 30000 40000 52000 60000 70000 60000

90002 100,000 100L00 420000 430000 140000 450,000

e
760000 /70000 /80600 190000 209005

90000 100000 7/0000 20000 130,000 144000 = 50000 460000 —/70,000 + /8000Q /390000 200pu0

114 Thirty-fifth Annual Meeting

of the Bureau devised this little scale or measuring trough.
(Exhibiting scale.) It is just six inches long. You lay in just
one line of eggs, and when it is just full you can easily get the
diameter of each egg actually or the number of them to the inch.
You can study the growth of trout eggs with it also. We tried
ten selected lots and tried them when a day or two old, and again
when eyed and we found a less number contained in the trough
at the eye stage than when they were first water-hardened. It is
interesting in several ways. Of course where you are measur-
ing eggs in hundred million lots, hke the whitefish and pike-
perch eggs, if there is an increase in the size and you use the
same measure in measuring eyed eggs, you are not measuring
them accurately.

This really came up in connection with our trying to estab-
lish standard measures. I find there is a chance for improving
our measure on some of the smaller eggs. When you get quarts
of these fine eggs you can make a great deal of difference in
total output by a very shght variation, and no two fish culturists
will measure a quart of eggs alike. It is almost impossible for
the same fish culturist to measure two quarts accurately. Now
this diagram is not complete, because we could not get the whole
scale onto this sheet.

3ut it is made on the basis of the actual count of whitefish
eges. We know the actual diameters of the eggs, which were
counted by measuring several eggs in this little trough.

Fish £99 Measure.

American Fisheries Society. 115

Then we counted 335,036 eggs to the quart, with the diameter
of the eggs .127. Now in order to get the number to the quart
you come down to 127 on the scale and run down till you strike
this curve, and here should be the actual number to the quart.
Supposing you are propagating some new species like the rock
fish and in a new field; it is a long and tedious task when busy
with your work to find out what the aggregate number of eges is
to the quart. But you take the httle trough and get your dia-
meter and find that the diameter is .150 say. You run out here
on the 150 line of the curve and it reads 20,000. This appears
to me as very interesting and very original.

President: You have heard this most interesting summary
of experiments of the bureau of fisheries. Do they suggest any
remarks ?

Mr. Meehan: The reference, by Mr. Titcomb, to the lake in
Pennsylvania is interesting. The conditions in that lake are so
extraordinary that a little more detail might be interesting.
That lake is in Pike county, Pennsylvania and was formerly
known as Knob pond, now Lake Laura. The lake was stocked
with black bass in 187), when about 40 fish were placed there.
In 1873 that lake was literally alive with black bass of a large
size. The lake is a genuine kettle hole lake, that is, a spring
lake, on the side of a moraine. The greater part of its area is
shallow, but there are depths ranging from 40 to 50 feet. It
covers an area of about 400 acres. The bottom is covered with
boulders left there by the ice. In 1873 the lake was literally
alive with bait fish; there were yellow perch and roach or shin-
ers and crayfish. Today there is not a living creature in that
lake excepting the black bass, except there may be an odd
sunfish or two, something of that sort. The fish are very
small. ‘To give you an idea how small they really are, four years
ago five gentlemen undertook to fish and they put up a jackpot
on the largest fish that was caught. The five men went out and
caught 250 bass, and a nine inch bass took the jackpot. That
will show more clearly than anything else how small these fish
really are. I doubt if the average length exceeds 6 or 61% inches.
Bass six years old and four or five inches in length are rather
curious. ‘The lake is simply alive with them. I was there when

116 Thirty-fifth Annual Meeting

the Bureau of Fisheries men were there last spring, and can
corroborate everything that has been stated. As to the number
of nests there were far more than 200. The number of eggs on
each nest was very small and I saw also at that time the three
types, that is, the eggs, the fish that were newly hatched, and
the fish rising all on the same nest.

I also saw three types in another lake on the same property,
Lake Giles. There on one occasion I found eggs and fry, and in
that particular case | saw two females on a nest, but I did not
see the third female. It was believed at that time that the male
had had all three females.

The difference between Lake Giles and the other lakes is that
all the nests in Lake Giles were in water from 6 to 8 feet deep,
making it extremely difficult to get the fish out. Lake Laura is
the most remarkable instance of over-protection with which I am
acquainted in Pennsylvania or anywhere else. The club is a
very close corporation and allows no public fishing there. The
lake is about seven or nine miles from the club house and over
one of the roughest roads that a human being ever traveled. It
is much easier to walk it than to ride, and the consequence is
that comparatively few people go there, and not more than 6,000
or 8,000 fish are taken out of that lake in a year. The conse-
quence is that the fish have multiplied far beyond the number
that there should be in that lake and that is undoubtedly the
cause of the stunted growth of the fish. The bass, you know,
have an inordinate appetite and they have destroyed every living
thing in that lake.

Mr. Clark: I would like to ask Mr. Titcomb a question in
regard to this chart. aking the basis of .0127, as the diameter
fe

in the case of whitefish, it shows 35,000 to the quart. Now on
that same basis would it work out on other fish ?

Mr. Titcomb: Yes, if you have the right diameter and get
the proper number to the quart.

Mr. Clark: I do not think it would work out with pike-
perch. As we measure them now, there are 150,090 pike-perch
to the quart, but the number would be considerably lessened
according to the new plan advocated. The eggs ought to go

American Fisheries Society. sla by,

about twenty-two to the inch in your little trough here and it does
not seem to me that it works out quite correctly.

Mr. Titcomb: -In the first place, I think Mr. Clark’s measure
is too liberal and in the second place, when he says 22 to the inch
and you are considering millions of eggs by this chart you must
get your diameter down very fine; the diameters given in our
manual, when you come to figure them for this purpose, are
entirely too inaccurate. ‘The manual says 1-7 or 1-16 of an inch,
etc., and the table ought to be revised. You will find when you
get your base right and get an accurate diameter of any particu-
lar species and the actual number of eggs to the quart of that

oo"

particular species, from it you can make your curve. I would not
say that this curve is safe for a future basis now, but it will be
made so. We are trying to get other counts and diameters as
accurately as we did that, before we make this a conclusive thing ;
but the mathematics of it is correct and I think you will find it
is going to work out and be useful.

Mr. Clark: That is what I am trying to get at. It is not
conclusive yet. What 1 based the twenty-two to the inch on, the
way I measured them, is an inch between knife blades.

Mr. Titcomb: Take the measure accurately by machinery
and you get it a little more closely.

Dr. Bean: This subject is one of very great practical in-
terest, and I trust that the mathematics of the curve by which
the number of eggs is worked out will be, and I suppose has been,
based upon a large number of counts of individual eggs, because
every one knows that eggs of any species have an individual as
well as a geographic variation. For example, Mr. Clark finds
150,000 pike-perch eggs to the quart; at Constantia they have
130,000. This is perhaps due to the fact that the spawning fish
from Oneida Lake run rather smaller on the average than the
spawning fish from which the United States Bureau obtains its
eggs. But I wish to emphasize the necessity of containing the
counts of eggs so as to eliminate individual and geographic var-
jations; and then the scale, it seems to me, would be a great
boon to our practical workers.

118 Thirty-fifth Annual Meeting

Mr. Titcomb: There is where the value of this seale comes
in. When we once get the scale established we can take the pike-
perch eggs at Dr. Bean’s Lake and find they measure a certain
diameter ; take the eggs at Northville and find they measure an-
other diameter; and we start a field station at Saginaw Bay and
we find still another diameter. Now we can in a very few
minutes, establish a diameter by taking a number of series of
eges from the various lots and thus determine the number of
eggs to the quart in each instance and the very variation of the
diameter of eggs of the same species is one of the features that
makes this plan of measurement important. If we could say
that pike-perch eggs run so many to the quart all over the
country, we could get that established by counts from a dozen
hatcheries and that would be the end of it; and here we go out
to a new field and get the number of eggs to the quart from that
chart in five minutes. You simply measure the number of eggs
to the inch by means of the trough and the chart does the rest.

President: So that the use of this little chart scale is the
essential thing’ after all.

Mr. Titcomb: It is very important.

Prof. Reighard: I was interested in what was said in regard
to separating the dead eggs from the living; I would like to ask
Mr. 'Titcomb whether the reason for the floating of the dead eggs
in the salt solution has been made out? Is it due to the develop-
ment of gas in the eggs through decay so that the dead ones

float and the good ones sink ?

Mr. Titcomb: I do not think it has been worked out to that
extent. We assumed that the dead eggs immediately begin to
decay and naturally the specific gravity becomes less than that

of the live eggs.

Prof. Reighard: It occurs to me, that if that is the reason,
possibly the method might be improved by waiting for that decay
to proceed a little further. That is to say, if at a certain time
you can separate 75 per cent of the dead eggs by means of a sali
solution, by waiting a little longer time for the decay to take
place, if it did not injure the living eggs, it would enable you to

separate all dead eggs from living eggs.

American Fisheries Society. 119

Mr. Titcomb: We are able to do it in some cases now.

Prof. Reighard: If you wait till all the dead eggs have
formed gases enough to float them, you might separate all of
them at one time without having to pick over the eggs at all,—

assuming, of course, that the formation of the gases in the dead
ros would not further injure the lving eggs.

10
ees be

Mr. Titcomb: I do not know as I brought out one point
developed in this experiment, that I intended to mention. You
know you have many unfertilized eggs which retain the color of
the live eggs for a long period, especially in cold weather, and
if you want to pack the eggs when they are barely eyed, for a
40 or 50 day shipment, it is difficult to eliminate all those unfer-
tilized eggs. If you put those unfertilized eggs in salt water
and then back into fresh water, it causes them to turn white
more quickly. That might be preferable to jarring the eggs,
as they eall it, giving them too much of an agitation to get the
dead eggs out.

Mr. Lydell: I would like to ask Mr. Titcomb if the object
of this chart is to establish bases for the measurement of eggs
at different stations. All the eggs I received from the United
States Fish Commission this year, which were measured, overran.
Out of 100 quarts in one instance, I made the eggs measure 108
quarts, and I thought I was very careful in measuring them; but
this chart, as I understand it, is to establish a basis for each sta-
tion in different localities, inasmuch as the eggs are of different
sizes in different. localities, and not to establish a general law
for measurements everywhere.

Mr. Titcomb: Yes sir.

President: Your statement as to the variation in measure-
ment of the eggs you received, illustrates what Mr. Titcomb said,
to the effect that no two men will measure the same eggs exactly
alike, nor will the same man get the same results twice.

Mr. Lydell: | doubt whether the same man could measure
100 quarts of wall-eyed pike eggs twice alike.

Mr. Titcomb: My purpose in suggesting the use of the
trough and chart scale is simply to have a standard for each sta-

120 Thirty-fifth Annual Meeting

tion, and not a general standard. I do not think it is safe to have
a general standard, and the Bureau of Fisheries does not want
any more eggs planted or distributed on paper than are actually
put out; and that is so also of a good many states; I want to
emphasize the fact that there are a good many states where they
can make 309 or 400 per cent. of fingerling fish out of 100 per
cent. of eggs, and we know that they have not had any eggs ex-
cept those that have been sent to them; but this difficulty in
measuring is another matter. We want to find a measure that
will not vary. We have discussed different ways, we have dis-
cussed having a quart measure that tapers to a small diameter
at the top, as the variation is, of course, very largely in the filling

up at the top.

Mr. Nevin: The pike eggs we get at Lake Winnebago run
120,000 to the quart, while those we get at Tomahawk Lake run
80,000 to the quart.

Mr. F. R. Bassett: I would like to ask Mr. Titcomb regard-
ing the separation of eggs by salt, if the floating eggs will re-
main floating during an indefinite time, or will they eventually
sink ?

Mr. Titcomb: I cannot answer that accurately.. My im-
pression is that they do not; that they sink.

Prof. Reighard: ‘There is one other point in Mr. Titcomb’s
paper that interested me, viz: the finding of eggs and two
different stages of fry in a single bass nest. It seems that this
occurred in lakes where bass where very numerous, where there
was overcrowding. Now, from what I know of the habits of bass
and the other fish of that family, I take it that the male fish
guarding the nest will continue to receive females, as long as
there are females available, within certain time limits. It is
simply a question of the number of females. As a practical
point the condition referred to may perhaps be prevented by
avoiding overcrowding. This might be a very serious matter,
because very likely the old fish leaves the nest as soon as the
first of the young are ready to leave and leaves the younger part
of the brood to perish in the nest.

American Fisheries Society. 121

President: I would like to ask whether these old bass leay-
ing the females indicates any human proclivities. (Laughter.)

Mr. Clark: We had an occurrence of that kind in a pond at
Northville this year. The fry were nearly ready to rise when
another female came and spawned on the same nest. Of course,
it was necessary, in order to catch the fry that were rising, to
put a screen over the nest, and the second lot of eggs died.

Mr. Titcomb: I want to ask Prof. Reighard if he thinks
that the same male performed family duties for all three litters
on one nest.

Prof. Reighard: I think that is very likely. I have known
it to have taken place with the sunfish, and Mr. Lydell can tell
you of one case where the same thing occurred with a bass.

Mr. Lydell: I have had several cases where the same male
has taken care of two broods, and one where he has. taken care
of three broods, but not all at the same time. The fry after they
arose were screened and taken away from him, then another
female came on at once and we had a third lot of fry the same
season. He was marked, everybody knew him and he would
feed out of your hand. He had the whole pond to himself, and
had an outlet to a big pond, and he actually reared three schools
of fry in one season. The second was not as large as the first
and the third was still smaller but in each instance we took the
fry away from him. That applies to all males at Mill Creek.
They receive the females as fast as they come. (Laughter.)

Mr. Titcomb: Last night Prof. Reighard spoke of the sun-
fish, when the second female appeared, cleaning off the nest
which had the eggs on it. In the case of bass it is apparent
that the male does not so readily oust the first family of young
when he performs his duties with the second female. They
clean off but once, I think.

Prof. Reighard: I do not know whether they ever clean the
second time.

Mr. Bean: I wonder whether Mr. Titcomb or Mr. Meehan
can give us any explanation of the unusual production of small
mouth bass in these Pennsylvania lakes.

122 Thirty-fifth Annual Meeting

Mr. Meehan: It is only-one lake.

Dr. Bean: Usually it is believed there is a good deal of
cannibalism among these bass. Why don’t the biggest bass eat
the smaller ones, and thus reduce the number, as occurs in other

.

places? If they have nothing else to feed upon, why do not they

feed on one another ?

Mr. Titeomb: They do feed on other food to some extent.
There are shrimp there and other varieties of food under the
rocks; there is quite a lot of insect hfe under small flat stones,
but the race has become a stunted one, apparently for the lack
of food.

I have knowledge of a lake in Vermont, formerly inhabited
by several species of common fishes; the bullheads are one of
them, and the yellow perch another. It was stocked with small-
mouth bass which cleaned out every other kind of fish in this
pond, and then became a stunted race, the maximum weight of
the fish being about 34 of a pound. Very hkely it was so in Lake
Laura. We used the fish in the Vermont lake to stock larger
lakes for several years.

EXPERIMENTS IN FASTING OF FRY.

BY CHARLES G. ATKINS OF EAST ORLAND, ME.

It is my purpose in this paper to give further account of the
experiments in the initial feeding of fry of which I told the
Society last year.

The purpose of those experiments was to test the correctness
of the opinion, generally held among fish culturists, that it is
necessary to be very prompt in satisfying the first demands for
food on the part of the fry of all kinds of salmon and trout, the
penalty of neglect being the death or irreparable injury of the
neglected fry, some writers on the subject having gone so far as
to lay down the rule that there is no safety in the matter short
of actual anticipation of such demands by offering food to fry a
good deal before the absorption of the sack.

I was able to say at the time of the last meeting that, so far
as could be seen up to the month of July, fry that had called for
food in May or early in June and had been compelled to wait
at
least such treatment had not increased the death rate; that fast-

for five days had not appeared to suffer in consequence,

ing for nine or ten days had not in all cases been followed by
heavier losses; that in the case of the fry of silver salmon, of
which four lots had fasted respectively for five, ten, fourteen
and nineteen days, those that fasted the longest suffered the hght-
est mortality; and that the majority in the four lots of silver
salmon taken together, from the beginning of the fasting down
to fifteen days after its close with each lot, averaged little more
than half as heavy as that of the kindred fry that were promptly
and constantly fed.

In the discussion that followed the reading of that paper it
was suggested by Mr. Talbot that though these fishes survived
the ordeal of the fast they might have been so stunted by it that
they would never reach the size that they would otherwise at-
tain; and I was compelled to acknowledge that there was good
eround for fearing that such would be the effect. I have now
evidence in this matter which I am glad to lay before you.

123

124 Thirty-fifth Annual Meeting

All of the survivors of the starvation treatment in 1905 were
kept through the season until October, each lot by itself, and fed
and otherwise treated as nearly as possible in a uniform man-
ner, except as to space, an exception that I shall refer to again.
These experiments were tried in wooden troughs, all 1284 inches
wide, and with a water depth of 4 or 5 inches.

First let us look at the experience with Atlantic salmon.
There were two series of experiments with this species, each se-
ries embracing four lots. The lots of the first series numbered
at the start each 1,000 advanced fry, and each lot was main-
tained in a trough ten feet long. The lots of the second series
numbered 500 each, of the same age and origin, and they were
kept in troughs five feet long. In each series the fasts were for
5, 10, 15 and 20 days respectively. It was found, as stated in
the former paper, that for a period beginning with the com-
mencement of the fast and extending to 15 days after its close
in each case, Atlantic salmon that had fasted for 5 days suf-
fered a hghter mortality than those of the same origin that were
fed promptly; that those fasting 10 days suffered a lighter mor-
tality in one case and a heavier in the other; but that the fasts
of 15 and 20 days were followed by a greatly increased mortality
in both series. This indicated that 10 days was perhaps longer
than such fry could be safely compelled to fast under the given
circumstances.

For the purpose of comparing the death statistics of these
fishes through the rest of the season I have arranged a statement
in which the number of fish left at the beginning of each month
is made the basis of the percentage for that month. On this basis
it is found that the losses in both series of Atlantic salmon were
much heavier in the cases of the most extended fasts; for August
the losses were exceedingly light,—but a trifle heaviest among
those that had fasted 15 and 20 days; for September the differ-
ence, though almost extinguished, still holds against the 20-day
fasters of the second series, while in the first series the heaviest
losses followed the 10-day fasts, next coming the 20-day and 5-
day fasts successively, and the loss following the 15-day fast be-
ing the lightest of all. These September losses were, however,
exceedingly small, the heaviest being less than one per cent.

On the 17th of October, all these Atlantic salmon were

American Fisheries Society. 125

weighed, and it was found that the heaviest fish were those that
had the shortest fasts, they were averaging 35 and 37 grains re-
spectively ; but the smallest fish were not much smaller, 28 grains
for the 15-day fast of the first series and 29 grains for the 20-day
fasts of both series. Now comparing these with a control lot
consisting of 2,986 fish that had been fed promptly and continu-
ously, we find that the latter had not attained any greater size
than the smallest of the first series of fasters and only a single
grain larger than the smallest of the second series, and that out
of the 8 lots of fasters there were 5 lots that actually outstripped
in growth the full-fed fish.

Turning now to.the brook trout, we find that in August and
September the losses were very much heavier than with the At-
lantie salmon, but the distribution of the losses was such as to
forbid any decided conclusions favorable or unfavorable to the
fasts. October 16th they were all weighed, with the very inter-
esting result that the larger fish were among those that had fast-
ed the longest, the average being, from the short fasts upward, 99
grains, 102 grains, 109 grains and 127 grains, successively, and
the last named, which had fasted 19 days, had attained an aver-
age weight 14 grains (over 10 per cent.) greater than that of a
lot of 3,595 trout that had not fasted at all.

The lake trout suffered so lightly during the late summer and
autumn as to hardly afford any data except of a negative char-
acter (indicating that the fasting had done no harm) and in
October the weighing showed that the two lots of greatest mean
weight were those that had fasted the longest.

The mortality among the silver salmon was too light between
June and October to afford data for comparisons, and the Octo-
ber weighing afforded data for only the negative conclusions that,
when compared with each other, the long fasts had been little if
any more detrimental than the brief ones; but when compared
with a control lot of 2,441 salmon of the same species and age,
it is found that these early and full-fed fish were decidely heavier
than any of the fasters.

I must call your attention to certain points in which we are
hable to err in our interpretation of the results above stated.
Let us, in illustration, take up again the observations made on
the brook trout. It was observed that the survivors of the brook

126 Thirty-fifth Annual Meeting

trout that fasted 19 days had attained, on October 16, a mean
weight of 14 grains (or 10 per cent.) heavier than the fish of
the same species and same original lot that had been fed promptly
and abundantly, and that each move in the lengthening of the
fast had been followed by an increase in size. Now without con-
sideration of any other circumstances than those I have named,
the conclusion is at once suggested that the fasting was the
cause of the increased growth. But let us beware of jumping
at conclusions. Let us see what other circumstances there were
which may have had a bearing on the case. The different lots of
trout in the experiment came originally from the same lot of eggs,
so it is not likely that there could have been any congenital dif-
ference in capacity for growth. They were reared in water of
the same origin and the same character in temperature and other
respects. They received after the fast the same food, administer-
ed in the same way and, it was supposed, in the same quantity.
But in one respect there was an important difference in the con-
ditions to which the different lots were subjected: it was the
matter of space. The lots of fasting trout were kept in troughs
uniformly 5 feet long, while the main lots, the control lot among
them, were in troughs 10 feet long. The survivors of the 19-day
fasters, only 175 in number at the beginning of October, had
about 5 square feet of space or 1 square foot for 35 fish. The
other fasters had much less space, there being more fish to the
square foot, and the control lot had, during the last part of the
season, only one square foot of space for 107 fish, and earlier
were still more crowded. Here, then, is an important advantage
enjoyed by the subjects of the 19-day fast: they had three or
four times as much room as the normally treated fish with which
they were compared, and far more room than any of the trout
that fasted for shorter periods; and this may account for their
extraordinary gain in size.

There is one other point worth considering in this connection.
It would seem almost inevitable that in the severe ordeal of the
fasting experiments the fish that would soonest suecumb would
be the weaklings, and those that would survive the severest tests
would be those of greatest innate powers of endurance and re-
cuperation. ‘This may have been another factor of importance
in bringing about the remarkable results laid before you. And,

MCR

American Fisheries Society. 127

though it is going a little outside of the purpose of this paper,
I venture to suggest that until investigation shall determine the
matter, it be regarded as an open question, whether the starva-
tion process may not be advantageously applied in a practicai
way to the weeding out of weak fish from our broods.

To sum up conclusions, 1 think the data here laid before you
warrant us in concluding that fasting, carried to the extent of
incipient starvation, though “t may greatly retard the growth of
fry and fingerlings in their early stages and produce actual em-
aciation, does not permanently stunt them but leaves with them
the capacity of attaining normal size by rapid strides when placed
under favorable conditions.

FASTING EXPERIMENTS 1905,

a No.at = Dates of

meen ey Kind | Start Length of Fast | Bxperiment
|
E | 2 a

1832 A! | Silver Salmon 500 5 days May 18 to 22
1832 A? | Silver Salmon 500 | 10 days May 18 to 27
1832 A? | Silver Salmon 500 | 14 days May 18 to 31
1832 A*'| Silver Salmon 500_ 19 days _May 18 toJune 5
1768 A Brook Trout 1,000 5 days May 23 to 27
1768 B Brook Trout | 1,000 9 days May 23 to 31
1768 C | Brook Trout 1,000 | 14 days | May 23 toJune 5
1768 D Brook Trout 1,000 | 19 days z May 23-June 10
1147 A Lake Trout 100 5 ds. after 6 ds. feeding | May 23 to 27
1747 B | Lake Trout 100 | 9 ds. after 6 ds. feeding | May 23 to 31
17473 C Lake Trout 100 | 14 ds. after 6 ds. feeding | May 23 toJune 5
1747 D | Lake Trout 100 | 19 ds. after 6 ds. feeding | May 23-June 10
1847 A | Atlantic Salmon| 1,000 | 5 ds., unfiltered water | June 4 to 8
1847 B | Atlantic Salmon| 1,000 | 10 ds., unfiltered water | June 4 to 13
1847 C | Atlantic Salmon| 1,000 | 15 ds., unfiltered water | June 4 to 18
1847 D | Atlantic Salmon 1,000 | 20 ds., unfiltered water June 4to 23
1847 E | Atlantic Salmon 500 5 ds., filtered water | June 4 to §
1847 F | Atlantic Salmon 500 | 10 ds., filtered water | June 4 to 13
1847 G | Atlantic Salmon 500 | 15 ds., filtered water | June 4 to 18
1847 H | Atlantic Salmon | 50) | 20 ds., filtered water _| June 4 to 23
1768 Brook Trout 19,174

1832 C Silver Salmon 2,500
1847 __| Atlantic Salmon|_ .....

128 Thirty-fifth Annual Meeting

FASTING EXPERIMENTS—Continued,

LOSSES AND PERCENTAGE BASED ON NUMBER OF
FISH AT FIRST OF EACH MONTH.
Lot No. May June July August September
| Loss|Perc’t. Loss|Perc’t.| Loss|Perc’t.| Loss Perc’t. Loss/Perc't.
{8808A2 2 at cet pete Webs tule eel bee ai Si eee ria Oe
SBR BAS eas 5 il 5 1.01 2 40 ON et zrceattts Ol steierevscere
RBZ VAC ee ser 7 1.4 1 -20 OR Raeettue Ov hccarete sree Des Neisteeiarrore
TBSAMT eee 5 ue 1 .20 Didhs oehetokvere 2 40 OT eretePrietarels
WiGS cAY eee 4 4 33 3.31 17 IC 21 2.22 23 | 2.49
ZG SS) seo ethan ts 9 9 58 5.85 21 2.25 25 2.74 5 56
NFGSNGN Tee ets il TY ayy SB Ini 13 2.78 15 3.30 2 4.55
LAGS IDAs 6 Guat 17.77 6 2.72 4 1.86 1 | 4.74
AT AS See 2 2 3 3.06 2 2.11 Oo See (US Ras ae
CYP Bae cos aeel 2 2 15 1.53 1 1.20 Ost RA esi Oe cciecsl
AT Gs ees OM Ravoasios 44 44.00 a 7.14 Ose eatae O is csceiens
ACAD on Seas 2 2 70 | 71.43 Ose 1 Seyi OS taseece
BARAT arava ection see eeeee 3 3.30 i a2 7 .73 5 ay
Tf a merscteie| A al en Bes 44 4.40 19 1.99 6 64 6 .65
SACs Ae bez | aheeeversll vere Sethe a 3.90 58 6.04 10 1.10 3 .o4
SAT TDP ctor |stats erecta 15 15.90 | 109 | 12.96 6 .82 4 .b4
DEATH OS aoe eateries i 1.40 6 1.22 0 Waeeeeg if Al
TBAT Hos Kaeo ccr meal eee rete 5 1.00 8 1.62 1 21 al 221
TEATS Es |e be Seragell eects 17 53.40 28 5.89 OS Payers 1 Spal
RAT SET ASS ens llres eect | eC csecveiisre 4) 8.00 62 13.48 3 . 76 1 720
TGS eer ae wre |
SB ONG Raters }
ee fem as areal |
FASTING EXPERIMENTS—Concluded.
| . Weight of Survivors in October
Lot No. | Quarters Date of No. Total | Av.
Weighing |Weighed Weight | Wght
5 ft. trough Ips ozs) vers!
1832 At August 9—10 ft. trough Oct. 17 428 8-0 131
1832 A# S Ocho 477 9-12 1483
1832 A? Le Oct. 17 486 8-14 128
1832 A4 ye Oct. 17 483 9-4 134
1768 A 10 ft. trough Oct. 16 867 12-5 99
1768 B of Oct. 16 808 11-12 ! 102
1768 C *f Oct. 16 369 5-12 109
1768 D ig Oct. 16 175 3-3 127
1747 A 5 ft. trough Oct. 17 96 1-10 118
1747 B “ Oct. 17 79 1-5 116
1747 C € Oct. 17 49 0-17 152
1747 D wC [Ocean 28 0-8 =| 125
1847 A 10 ft. trough Ocialy 945 4-11 35
1847 B a Oct. 17 902 4-3 32
1847 C ue Ochaly 879 3-8 28
1847 D nee Oct. 17 719 3-0 2
1847 E — 5 ft. trough Oct. 17 486 2-10 37
1847 F y Octo ly 479 2-2 31
1847 G a Octa 17, 449 2-2 33
1847 H ee Oc 17 392 1-10 2
1768 7 to 138 troughs Oct. 16 BeboD 58-0 113
1832 C 2 troughs Ochi 2,441 45-11 187
1847 4 to 8 troughs Oct. 18 2,986 12-4 29

Pt ae ee ee

American Fisheries Society. 129

Contes ‘a
het
Oct Weights

Fasting Exberiments

Oct oben Weights
Afton Fasting in May ow June

Broote Jrout

Sdays [44days IF chesys
Goats © fast.) Saat

‘

130 Thirty-fifth Annual Meeting

DISCUSSION.

Mr. Atkins: (Before reading paper.) When I began these
experiments in 1905 I did not expect the results which I have
found, and I hope you will bear in mind that I tried to be im-
partial and have everything accurately done, and have tried to be
fair, tried not to warp the evidence in any way. I read a paper
last vear on the subject and now I have something to add.

During the reading of the paper Mr. Atkins made the follow-
ing comments.

(Showing diagram of size of Atlantic salmon.)

It made no difference in the size of fish in October whether
they fasted five or twenty days. So that the early and continu-
ous feeding had apparently done the fish no good. IT would not
say that it had not done it any good but so far as the weight in
October showed it had not done any good.

(Showing diagrams of Atlantic salmon of various sizes re-
sulting from various periods of fasting. )

The control lot of silver salmon was considerably larger than
any of the diagrams show.

(Exhibiting diagrams of lake trout.)

These lake trout were fed for six days before the fasting be-
gan and then they were made to fast five days, nine days, four-
teen days and nineteen days, and the result was that in October
the survivors did not differ a great deal in weight. This is aver-
age size, and the heaviest was in the case of those that had fasted
fourteen days.

(Showing diagram of brook trout.)

Now, here are brook trout in the same way, showing five days,
fourteen days and nineteen days fasting.

Dr. Bean: I would like to ask whether or not the starved
fish which were submitted to a test of nineteen days, took foocl
readily after the starvation period, when it was offered to them.

Mr. Atkins: Yes, in every case, just as soon as the fish were
offered food they appeared to be entirely ready to take it, and in

a few days, in every case, they appeared to be picking up.

Dr. Bean: Then these exper:ments would lead the way to
very important practical results, namely, the weeding out of

American Fisheries Society. iia

starvelings or weak fish, and the advantage accruing in long dis-
tance transportation of fry.

Mr. Atkins: Yes, sir.

Mr. Clark: I agree with the doctor that it is very important,
and I would hke to ask Mr. Atkins about those lots of lake trout
that were fed six days after they were taken from the tray.

Mr. Atkins: They were fed when they appeared to be ready.
We were trying them from day to day and as soon as we found
any fish that would take the food, then these fish were fed.

Mr. Clark: In other words, they were’ of such size that if
you were going to distribute fry without feeding, they were ready
to be distributed ?

Mr. Atkins: Yes, sir.

Mr. Clark: That is the point. ! have always advocated thai
fry should be distributed a few days before the sac was entirely
gone. That is the point that I wanted to make. We need not be
in a hurry about putting our fry out, and these I understand,
were fed six days and then went through the period of starvation.

Mar Atkins’: — Yes.sir.

Mr. Clark: In other words, the probabilities are that in the
case of these fish that had been fasting nineteen days, and in-
cluding six days of feeding, about twenty-five days would have
elapsed after the absorption of the sac. Do you think that these
fish would be in as-good condition to plant as fry, as they would
if they had been taken without any feeding? That is the point
I want to get at.

Mr. Atkins: I hardly know how to answer that. You mean
whether these fish after feeding and fasting would be in as good
condition to transport and plant as though they had been taken
in the very beg*nning ?

Mr. Clark: Yes, sir. Your experiments showed that they

were ready to take the food, did so, and grew rapidly.

Mr. Atkins: For instance, the experiments show, they are in

132 Thirty-fifth Annual Meeting

favor of the view, that they would stand transportation just as
well then as before.

Mr. Clark: That is quite a point, I think for those who are
distributing fry. ‘There has always been such a hurry to get the
fry out early, in order that they may find plenty of food either as
soon as, or before the sac is entirely absorbed.

Mr. Titcomb: Is not there another point there? I want to
ask two or three questions in connection with it. But the first
important point is the fact that this fish will stand nineteen
days fasting. We will say that you distribute them just as they
are ready to take food: a great many people argue that they are
very weak and get very little food. We will acknowledge that
some of them fast after they are planted, more or less, after the
first 19 days. But this brings out the conclusion that that fast-
ing is not going to injure them, as it is a point in favor of fry
planting.

IT want to ask Mr. Atkins if he sees any advantage in feed-
ing 6 days just before the sac is absorbed, before fasting, or would
the other method be best, of having them begin the fast im-
mediately ?

Mr. Atkins: I see no advantage in this, but I had heard it
said that it was better to avoid any feeding and then interrupt-
ing it.

Mr. Clark: That is right.

Mr. Atkins: So f thought I would try that series of lake
trout in that way, feeding them a few days first and then making
them fast, and they caine out in very good shape—in such very
good shape that in several thousand there were only two losses
in August and two in September.

Mr. Titcomb: Another question: Between the control ex-
periment and the other did you consider the volume of water sup-
plied to each trough as a factor?

Mr. Atkins: Well, not carefully, no sir.

Mr. Titcomb: You gave, of course, a much larger flow to the
_ control trough which had the larger number of fish in it, than
to the others ?

oy TRA

American Fisheries Society. 133

Mr. Atkins: I suppose that we did, but that matter was only
looked at and no measurements were made that I can now recall.

You do not know the volume of water that flowed to each
trough ?

Mr. Atkins: I cannot state it now.

Q. Don’t you think that that is an important feature to con-
sider in a control experiment ?

Mr. Atkins: Yes, I do.

Mr. Titcomb: I think these experiments are grand, and are
bringing out some very valuable information. Some of you may
not have read Mr. Atkin’s paper of last year in which he brought
out the point that 1t was not necessary to begin the feeding of the
fry immediately after the sac was absorbed or before. Mr. At-
kin’s experiments demonstrate conclusively to me that there is no
necessity of giving those fish any food until several days after
they naturally would take it. I should conclude from the experi-
ments that instead of giving food to sac fry in the later stages,
as many do, it is a waste of food and not only a waste of food but
it is apt to foul the water. You eliminate all that, and the con-
clusion is reached that it is as well not to feed the fish for sever-
al days after they are able to take food.

Mr. Atkins: These experiments indicate that there is no
advantage in feeding while in the sac stage, and it would be
simply a waste of food and a pollution of the water, and we have
another series of experiments in the same line going on this
summer and so far as we have gotten with them they are telling
the same story as last year’s experiments, and the last year’s ex-
periments told the same story as some I tried once or twice be-
fore, only less carefully; so I feel safe in saying that there is
no particular hurry in feeding the fry; if they have to fast
several days after they first wish for food, it will not be likely
to do them any harm.

Mr. Titcomb: How many days would you suggest, in a
general way, should elapse after the sac is absorbed before
you begin to feed—from what experiments you have made?

134 Thirty-fifth Annual Meeting

Mr. Atkins: Well now, really, I have not gone so far as to
consider that. In fact I have not yet introduced into actual
practice any rule which would delay the feeding at all, but |
have allowed the fish to be fed as soon as they wanted food, ex-
cept the experimental lots. I think I ought to study that a Lt-
tle further and see if there would not be a positive advantage in
withholding food for several days.

Dr. Birge: Would it not be possible to put screens into the
troughs so that the control fish and the fish you are experiment-
ing on, should have each the same amount of water surface ?

Mr. Atkins: Wouldn’t they have in the same trough ?

Dr. Birge: Yes, and as the fish died could you not put in a
wire screen, for instance, to cut these fish off from part of the
trough, as they get fewer in number, so that you will have just

so many fish to the square foot ?

Mr. Atkins: Yes, I think that would be worth while, so that
as the fish died off the space could be lessened ; and then I would
hardly expect the same results, because I think the great growth
shown by these fish that fasted so long, was very likely owing ta
the main to having so much extra room.

Dr. Birge: That is true of invertebrates, that they will grow

much more rapidly with more space.

Mr. Titcomb: I would suggest that in further experiments
you consider the volume of water and make the control experi-
ments exactly alike. Have the dimensions of the trough for each
experiment the same, and the volume of water the same; and
as you increase the volume with the growth, if you do, keep a
record of that. And this suggests what Dr. Birge has said: One
thing you want to bring out in connection with this experiment
is, What is the actual number of trout of a certain age or size, or
other fish, like the salmon, which can be carried in a foot of
water to best advantage. That is a point which we ought to be
able to publish in our fish cultural books as well as the other.
That would come in with your experiments very nicely, I should
think.

Mr. Atkins: Yes.

American Fisheries Society. 135

Mr. Clark: IT wish that this discussion might continue the
remainder of the day. I think here is one of the most important
papers and subjects for the benefit of fish culture that has been
brought out. Iam very glad that Mr. Atkins did not make these
experiments and bring this matter to notice twenty-five years or
more ago, when they called me the father of the fingerling. He
is certainly knocking my theory all to pieces, that it is so much
better to plant fingerling fish. I have always advocated that the
reason for planting fingerlings instead of fry, was because they
were stronger and better able to take care of themselves. How-
ever, from the experiments made by Mr. Atkins, even starved
fish are ready to take food, and I certainly think that this very
important matter should be further investigated, and I trust
that Mr. Atkins w:ll continue along the same lines he has so
successfully started.

Dr. Bean: I do not see any other paper on this programme
in which the question of feeding fry is likely to come up. There-
fore I hope you will allow me to make a few remarks about an
experiment with brown trout this year. There is always a time
in the hfe of a trout when it will refuse to take food. In fact
the mortality among trout is largely due to the refusal of the
fish to take the food offered to it, particularly where liver and al-
lied foods are employed. There were cases of this kind this year
in May and June at several stations in New York state, and the
men in charge, old fish culturists, men of experience, tried in
every way possible to induce the brown trout to feed, but without
success, until they had arrived almost at the point of death from
starvation. Liver was used and whatever other dead animal food
of that sort was available, but without success. Then the fish
doetor was called in, and naturally, as the species was brown
trout, he suggested crustacean or molluscan food. Well, as the
crustacean food at these stations was the more readily obtainable,
the superintendent was asked to try a variety of shrimp, which
was very plentiful, just to take the shrimp, crush them in a sieve,
and make an emulsion corresponding with the liver emulsion.
This was tried at two stations, and in less than 15 minutes all of
the brown trout which had refused to take food were feeding
merrily, and the situation was saved. I suppose this has been

136 Thirty-fifth Annual Meeting

done by other fish culturists, but I was anxious to relate it here,
hoping it might help some other practical men to save their fish.

Mr. Meehan: Occasionally we have found where fry refuse
to take food, that the addition of a little salt would sometimes
have the effect of starting them to feed, that is, a mixture of a
little salt with liver, not very much, just a litthe—we found that
particularly in the case of some Atlantic salmon that would not
feed until we put a little salt in their food, and then they took it
with readiness. Whether that would work out all through or not
I could not say, but in our hatcheries it did very well with the
Atlantic salmon and in one or two cases with brook trout. We
very seldom had much trouble with regard to the question of
feeding, but occasionally they would not take food, and when
they did refuse we found that the salt would help.

Dr. Bean: We tried that method also but without success.
We tried another article of food which has been used by a good
many members present, salted haddock roe, but that did not
tempt them. Nothing but the food which they wanted, which
happened to be shrimp, filled the bill.

Mr. Titcomb: ‘The question of salt in the food has come up,
which leads me to express the desire that the fish culturists who
handle trout will make control experiments, feeding fresh liver
and meat which has a trifle of salt in it. Some fish culturists
who raise large quantities of Atlantic salmon, brook trout and
land-locked salmon, use no salt. I think there is a good oppor-
tunity for control experiments there. This is merely a sugges-
tion.

If this subject is exhausted I want to ask Dr. Bean to tell us
something more about this brown trout work. We have given up
the propagation of the brown trout. We consider that fish ob-
jectionable because it is not as good as the brook trout and when
placed in the same stream with the brook trout we understand
it is so cannibalistic that it eats the brook trout. It is a stronger
and larger fish, and should not be planted in any brook trout
waters, from our point of view.

Dr. Bean: I do not know just the particular point Mr. Tit-
comb wants to know about the brown trout work in New York
State.

at a Qe

American Fisheries Society. 137

Mr. Titcomb: The extent of it.

Dr. Bean: The extent is much less than it was a few years
ago, and the policy of the commissioner is in line with Mr.
Titcomb’s suggestion, that the brown trout should never be
planted in any waters that have brook trout. Beaver Kill River
illustrates the bad effects of this method. A friend of mine,
a very expert angler, told me he got ten brown trout to one brook
trout in the Beaver Kill; the cause of that is unquestionably (at
least in the minds of the anglers, and it seems reasonable) that
the brown trout destroy the brook trout. If they do not, they at
any rate destroy the food of the brook trout, which amounts to
the same thing. So that the work of New York now is very much
reduced in volume, and there is a continual desire on the part of
the commissioner to refuse applications and in fact he does pos-
tively refuse applications for brown trout to be planted in brook
trout waters. They are suitable for some waters, undoubtedly,
waters which contain no other trout, and have done very well
there. But this year there is a very grave difficulty with the
brown trout, which is no doubt familiar to most of you, and that
is the ulcer disease which has broken out in some places, particu-
larly in streams which are polluted with drainage from manure
heaps; and it is so fatal that there is a very strong inclination
to discontinue absolutely the use of such streams in the future
for all race and pond work at stations, beheving that unless the
head waters can be controlled, so that the cause can be absolutely
removed and the waters be disinfected by quicklime or in some
other way, it is useless to attempt to remove that bacillus which
causes the ulcer disease and destroys the brown trout.

Mr. Titeomb: Does it infect the other species ?

Dr. Bean: None except the brook trout. The rainbow trout
is Immune thus far, but it is very fatal to the brown trout.

Mr. Whish: Once again the lay brother finds a chance to get
back at the scientist. We have had in this society several con-
fessions during past years which have evidently been good for
the soul, and I have just chuckled over them.

Tt all comes, in my judgment, from trying to get something
foreign in place of something which is native born, believing

138 Thirty-fifth Annual Meeting

that because a thing comes from Europe it is just a little better
than anything that grows in America. I was not brought up in
any such behef and I do not believe it now.

We had in bird life the English sparrow. I remember when
I was a student in the high school, a prize was given to the scholar
who would write the best essay on the beauties of the English
sparrow which was then being introduced. I have been some-
what of a fisherman ever since | was a little farmer boy with
ragged trousers and could get a pin and a piece of string; and I
remember when eminent scientific gentlemen threw up their
hands and cheered at the discovery of the great carp. I have
sat in societies and heard gentlemen of eminence confess—I may
say also, confess very carefully—that the introduction of the carp
was a fish-cultural tragedy, and I am hearing the successors of
these scientific gentlemen confessing very cautiously that the
introduction of the noble brown trout is the same thing.

Now this is to me a matter of great glee. (Laughter.) I am
a lay brother and I do not know any more science than I have
read and I do not know much more science in the fish-cultural
line than what I have been taught. But I was told a year or so
ago, very cautiously, by a gentlemen of the United States Bureau,
that they guessed they would not cultivate any more brown trout.

Now, why don’t these scientific men know these things before
it is too late?

Our birds have suffered from the introduction of the beauti-
ful sparrow.

President: You don’t want a man to know it all at once,
do you?

Mr. Whish: It would have been for the best interests of the
people at large if some of these things had been known before-
hand. That is only my judgment. I hope these things are en-
tertaining to the scientific men.

But here is your carp question: Would it not have been
better if they had found out where these fish were suited to go
before they put them into the waters of the country? And would
not the same thing have been better with relation to the brown
trout ?

Of what worth is your scientific man if he cannot give proper

American Fisheries Society. 139

advice when great questions of this kind arise? For it is a great
question to introduce into the waters of a state, or of a nation, a
fish about whose habits you know nothing except as they occur
on the other side of the ocean; and however, they may have been
on the other side they certainly are different when they get here; ’
and I think (as a lay brother having particular glee in getting
back at the scientist again) that in the future, if somebody offers
a species of fish that is great and good in another country, it
would be the part of wisdom—to try it out in a secluded spot
well fenced in, before giving it to the nation at large to the de-
struction of the better fishes. (Applause. )

Mr. Meehan: I fully agree with Mr. Whish in regard te
keeping our indigenous fishes, but I cannot agree with him in
laying the blame on the scientific man. From the experience I
have had I rather think he has the wrong pig by the tail. My
experience has been (and it has covered a great many years in
fish-cultural work) that the real offender is the lay brother and
not the scientific man.

Going back for a number of years to the carp, which is per-
haps the beginning, the real responsibility for introducing that
fish rests not so much with the man who introduced it and spoke
of it in the first place, as with the people themselves. They heard
about it, wanted it and demanded it, and they forced it in many
cases against the advice of scientific men. The same thing to my
certain knowledge is true in Pennsylvania, at any rate so far as
the brown trout is concerned. The anglers demanded it; they
said: “Here is a fine fish; we have heard a great deal about this
fish, the Isaac Walton fish and the brown trout, and we want it in
our streams ;” and when the commissioners or those who were
responsible refused to give it to them, they went to the members
of the legislature, and the members of the legislature went to the
commissioner and said: “No brown trout, no appropriation.”
(Laughter.) That is responsible for the introduction of the
brown trout and the introduction of the carp in many places, at
any rate, and it is the same thing today in regard to other fishes.
I have people, “lay brothers,” who have come to me and want
lake trout and black spotted trout and black bass and calico bass
and rock bass and every other kind of fish, planted in a single

140 Thirty-fifth Annual Meeting

body of water that ‘s only big enough to hold one or two species
of fish. I do not think I can lay that on the scientific brother.
You have more trouble with the layman than with the scientific
man, and that is particularly the trouble in regard to the plant-
ing of fish.

Going back to Mr. Atkins’ work some years ago, some people
began to agitate (and they were not the scientific people) the
planting of trout, for instance, in the fall of the year instead of
the spring of the year: “because,” they said, “the fish have been
taken care of in the hatcheries all the summer and they are fine,
large size, and can take care of themselves a great deal better
when planted in the fall of the vear.” That bit of poison got al!
through Pennsylvania, and is not yet out of the system; although
our experience has shown that the planting of advanced fry pro-
duces best results; but men will say today that in streams where
there is better fishing than there has been for twenty years, it
would be better to have 250 trout in the fall of the year than
1,500 in the spring,—that is “the lay brother,” not the scientific

man.

Mr. Titcomb: I believe the subject of fry versus fingerlings
is taboo in this society, but I want to agree with the last speaker
on the demands of the angler. It is astonishing to see the num-
ber of kinds of fish that the man thinks he can get into a sma!l
pond. My question to Dr. Bean was put because a great many
people today want the brown trout; the majority of them have
never seen brown trout and only know it is different from what
they have, and they do not want it necessarily because it comes
from Europe but they want it just because it is different; the
New England people call for rainbow trout, although we have
not succeeded in introducing them, after putting millions of
them there——but they want something different. In Penn-
sylvania the people are learning gradually that the rainbow trout
is not very valuable and they are coming back to the native trout.
It is the same thing all over the country. They get in one or two
kinds and want half a dozen.

Mr. Whish: I only wish to say that it has always seemed
to me that the scientific man ought to be a sentinel on the outer
works to give warning of the approach of the enemy; and he

American Fisheries Society. 141

ought to know the enemy when he sees him so that he can give
this warning.. Now in New York state, as Dr. Bean can very
well advise you, we have this same trouble about the demand for
fish for waters for which they are not suited, but Dr. Bean can
also tell you that we do not give these fish any longer.

‘here was a time when, acting on the conduct, I might say,
(not the advice, because I do not think it was asked) of the
United States Bureau of Fisheries, carp and brown trout were
ladled out very handsomely; but that time is past.

Mr. Titcomb: I want to answer that. ( Laughter.)

The brown trout has not done very much damage in this
country. We have made the experiment and have discontinued
its propagation, except at one station where we are conducting
some control experiments on just one wild stream in South
Dakota.

So far as the carp is concerned it was first distributed by pri-
vate enterprise, and later by the United States Fish Commission.
While we acknowledge that it was not economical to give those
fish to everybody who wanted them for waters in the north, the
clear waters of New York and New England for instance, yet
today if it were not for false notions prevailing regarding carp,
we would be propagating and distributing them in large numbers.
The people in the west where they have tanks and mud _ ponds
and small reservoirs, which catch the surface water, beg for carp,
and we know the carp will do better in some of those waters than
any other species. A recent article written by Leon J. Cole on
the carp of the Great Lakes, is well worth your reading, to show
what carp is there, and its value; and if you look at statistics
you will see that the carp is a very important fish, in the com-
mercial fisheries of this country, especially in [hnois.

Mr. Clark: Has anybody yet, scientist or lay brother, ever
given proof that the carp caused any harm? Show it to me if you
can.

President: Inasmuch as that brings up a discussion that we
have been engaged in for fifteen years, I will rule out the ans-
wer. (Laughter.)

Dr. Bean: De mortuis nil nisi bonum! The carp is dead,

142 Thirty-fifth Annual Meeting

long live the carp! The member from Albany answered his own
question. He lays the blame for such things upon the scientist,
but he forgets, perhaps, that the present administration of the
New York Fish Commission is only about three years old, and he
is whipping some very much older scientists over the shoulders
of the able men who represent New York at present. You might
just as well attempt to blame us Christians for not preventing
the crucifixion ; but we were not born soon enough.

President: It is like a great many cases of death in a great
many parts of the country, the doctor was called in too late. We
have got them today and they will do work no other fish ean.

Mr. Lydell: We have got carp and whitefish and black bass
in one pound in the Mill Creek station and they are all doing
very well.

Mr. P. G. Zalsman of Paris, Mich.: Of course in respect to
putting them in small streams: I deliver rainbow trout some-
times to a farmer and the fisherman says: ‘Where are those fish
going?” “TI don’t know.” “If I knew who was going to put
them in such and such a stream I would kill him before he got
there. We do not want the rainbow trout in these streams.”

Mr. Meehan: ‘There are certain places where they call the
brown trout, California rainbow trout. I discovered that recent-
ly. People did not want the California trout in a certain county,
and when I went there a few days ago a man showed me a fish

ee

which he called a “Californian” but it was a brown trout.

President: There is some prejudice against the rainbow
trout in Michigan but I think it is uncalled for. It is a differ-
ent fish, of course, from the brook trout but at the same time, as
far as we can observe, it does no harm in the same stream as
brook trout. Whether it will do any good or not is another
question.

Mr. Meehan: We have found no trouble with rainbow trout
as far as destroying other trout is concerned. But apparently
they do not propagate very well in the stream.

Mr. Nevin: Rainbow trout do not do very well in small
streams, but do well in the larger rivers.

GASES DISSOLVED IN THE WATERS OF WISCONSIN
LAKES.

BY DR. EH. A. BIRGE, OF THE WISCONSIN FISH COMMISSION.

Mr. President:

When I was listening to the remarks regarding scientists a
few minutes ago I felt that the scientist in this meeting was some-
what in the condition of the carp. The sportsmen charge that
fish with all sorts of crimes and casualties but when they bring
him into court they cannot find him guilty of any of them. So
the practical man tries to make the scientist responsible for all
kinds of troubles, but when the charge is investigated it comes
to nothing. If the scientists had not received so vigorous a de-
fense it would be necessary perhaps for me to apologize for pre-
senting a scientific paper to this meeting, but, under the circum-
stances, I will give you the paper without apology.

Some dozen years ago, or more, I began to study the hfe of
the lower animals found in the open waters of the lakes of Wis-
consin. I Garried out one rather large job of that sort and found
as I advanced in it that the conditions of life in lakes were not
well known. So I then started to take up the study of the physi-
cal conditions of life in our lakes. Circumstances that I need not
go into greatly increased my duties at the University of Wiscon-
sin and for a considerable number of years made it impossible
for me to continue those investigations. Only recently have I
been able to take them up again, after long interruption, and to
carry them on, although much more slowly than I could wish.

The subject that I am going to talk about today is the dis-
tribution of the oxygen gas in the waters of our lakes, and some
thing of the effect of that distribution on the lake as a place for
aninal life.

I must begin with a few words in regard to the temperature
conditions of lakes, because upon them the distribution of gas
is founded.

Let Fig. 1 represent a section of a lake, and imagine the basin
filled with water of uniform temperature, such a condition as

143

144 Thirty-fifth Annual Meeting

we should find in our lakes in October, November, or December,
according to the depth and area of the lake. Now, if the wind

FiG. 1—Circulation caused by wind in lake of uniform temperature.

blows from one direction, for any considerable length of time,
it will start a current of water moving in the direction of the
wind towards the leeward side of the lake; when the water driven
by the wind reaches this side of the lake it has to return; a com-
paratively small portion passes around the lake: more of it turns
down on the shore, comes back at various depths along the bot-
tom, or wherever it may find an opportunity. As a general re-
sult, if the lake has a uniform temperature from top to bottom,
the mass of water, even though it may be 159 or 200 feet in depth,
is set into rotation by the wind with comparative ease, so that
the bottom water is brought to the top and vice versa, and a very
thorough mixture of the water is made to all depths of the lake.
Under these circumstances all the water of the lake is brought
into contact with the air and becomes saturated with oxygen.

In the spring after the ice leaves the lakes, the conditions
are substantially the same for a little while; the temperature is
practically uniform, the water is set into rotation, kept in cir-
culation and aerated by the action of the wind. But as the water
warms, the conditions become different; and the warmer water

Ne

Fic. 2—Circulation in lake during summer. A.—Warm layer. B.—Cool water.

of the surface becoming hghter than the cooler water of the bot-
tom, tends to float upon it. As the days grow longer, the in-
fluence of the sun becomes greater and as the mights become
warmer, the cooling at night becomes less, with the result that
the surface water gets very considerably heated. Under those
circumstances when the wind blows the water across the lake, 1

American Fisheries Society. 145

does not have energy. enough to force the warmer, lighter water
down to the bottom of the lake: so that, as the water gets to the
leeward side, it 1s pressed down to a certain distance, but to a
certain distance only, a distance depending on the temperature
of the upper water, the force of the wind, the area of the lake,
and other conditions that I need not specify.

The net result of this contest between the wind, seeking to
mix the water and the sun, which tends to keep the hehter water
on the top, is that during the warmer season the circulation of
the water is confined to a small portion of the lake, a portion
which differs in thickness in different lakes. The water moves
not along the bottom of the lake but a certain distance below the
surface—perhaps 10 or 12 feet down in a small lake, and per-
haps 20, 30 or even 40 feet in an inland lake of larger size.

This continued action results in the formation of a compara-
tively warm layer of water on the top of the lake, within which
circulation is going on, and the water of which is more or less
continuously turned oyer and exposed to the action of the air,
and beneath that there is a lower layer of water which is cooler,
which does not circulate, and which, for a time varying from a
month or two in certain lakes to four or five months in others,
is shut off from all direct access to the external air by the layer
of circulating water on the top of the lake.

You will easily see that the oxygen conditions of the water
are very different indeed in these two portions of the lake. The
story can perhaps best be illustrated by some of these diagrams,
which show in a very general way what goes on in Lake Mendota
during the open season of the year.

Lake Mendota, on whose south shore he the grounds of the
University of Wisconsin, is a lake about 6 miles long, + miles in
width and 84 feet in depth in the deepest portion ; several square
miles of the lake are more than 7) feet in depth, and the water
reaches a depth of 50 or 60 feet pretty close to the shore; the
shore is fairly steep, reaching a maximum height of 150 feet
above the lake.

Figures 3 to 8 show the temperature and oxygen of the
water from April to November, 1905. In each diagram the
vertical column of figures represents the depth in meters from
the surface down to 22 meters, which is as deep water as you

146 Thirty-fifth Annual Meeting

can find without going too far from our laboratory. The horizon-
tal figures represent two things. They stand, in the case of tem-
perature, for degrees centigrade, and, in the case of oxygen, they

Dial Ope O

TO

F1G. 3—Lake Mendota, April 22. 1905.

represent cubic centimeters of gas per liter of water; that is,
parts per thousand in volume, of the gas in question. The line
marked “Tl” represents the temperature in each diagram and the
line marked “O,” the oxygen.

In the latter part of April we find a temperature of about
C. both at the top and bottom of the lake. There isa very

90
6

nv

American Fisheries Society. 147

considerable amount of oxygen, nearly 8 cc. per liter; 8 parts
per thousand of volume at the surface and about 7.5 at the depth
of 18 meters. I may say that in the early part of the season, for
convenience sake, we made our observations in the shallower

0 IC

Fic. 4—Lake Mendota, May 24, 1905.

water near the University instead of going a mile or so further
to the deeper water of the lake. But the story at this time would
be the same in the deeper water, and this fact I have indicated
by continuing the temperature and oxygen lines to the bottom
of the diagram. In the early spring temperature and oxygen

148 Thirty-fifth Annual Meeting

are substantially the same at all depths of the lake and all por-
tions of the lake support an abundant life.

If now we pass to Fig. 4, which represents the conditions on
May 24, you will see that the lake has warmed a good deal—the
surface temperature has increased to 13° while the bottom has
increased to a little over 10°, but is beginning to lag behind the
surface. That shows that the action of the wind is now failing
to reach the bottom of the lake, and that as a result the surface
is beginning to gain in temperature on the bottom. The amount
of oxygen in the surface water has gone down to about 7 ce. per
litre; in consequence of the rise of temperature it has declined a
little at the bottom, and yet the oxygen line is comparatively
straight.

But as you pass into June and July, both as to temperature

0 50 10 IS 2OG eh tee

FiG, 5-Lake Mendota, July 29, 1905.

and oxygen the conditions in late July are shown in Fig 5.
The surface temperature has risen to 22.6° C, and down to the
depth of 7 meters it is almost uniform. At this depth comes a
sudden drop in the temperature, which is more marked at 10
meters; the temperature line running down until at the bottom

American Fisheries Society. 149

of the lake it shows 11.8°. The oxygen shows an arrangement
corresponding to this division of the lake into two parts; a warm
lake 7 to 8 meters in thickness, kept in circulation by the wind
and floating on top of the lower water of the lake, whose greatest
depth is about 16 meters and which is cut off from the air by the
upper stratum. There are about 6 cc. of oxygen per liter in the
upper water, but that in the lower water shows the effect of the
cutting off of the lower water from new supplies and is nearly
exhausted. Its exhaustion is in small part due to the use of oxy-

0 50 iO 15 MOO T2425

. cf ;
FiG. 6—Lake Mendota, Aug. 31, 19U5.

gen for respiration by the animals living in deep water. In far
greater part it is used up by decomposition of plants and animals.
Down into this lower water are sinking all of the minute dead
plants and animals, as well as the larger ones, from the surface
of the water; into it is also sinking the debris from along the
shore. All of this is decomposed in the bottom water, inevitably
using up the supply of oxygen; and that process is showing its
effect very plainly from the 7 meter line down. You will see at
the 7 meter level the oxygen line begins to curve towards zero
and at 13 meters there is very little oxygen left in the water,

150 Thirty-fifth Annual Meeting

(0.8 cc. per liter) and there is even less oxygen at greater
depths.

As we pass to the next diagram, (Fig. 6) which shows the
facts for the last of August, we find substantially the same ar-
rangement, so far as the temperatures are concerned. The tem-
perature line for the last of August shows pretty nearly 23° C.
down to a depth of 8 meters; then comes a rapid fall of tempera-
ture, followed by a slower one, until at the bottom a temperature

0 5 0 10 [Siro a0

FIG. 7—Lake Mendota, Sept. 26. 1905.

of about 12° is reached. The oxygen of the lower water has been
practically used up and ends near the of the cool water.

As the season passes on and the lake cools the upper warmed
layer increases in thickness as it declines in temperature. In the
latter part of September, as Fig. 7 shows, the circulating part of
the lake has reached a thickness of about 13 meters, with a tem-
perature of about 18°. The oxygen has followed on down with

American Fisheries Society. 151

this increase of thickness of the circulating part of the lake—
not as fast, since, for reasons which I will not stop to go into, the
oxygen follows a little behind the temperature. But the lower,
cooler part of the lake is still devoid of oxygen.

In October the temperature falls and becomes practically uni-
form throughout the lake. Corresponding to this change the

t1G. 8—Lake Mendota, Nov. 9, 1905.

oxygen is found at the bottom of the lake in an amount quite
sufficiently abundant to support.any sort of animal life. In
November (Fig. 8) the temperature has still further fallen,
having gone to about 7°., and with the cooling of the water the
amount of oxygen which it can hold in solution is increased, the
amount has risen to about 8 ce. per liter, and at this time and

152. Thirty-fifth Annual Meeting

later the oxygen supply is rising to its winter condition. In
this it will go through the winter and come out in the spring.
The effect of this variation of the oxygen on the life of the
lake must be briefly told. My own studies have been entirely on
the microscopic life, mainly on the crustacea, though to some ex-
tent on the rotifers. If you study the lake in the early spring,
when the conditions of temperature are uniform, you will find
these animals through the lake at all depths, and in very con-
siderable numbers; and as the spring warming of the lake goes
on there is everywhere a great increase in animal life. The algae
seem to afford an abundance of food, so that the animal life of
the lower types extends to all depths. As the summer conditions
come on and as the oxygen begins to be cut off in the lower water,
the an'mal life then becomes, as you would expect, more scanty,
and as the July and August conditions succeed, the life in the
open water of the lower part of the lake becomes almost extinct.
Tt almost startles the student to see how sharp is the division be-
tween the inhabited and uninhabited portions of the lake. Ii
you lower a hose into the lake and pump the water from various
depths into a fine net you will catch a great abundance of ani-
mals in the water from the lower part of the circulating layer.
This stratum indeed is often more densely populated then any
other portion and may contain thousands of crustacea and roti-
fers per gallon. But if the hose is lowered another meter, or even
a half meter, an entire change appears. The water is perfectly
clear and appears to the eve as fit for hfe as that above it, but
you may pump many gallons of the water without securing more
than a very few animals and these mainly sickly or injured forms
which have evidently been caught as they were slowing sinking
to the bottom. One animal indeed you are likely to find in num-
bers quite large when its large size is taken into account. Those
of you who have studied the animal life of lakes know the trans-
parent larvae of the insect Corethra, which is one of the most
beautiful and rapacious creatures found in our lakes. This is
practically the only animal that you will find inhabiting the
lower water. It comes up into the surface water at night, feeds,
renews its stock of oxygen, which it stores in sacs, and goes
down again for the day into this water devoid of oxygen. In
such water it seems to be thoroughly at home and indeed we have

American Fisheries Society. 153

learned that its presence in water pumped from a lake during
the day time indicates that there is little or no oxygen in that
water.

Thus the story of the oxygen is of great importance to the
life of the lake, because during the months of July, August, Sep-
tember, and the early part of October, all the lower part of Lake
Mendota is almost uninhabitable by any animal. There are a
few creatures that live in the mud; there is found there a species
of clam, (sphaerium) about as large as a pea when fully grown.
In spite of the fact that the water above it, and around it, is de-
void of oxygen, that animal survives apparently in a dormant
condition. We have pumped up the mud from Lake Mendota
with these animals in it, and kept them under observation in
sealed bottles, so that the conditions of hfe, so far as tempera-
ture and oxygen were concerned, were the same as at the bottom
of the lake. We found that the animals would continue to live,
although in a dormant condition; while if taken out and placed
in water which was aerated, the clam would quickly begin to put
out its siphons and feed. There are also worms found in the
mud, but the life at the bottom is very decidedly scanty and poor,
and one which is not fitted to support any considerable amount
of fish life at any time of the year.

This story of the oxygen as shown in Lake Mendota is re-
peated in principle in all lakes; but the details of the story, and
the effect upon life are very different in different lakes. AIL of
the lakes get during the late fall, before they freeze, practically
as much oxygen as they will hold at the temperatures which they
have reached ; they come out in the spring with substantially that
amount of oxygen. The formation of the warm surface layer
comes at dfferent times in different lakes. In the small lakes it
comes early in the spring, late in April, or early in May. In
lakes of 20 or 30 acres the warm layer will be formed at that time
and the bottom water is then cut off from access to the external
air. In lakes of a mile or two in length this formation comes late
in May or early in June, and at that time the lower water will
be cut off. In the larger lakes from 6 to 8 miles long, like Lake
Mendota, Lake Geneva or Green Lake, the final formation of
this layer is still further delayed until the latter part of June or

154 Thirty-fifth Annual Meeting

early July; so the bottom water is cut off from access to external
air for very different lengths of time in different lakes.

And still further: The amount of the oxygen in the lower
water depends not merely on the length of time that the bottom
water is cut off from the external air, but it depends also upon
the amount of decomposable material discharged into it by the
upper water and on the volume of lower water, which depends on
the depth of the lake. If the amount of life in the lake is small,
the amount of material which will decompose in the bottom
water is extremely small, and the exhaustion of the oxygen goes
on with corresponding slowness. If the volume of the lake is
great, as in Green Lake (237 feet deep) the amount of oxygen is
correspondingly great, and it is not rapidly used up. [ff the
lake (like Mendota) has an enormous amount of plant life in the -
upper water, so that there is a continual and rather rapid rain
of organic matter dropping down in the lower water, decomposi-
tion goes on rapidly, aided also by the comparatively high tem-
perature of the bottom water, and the oxygen is exhausted at a
comparatively rapid rate.

Then again, in case of the smaller lakes, the amount of dis-
composable matter coming in from the margin of the lakes in-
creases proportionately—the smaller the lakes the larger the
margin with reference to the volume of the water of the lake.
There is a zone around the edge of any lake in which the bot-
tom plants will grow. ‘This zone does not differ in breadth in
proportion to the size of the lake, so that in a small lake the
central part which is free from bottom growth is much smaller
proportionately than in the larger lake, and the material washed
into the deeper water from the margin and the banks is corres-
pondingly greater in the smaller lake. Then, too, the leaves
which are blown into lakes of 20 or 30 acres in area, or even
larger, form a very important addition to the decomposable ma-
terial on the bottom. The result of all this, in those small
ponds and lakes so common in the kettle moraine of Wisconsin,
is that the bottom water is cut off from access to oxygen at an
early period in the spring, and a great amount of decomposable
material of all kinds is present in the lake. It follows that there
is a long period during which there is no oxygen in the lower
water, and consequently no animal hfe, and the bottom of the

@

American Fisheries Society. 155

lake is composed not of mud but of partially decomposed organic
material in which no higher organisms are able to live.

I have indicated in diagrams, some of the conditions which
we find in certain of these other lakes, to show you some of the
variations which may occur.

I will speak first of Green Lake, which resembles much more
nearly the condition found in the Great Lakes than does any
other inland lake of Wisconsin. This is a lake of some 8 miles
in length, 2 miles in width, with a depth of 237 feet. It is 100
feet deeper than any other inland lake in Wisconsin. The lifes
of the lower water of Green Lake is not very different from that
of one of the Great Lakes, and when we note the oxygen story,
we can see some reason for this fact.

Fig. 9 shows the distribution of temperature and oxygen on
September 6, therefore comparatively late in the summer season.
You wll notice that in this diagram each vertical space stands
for 1) meters instead of 5, as in the case of the other lakes, while
the horizontal scale is the same as in the other diagrams. The
lake shows a temperature of about 21.5° C at the surface, fall-
ing slightly to a depth of 9 meters, and then declining rapidly to
about 20 meters. From that point to the bottom the decline is
slow until at a depth of 70 meters a temperature of 5.7° is
reached. I may say in passing that there are no lakes in Wiscon-
sin in which the bottom temperature remains at 4° C during the
summer. Even in this lake, 237 feet in depth, the bottom tem-
perature is always greater than that of the maximum density of
water. The action of the wind in the spring is sufficient to cir-
culate the whole mass of water and to give it an opportunity to
warm up a degree or two above the temperature which gravity
alone would give it. ‘The distribution of oxygen is quite differ-
ent from that shown in any of the preceding diagrams. At the
surface the amount is about the same as in other lakes and there
is a marked decline in the oxygen at the upper part of the cool
water. Then the oxygen begins to increase, becomes greater than
the amount found at the surface, and at the depth of 40 meters
is nearly 7 ce. per liter. Irom the depth of 50 meters it declines,
until at the bottom only a fraction of a cubie centimeter is left.
This abundant supply of oxygen in the lower water depends on
the great volume of this water in comparison to the amount of

°
156 Thirty-fifth Annual Meeting
decomposable matter discharged into it. The water absorbed

large quantities of oxygen during the fall and winter and only
a part of this stock has been exhausted, most rapidly at the bot-

0 30 10 15 20nG 25

F1G. 9—Green Lake, Sept. 6. 1905.

tom and at the upper part of the cool water—the two places
where the greatest amount of chemical activity seems to take
place. The oxygen nowhere becomes so low as to make it im-
possible for a considerable number of animals to live in the water
and in the mud beneath it.

American Fisheries Socvety. 157

Green Lake is the only lake in Southern Wisconsin in which
an oxygen curve of this character could be drawn. In most lakes
the bottom water is practically devoid of oxygen in September.

In Lake Mendota the whole of the cooler bottom water be-
comes oxygen-free at a comparatively early period of the sum-
mer and there is a long period there when the lower water can-
not be utilized by animals. If this statement were true of all
lakes, the smaller lakes would have only a very shallow surface
stratum which could be utilized. But in many smaller lakes an
operation goes on which materially increases the amount of oxy-
een and the thickness of the stratum of water which is in-
habited by animal life. Figure 9 shows the distribution of oxy-
gen found on August 16 in Beasley Lake.

Fic. 10—Beasley Lake. Aug. 16, 1905.

Beasley Lake is a little lake about one-quarter of a mile long
and half as wide, a kettle-hole, one of a chain of lakes at Wau-
paca, in central Wisconsin, and one which shows, by the way,
about as low bottom temperatures as any Wisconsin lake. You
will notice that the temperature of the water begins to fall at a
depth of 4 meters, or only about 13 feet below the surface. You
will see also that the oxygen curve does not follow the tempera-
ture curve as it does in Lake Mendota, but that instead of de-
creasing the oxygen increases in the cooler water, so that at a
depth of 6 meters there is a very large amount—11.2 cc. per
liter. At 8 meters there is still as much as at the surface but

158 Thirty-fifth Annual Meeting

below this depth it rapidly declines until a little below 9 meters
no oxygen is left. This lake gets from the surface water and
from the shore a great amount of decomposable material and
one might expect that the oxygen would be very promptly ex-
hausted up to the top of the cool water, especially as the warm
upper stratum is formed early in May or even late in April.
The diagram, however, shows that the facts are very different
and that the upper part of the cool water, so far from being
poorer in oxygen than the upper stratum, has a much larger
amount. The cause of this great amount of oxygen is as fol-
lows: The transparency of the water is such that the algae of
the water can grow at a depth considerably greater than the top
of the cold water; and these algae, lying as they’ do im the water
which is not distributed by circulation, the cool water lying be-
low the warmer stratum, get light enough to utilize as food the
carbon dioxide and the other products of decomposition that
come to them, and they liberate free oxygen as a result of that
process. Thus we get in the upper part of the cool water not
merely the normal supply but an over-saturation of oxygen, an
amount which could not be held in the water at all if that water
were at the surface. In this way the thickness of the laver of
water which is available for animal life is practically doubled
by the presence of the oxygen which is manufactured by the
plants.

The diagram of Elkhart Lake, Fig. 11, shows the same thing.
This is a lake about 110 acres in area, and 112 feet in depth, 34
meters. The upper stratum, the layer of warm water, is about 6
meters in thickness, and the temperature falls off very rapidly
from that depth. At 6 meters the oxygen begins to show an in-
crease ; at 8 meters a maximum of oxygen is reached amounting
to more than the 11 cc. per liter. It does not begin to fall off
very greatly until 10 meters have been reached, and even at 12
meters there is still a somewhat abundant supply. From that
point it declines until it practically reaches zero, although it does

at least not
in August, so far as our observations go. So that in this lake also

not get absolutely to zero at any point in this lake

the stratum which js available for animal life is by this action
of the plants increased from a thickness of perhaps 6 meters to
12 or more meters.

American Fisheries Society. 159

How great an effect the condition of the gases may have on
lakes can perhaps be well illustrated by a lake whose gases have
not yet been investigated. Mr. Hankinson who is studying Wal-
nut Lake in Michigan, has been telling me today of the results

0 > 0 10 15 (20 red ee

r |

I5

20
25 1 | t
344 |10 ASE |

Fic. 11—Elkhart Lake, Aug. 23, 1906.

he has found in the study of the life of that lake. The lake is
about a mile in length and half that in breadth, and 110 feet in
depth. It is a lake that is not far different in these conditions
from Rainbow Lake, Okauchee Lake, Nagowicka Lake and num-
erous other lakes in Wisconsin.

Jn Walnut Lake as I am told, the bottom is very thickly

160 Thirty-fifth Annual Meeting

covered with insect larvae which are lying in the mud and feed-
ing on the lower organisms which live at all depths, and both
insects and lower crustacea supply food for fishes. I think the
true whitefish is found in fair numbers in this lake. Now our
southern Wisconsin lakes lack oxygen in the bottom water; in-
sect larvae, therefore, cannot live at the bottom. Oxygen is cut
off from the lower water early in July and does not increase
there again till October; and the result is that the bottom waters
of our lakes are poor in life, and there is no possibility of rais-
ing in these lakes those fish that must live in cool water and must
find in the deeper parts of the lake a large supply of food and
air.

I have added another diagram (Fig. 12), showing the distri-
bution of oxygen and temperature in Trout Lake, as found by us
during the present season and which perhaps shows conditions
a little like those of Walnut Lake. This lake has a depth of
about 100 feet, with a length of about 4 miles, and a breadth of
2.5 miles. It is in two parts, however, which are connected by a
narrow opening only. The diagram is taken from the southern
and larger portion, which is about 2 miles long, divided by is-
lands into two or more basins. In this true whitefish (Coregon-
us) and lake trout are found; the latter inhabiting the deep
water during the summer. The diagram shows that although
the oxygen declines in the lower and cooler water, it declines
very slowly and that there is a considerable amount until the
very bottom of the latter is reached. Down in the oxygen-poor
water at the bottom lake trout are able to live, as our observations
have shown. ‘There is a marked contrast between the oxygen con-
tent of the lower water in this lake and that of any of the lakes
of similar depth in Southern Wisconsin, and this difference is
probably due to the very small amount of animal and vegetable
life found floating in the open water of Trout Lake. Very few
lakes in Northern Wisconsin have been examined carefully, but
Trout Lake is the poorest in this respect of all the lakes which
we have studied.

The oxygen and other gaseous conditions of the water in gen-
eral and of the bottom water in particular, are prime conditions
of hfe, which determine not only the lower life but the possi-
bilities of the higher life of the lake also; and for this reason I

American Fisheries Society. 161
have brought the story thus briefly to your attention. The whole

subject of the gases dissolved in the waters of the Wisconsin
lakes is being studied by the Wisconsin Geological and Natural

0 10 15 20

lO

15

20

30

F1G. 12—Trout Lake, Sept. 7, 1906.

History Survey. We began the study last year and the field
work is continued during the present season. We shall expect
to publish at an early date a full account of the results of our in-
vestigations.

162 Thirty-fifth Annual Meeting

Mr. Titcomb: I want to ask Dr. Birge if he has in any way
observed the movement of fish with reference to the changes in
temperature of the depths. ‘Take for instance, the lake trout
which inhabit the very deep waters in August, and in June, we
will say, is in four feet of water or near the surface.

Dr. Birge: I have not been able to follow the fish. As yet
we have not had money enough to chase both gas and fish at the
same time.

Mr. Titcomb: One more question: This is a subject that
interests me a good deal because I have for a long time had a
great desire to locate a hatchery with a lake as a water supply for
the propagation of salmon and trout, and have an unlimited sup-
ply of water from the lake. Now almost every trout and salmon
lake that I know of gets too hot on the surface, and it would be
practically impossible to take surface water from even a trout
lake of large area and supply a hatchery to rear fish in the sum-
mer time. My idea was to regulate the temperature, possibly
varying it to suit conditions by taking it at varying depths. I
am surprised to see there is so little variation in the first 8 me-
ters, because I have tested lakes where there was much more vari-
ation in less depth, but this brings in the subject in such way that
when we consider a water supply of that sort we must: go into
it more fully than f had thought, and consider the supply of oxy-
gen and action of gases, as well as of temperatures.

Dr. Birge: The depth to which the warmth of summer will
extend is primarily a function of the size of the lake. Of course
granting that the lakes are in the same general region. A lake
further north will not be as warm as one further south; but in
the case of lakes within 50 miles of each other, the larger the
lake the thicker the warm layer will become, as you will see,
when you understand it depends primarily on the action of the
wind.

You will notice in the diagram of Lake Mendota the cold
laver starts at 8 meters and goes down to the bottom. In Elk-
hart Lake, which is only 110 acres in extent, the warm layer
s about 5 or 6 meters in thickness; and in Beasley Lake the warm
layer is only 4 meters in thickness. The warm layer in August
in this lake is about as thin as you can find it in anything you

American Fisheries Society. 163

ean call by courtesy a lake. A lake of 15 or 20 acres will show
as thick a layer as that. So that you have got to go deeper than
that for cold water. If you think of using a lake in the way you
speak of, you ought to visit the lake in August or in September,
and ascertain what the gas conditions are in the lower water. In
the cool water from Lake Mendota, the fish will die quicker than
on land. If you put a fish into this water and keep him where he
cannot get his mouth out, and get air, and he will keep his gills
working with the result that the oxygen will get out of his blood
instead of going into it; whereas, if he were out on land, he
would simply wait until he had used up himself all the oxygen
which he had. There are other gases which develop in the lower
water, but so far as I know, those gases are not directly poison-
ous to animal life. The carbon dioxide does not seem to affect
the animal life directly. But the question of the amount of oxy-
gen is very important. You could pump water out of the deeper
waters of Green Lake, for instance, to supply a hatchery and 1:
would be perfectly satisfactory, so far as oxygen is concerned
though I am not sure that you would not be troubled even in that
water with an excess of nitrogen.

Mr. Titcomb: That would readjust itself quickly in flowing

res)

on the surface.

Dr. Birge: Yes, but the water would also become warm. Ii
is a question whether you could get rid of excess nitrogen with-
out warming the water more than you want to.

Mr. Titcomb: On a rapid current a stream does not warm
up very quickly.

THE FISHERMAN AND REFORESTATION.

BY FILIBERT ROTH.

That the forest cover influences the distribution of water on
the earth’s surface in place and time, that the forest helps to store
up water, and tends to make our streams more ample, more clean
and more regular, preventing flood and drought, all this is mat-
ter of common belief. That this belief is held by at least a part
of the members of this society, | take for granted, otherwise the
matter of reforestation could have no place in your discussions.
It is to be regretted that this relation of forest and waterflow
should still be a debated question anywhere, and that we should
lack reliable and accurate data to substantiate the commonly ac-
cepted belief. This is the more unfortunate, since we, right
here in Michigan, have had perhaps a better opportunity to trace,
step by step, the changes brought about by the removal of the
forest, than is found in almost any other part of the world. And
even today these changes are going on; springs are drying up
along our Huron River banks, little streams are changing to dry
runs; wet fields are gradually drying up; thousands of acres of
swamps are changed to meadows, miles of corduroy road. are
thrown out and changed to dirt road. Even in our north coun-
ties, where no clearing, no settlement has helped matters along,
we find old cedar stubs on what is now dry sandy pinery land,
clearly showing that when the forest was intact the moisture
loving Arbor Vitae had no trouble in growing out of the regular
cedar swamp. But these facts were not recorded, they did not
lend themselves to easy and yet accurate observation like tem-
perature and rainfall and the consequence is that we have to go
and see and infer.

In considering the action of the forest in regulating the dis-
tribution of water we may assume as proven by the experiments
of Wollny and others that:

The forest holds the soil, it prevents the erosion as no other
cover does. The great significance of this one action is difficult
to overrate.

164

American Fisheries Society. 165

The forest serves as a mechanical barrier to a ready surface
run-off. The forest keeps the ground in a more receptive con-
dition and thus facilitates the soaking in of water.

The forest forms a large “brush cover” acting like an artifical
cover of any kind, and thus reduces the action of wind and sun.
The forest is a shelter house and thus produces conditions which
tend to preserve moisture, exactly as the walls and roof of a
green-house do.

That the forest as a mass of growing plants also uses up mois-
ture and thus wastes exactly what we claim that it conserves, is
understood.

Keeping these facts in mind, it is clear that a forest covered
area may be regarded as a reservoir, that the greater this reser-
voir, the more moisture and vice versa. Also that if all land is
forest, there comes a time when equilibrium is reached, and that
if all forest is removed there will finally come a condition of
equilibrium, in keeping with these new conditions.

Our prairies and some of the large provinces of China are
perhaps in this cleared land-equilibrium. A hundred years ago
Michigan was in a state of equilibrium as to water distribution
and especially in the southern half, it was rather too wet for safe
and comfortable human habitation. Since then the surface has
changed, a large part of the forest is gone, the surface run-off is
made easy by cleared land, furrow and ditch, and we are gradual-
ly approaching another equlbrium, probably less satisfactory
than the first. The gullying and washing of our lands, flood
and drought have caused people to become alarmed at the pros-
pect of drifting into an unsatisfactory extreme and the munici-
palities affected by floods, the water-power men and other indus-
trials like yourselves have joined hands with the forestry people
to see if the matter might not in some way be modified and seri-
ous losses averted.

Believing in the influence of the forest, the reforestation of
denuded lands naturally suggests itself as one of the most re-
hable means.

To the fisherman this reforestation is of importance in vari-
ous ways and to various degrees. ‘To beautify the stream and
landscape, to shade the water and affect its temperature ; to keep

166 Thirty-fifth Annual Meeting

the waters clear and pure, and lastly but most important of all.
to keep a steady flow.

Even a narrow fringe of forest along a stream will lend
beauty to the landscape and suffices to shade the stream if small.
But to keep the waters clear and pure more must be done, and
still more is necessary to regulate its flow and maintain an ample
supply of water. At this point we still make the mistake of
supposing that the reservation of a few townships at the head of
the Arkansas is going to regulate its flow. This is a fallacy
and should be avoided. Every little helps, and it is gratifying
to see any attempt made, but for final success it is necessary to
be clear as to the truth in the case. To regulate the Grand River
and have it as it was 100 years ago, all the land tributary to the
stream should be woods; and to have a decided influence in stay-
ing its erratic behavior more is needed than merely a few acres
of woods at one or a few of its sources. How much is needed ?
No one knows; but so much is certain, the condition of every
acre of land tributary to Grand River has its influence however,
small, on the magnitude of the flood or the duration of a
drought. What is true of Grand River is true of every stream,
modified by the many conditions peculiar to each.

But will reforestation prove a feasible means? Certainly,
but in most cases it will mean a task of some magnitude, and to
underrate this is a sure beginning of a failure. Many conditions
necessarily enter the first considerations of such problems. In
Iowa where ninety per cent. of all land is real plow land, refor-
estation must remain in the background, and the plow receive a
first consideration. In New England where probably not over
thirty per cent. will ever prove proper plow land, the case is re-
versed. The same comparison holds between Wayne county and
Crawford county, or the upper peninsula.

Generally it may be said, the mistake is made in our country
in overestimating the value of the agricultural uses of the land.
The clearing and settling craze is still on, and we are apt to for-
get that much land may be of far better use if left as woods, or
restored to forest. In our own state we have dozens of fine
streams running through lands on which the state has been losing
money trying to force settlement. Such areas ought to remain

American Fisheries Socvety. 167

forest, the bare lands should be restocked, and timber and water,
fish and game should have their proper attention.

Once a project of this kind is decided upon, the methods of
doing are simple. But here again let me warn against half
doing. If we go into it let us make sure that the tree we plant
receives the protection without which all forest growth is im-
possible. It is useless to plant forest and then burn it up.

With every larger enterprise it pays to survey and map the
land, maintain a home nursery and raise the needed plant stock,
and in all cases have a man trained to the business. What to
raise will depend on the land. On better lands the hard woods
have the advantage of being useful early, of sprouting and thus
Saving expenses in starting new growth. On our sandy lands,
and also in handling the Northern swamps the conifers are the
principal trees we must look for.

The expense of starting a forest is usually much overrated.
Five dollars per acre will do very well, and ten dollars is an
ample outside allowance.

On larger areas the protection of the lands should receive
close attention, and in no case should this be left to a mere “put
out fires” enterprise. Patrol, rigid, regular, and ample patrol is
the only satisfactory method. But will this pay? Always! pro-
vided we apply a reasonable amount of forethought and economy.
The little tree costs less than a cent to put in the ground, it is
worth at least one dollar when fifty years old. But here let me
warn against rash expectations. Forestry is not a speculative,
promoters’ business; it is a form of agriculture, and though gen-
erally the safest form, forestry, like other branches of this busi-
ness, pays only a modest per cent on the investment. Neverthe-
less, if the state of Saxony can make five dollars per acre per year
net, we ought soon to make one-fifth or one-third of this, and
thus do better than that continuous failure performance of
would-be farming on poor land.

Reforestation in our state, as in many others, is needed and
must come. It is a great problem and a problem which needs
thorough consideration from all standpoints. For its success it
needs considerable legislation and recognition on the part of our
statesman and local authorities. It needs notification of the atti-

168 Thirty-fifth Annual Meeting

tude of state to its own and private property, and it needs much
education among our people. ,

To bring these about it needs concerted action on the part of
all those interested in this subject, and it is for this reason that I
thank you especially for this opportunity of saying a word with
regard to the greatest economic problem before our people.. (Ap-
plause. )

NEW TYPE OF JARS FOR HATCHING.
BY W. E. MEEHAN.

Some superintendents of hatcheries in Pennsylvania were not
pertectly satisfied with the type of jars used for hatching and
asked me to try to design something more satisfactory.

I designed a jar which is now in use in some of our batteries,
and I believe is in use in one other state and is giving entire
satisfaction. ‘There is no patent on the device. There is no con-
traction at the top, the lip is much larger than in the other jars
and wider, and the stem is done away with and a simple plate
of glass set on the bottom. ‘The bottom is round and formed
hke the bottom at the McDonald. This jar will hold as many
eggs as the Chase or Downing jar, and more than the McDonald,
and can be set up close to the battery. The jar not needing as
large a lip as is necessary on some jars, because of the body being
perfectly straight, allows the jar to set close to the trough; the
amount of water required is not so great as is necessary in cer-
tain types of jars. A small amount of water will keep the eggs
moving very nicely. We have been using it in our hatcheries
with very great success and the men believe it to be better than
some of the types that we have been using heretofore. One other
state also has been using it with marked success.

Mr. Clark: What is the difference between that and other
jars; I cannot see it.

Mr. Meehan: The Downing improved comes in this way:

The MeDonald jar is shaped something like this:

which makes it difficult to clean, and so with the Chase jar.
169

170 Thirty-fifth Annual Meeting

My jar is shaped like this:

It is much easier to work and wash than other shapes are,
and holds a maximum amount of eggs, which work more easily
and regularly than any other jar excepting the McDonald, at
least so my superintendents aver.

Dr. Bean: The state of New York has a few of the new
jars referred to, and the men who are using them like them very
much. They say that they are easier to clean, they stand closer
to the battery, as Mr. Meehan said, and they increase the capacity
of the hatcheries by about 20 per cent. for the same water.

THE BASS AT THE MILL CREEK STATION.

-BY DWIGHT LYDELL.

In a letter from our Honorable Secretary, a couple of weeks
ago I was asked to contribute something in the way of a paper,
no difference how brief, and as to briefness I think I have you all
faded.

The bass at the Mill Creek Station are now in the pink of
condition, but this could not be said of them last spring. One
year ago last month we lost the most of the S. M. stock fish at
the Mill Creek Station by flood. What few were left (about 20
in number, were transferred from our regular breeding ponds
to a much larger pond, for the reason that the breeding ponds
had to be kept dry for some time in order that a cement wall
might be built to protect us from farther damage by flood.

After transferring what few breeders there were left, other
stock was procured from outside waters and placed in the same
pond, but we were never able, until this spring after the spawn-
ing season, to control these fish, or in other words, get them to
come to any certain point to feed, in fact they had no food ex-
cept what was in the pond, this consisted possibly of a few craw-
fish. The outcome was that they were in rather poor condition
when the spawning season arrived this spring.

From the first spawning about 60 of the 78 beds in the pond,
were covered with eggs, these I have no doubt would have come
through in good shape only for cold weather that drove the tem-
perature of water from 62° down to 47°, where it stayed for two
days. The outcome was that the bass deserted their nests, and
the whole business went up in smoke. Probably from this
spawning there were 300 fry hatched. Why these 300 escaped I
do not know, and was too disgusted at the time to try and find
out.

After the water had warmed up again another spawning was
found to have taken place, about 40 beds being covered with eggs.
These seemed fairly good, but the adult or parent bass were so

blooming hungry by this time, that they turned in and ate up
171

172 Thirty-fifth Annual Meeting

nearly the whole lot of eggs, rooted up the nests, and raised cain
generally, only 6 good nests coming from this spawning.

Fearing that the small mouth work at the Mill Creek Sta-
tion was going a glimmering for 1906, I became desperate, and
upon learning that 8. M. were being taken at Newaygo, from
the Muskegon river, Mr. Otis Monroe, the foreman at the station
was sent at once to that point. He returned with 20 nice speci-
mens, which were placed in a spawning pond, and beds placed
therein. These fish had not spawned when we put them in the
pond, and have not yet done so to my knowledge.

About the time that the fish were secured from Newaygo we
learned that some 8S. M. were being taken below the dam here in
Grand River. I immediately hied myself riverward and secured
twenty-six more 8. M. specimens. These fish were little fellows,
but healthy looking chaps, and as soft as mush. Twenty of these
were placed in one of the smallest spawning ponds at the Station
and six were put into one of the regular spawning ponds. From
the twenty in the small pond we got seven as nice beds as I ever
saw. They spawned the next day after being placed in the pond.
From the six that were put in the regular spawning pond we got
two nice beds, one pair spawning on the plank at the outlet, and
the other pair spawned on the roots of an old stump that was left
in the pond when it was built. They spawned before we had
time to put in the gravel. This is the first time that I have ever
got any fry from S$. M. bass introduced into the ponds in the
spring, and I think that if these had been put in two weeks
earlier nothing would have come from them. The latest that
S. M. have know to spawn at Mill Creek occurred this year, one
nice bed coming off the 22nd of June,

The stock fish at the station are now in excellent condition,
and are feeding nicely on liver, so we expect to get back into the
old channel another year and do business again.

The Large Mouth at Mill Creek have covered themselves with
glory this season, and nothing farther could be asked of them.
They commenced spawning in the fore part of May, and com-
tinued to spawn until the middle of June.

An experiment was tried in feeding some L. M. advanced fry
this season that will no doubt be of interest to some of you.
Five hundred of these fish all about 34 of an inch long were

American Fisheries Society. — 173

counted into a screen and placed in a small narrow pond, with a
good current of water running through the screen. These fish
were fed entirely on the so-called Chicago fish food, (showing
sample). ‘They were fed nearly every hour for 10 days. when
those that had not starved to death were so weak that they could
hardly swim, so I concluded that as far as Chicago was con-
cerned it is out of the race for the present as to food for L. M.
bass fry. I intended trying many other experiments in feeding
bass of this length, but, my time being taken up with shipping
and other work, could not get to it. If there are any members
here who have tried feeding these fish as fry, would be pleased
to hear what success they have met with.

The output from the Mill Creek Station this season up to
July the 14th is as follows:

Small mouth No. 1 fingerlings..... 8,000
Small mouth No. 2 fingerlings...... 31,500
ALOU EMD Ss ara eae rclin ceG Mean aC SOREN ocak SEA OLE 39,500
Large mouth, advanced fry........ 474,000
Large mouth No. 1 fingerlings..... 318,000
Large mouth No. 2 fingerlings..... 21,500
Marsesmowth yearlinesse nc. cece. ae 1,004
HIS OWA emcaarctet encmenacerenaragataae Wonks is nstee aii kavoe wom 814,504
(Gramedsato palletes never eae Areas cco ot 854,004

We still have 1,000 yearlings to ship and If think 50,000 a
fair estimate of what fingerlings there are left in the ponds.
None of the ponds has been drawn off, so it is somewhat hard

to tell.
DISCUSSION.

Mr. Titcomb: Do I understand he got 800,000 and odd bass
from this station this year?

Mr. Lydell: That includes three avrxiliary ponds that you
do not see here.

“Mr. Titeomb: As large as these ?
Mr. Lydell: Yes, two of them larger than these.

Mr. Titcomb: It is extremely good work even then. The

—
-~>
4

Thirty-fifth Annual Meeting

superintendent of the Manchester Station actually tried an ex-
periment which | attempted but failed in through not having
my ponds in proper order. He placed his bass and fry when they
rose from the bed, in nursery ponds of the size of about 75 x 20
feet. They had not been in use and contained a great deal of
natural food and the fry fed on this natural food in these nursery
ponds until they were sufficiently large to take maggots. Then
he suspended the maggot trays over the water and the little bass
came up and assembled under the trays and took the maggots
greedily. He does not know yet how many fish he has caught
there, and that would be a very important point. At the St.
Johnsbury Station there are a lot of nursery ponds much smaller
than those mentioned, which had no fish in them, and when I
was there I noticed that those ponds were filled with animal life
early in the spring, if they were left empty of fish; and we
wanted to try the same experiment there. There is a good idea
in that, in getting your small mouth bass spread out to get food,
and still have them under control.

Mr. Meehan: We tried maggots with some success at the
Wayne hatchery. At Torresdale we had ponds about 30 feet by
15 feet. There was a large quantity of live food in those ponds
and in addition to that the fish were fed with ground fish which
they took very greedily, four times a day. But neither maggots
nor natural food seem to have reduced cannibalism very much.
We placed 14,000 fish in those ponds and at last accounts we had
taken out 3,000, and there were left about 2,000.

Mr. Clark: They talk about maggots on which to feed smal!
fish, but they do not mean for feeding the fry just after they come
off the nest. What has anybody tried as to feeding fry as they
come off the nest ?

Mr. Seymour Bower: You mean for feeding with artificial
food ?

Mr. Clark: Yes, or doing anything to increase the natural
food—that is where we are weak. In this connection I might
say that this season we put 10,000 fry directly from the nests
into one pond at Northville, and counted 8,325 number two
fingerhngs.

American Fisheries Society. 175

Mr. Meehan: That is better than I did in mine.

Mr. Nevin: Last fall at Dousman where we have no build-
ings and no tanks, when the fry commenced rising off the nests,
we got two big farm tanks, 10 feet in diameter, and placed these
below the dam and ran a pipe from the pond into the tanks, and
with one lift of the net we could raise up half a pint of bugs,
and we would put a tubful in the tanks and the fry would go
after the bugs hke brook trout go after liver. We did that two
or three times a day; it was just like fattening a lot of hogs.
We did not lose any fry, they fed well. There was an abundance
of food and from this pond we shipped 600,009 large mouth bass,
and expect to ship 400,000 more.

Mr. Clark: What kind of bugs were they ?

Mr. Nevin: A good deal like the common louse.
Mr. Titcomb: fs it daphnia?

Mr. Birge: No, but of the same group.

Mr. Nevin: The pond was filled with them. At Minocqua
station many died from scarcity of food and we could not hold
them any length of time, but had to ship them as soon as we
brought them in.

Mr. Titcomb: On this subject of food of that sort, there is
a great field for investigation. Mr. Atkins has tried experiments
with manure to produce this minute animal life. It does pro-
duce it, and ordinary refuse and straw will produce it, and the
killing of the algae with copper sulphate will increase the daph-
nia and cyclops, for a time. We had an interesting experience at
the fish pond in Washington this year, where one small pond had
been enclosed for a number of years to keep a pair of faney Man-
darin ducks. It had never been cleaned out, and the ducks had
occupied the pond every summer for a number of years; we
found this year that we could gather this daphnia, bucketful af-
ter bucketful every day, for two or three weeks, and possibly they
are doing it still; that food is suitable for the bass when they are
ready to take food. That is the kind that we want to encourage
I suppose, in this nursery pond project which I suggested, leav-

176 Thirty-fifth Annual Meeting

ing the ponds natural, and possibly putting in manure of some
kind until we introduce the little fish where nature has already
provided food which carries them along until they take some-
thing larger.

Mr. Lydell: We have no trouble here in getting plenty food
for the fry. The trouble arises after they become an inch long,
or a little less; that is where we lack for food. Our food was
most plentiful this year in ponds which had been dry during
September and October. Those ponds this year were one teem-
ing mass of daphnia. We put in our small bass fry and after
they were three-fourths of an inch long they cleaned up the mass
and then they lacked food.

Mr. Titcomb: That is where maggots would come in.

Q. Do you keep any of your ponds dry through the winter?
A. No.

Q. Just through the fall ?

A. We had to run them dry on account of putting this wall
in—that was the only reason.

Mr. Titcomb: I have heard of a food used called the Chi-
cago food, and I would like to inquire what that is.

Mr. Meehan: It looks a little bit like Indian meal.
Mr. Lydell: Yes.

Mr. Meehan: We tried it on trout and it bound them up
like a bullet.

Mr. Lydell: We had some bass in the same pond; there was
a nice current formed through the screen and by stirring this
food up it went down this current and looked as much lke
daphnia as anything you could get, and I thought it would be
quite valuable, but these bass would just give it a wise look and
walk away, and they would starve to death before they would
take it.

President: Are there any further recommendations of this
Chicago food ?

~?
-~2

American Fisheries Society. 17

Mr. George Morcher: This is my second year in which I
have used that Chicago food, but I use one-third of middlings
and two-thirds of meat.

Mr. Meehan: This is a powder, is it not?

Mr. Morcher: Mine is a little coarser than corn meal, but
fish under an inch and a quarter in length wont take it; after
that my inch and a quarter fish, as long as I keep them confined
at the hatchery, take it readily, and with no bad results.

Mr. Titcomb: Bass?
Mr. Morcher: Yes.
Q. Large mouth or small mouth ?

A. Both. The small take it more readily than the large. If
T put in a school to-day it makes no difference how many insects
I have, I grind a good butter cracker, about as fine as corn meal,
and on the outer edge of the pond I drop that in here and there
and it floats. I have watched bass which would not eat until
they were ten to twelve days old and they will go right to eating,
and they will follow you along and pick this cracker up. Now I
feed them about fourteen days on that same size of ground
cracker, then I begin to put in a larger cutter, until they get to
be about one and one quarter inches long, and then I use Chicago
meat with these middlings. I cook it in the morning, cover it
up in a tight vessel and let it set until four o’clock in the after-
noon, and feed from four to six p. m., two men taking it around,
using it for all spawners as well as fry, and I do not think any-
one could have had a nicer lot of fry 1m small-mouth bass than I
did last year. From the 10th of May up to the 15th of Septem-
ber they grew from two and a half to seven inches; and there
were 150 taken out of there from four and a half inches to seven
inches long—and I must praise the Chicago meat.

Mr. Titcomb: You cook it in with middhngs ?
ied AVES:
Q. How long do you boil it ?

A. Just long enough to get it thoroughly stirred through.
t get a farmer’s kettle and it holds fifteen gallons. We have to

sd
~?
6)

Thirty-fifth Annual Meeting

put in enough water to the meat to make it just the same as
your wife makes mush out of corn meal—thick and a little
crumbly. Where we feed it to small bass we take it in our hands
and loosen it up and scoop it up over the water. The bass, cat-
fish and croppy fry or fingerling pick it right up as they go, and
they fatten on it.

Saturday evening we had something peculiar happen. I was
walking along after the men had fed the fish. They practically
had got through, and I passed a small mouth bass pond where I
had this in, and as I was walking along noticing the west pond I
saw a fish coming out of the deep water. He made a dart for the
shore, and when within a foot of 1t whirled on his head with his
mouth open and darted around. I asked for a cheese-cloth net
and caught him and found he was dead. I examined him and
found nothing on the outside that showed any signs of injury.
I took him up to the house where I had a strong glass and ex-
amined him again and found nothing. His scales were as bright
as could be; he measured two inches; his stomach was not over-
loaded but nice and full. I took my knife out and opened him
and examined his gills, but there was nothing there and nothing
in his throat. I opened him from one end to the other and I
found undigested food, that he had just swallowed, and food that
he had in his stomach and was digesting. I know it was not the
Chicago food that caused his death, because that was not di-
gested. What killed him I don’t know. There was only one
thing peculiar, and whether that was natural or not I cannot say
—the food was a little bit gummy. But there were hundreds of
fish right around him that ate that, and that is the first of it
that I discovered. My opinion is he was caught by another fish,
was too large to be eaten, got away, and died from the effects of
it, but when I found no marks, I used a strong glass on him and
even then I could not find anything; but I cannot blame the
Chicago meat, because it would have affected the others, and |
think I have got as plump a lot of fish as anyone.

Mr. Titeomb: You drew your pond in September to get
those fish ?

Ac YWesesin:

(). And the fish were not sorted in the meantime ?

wc

American Fisheries Society. es

A. No sir—the water was too deep.
Q. How many did you get out of this pond?

A. Fully 100,000. T put 200,000 in, but my loss I attributs
ed to the extra large bass that were im there.

Q. How large a pond have you?

A. I think it is about 200 by 170 feet wide.

(. You refer to the small mouth bass ?

A. Yes. I can raise more small mouth bass in the same
amount of water than I can large mouth.

Q. What was the average temperature through the summer ?

c

A. I have not kept the full temperature record; but my tem-
perature has, in the lower pond, run up as high as 90°. In my
spring pond, where we used altogether spring water, it never ex-
ceeds 60° one hundred feet from the main spring.

Q. The one you had 100,000 in?

A. That was 78° Sunday.

(). You have a constant flow of water through that pond ?

A. Not as heavy as it is here in Mill Creek.

Mr. Clark: Did you take 109,000 out towards the fall ?

A. The 15th of September.

Q. Out of a pond 170 by 200?

A. Yes—it may be 250—but those fish were fed twice a
day, and any quantity of insects were in there. The fish were just
estimated—I had a net when I delivered to the car, and I count-
ed that net full, and I use so many nets full to every bucket or
every can that goes to the car.

IT might add that we raise not only bass but catfish.

Mr. Titcomb: What kind of catfish do you cultivate ?

Mr. Morcher: Marble cat. Where they get them from |]
don’t know. They were gotten by a man that had a hatchery in
Waverley. The state rented it of him for ten years. Then |
took hold of the London hatchery and moved them there.

180 Thirty-fifth Annual Meeting

Mr. Titcomb: Have you ever tried the speckled cat?
A. No, we have tried the channel cat, but cannot keep them.

, Mr. Lydell: I went to Mr. Morcher’s station about this time
last year and he certainly has one of the greatest propositions for
bass I ever saw, though they do not ship any bass during the
summer, but wait till the fall. Of course, they do not have the
waters to look after that we do in Michigan; the lakes are so
very scattering that a few carloads of fish take care of nearly all
the inland waters, I think.

Mr. Morcher: Last year we furnished all applicants, but the
year before we did not, and everybody seemed to be well pleased,
except a few wanted all bass and got some catfish. Then I had
plenty of them to put around in Madison county where 1 get my
own fall and winter food.

Mr. Bassett: I would like to ask Mr. Morcher what he knows
about the quality of the flesh of fish when prepared for the table,
where this food, or other prepared food, is used, as~compared
with those fed on liver.

Mr. Morcher: I cannot say. I have had no experience in
that ne.

I had a misfortune last year in emptying one of my ponds.
I think Mr. Lydell saw the fish. There were 170 in the pond,
small mouth bass. We went there June 5th, about 6 o’clock in
the evening, and I wanted to get this water on the inside of the
fence, so that none of the fish would be caught with the seepage
out of it during the night, and I drew from the top of the water
to the bottom of the pond, six and a half feet, but left three and
half feet of water in the deepest part of the pond. I also was very
cautious about getting the moss, cutting out these runways to the
deep water, and all around the outer edge, to prevent my bass
from getting in there and getting choked up, for I had a large
quantity of hatching tubs in there. Now this was in September,
J think about the 20th, at the time of the first frost we had wp in
there. At 6 o'clock I left the pond seeping water from springs
coming in from all directions, but no waters running from the
upper pond, but plenty to maintain 170 fish with the amount of
water they had. I went back the next morning a quarter to

ers sarees

American Fisheries Society. 18]

seven—I did not get home till 10 o’clock, and the men were a
little ahead of me. I went up to where I let the water out and
found my bass piled four deep, some dead, some part dead, some
just breathing vet. I called the men, and I don’t know whether
I lost my head, or what, but 1 waded into it, and began to throw
them out. I just took them over to the next pond and did every-
thing I could to revive them and I saved out of the 170, 38.
After I got my pond cleaned out I put the dead fish into the ice-
house and examined them. I looked down their throats and
found they were plugged up with mud and moss. I opened
them and found the entire stomachs were full of mud and moss.
The only theory I can give for the death of those fish was that
these ttle minnows in this pond went down into this deep water
in the morning at four or five o’clock, and these.old fish discov-
ered them, and they banked these little fellows two feet out of
water on the bank, and tried to get them, going after them with
their mouths open, and they would catch the bank and filled
themselves up with this moss and mud, for their stomachs were
full of it. There was none out in the deep water; the water was
not a bit roily; but there they lay all on a pile, in a row twenty
feet long, and wherever I found them I found the little chubs
lying up on the bank. Now if anybody can give me the reason
for the death of those fish in so short a time, | would like to
know it.

Dr. Birge: What became of those that you put over into the
other pond.

Mr. Morcher: They were all right.
Mr. O’Brien: How many thousand do you carry on a car?

A. Seventy thousand or seventy-five thousand. We have
eleven large tanks in each car. ‘Then we generally fill a number
of cans and have them in the aisle to deliver at the first station.

Mr. Titcomb: I hope Mr. Morcher will count his fish next
fall. I do not believe he is carrying so many as he thinks. We
carry as many as we think we can carry safely, but we cannot
do any such work as that. I think the only way to settle that is
to count them.

LETTER ON THE PROPAGATION OF BLACK BASS.
BY HENRY W. BEEMAN.

Success in the propagation of the small mouthed black bass,
IT am led to believe will be assured only by the closest attention
to all the details entering into the work, and unless one is will-
ing to devote his entire time and best energies of both mind and
body to the enterprise success will not be forthcoming. We have
demonstrated beyond all doubt that the fry can be brought to
the advanced stage with the greatest degree of success and we are
thoroughly convinced that they are as valuable for stocking pur-
poses then as at any time. ‘To carry large numbers of the ad-
vanced fry in small ponds and attempt to raise them to finger-
lings is another proposition, although our method of feeding for
fingerlings produces most vigorous fish, that actually make more
rapid growth than when in the wild state; the difficulty in rais-
ing considerable numbers in small ponds is due directly to the
pecuhar habits and characteristics of the fish. It is natural for
them when they have arrived at the advanced stage to seatter,
each individual going by himself, and to crowd large numbers in-
to small ponds will usually result in at least partial failure.
Nature is quite likely to assert herself, and the fish become rap-
idly reduced in numbers until the size and condition of the pond
in which they are confined shall be sufficient to meet their re-
quirements. Finally our experience leads us to the conclusion
that better results are secured by carrying the fry only until the
advanced stage of growth is made, at which time the wily watch-
ful and secretive habits peculiar to the bass are fully developed
and if planted where sufficient cover is at hand, the greater part
will survive.

It is a great disappointment not to attend the annual meet-
ing of the American Fisheries Society. My time is so fully
occupied with my duties here at the hatchery there is no time to
write a paper nor to attend the meeting this year.

182

ASSORTING BROOD BLACK BASS TO PREVENT
CANNIBALISM.

IBS tis Jie SLE RZAUN ACEEASN

Experience has taught at Cold Spring Station, Bureau of
Fisheries, that there are in all our ponds individual large mouth
black bass which are specially cannibalistic and it is the inten-
tion of the writer to remove all such in future as fast as dis-
covered, even resorting to the rifle to get them when necessary.
But he believes that all large mouth black bass, and presumably
small mouths also, should be assorted into the ponds in as near-
ly the same sizes as is practicable, the large ones into the larger
ponds and so on, it being desirable, where that number of ponds
is available, to make them up into at least four or five grades.

The larger bass are necessarily more logy and less active in
their movements and therefore unable to protect their young
from the raids of the smaller and more active individuals. They
are also much less prone to cannibalism, in fact it is a rare oc-
currence to see a bass weighing four or five pounds or more feed-
ing on the fry in our ponds.

When the smaller fishes are by themselves all are equally
active and a one-pound male will defend his brood so vigorously
that even the specially voracious individual soon finds that he
can not run amuck among the fry at pleasure without suffering
the consequences and cannibalism is reduced to a minimum even
among the smaller and more bloodthirsty classes.

Of course, a station must keep up its brood stock by either
raising a supply from year to year or by introducing wild stock
and by this system of sorting this growing stock can be made
useful from two years old and later, while, in our opinion they
would be far better kept by themselves and not reproduce at all
than to place them with the larger fishes.

It has sometimes been argued that such assorting as above
recommended will result in a disproportion of the sexes. We do
not believe that this argument is tenable. We have observed
some of our largest bass this season guarding nests and pro-

183

184 Thirty-fifth Annual Meeting

tecting broods and, while it is probably true that there is a pre-
ponderance of females among the very largest bass, this is not
enough to break the force of our position as to assorting, for
if perchance there should be some loss through the dispropor-
tion mentioned, it would be many times made good by the bene-
- ficial results obtained by a rigid segregation of the sizes.

There is another reason, and a strong one, for thus sorting
the fish. The young and growing fish should be fed more and
oftener than the large ones. Feeding of the large fishes during
breeding season to prevent cannibalism is entirely unnecessary
while the smaller ones, both for their healthful growth and to
mitigate cannibalism during breeding time, require more fre-
quent feeding. This change will save feed and labor but the
more important feature is that of saving the adult fishes for <
very large percentage of loss among our larger fishes, those
which should be in their very prime for reproduction, is caused
by what in the case of the human being would be called fatty
degeneration, if we may judge from general appearances, the
organs being covered and obscured by fat, the liver being yellow,
when cut in section, from an accumulation of this material.
When by themselves the larger fishes could be fed more sparing-
ly and this loss through excess of adipose could be at least meas-
urably lessened.

Tm concluding the writer would give it as his opinion that
where the fishes are properly assorted as to size a larger number
could be successfully carried in a given area, for one of the reas-
ons that numbers should be restricted is that the fish interfere
with each other while the parents are caring for their broods,
this generally being done by the smaller adults rushing into the
schools and devouring numbers of the fry, separating them and
very often breaking up the schools before they would naturally
segregate. Under normal conditions at this station the schools
will hold together until the fry have attained a length of one
inch or one and one-eighth inches but we often find broods brok-
en up into several small schools when they are half that size and
this is generally caused by the raids of the small adults. Of
course, unprotected by the parent fish, these will perish unless
taken out and shipped, which is our universal practice.

American Fisheries Society. 185

DISCUSSION.

Mr. Clark: The point in his paper is good, that when the

bass get large, weighing four, five or six pounds, they do not be-

in to do the damage in a pond containing fry that yearlings do.
can) fo) . . cS

Mr. Meehan: Our experience has been that we have to get
them in in the fall and if we put them in in the spring we can-
not do a thing with them.

Mr. Lydell: One lot I put in this spring, did not do any-
thing, and the second lot I put in in the evening and the next
afternoon they spawned. We got such good results because they
were so near spawning that they could not help themselves.

Mr. Meehan: It is a curious thing, because I had the experi-
ence with the small mouth bass that if we did not get them in in
the fall we could not get anything out of them at all.

Mr. Clark: We had small mouth bass at Northville that
spawned six or seven days after they were put in, wild fish
brought from the Saginaw River.

Mr. Nevin: In regard to building bass ponds, are you build-
ing large or small?

Mr. Lydell: Ponds number three, five and one are my regu-
lar breeding ponds. The large ponds are for large mouth bass
and for rearing. I had to take them and transfer them to num-
ber seven, where I left them for breeding this year.

Mr. Titcomb: How many adults did you put in number
three ?

A. Fifteen or eighteen pairs. I have been reducing the num-
ber of adults to the pond ever since I began propagation, and get
better results all the time.

Mr. Clark: If you had just the kind of place you wanted and
could do just as you wanted, would you have large ponds for
rearing bass? Would you prefer half an acre, three-quarter’s
of an acre or ten acres?

Mr. Lydell: I do not think I would have a pond larger than
300 by 150 feet. I think for rearing exclusively, if your pond

186 Thirty-fifth Annual Meeting

is so you can control it and clean it out in the fall, it makes no
difference whether it is 100 or 1,000 feet in diameter. I do not
see that it makes any difference, only that the ponds of the sizes
that we have here are very much handier than larger sizes would
be. When you commence to ship you can clean that pond and
ship your fish, whereas in a big pond you have got to draw the
whole pond down in order to get the fish anyway, although you
may not want all the fish.

‘Secretary Peabody: You remember Mr. Beeman told the
association that he had discovered that the female bass spawned
several times during the season. What is your judgment about
that now ?

Mr. Lydell: JI never have actually seen the female bass
spawn the second time. I think however that some females do
spawn a second time. I know a female bass will spawn partly on
one bed and go to another bed with another male and spawn
there.

Mr. Titcomb: Both small and large mouth bass ?

Mr. Lydell: I am speaking of the small mouth bass.

Mr. Nevin: Do you think roily water affects them ?

Mr. Lydell: I think so—if it is during the spawning season.

Mr. Nevin: In the Mississippi River it is very roily, and that
seems to make no difference.

Mr. Lydell: It will drift in here and settle on our beds an
inch and a half deep in one night.

HE BEST (PAINT, FORASCREEMS.

BY MR. LYDELL.

Last year the question was asked in regard to a paint to keep
screens from rusting. This season we have used here at the Mill
Creek Station an article put out by the Sherwin & Williams Co.,
ealled the Sherwin & Wilhams Pure Atchison Graphite Paint.
We have found that if fills the bill better than anything vet used.
The company lent us samples (showing screens) coated with one,
two and three coats. The number of coats on each screen is in-
dicated by these small white marks on the corner (indicating) ;
one mark, one coat, and so on. You will notice that in bending
the screen up it does not break the coating.

Mr. Nevin: Do you think it is better than coal tar?

Mr. Lydell: Ten to one. You can put it on more quickly
than tar.

Here is a screen with one coating on it which has been in
use all summer long; it was put in a pond the first of May and
taken out last week.

Mr. Bassett: What is the address of this firm ?

Mr. Lydell: You can buy it at any hardware store in the
United States. The cost is something hke $1.50 a gallon, and
the name of the paint in full is Sherwin & Williams Pure Atchi-
son Graphite Paint.

TUBE FOR AERATING WATER.

President: One of our overseers has developed an appliance
for his own use which I think is very valuable and we shall be
very glad to hear Mr. Price explain his device, which consists of

a tube for aerating water.

Mr. John L. Price, Drayton Plains, Mich.: This is what we
have named an aerating tube for aerating water in carrying fry
and advanced fry in cans. (Demonstrating apparatus.)

It is provided with four quarter circle holes operated by a
valve at the top. An extra bottom is put on to keep the fry from
being sucked into the inside of the tube and injured in that way.
Now by raising the valve and slowly settling the tube in the can,
it is filled. In lowering the tube exercise care to avoid touching
the bottom of the can with the bottom of the tube. On the in-
side there is a guage so that when the can is filled within an inch
of the top the guage shows you one inch of water between the
bottom of the tube and the bottom of the can, so that there is no
danger of injuring the fish.

When the tube is filled you raise your finger, raise the valve
and that lets the water out. The extra bottom is fitted with a
valve, and when you raise the valve above it closes that and forces
the water to a circle, acts as a reducer and gives it force. This is
provided with a screen and prevents the fish fry getting in there.
The tube will fill in ten seconds, and empty in five, without in-
juring any kind of fry.

The tube holds just a gallon and three-quarters of water, and
five applications of the tube practically empties a ten gallon can
and it takes the water from the bottom of the can and aerates it
on the surface. For carrying wall-eyed pike, shad and white-fish,
we put another bottom on provided with'a finer screen, and that
prevents the sucking in of the fry, and you get the same results.

You can use it for a pail for a fresh supply of water, and it
also takes the place of a siphon.

REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN RELA-
TIONS.

BY MR. CHARLES G. ATKINS, OF EAST ORLAND, ME.

The Committee on Foreign Relations in submitting its first
report begs to presume that it was not expected that a single
report, or two or three reports, could cover the whole field. In-
deed, it needs but a cursory examination of the exhibit of the
matter made by correspondence already in hand and by accessi-
ble publications to show that it would be impossible to exhaust
the subject, or even to keep fully up with the new matter of inter-
esting and instructive character developed from year to year in
foreign experience within any limits that would not swell the
volume of annual transactions beyond practicable size. It has
therefore appeared to your committee best to attempt no exhaus-
tive treatment of any branch of the subject, but to endeavor to
submit a series of brief summaries of the organization and sys-
tem of fish cultural work in foreign countries together with a
more minute treatment of such branches of the subject as may
promise to be most helpful to American fish culture.

In illustration of the world-wide interest in fishery subjects
may be cited the successful organization at Paris in 1900, of the
system of International Fishery Congresses by the appointment
of a permanent International Commission, the original composi-
tion of which embraced members from Germany, Austria, Switz-
erland, Italy, Spain, Portugal, France, Belgium, Holland, Den-
mark, Norway, Sweden, Russia, Roumania, Great Britain, Japan,
the United States of America, Mexico and Chili. The most of
these countries have engaged in actual fish cultural work.

The most important sources of information on this subject,
outside of official reports, are perhaps the fishery periodicals of
the world. A list which may not be exhaustive shows the exis-
tence of three such periodicals in France, one in Belgium, two in
Switzerland, one in Austria, one in Sweden, one in Denmark,
one in Finland, and six in Germany. The German periodicals
alone present the reader with over 3,000 pages of fishery litera-

189

190 Thirty-fifth Annual Meeting

ture annually. And this statement does not include the reports
of experiment stations or the great mass of matter appearing in
sporting journals, as in the United States and Great Britain.

Of fish literature other than official and periodical we may
get some idea from the lst of new matter published from time
to time by the Bulletin of the Central Aquicultural Society of
France, which quotes in a few recent issues twenty-one titles of
works pertaining strictly to fish culture; twelve titles dealing
with aquarial natural history; seven titles of technological
works; and fifteen titles of works dealing with fish and fishing
in a general way.*

The first step taken by your committee in its inquiry into
foreign fishery matters was the issue of a circular** covering the
subject quite fully; and it is mainly from the information thus
elicited that the statements relative to the status of fish culture
in various countries have been made up.

The foreign notes herewith submitted cover work and condi-

*See detailed lists below.
**The circular of inquiry reads as follows:

Information desired by the Committee on Foreign Relations of the
American Fisheries Society regarding fish cultural conditions in foreign
countries.

1. Does the Government engage in the artificial culture of fish?

2. What is the name of the bureau or department having immediate
charge of fish cultural matters, and how is it officered?

9

3. Please forward any publication in which this work is officially con-
sidered.
4. What species are artificially propagated?

5. At what ages are the various species distributed?

6. Number and location of stations for fish culture maintained by the
Government?

7. How many of the above have been established within the past
five years?

8. What sums exclusive of salaries of regular employes are annually
expended in the artificial culture of fish?

9. What salaries are paid to officers and employes of various ranks
in the fish cultural service? .

10. What are the total expenses for salaries of permanent employes?

ll. How many fish of each species were distributed during the last
fiscal year? A table of distributions of the various species for the past
four or five years would be much appreciated.

12. What have been the general results from the artificial propagation
of fish? i

13. What is the sentiment of the general public in regard to the value
of fish culture?

14. What exotic species of fish have been introduced, and with what
results?

15. Please state the number of private fish cultural establishments
now in operation. Of these what number have been established within
the past five years?

16. What are the principal species of fish handled at such private
establishments, and what is the approximate annual output of (a) eggs,
(b) fry, (c) brood fish, (d) fish for market?

17. Names and addresses of any societies or associations for the fur-
therance of fish culture or any other fishing interests?

American Fisheries Socvety. 191

tions in Canada, Peru, Chili, Argentina, New Zealand, Tas-
mania, England, Scotland, Holland, Sweden, Finland, Japan
and China.

CANADA.

Fish breeding was conducted in Canada, previous to 1868,
on a very limited scale as a private enterprise; but during the
year above mentioned the work was taken over by the Federal
Government. From one hatchery this work has been extended as
circumstances would permit until today there are thirty-two fish
breeding establishments in operation throughout the Dominion.
Those erected of late years are of modern structure and are
equipped with the latest apphances.

The Federal Department of Marine and Fisheries has control
of all public fish breeding establishments in Canada. The work
connected with the Fish Culture Branch is supervised and con-
ducted by the Superintendent of Fish Culture, subject to the
approval of the heads of the department at Ottawa. The branch
is officered by the Superintendent of Fish Culture, Secretary, and
Inspector of Hatcheries, located at Ottawa, and the permanent
officers-in-charge of hatcheries residing in or near the establish-
ment under their supervision.

The work up to about three years ago was devoted entirely
to the hatching of the commercial species but public demands for
the sporting varieties became so strong that operations to a limit-
ed extent were begun in this direction. The species now operated
with are as follows: Pacific salmon, Atlantic salmon, salmon
trout, grey trout, lake whitefish, pickerel, speckled trout, ouana-
niche, small-mouthed black bass, shad. In addition lobsters are
incubated in several establishments on the Atlantic coast.

Until recently the various species have been distributed in
the fry stage. Three years ago a rearing pond for Atlantic sal-
mon was constructed in connection with the hatchery on the
Restigouche River in New Brunswick in which the fry is retained
until they are about six months old. This system has been very
successful, but, owing to the heavy expenditure and the difficulty
of securing suitable locations for rearing ponds, this branch of
the work is being cautiously extended as occasion offers.

There are thirty-two establishments throughout the Domin-

192 Thirty-fifth Annual Meeting

ion maintained by the Federal Government and located as fol-
lows:

Province of Ontario: Ottawa, Sandwich, New Castle and
Belleville.

Province of Quebec: Tadoussac, Gaspe, Magog, Lac Trem-
blant, St. Alexis and Lake Lester.

Province of Nova Scotia: Bedford, Margaree, Windsor, Bay
View, Canso and Forchu Lobster Pond.

Province of New Brunswick: Restigouche, Miramichi, St.
John River, Shippegan, Shemogue and Carleton Pond.

Province of Prince Edward Island: Charlottetown and Kel-
ly’s Pond.

Province of Manitoba: Selkirk and Berens River.

Province of British Columbia: Fraser River, Skeena River,
Granite Creek, Harrison Lake, Rivers Inlet and Pemberton.

Twelve establishments have been put in operation in Canada
during the past five years.

The sum of one hundred and twenty-six thousand dollars is
spent annually in the artificial culture of fish. The Superinten-
dent of Fish Culture for Canada receives two thousand two hun-
dred dollars per annum. The Inspector of Fish Hatcheries, one
thousand and two hundred dollars per annum. The officers in
charge of hatcheries are paid in accordance with the importance
and responsibilities of the several stations and the salaries range
from five hundred to one thousand two hundred dollars per
annum. ‘The assistants are paid from one dollar and fifty cents
to two dollars per day according to the nature of the work per-
formed. The salaries of permanent officers amount to about
twenty-four thousand dollars per annum.

The attached statement gives the numbers of each species dis-
tributed during the past four years.

It is generally appreciated that the money expended by the
Canadian Government in the propagation of fish has been well
spent and the returns to the public, both from a commercial and
a sporting standpoint, have been eminently satisfactory. Fish
Culture in Canada meets with public favor From all parts of
the Dominion appheations for the extension of this service are
continuous. No better evidence of popular opinion is required
than a comparison of the amount appropriated by Parliament for

American Fisheries Society. 193

Fish Culture, which in 1895-96 was forty thousand dollars.
This amount has been gradually increased from year to year un-
til in 1905-06 the grant is one hundred and fifty thousand
dollars. .

No exotic species of fish have been introduced into Canadian
waters, operations being confined to indigenous species.
STATEMENT OF THE NUMBER OF FRY DISTRIBUTED IN

CANADIAN WATERS DURING FOUR YEARS,
1902 TO 1905.

1902 1903 1904 1905
Atlantic salmon... 9,857,000 7,948,000 8,373,500 9,114,000
Pacific salmon..... 15,974,000 17,818,000 13,560,000 16,772,000
Wihitehish: 2.25.84. 108,000,000 81,000,000 82,500,000 105,500,000
Pickenelin isdn. 15,000,000 21,000,000 24,000,000 26,000,000
Salmon trout...... 2,460,000 4,618,000 2,575,000 3,530,000
Speckled trout.... 10,000 65,000 16,000 514,000
(Eva OswarUmOUlities ante uel serciereue 71,500 98,000 50,000
GreyeabT OU Grryne = ciotco v) Mavshevens smieo oye odes adelin sporty Muli mate aetetens 260,000
ISOUSUETS cris chove steens 120,000,000 181,000,000 337,000,000 463,000,000

The government of Peru has contracted with Mr. R. E. Coker,
a graduate of Johns Hopkins University and a former employe
of the Bureau of Fisheries, to conduct biological observations
along the coast with the view of investigating not only the ma-
rine fisheries but the guano industry and make recommendations
as to the advisability of changes in the laws for the protection of
fish and the protection of guano-producing birds. ‘The purpose
of the investigation is not only to increase the supply of commer-
cial fishes but also to take measures to protect the food upon
which the guano-producing birds hve. Mr. Coker will also make
investigations with the view to the introduction of oysters.

Some inquiries have been made with reference to investiga-
tions in the fresh waters of the country. Although under tropi-
cal skies the fresh water streams and lakes of Peru are fed by
glacial waters, and many of them are at an elevation where the
climate is temperate rather than tropical. Lake Titicaca in
Peru and Bolivia is the highest navigable lake in the world and
its waters are undoubtedly cold enough for the introduction of
some desirable fresh water species of fish from the temperate
zone. It is of interest to know that the present inhabitants of
this lake, at an elevation of about 12,000 feet, are all of, marine
origin. ‘There are many lakes including the headwaters of the

194 Thirty-fifth Annual Meeting

Amazon of which the impression has prevailed in Peru that the
waters are too cold for fish hfe. Some of these would undoubted-
ly prove congenial to some of the species of Salmonidae.

CHILI.

Attempts at fish cultural work in Chili have been conducted
for a number of years under the direction of Frederico Albert.
Chief of the Seccion de Aguas 1 Bosques del Ministerio de In-
dustrias. It appears that on two or three different occasions pre-
vious to the administration of Mr. Albert the Chilhan govern-
ment obtained shipments of salmon eggs without making prep-
aration for their reception in the country. Consequently when
the eggs arrivedcLin Chili after a long journey they were a total
loss

Carp were introduced into Chili a number of years ago with
disastrous results. Mr. Albert reports that after they were in-
troduced the trucha and pejerrey which abounded in the streams
of Chili became very much diminshed in numbers. He attri-
butes the diminution to the fact that the carp devoured the food
upon which the native species subsisted, and states that the carp
themselves were not a success and that they became a thin and
bony race of fishes. His report indicates that the species acquired
more bones than the usual number, but it is inferred that this
is not the case. The bones became more prominent as the fish
became reduced in size and flesh. In addition to the carp, tench,
calico bass, and goldfish were introduced but no information has
been received as to what effect, if any, was produced by their
introduction.

During the year 1903 quite an extensive salmon station was
constructed near Los Andes During the past year 300,000
fishes six months of age were distributed from this station, con-
sisting of Atlantic salmon, rainbow trout, brown trout, and
steelhead trout, the eggs of which were all obtamed in Europe.
It is too early to report any results from fish cultural work in
Chih, however. While the people in general can not yet appre-
ciate the value of fish culture, it is regarded as of great import-

ance by the government. ‘There are no private fish cultural

establishments im the country.

American Fisheries Society. 195

ARGENTINA.

As the Society has already been advised, this work was in-
augurated by the Argentine government in the fall of 1903, when
Mr. John W. Titcomb was employed to make investigations. Mr.
Titcomb was in the country seven months during which time he
traversed portions of it lying between latitude 25 degress and 45
degrees south. He constructed the first hatchery in South
America and before leaving Argentina, eggs of various species of
Salmonidae had arrived and had been successfully hatched.
The government has organized a division of fish culutre in the
Bureau of Animal Industry of the Department of Agriculuture,
for the support of which $35,090 paper morey ($15,418.50 gold)
is annually appropriated for salaries. The chief of the division
of fish culture is Mr. E. A. Tulian, a member of this Society
and formerly superintendent of the United States Bureau of
Fisheries Station at Leadville, Colorado. The government pro-
vides for a second chief and the necessary number of superimten-
dents of stations. At the present time, besides Mr. Tulan three
fish culturists from the United States have entered the employ
of the Argentine government. The following lst shows the as-
signments of eggs furnished the Argentine government from the
United States and the results secured from them.

Per Cent.
Year Species No. Shipped Hatched
1904—Brook trout.......... 103,000 82
WAKE ME OM bcuseae ie a eres 50,000 95
LRHIsM OYOKWi | [COWLES Heo aaa $100,000
Steelhead trout....... *20,000 ve Pa
Landlocked salmon... 50,000 90
VAIS as Sac 5 are epeecinre 1,000,000 90
1905—Brook trout.......... 300,000 94
WAkKGSEE OUUSE se cee oe 224,000 95
Rainbow trout....... 100,000 48
Landlocked salmon... 30,000 83
Chinook salmon...... 7100,000 Re
1906—Brook trout.......... 60,000 79
IanO iGROUG ans cos oleee. ota 80,000 94
Rainbow trout........ 24,000 10
Landlocked salmon... 20,000 93
Chincok salmon...... 300,000 97
Sockeye salmon...... 122,500 95
SilversSalnmion.... ....- 89,180 97

It will be noticed from the table that the eggs of the rainbow

§Planted eggs in Laguna la Grande en route to Nahuel Huapi.
*Hatched en route and planted from the vessel off the Brazilian coast.
yjEgegs a total loss.

196 Thirty-fifth Annual Meeting

trout in 1904 were planted en route to the hatchery. This was
due to the fact that they were in bad condition and it is very
doubtful if any of them produced results in the waters where
planted. In 1905 only 48 per cent. of the eggs hatched, and in
1906 only 10 per cent. The cause of this low percentage is not
postively known but in all probability it was due to the fact that
the eggs were taken from fish which were reared in spring water
and the eggs were eyed in water of a temperature of about 53
degrees. They were then subjected to a temperature of 34 to 35
degrees for a long period

a necessary proceeding where they are
to be carried in transportation cases on a trip from forty to fifty
days in duration. Whether rainbow trout eggs taken from wild
fish can be eyed successfully in an extremely low temperature
and then transported with good results is yet to be determined
by actual trial. Certainly it is known that rainbow trout eggs
are more sensitive to temperature changes than any of the other
species of Salmonidae artificially propagated.

The eggs of the steelhead trout which proved a failure in
1904 were undoubtedly too far advanced for shipment. The loss
of the chinook salmon eggs in 1905 is not accounted for. They
were packed by an expert who has successfully carried eggs of
this species to New Zealand with very small losses, and the ques-
tion of temperature orsthe stage at which packed are not factors
to be considered unless the temperature of the eggs became too
low while they were being held in cold storage in England or in
Buenos Aires, in each of which places they were so held for sever-
al days. Eggs of other species shrpped at the same time were
held in a similar manner, however.

In addition to the eggs secured from the United States
25,000 Atlantic salmon eggs and 5,000 brown trout eggs were

4

obtained in England during the past year. Hatcheries have been
established at Nahuel Huapi, Santa Cruz, Alta Gracia, Buenos
Aires and Chascomus. Eggs have already been taken from the
brood stock of trout reared from the first lot of brook trout eggs
sent to the country in the winter of 1903-04 and hatched and
reared at Nahuel Huapi.

In addition to the acchmatization of foreign species of fish
one native fish is propagated, namely, the pejerrey. There are
two species of pejerrey in Argentina, Basilichthys bonariesis and

aA.

; wuemre Ae

American Fisheries Society. 19%

Basilichthys microlepidotus. They are regarded as the most
valuable fresh-water fishes of the country. They are found in
fresh, brackish, and salt water. During the winter months one
species at least (Bastlichthys bonariensis) ascends the Rio de la
Plata from salt or brackish waters to places above Buenos
Aires where it is caught by anglers with two or three hooks at-
tached to one line, very much as the smelt is caught in the tidal
rivers of New England However, there is never any ice in the
Rio de la Plata. The fish is a spring spawner, ripe spawning
specimens having been found from early October to late Novem-
ber according to the altitude or latitude and consequent tempera-
ture of the water in which caught. The fish has very clear white
flesh and small specimens are almost transparent. When from
five to eight inches long pejerreyes are served in English and
American cafes in Buenos Aires as smelt.

I have seen adult specimens weighing five or six pounds but
I understand they sometimes attain a weight of fifteen pounds.
The fish has quite an extensive range in the country but the peo-
ple are now stocking some of the uninhabited lakes with them,
thus extending the range by artificial propagation. The eggs
are adhesive and in some instances it has been found best to
transport the eggs direct to the waters to be stocked and plant
them in the lakes where they are surrounded by brush or other
proper protection from predaceous birds and animals until they
hatch. The eggs have also been hatched to a limited extent in
McDonald jars.

There are no private fish cultural establishments in the
country.

In addition to the work with fishes a practical oysterman has
been employed by the government. He recently arrived in the
country with a lot of oysters to be planted at suitable points
along the coast. He is to remain in Argentina for an indefinite
period and make investigations as to the possibilities for extend-
ing the work of oyster culture.

With each shipment of eggs from the United States to Argen-
tina some minor improvements have been made. The following
is a description of the case with improvements last adopted :

The case consists of an outer and an inner box, having a space
between them filled with non-conducting material, an ice space,

Dep of Commerce 4. Labor

Bureau of Sisherves

FS

1906.

t, Jo c5od
ici e 4oles.

BUS sh

eee ee LITA

259 Ty.

Nor Conductor
Over Box

Tv

Argentine £99 Shipping Case.

see atnae

Pen
—

ef
nar
wee

oa eh

REE Sy 1S Byes:

SKOMMGS

SHaowings
lee

Perforated

Tie CaS
MWg

Section.

oie depends on number

OF: Trays.

i Mi ddd sees Md Udder LF ULL iB Hinge hasp

aN WS frre foe side
~

American Fisheries Socvety. 199

and egg trays in the center, with a lid on top. The bottom of the
outer and inner box is common to both. 'Tongued and grooved
lumber should be used in the construction of the case.

The height of the case is based upon the number of trays re-
quired to carry the proposed shipment, though one or two empty
trays are not objectionable. The case should be 3 feet, 6 inches
long, 2 feet wide, and not to exceed 30 inches high, outside meas-
ure. Four hasps are used, two on each side of the lid, so that it
can be opened from either side. Rope handles are placed on each
end of each case, with a cleat of three-fourths inch material
placed close above the holes for each rope handle.

Between the inner and outer box there is a two-inch space on
all sides which is to be filled with a non-conducting substance
such as shavings, moss or other suitable material, and covered
as shown on blue-print. A similar space and non-conductor hay-
ing a metal covering and fitting neatly over the ice hopper and
space for ice should be attached to the lid of the outer box. It is
important that the inner box be made water tight in order to
keep the filling dry.

Between the inner box and the egg trays there should be <
two and-three-fourths inch space for ice, separated from the trays
by perforated zinc, and between the perforated zinc and the trays
a space of about three-fourths inch. The one-half by one inch
and one-half by one and one-half inch vertical supports for the
perforated zine are to be placed between the perforated zinc and
the trays. These supports are held in position by short strips of
the same material fastened on top.

The ice hopper is made of thin material and covered on the
bottom with perforated zinc. Cleats or small rope handles
should be attached to the ice hopper which is made removable but
so fitted as to secure it against sliding. °

The tray frames are made of one-half by one and one-fourth
inch lumber, and it is important that they fit easily in the center
of the case. The bottom is to be covered with wire cloth of No.
25 or 27 wre, about twelve meshes to the inch, which is stretched
tightly so that it will not sag, causing the drip water to settle
in the middle of the trays to the detriment of the eggs near the
edges. It is desirable to have a covering of strong cloth over the
edges of the wire bottoms of each tray to prevent their sticking

200 Thirty-fifth Annual Meeting

to the mosquito netting of the tray underneath. <A short one-half
inch hfting cleat is fastened to the inside ends of each tray.
Wedges are used to keep the trays in place. The bottom tray
rests on three small cleats fastened to the bottom of the case
length-wise as shown in blue-print, and having small “V-shaped
grooves cut into them for the passage of drip water to the drain
hole.

One three-fourths inch drain hole, provided with a cork,
should be made in the bottom of the case as shown im blue-print.
‘T'wo seven-eights by three inch cleats are placed lengthwise un-
der the bottom of case. The inner box, bottom of ld, hopper,
trays, perforated zinc, and supports are asphalted.

Tt is important that the outside dimensions of all tray frames
be uniform that the trays may be interchangeable.

The eggs selected for shipping should barely show the eye
spots without the use of a glass, and should be picked over very
carefully. In packing, spread a layer of moss as evenly as possi-
ble over the tray bottom to a depth of one-half inch and upon
the moss place a layer of mosquito netting. This prevents the
eggs from mixing with the moss and working through it to the
tray bottom. ‘The eggs are laid upon the mosquito netting one
to two layers deep, spread to within one-half inch of the tray
frame, and covered with another piece of netting. The remain-
der of the tray is then to be hghtly filled with moss. The upper
netting should be cut large enough to extend up to the outer edge
of the tray all around, so that in examining the eggs it can be
rolled back and returned without disturbing the eggs.

The cases of eggs are usually stored in one of the fruit rooms
to which the attendant has access daily. It is customary to wet
down the eggs with ice water daily and pick them over whenever
necessary. The water should be of the same temperature as the
eggs, thirty-four degrees to thirty-five degrees and is poured
through the hopper. The ice compartments are kept full of ice
by replenishing daily or as frequently as necessary. There are,
as a matter of course, occasional days when the attendant cannot
have access to the fruit room.

American Fisheries Society. 201

NEW ZEALAND.*

When the Britons first settled in New Zealand they found
beautiful clear water streams fed from snow-clad mountains
which contained very few and inferior fresh water fishes. Ac-
climation societies were formed and through them shipments of
eggs of various species of Salmonidae were imported with vary-
ing success.

The brown trout was introduced in New Zealand about thirty
years ago. The first shipment was from England to Tasmania
and from eggs obtained at Tasmania the stock was obtained for
New Zealand waters. Later shipments of brown trout eggs were
sent direct from England to New Zealand. With the exception
of the Auckland district, brown trout have been put into almost
every stream in the south and as a result there is excellent brown
trout fishing in almost every district. Within certain distances
of the sea in all east coast rivers brown trout have become ana-
dromous, going down to the sea after spawning and living there
all summer, returning in the autumn. These fish are frequently
taken by fishermen in nets when fishing for indigenous marine
fishes. The fishermen say that they are caught in from five to
seven fathoms of water. In handling them for stripping they
have run from five to twenty-two pounds in weight. They are
very much esteemed by the sportsmen. They take the fly readily
but not more so than the steelhead trout; in the lower regions
they are taken by casting the ordinary spinner. Brown trout are
also found in lakes of the south. Records show the weight of the
lake trout to be twenty-seven pounds.

Several importations of Loch Leven trout eggs direct from
the hatchery of Sir James Gibson, Howieton, Scotland, have been
made. The fish hatched from these eggs were held as brood
stock in the ponds of the various acclimatization societies, and
the young fish from the brood stock thus obtained were liberated
in the streams—sometimes in the same rivers with brown trout.
Commissioner Ayson states that where the Loch Leven trout has
been introduced into the same stream with the brown trout it
has been impossible to note any difference in the two species. A
few Scotch sea trout have been introduced into New Zealand and

*The Committee is indebted to Mr. L. F. Ayson, Fish Commissioner
of New Zealand, for most of the information following.

202 Thirty-fifth Annual Meeting

the opinion prevails that the sea trout, S. trutta is the sea run
S. fario.

About twenty years ago the speckled trout, S. fontinalis, was
introduced and nearly all of the acclimatization societies in New
Zealand hold a brood stock of them in their ponds. In only two
streams of New Zealand has this species obtained a foothold—
one in Auckland district, about fifteen miles from Rotarori and
one in the Canterbury district. Brook trout have been caught
with rod and line up to six pounds in weight. The failure of this
species to become firmly established throughout New Zealand
is attributed to the presence of the brown trout.

About twenty-five vears ago the Auckland Acchmatization
Society was presented with a shipment of steelhead trout eggs
from California by the late Thomas Russell. It is reported that
this is the only shipment of eggs of the species which has ever
been sent to New Zealand from the United States. The eggs
were obtained from Mr. A. V. Lamotte, who had a private fish
hatchery at Glenn Ellen, California, and were secured from steel-
head trout taken in Sonoma Creek. They were shipped under
the name of rainbow trout eggs and to this day the fish is called
rainbow trout in New Zealand. The fish hatcHed from these
eggs were berated in streams flowing into Lakes Rotorua and
Rotoiti, and other streams in the Waikato district. They have
done remarkably well throughout the whole of the Aukland pro-
vince, and lakes and streams in which brown trout existed pre-
vious to the introduction of the steelhead trout now have nothing
in them but the latter. They seem to have superseded the brown
trout. The Auckland district is the only part of New Zealand
in which the steelhead trout have done remarkably well. The
records show that steelhead trout have been taken up to twenty-
five pounds in weight, and fish ranging from ten to eighteen
pounds are not an uncommon occurrence. The larger fish are
taken by trolling. The fish generally taken with the fly range
from two to seyen pounds in weight. Thus far there has been
no evidence that the fish have become anadromous.

While the steelhead trout seem to have superseded the brown
trout in the streams and lakes of the Waikato district, the many
attempts to introduce them in the waters of the Wellington dis-
trict seem to have resulted in failure, due to the presence of the

American Fisheries Society. - 203

brown trout. Apparently the waters in which the steelhead trout
survive the brown trout have a somewhat higher temperature
than the waters in which the brown trout superseded the steel-
heads. The highest summer temperature in the snow-fed rivers
in the south island is about fifty-five degrees. This is where the
brown trout do not allow the steelheads to obtain a foothold.

No definite results have followed the attempts to introduce
the chinook salmon previous to the year 1900. At this time
the New Zealand government took up the introduction of this
species in a systematic way and since then-has devoted its efforts
to one river, namely, the Waitaki. ‘This river has its source in
three tributary streams which flow into lakes and the outflow
from these lakes form the Waitaki, which is a stream about the
size of the Sacramento River in California. Chinook salmon
eggs have been imported annually since 1900 and a good per-
centage of them have been successfully hatched. Some of the
young fish have been held until over a year old before being
planted. During the autums of 1904 and 1905 (month of
April), reports came from the streams flowing into Lake Ohau
that fish resembling salmon were spawning. The information
was not received at headquarters until six weeks after the time
the spawning was observed, and when a man sent out by the gov-
ernment to investigate had arrived, the fish had disappeared.
Fishermen have stated that fish caught at the mouth of one of
the tributary streams during the last two years are brown trout.
However, two of these anglers, of large experience in fishing for
salmon in Norway, are emphatic in their statements that they
caught salmon.

There have been a great many importations of Atlantic sal-
mon eggs, all obtained from England. The introduction of the
Atlantic salmon was begun thirty years ago. In 1898 two speci-
mens, twelve and sixteen pounds in weight, were caught by ang-
lers and forwarded to Dr. Gunter of the British Museum, who on
examination pronounced them to be S. salar. For the present,
however, the attempts to acclimatize the Atlantic salmon have
been discontinued.

Several shipments of whitefish eggs had been made to New
Zealand previous to 1903 and upon arriving in the country there
was no convenience for hatching them. They were divided up

204 Thirty-fifth Annual Meeting

into lots and turned over to the acclimatization societies, and it
is presumed that very few if any fish were successfully planted.
In 1903 the New Zealand government established two smal}
whitefish stations on Lakes Kaneri and Tekapo, and shipments
of whitefish eggs have been received annually, beginning in 1903,
and a large percentage of them have been hatched and planted.

English perch have been introduced in some of the New Zea-
land streams where they have obtained a foothold and depleted
the brown trout. They also follow up the spawning trout and
devour their spawn. ‘These perch when caught sometimes weigh
four pounds. English tench have been introduced into shallow
water lagoons not suitable for trout.

Great credit is due to the acclimatization societies for the
work done by them, but it is unfortunate that the government
did not assume control of the work in the start and conduct it
systematically. The presence of the brown trout in the large
portion of the waters of the country makes it impracticable to
introduce some of the other finer, more desirable species. The
acclimatization societies were originally founded from motives
of public spirit but at the present time most of them are estab-
shed on a commercial basis. ‘They control the waters which
they stock with fish and the anglers pay for the privilege of fish-
ing in these waters. A whole season’s license is $5 and a half
season’s $3. Visitors can take out a license for a day or two at
the rate of 50 cents per day.

For a description of New Zealand waters and other particu-
lars of interest to anglers reference is made to Hamilton’s Trout
Fishing and Sport in Maoriland.

TASMANTA.

The fisheries act of 1889 provides for the appointment of
commissioners of fisheries, not exceeding twenty-five persons, in
whom are vested the general superintendence, management and
protection of all the fisheries in the State of Tasmania. Various
species of the Salmonidae have been introduced, namely, S. fario,
S. trutta, S. fontinalis, S. levenensis, S. irideus, chinook’ salmon
(Oncorhynchus tschawytscha), and blueback salmon (Oncorhyn-
chus nerka) ; two indigenous species—the fresh water herring or
cucumber fish, Prototroctes maraena, and the fresh water black-

alate. wiewtat

American Fisheries Society. 205

fish, Gadopsis marmoratus—have been propagated, and three of
b) fo)

the family Cyprinidae
goldfish (C. auratus) and English tench (Tinca vulgaris), have

European carp (Carassius vulgaris),

become well established in ‘Tasmanian waters.

Until recently the young fish were distributed as soon as the
umbilical sac was absorbed and the fry began feeding, but lately
it has been decided to distribute the fish as yearlings The com-
missioners have two hatcheries, one at Hobart and the other at
Launceston ‘The government makes no appropriation, the hatch-
eries being supported by receipts from the sale of licenses and
the sale of fish ova to neighboring states. The hatchery near Ho-
bart was established in 1864 and the one at Launceston within
the past five years As funds are limited, very little money is
spent in the artificial propagation of fish. During the vear 1902,
eges to the number of about 600,000 blueback salmon, and about
300,000 rainbow trout, brown trout, Loch Leven trout, brook
trout, and Scotch sea trout were hatched and distributed. Dur-
ing the year 1905 the output of the hatcheries consisted of about
300,000 rainbow, brown, Loch Leven, brook and Scotch sea trout.
The general results from all of the above named exotic species
with the exception of the blueback and chinook salmon have been
successful. Brown trout have been captured by rod weighing up
to twenty-nine pounds, and rainbow trout in some of the waters
have attained in one year and ten months a weight of four and
one-half pounds.

The sentiment of the general public has been on the whole
favorable to the introduction of the Salmonidae, and from a
tourist point of view it has attracted annually large numbers of
anglers, not only from Austraha, but also from England and
India. ‘There are no private fish hatcheries in the country.

ENGLAND.*

The government of England does not engage in fish culture,
but the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries maintains an obser-
vant attitude toward the subject and exercises authority in respect
to many matters, such as the enforcement of the fishery laws, the

*RMor the facts herein stated we are largely indebted to the Hon.

Charles E. Freyer, Supervising Inspector of Fisheries, Board of Agricul-
ture and Fisheries, London.

206 Thirty-fifth Annual Meeting

collection of statistics, the construction of fishways, termed “‘sal-
mon ladders” and “fish passes,” and the issuance of fishing
licenses; and acts as the adviser of the government in fishery
matters generally, both fresh water and marine.

There are, however, numerous private fish culutral establish-
ments, including two devoted to marine fishes. Of parties en-
gaged in fresh water fish culture we have a list of thirty-three.
Of these, twenty-nine are found advertising in a few numbers of
three Englsh journals in 1906; twenty-eight of them state what
classes of fish they breed or handle, and twenty-five specify the
species. We find that amongst these advertisers, eighteen men-
tion the European brown trout (Salmo fario) ; thirteen the Loch
Leven trout; twenty-one the rainbow trout (Salmon irideus) ;
three the American brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) ; and one
party the steelhead trout. Of fishes of other families there are
four offers of perch, two of roach, and one of bream, and from
other sources we are able to add to this list of coarse fish for
sale, carp and tench.

Some of the establishments, we are informed by our corres-
pondent, also handle the Atlantic salmon (S. salar) and the gray-
ling (Thymallus vulgaris). The Atlantic salmon would appear
to be the special object of the work in the River Eden Salmon
Hatchery at Carisle.

As stated above, the American brook trout (S. fontinalis)
and the rainbow trout (S. Jrideus) are among the species regu-
larly propagated by many fish cultural establishments, but the
prospect of their becoming acclimated is not regarded as favor-
able. ‘The brook trout is reported as having almost entirely dis-
appeared from the open waters where introduced, and the rain-
bow, though thriving well under certain conditions, is apt to dis-
appear entirely from waters where it is not strictly enclosed.

The acclimatizaton of the steelhead (Salmo Gairdnert) has
also been tried; and an attempt is now being made to introduce
the Salmo Hucho from Austria.

In the marine hatcheries the species thus far propagated
artificially are three species of flat-fishes, the sole (Solea vulgar-
is); the flounder (Pleuronectes flesus) ; and the plaice (P. plat-
essa.) ; and among crustacea the European lobster (Homarus
vulgaris ).

of.

American Fisheries Society. 207

So far, then, as our information goes, it indicates a restric-
tion to salmonoid culture more close, even, than is the case in
America. Most of the advertisers offer fish one and two years old,
many of them eggs; and there are many offers of live food mate-
rials and water plants.

It does not appear that the practice of growing any species of
fish for market has yet established itself in England, and the use
which seems to be anticipated by fish culturists of their products
is the stocking of open waters for the purpose of angling, in
which field Englishmen lead the world.

In angling, however, and in the use of the booty thus secured
there is by no means the same limitation in species as we observe
in the matter of artificial culture. The so-called “coarse” fishes
(a term including all species except salmon and trout) are high-
ly esteemed as objects of pursuit and material for food. Not
only perch and pike, but the members of the Cyprinoid family,
carp, tench, bream, roach, chub, etc., are thought proper objects
for the exercise of the sportsman’s skill. ‘They are protected by
the law, which provides an annual close-time, from March 15 to
June 15, for all fresh water fish other than pollan, trout, char
and eels; and the sporting journals overflow with notes of their
capture, of which the successful anglers appear to be very proud.
The conditions in English waters appear to be exceedingly favor-
able to the growth of fish and most species reach a larger size
than is common with the corresponding species in America. The
universal practice of weighing captures and reporting them af-
fords a wealth of evidence in this matter. Among the numerous
reports in the Fishing Gazette of London, we have lately ob-
served, for instance, the recorded capture of chubs weighing from
four pounds to seven pounds, fourteen ounces; tench weighing
six pounds; bream of nine and one-half to eleven 2<d one-half
pounds; barbel of two and one-half or four and one-half pounds
for small, and twelve or twelve and one-half for large; roach of
three pounds, three ounces; carp of thirteen pounds, twelve
ounces; and pike of thirty-six and one-half pounds.

The most important fresh water fishery of England and
Wales is undoubtedly the salmon fishery There are about thirty
rivers in which salmon are now caught. No complete statistics
of the catch have been published, but reports from eighteen rivers

208 Thirty-fifth Annual Meeting

give a total of 61,474 salmon caught in 1904; and the total for
the country is somewhere above that number. This is within
the limits of a country having an area of 58,310 square miles,
that is, about as extensive as the state of Michigan, and inhabited
by 29,000,000 people. The sale of English and Welsh salmon
at the great Billingsgate Market in London, which is believed .to
correspond roughly with the catch, declined in amount from 1894
to 1990, and after that rose in amount, the quantity passing
through the market in 1904 being the greatest for ten years.

The decline which culminated in 1900 appeared so alarming
as to call for investigation, and a royal commission was ap-
pointed for that purpose, having jurisdiction in Scotland as well
as England and Wales After a very thorough inquiry that com-
mission reported in 1902, and made recommendations embrac-
ing the enlargement of governmental authority over these fish-
eries, better regulation of fishing and more thorough enforce-
ment of the laws governing the fishing, and measures to prevent
pollution of the rivers, and obstructions to the ascent of salmon ;
and to secure a better maintenance of the volumes of rivers.
With reference to artificial hatching they expressed the opinion
that the case for it had not yet been sufficiently established to
warrant their recommending the expenditure of public money
on the establishment of hatcheries for supplying ova or young
fish to the rivers of Great Britain generally, but that the subject
was one of great importance and deserving much more careful
study than it had yet received. They further advised the insti-
tution of systematic study, by observation and experiment, of the
value of artificial hatching and of various problems connected
with the life-history of salmon.

There exists in England an extraordinary number of fishery
societies. A lst, which may not be complete, shows fifty such
organizations in active life in the early part of 1906. By far
the greater part of them are associations of anglers, as the names
indicate, and competitive and convivial purposes are prominent
in their programmes, but some of them are organized for soberer
purposes, such as the maintenance and enforcement of protective
laws, the conduct of hatcheries, ete.

a.

American Fisheries Society. 209

SCOTLAND. *

In Scotland the government is represented by the “Fishery
Board for Scotland,” which has about the same relation to Scot-
tish fisheries as the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries has to
the fisheries of England.

The board has established a hatchery for marine fishes at
Aberdeen, where it also conducts sundry scientific investigations.
The species bred are plaice, lemon sole, turbot, cod and some
other kinds. Plaice is the leading species and 39,690,000. of
these were hatched in 1904.

‘Fresh water species are not included in the work of the
Fishery Board, but local boards and private parties engage in
this work at some twenty stations. The most of them are salmon
hatcheries, a few of them handling sea trout along with salmon;
and two or three being commercial hatcheries dealing only with
trout. At the fourteen salmon hatcheries operated in 1900 there
were hatched about 3,565,000 eggs; at seventeen such establish-
ments in 1904, the number of eggs handled was about 4,750,000
—of which probably 4,000,009 or a little more were hatched.
The number of salmon fry reared in 1909 is stated at 185,000
for the whole of Scotland, and there is no evidence that more
has been done in more recent years. It will be noted that for a
country having eighty-one salmon rivers, the artificial work is on
a small scale. It is indeed almost insignificant when compared
with the vast numbers of eggs deposited by the salmon in the
rivers in the natural way. In illustration may be cited the num-
her spawning in the river Spey as observed by the bailiffs, whose
duty it has been for many years, beginning in 1887, to count
the number of spawning beds seen, the term “bed” being doubt-
less equivalent to “nest” and including only the deposit of one
par of fish. The number thus counted has ranged from 2,768
in 1890 to 7,658 in 1902, and must indicate the laying of twenty-
five millions to seventy millions of eggs in a single year in that
river.

There are no statistics showing the total product of the sal-
mon fisheries of Scotland, but the Billingsgate Market in London
receives great quantities of them, the receipts for the vear 1904

*Por data about Scotch fishery matters we are indebted to W. L.
Colderwood, Esq., Inspector of Salmon Fisheries, Edinburgh.

210 Thirty-fifth Annual Meeting

being 14,753 boxes of one hundred pounds each, or upwards of
120,000 salmon. The great production indicated by these figures
must be regarded as resulting almost wholly from the natural
breeding of the salmon.

Among the trout-breeding establishments of Scotland is the
famous one at Howietoun, near Stirling. Founded in 1873 by
the late Sir James R. G. Maitland, it has been from the first, as
now, the leading fish cultural establishment of Great Britain. It
now offers for sale four species, the common European brown
trout, the Loch Leven, the American brook trout and the rain-
bow trout, at these rates per thousand: for ova, $2.40 for brown
trout and Loch Levens, $3.60 for American brook trout and $4.80
for rainbows; for yearlings prices ranging for the different
species from $72 to $84. Two-year olds are to be had at $24 to
$26.40 per hundred. These prices, which are doubtless about the
same as those of other breeders, include transportation to any
railway station in England, Wales or Scotland. The demand
for these fish seems to be for the stocking of sporting waters.

The success of the introduction of the two American species
is regarded by the best authorities as still uncertain.

NETHERLANDS.

Prof. P. P. C. Hoek, scientific adviser of the Dutch govern-
ment in fishery matters, has communicated interesting informa-
tion regarding the Rhine salmon and its cultivation and other
fish cultural subjects.

The Dutch government engages in the artificial propagation
of fish only indirectly and then only with reference to the salmon.
Holland has only estuaries and a small part of the lower courses
of the large rivers, whose sources are in other countries. There
are no trouts, except a few rainbow and brown trouts reared in a
private establishment and destined for restaurants in Amster-
dam ;.there are no whitefish, except a migratory species (Core-
gonus oxyrhynchus) ; there are no grayling. Of late the culture
of carps and tenches has received the attention of some societies
and private persons engaged in the fish trade.

With regard to salmon culture it may be noted that the Dutch
government expends $3,600 to $4,800 annually in the purchase
of salmon fry from hatcheries at the headwaters of the Rhine in

American Fisheries Society. 211-

Germany, the release of the fry being superintended by an official
representative. The fish are liberated in April when the yolk-
sac is entirely absorbed, which is about six weeks after hatching.
The number of such fry planted during the past six years was
as follows:

SISSY OSC ses ht 2 70 aay man ere Ford RON Rt Rea 1,750,806
a ODL eek wr ease MM ig core sete ues eeemite eee: tec 1,959,200
SN ere an we eae ot Sete Stier eee, ee TO er oars 1,868,900
GS eee Te te Sar eR: Seti terte Mead Sk es 1,532,500
SLL eS ree at Tau Hae has ake yet PCOS ahah esse e STS 1,882,000
WO aoaices Seo et pee oe ee aes 2,417,500

These plants are in addition to large numbers hatched and re-
leased at the expense of Germany and Switzerland ; in the former
country this work has been carried on for at least thirty vears.

Although only a comparatively short section of the Rhine is
fin Holland, the salmon fishery there is much more extensive than
elsewhere. ‘The run of salmon in the Rhine has greatly de-
creased in recent years, and all the countries concerned are very
desirous of restoring the supply. Prof. Hoek states that it looks
as 1f artificial propagation has done no good, but that nobody
knows how bad the fishing would have become if no artificial
measures had been instituted. The general puble has no senti-
ment whatever in regard to the value of fish culture. The salmon
fishermen are divided into two parties, the one thinking it is
useless, the other thinking it would do good if practised on a
much larger seale.

Prof. Hoek writes as follows regarding the habits of the
Rhine salmon, which is of the same species as our Atlantic
salmon :

You write: “The newly-hatched Atlantic salmon remain in
the river for two years,” and | found for the Rhine salmon that
the majority remain in the river for one year only. They pass
through Holland in the course of May. <A part of them, however.
remain longer; they are nearly all male fishes and are ripe in
their second winter. What is very curious is that we never ob-
served them wandering through Holland; I feel inclined to
admit that these fishes do not grow old and have given up the
seaward migration. But this is for the present an hypothesis only.

212 Thirty-fifth Annual Meeting

But a fact is that I have seen a great number of young salmon
caught in May in Holland, and I am sure that they are fishes of
thirteen to fourteen months only. I studied and described these
fishes at some length and I would very much like to know how it
has been ascertained that all the voung Atlantic salmon remain
in the American east coast rivers for two years”

SWEDEN.*

The Swedish government prosecutes fish cultural work
through the Agricultural Societies, which receive subventions
from the state for this work. At the head of these societies is
the Royal Board of Agriculture. The Inspector of Fisheries is
a member of the board and reports to it.

Artificial work is applied to the propagation of Atlantic sal-
mon (Salmo salar); landlocked salmon; lake trout (Salmo
trutta lacustris) ; sea trout (Salmo trutta); charr (Salmo sal-
velinus) ; whitefish (various species of Coregonus). » The fish
produced are mostly liberated as fry. There are in all forty-two
hatcheries, of which the majority receive subventions from the
state. In the year 1904 the agricultural societies paid out for
fish culture 25,158 crowns ($6,793) and 600 crowns ($162)
were expended on an establishment at Finspong, which belongs to
the state and defrays its expenses in part by the sale of eggs and
fry.

The total number of eggs handled in the different hatcheries
in the year 1904 was as follows: |

ANG ata cellemOide seein ese cet eee ieee, 2,117,000
Gandilocked™ alma. .5 2-0 oe haeet ee 728,000
rou (Sano: GiRUital)c. ¢ erate aeten 535,000
Lake trout ((S. trutta lacustris)....... 66.090
Charr(is1SalvelimiiGn ee. ceececeha me ree 719,000
Whitefish, (Coregonus)... 2... .04:.--% 490,000

Potal che Fs setee nee ee ee ee 4,655,009

Many instances of suecessful results are reported. Fish cul-
ture is in favor with the public, as is shown by the demand for
fish planting.

*For this statement we are indebted to Dr. Oscar Nordqvist of Lund.

American Fisheries Society. 213

Of exotic species the American rainbow trout and the Ameri-
ean brook trout have been introduced, the former having re-
ceived greater attention; but results have not yet been reported.

In recent years a good many ponds have been constructed by
private parties for the cultivation of carp and tench. For trout
culture the principal private establishment is that at Engelsburg,
belonging to a private society and devoted mainly to the cultiva-
tion of rainbow trout. Complete statistics of these matters are
lacking.

In 1897 there was organized a Swedish Fisheries Society,
located at Stockholm, where it publishes a journal appearing six
times a year, the “Svensk Fiskeritidskrift.” In 1996 another
society, the Southern Swedish Fisheries Society, has been or-
ganized, chiefly for the purpose of founding and conducting an
experimental station for fish culture and fisheries in ponds and
lakes; for the breeding of fish races of rapid growth and adapted
to the climate of southern Sweden; for the founding of a school
for fresh water culture. The station is under construction at
Aneboda, in the province of Smaland, embracing the fisheries
school and about one hundred acres of artificial fish ponds; and
besides these ponds the society has rented several small lakes for
experiments.

FINLAND.*

In Finland the government engages in fish culture, and the
duties connected with the work devolve upon an officer stvled the
Inspector of Fisheries.

The species artificially propagated are whitefish (Coregonus
lavaretus and albula); brown trout, (Salmo fario) American
rainbow trout (S. irideus); American brook trout (S. fonti-
nalis) ; pike, (Esox lucius); roach, (Leuciscus rutilus) ; and
charr, (Salmo salvelinus). The fishes hatched are liberated at
various ages, but mostly as fry.

There are two public fish cultural stations, one at Evois and
one at Helsingfors. The former is termed an experimental sta-
tion, and the latter is connected with a Fisheries Museum.

“To Dr. O. Nordqvist we are indebted for the facts about Finland.

214 Thirty-fifth Annual Meeting

From Evois there were distributed in 1905 the following fry:

Coremonus~lavareinisi. acme heehee 2,200,000
Dalmmae seilaaeseigss, sentence bs 2 eee 23,000
Wye GRRE sD Fert ertiet es eee gn aes oat tieee epee fee 10,000
5 mIdeugan | Mo ape eee ake see. 448
Se hentamanlas's 23 ite, eeoeaeee see er he oe 10,000
Bsoxehieiisvns se eee: Se ieee ere 10,900
Leuciscus nutiluset:a-2:.0s alee Shee 2,000

From the establishment at Helsingfors there are generally
distributed some thousands of fry of the Ladoga charr, salmon
and whitefish.

The planting of Coregonus albula and lavaretus and of the
American rainbow trout have given practical results. The rain-
bow trout is found to thrive well in ponds and in one small lake,
but the American bass, large and small mouthed, which have
been introduced and planted in various lakes, have never been
seen since their liberation.

Of private fish cultural establishments there are known to be
three, of which two have been established within the past five
years. ‘They handle salmo ferio, Coregonus lavaretus and the
American rainbow trout, but only for their private waters.

The Finland Fisheries Society, founded in 1891, publishes
a journal “Fiskeritidskrift for Finland,” arranges fishery exhibi-
tions, sends out teachers on different fishery topics, ete.

JAPAN.

In addition to the account of fish-cultural and fishery matters
in Japan which appeared in the Transactions of the Society for
1904, the Bureau of Fisheries has recently published a very able
and instructive report by Prof. K. Mitsukuri, of the Imperial
University of Tokyo, on “The Cultivation of Marine and Fresh
Water Animals in Japan.” It is therefore not incumbent on the
committee to devote any special attention to Japan at this time.

Immediately on the conclusion of the peace treaty with Rus-
sia, the Japanese government took steps to exploit the valuable
fishery resources of Saghahen Island and the Siberian littoral
where fishing privileges were secured to the Japanese; and a

American Fisheries Society. 215

resulting very large increase in the value of the fishing industry
of Japan may be looked for in a few years.

In 1902 the United States government forwarded to Japan
at the request of the British Ambassador at Tokyo a lot of
25,000 brook trout eggs. There were hatched in Japan and the
fry were placed in the river that flows from Yumoto to Lake
Chuzenji, near Nikko, where they have become well established.
Under date of January 22, 1906, Lieut. Colonel C. V. Hume,
the British military attache at Tokyo, forwarded a splendid
specimen in alcohol and wrote as follows regarding the only
Asiatic colony of American Salvelinus fontinalis :

“These trout afforded very good sport during the months of
May, June and July (1905), and a large number were taken,
rather too many I am afraid. They were strong, well-shaped
fish, in excellent condition and averaging about one-quarter
pound in weight. One of the Japanese fishermen informed me
that he had taken one of over a pound, but during the four days
I was on the river in June I never saw one approaching that
weight. The great bulk of the fish caught were taken by three
Japanese fishermen who fished for the hotels at Chuzenji and
Yumoto, and I have seen them with baskets of over thirty fish,
all taken with rod and line. My best day was twenty. The fish
take the fly readily and are not as shy as the brown trout of the
British streams to which my trout fishing has hitherto been con-
fined. ‘They are sometimes slow to move and will not take till
the fly has been presented to them three or four times. The
most killing fly is a somewhat crude one dressed by the native
fishermen. They also take, among other flies, the March Brown,
the Blue Dun, and the Teal with yellow body. The Japanese
fishermen also take them with a bright yellow natural fly and by
dipping with a black water caterpillar, both found in the river.
A fly-spoon is also useful for the deeper reaches.”

CHINA.

Col. James L. Rodgers, a member of the Society and now
American consul-general at Shanghai, China, reports that the
Chinese government, through all of its multitudinous degrees or
branches, does absolutely nothing, so far as he can learn, for
fish culture or fish preservation. ‘There are innumerable private

216 Thirty-fifth Annual Meeting

carp pounds and fish ponds in general, but apparently no scienti-
fic culture. Yet Chinese are great consumers of fish food and
are to Col. Rodgers’ mind the most expert fishermen in the world,
not even excepting the Japanese; in the deep-sea fisheries, how-
ever, they do not appear to be as far advanced as might be ex-
pected in view of their proficiency in the lakes, rivers, and canals,
where their devices are exceedingly ingenious and very efficient.
During the recent visit of the Imperial Chinese Commissioner
to America, our fish cultural and fishery methods were made the
subject of special inquiry, with a view to their introduction into
China.
BOOK LISTS.*
FISH CULTURE,

K. Giesecke.—Culture pratique des étangs.—Goehmann,
Hanovre.

A. Holztendorf.
Saxe.—Dresde.

EK. Weber.—Guide pour lexploitation des étangs.—UIne,
Stuttgart.

O. Zacharias—Comptes rendus des recherches de la station

Les eaux a poissons closes du rovaume de

biologique de Ploen, 12mo volume.—Naegele, Stuttgart.

Rapport du laboratoire des péches maritimes a Université
de Liverpool et V’établissement de pisciculture marine de Piel.
C. Tinling, Liverpool.

G. Billard et C. Bruyant—Vitalité des Alevins de Truite
dans les cultures d’algues.—Masson, Paris.

Borne, (von den).—Kurze Anleitung zur Fischzucht in
'Teichen.

Huebner, (A.).—Teichwirtschaft. (exploitation des

etangs ).—Emil Huebner, Bautzen.

Paresi.—Il Persico Sole nel Basso Ticino. (La Perche
Soleil dans le bas Tessin). Brescia.

Vogel (P.).—Die moderne Sehleienzucht. (la culture mo-
derne de la Taneche). Emil Huebner, Bautzen.
dssai Vetude sur Pacquiculture au lac de Garde.—

D. Lugo.
Miori Riva.

*Books noticed in Bulletin de la Soc. Centr. de France, 1905, 1906 to
May inclusive.

~

American Fisheries Society. 21

Ministere de Agriculture du Commerce et de ’Industrie.—
L’action du ministere en faveur de la peche et de la pisciculture
en 1904.—Bertero, Rome.

J. Heuscher.—Guide pour lélevage des jeunes Truites.—
Attinger, Neuchatel.

Weeger.—L’élevage de la Truite et des autres Salmonides
(4e edition, revue par C. von Gerl). Vienne, Hitschmann.

Bénardeau.—Peéche et reproduction du Saumon en Loire.—
Paris et Nancy, Berger-Levrault.

Levi-Moreno.—Les travaux de l’Ecole de Péche et d’Aquicul-
ture de Venise pendant sa deuxieme année d’existence.—Venise.

Cornello.—Rapport sur Vaction morale de Ecole de Péche
et d’Aquiculture de Venise pendant sa deuxiéme année.

Borne (von dem).—Pisciculture artificielle revue par von
Debschitz, 5e Edition, Parey, Berlin.

Susta.—La nourriture de la Carpe et des autres Poissons
Vetangs, 2e Edit. Henke et Lebeling, Stettin.

Walter—L’exploitation des petits étangs. Nouv. edit. Neu-
mann, Neudamm.

Lavauden.—Recherches sur la biologie, Vélevage et Vacch-
mation, dans les eaux francaises, du Poissons-Chat.—Aller,
Grenoble.

Fabre-Domergue et Bietrix.—Development de la Sole. In-
troduction a l*éetude de la pisciculture marine.

Fabre-Domergue et Bietrix.—Developpement de la Sole.—
Vuibert et Nony, Paris.

FISHING AND FISH IN GENERAL.

G. Ferner.—La péche a la ligne-—Grethlein, Leipzig.

Travaux de la Station de recherches relatives 4 la Péche
maritime a Ostende. Fascicule II. Ostende, G. Pots.

Martin, (J. W.).—La péche du Gardon et du Rotengle.—
Bourdon et Benoit, Paris.

Aarbog for den danske Fiskerflaade. (Annuaire de la flotte
danoise de péche). Copenhague.

H. Bourdeaux, G. Griolet et C. Verge.—Code forestier, suivi
des lois sur la péche et la chasse, et code rural avec annotations
et renvois aux ouvrages de M. M. Dalloz.—Tours.

218 Thirty-fifth Annual Meeting

P. Buffault.—Essai sur les eaux et la péche fluviale dans le
departement de Aveyron.

HK. Lebel.—De la nécessité qwil y a de rendre l’épandage obli-
gatoire pour les fabriques de sucre et pour les distilleries.—Doal,
Péronne.

F. Rousselot—Histoire de peche.—Messeiller, Neuchatel.

Jho.-Pale.—La péche en riviere.—Paris, Bellenand.

Le Bail—kbLa péche, Venseignment et le crédit maritimes.—

Quimper, Guillaume.

Martin.—Code nouveau de la péche fluviale, annoté et ex-
pliqué, 13e edition.—Paris, Lenormand.

Parker: La mutualité chez les inscrits maritimes.—Paris,
Challamel.

Petit.—Code de la péche.—Chalons, Martin.

Gunther.—Statistiques de la peche dans les eaux continen-
tales pour Autriche et quelques autres pays d’Europe. Hoelder,
Vienne.

Victorin.—Les produits de la mer. Hartleben, Vienne.

Commission permanente pour Vetude des mers.—La_ peche
dans la Baltique a Pepoque actuelle.

NATURAL HISTORY.

O. von Aufsess.—Les propriétés. physiques des lacs. Vieweg,
Brunswick.

G. Billard et C. Bruyant.—NSur le role des algues dans l’épur-
ation des eaux.—Masson, Paris.

G. Antipa.—Les Esturgeons et leurs migrations dans les
eaux continentals d’Europe étude particuliere des especes du

Danube et de la mer Noire. Bucharest.
Le Saumon et ses migrations. Stuttgart,

Zschokke.
Naegele.

Dr. F. K. Knauer—Die Tierwelt unserer Suesswasser.—
Aquarien.

Zacharias.—Sur limportance des stations biologiques d’eau
douce. Ploen.

Uerkull.—Guide pour les recherches de biologie expériment-
ale sur les animaux d’eau douce. Bergman, Wiesbaden.
La verité sur le grand Serpent de mer.—Giyiend,

Gautron.
Rouen.

American Fisheries Society. 219

Margerie (de).—La carte bathymetrique des oceans et

Voeuvre de la commission de Wiesbaden.—Colin, Paris.

TECHNOLOGICAL.

S. E. Meek.—The fresh water fishes of Mexico north of the
isthmus of Tehuantepec. Field Columbian
Museum, Chicago.

The Cambridge Natural History. Vol. VII. Une nouvelle
introduction a lVétude de Poissons. Macmillan, London and
New York.

E. Von Leyden.
écrevisses. Huirschwald, Berlin.

La théorie parasitaire et létiologie des

R. Robert.—Les poissons vénéneux et les poisons du poissons.
Enke, Stuttgart.
A. Fedderson.—Agnbogen (Amorces).—Dansk Fiskeri-foren-

ings Kontor, Copenhague.

Voeltzow et Lentz.—Décapodes et Stomatopodes de Ouest
Africain.—Francfort-sur-le-Mein. Diesterweg.

D. 8. Jordon.—A Guide to the Study of Fisheries—Holt &
Co., New York.

PERIODICALS.

Jahrbuch fuer Acquarien und Terrarienfreunde.—Hans
Schultze, Dresde.

Bulletin Suisse de Péche et de Fisciculture. Redacteurs:
Savoie-Petitpierre et Prof. Dr. O. Fuhrman, Neuchatel.

Le Pécheur. Organe des pécheurs a la ligne et de leur
societés.—Ph. Linet, Paris.

Péche et Pisciculture. Organe de la Societé centrale pour
la protection de la Péche fluyiale.

Dansk Fiskeritidende. Medlemsblad for Dansk-Fiskeriforen-
ing. Redaktor.

L’Acquicoltura Lombarda.—Bollatino mensile della Societa

Lombarda per la Pesca e Aquicoltura.

Allgemeine Fisherei Zeitung.—Orean des Deutschen Fisch-
oO oO to)

erei Vereins, U.S. W. und der Kgl. Bayer. Versuchstation fuer

Fischerei.

Revue des Eaux et Foréts, Paris, 13, rue des St. Peres.

220 Thirty-fifth Annual Meeting

Archives Whydrobiologie et d'Etudes du plancton.—E.
Nagele, Stuttgart.

Annuaire de la flotte danoise de péche pour 1906.—Christren,
Copenhagen.

Station de Pisiculture et d’Hydrobiologie de ’Université de
Toulouse. Bulletin pour ’anné 1904.—Privat, Toulouse.

Rapports sur les peches maritimes neerlandaises.—Van Cleff,
S’Gravesande.

Near the conclusion of the report Mr. Atkins made the follow-
ing comments:

In examining the advertising pages of some European jour-
nals, especially the German journals, I found large numbers of
hatcheries offering eggs and young fish for sale, and I could
hardly find one that did not offer either rainbow trout or Ameri-
can brook trout, and the majority of them were offering both. In
fact, I think there were more of those advertisements that speci-
fied the American fishes than of those that specified the European
brook trout. So that at present our American species are great
favorites abroad. Some parties in England doubt whether the
rainbow trout will be entirely successful, and I suppose for years
it will be a matter of uncertainty.

The following discussion was had regarding the Paris
hatchery:

Mr. Clark: Mr. Titcomb suggested that questions regarding
the raceway might now be considered and noted in the proceed-
ings. I would therefore suggest that the matter be taken up now.
Mr. Marks is here, and is, I believe, ready to answer any ques-
tions.

Mr. Titcomb: I thought it would be a good thing to get
answers to the questions a good many individuals have asked, and
I hope the other fish culturists will also ask any that I may omit,
so that we may get that matter in the report. I would lke first
to have Mr. Goodwin put down the recipe for the making of the
Lane’s food.

Mr. J. P. Marks: Two quarts animal meal with one and one-
half pounds of salt put in water and brought to a boil. Then add

American Fisheries Society. 221
y

a mixture of eight quarts of corn meal and sixteen quarts of
wheat middlings. Then cook about five minutes. This material
is then put through a plate having perforations, for old yearling
trout, three-sixteenths of an inch in diameter; for two year old
trout, one quarter of an inch in diameter; and for the larger fish,
of five-sixteenths of an inch in diameter; in order to produce the
vermicelli-like substance which you have seen. While cooking,
the material should be thoroughly stirred. The foregoing is a
recipe for Lane’s food.

Mr. Titcomb: How often is this food given to the fish and
to what extent ?

Mr. Marks: We feed it once a week and liver once a week to
large fish.

Mr. Titcomb: , Do you only feed your fish once a week ?

Mr. Marks: ‘T'wice a week

that is, large fish—vearlings
once a day, and two and three year olds, three times a week.

Mr. Titecomb: The Lane’s food ?

Mr. Marks: No. We feed the Lane’s food once a week to all
the fish, except fry and fingerlings.

Mr. Titcomb: ‘Then after the spawning season the larger
fish are fed three times a week with this food ?

Mr. Marks: Usually right after the spawning season we only
feed liver

this food is only given through the summer season—
spring and summer.

Mr. Titcomb: And when you feed this food you feed this and
the liver alternately once a week ?

Mr. Marks: Yes.

Mr. Titcomb: What is the address of the company that
makes this food ?

Mr. Marks:. The Bowker Company, 44 Chatham street, Bos-
ton; and 68 Broad street, New York.

Mr. Titcomb: I understand this food is especially useful at
stations where you cannot have fresh meat always available, and

222 Thirty-fifth Annual Meeting

can be used as a standby to take care of fish for a week or two in
such cases.

Mr. Marks: Yes. Three years ago we fed one or two pound
rainbows nothing else than that for three months.

Mr. F. R. Bassett: What do you know regarding the quality
of fish when prepared for the table with this animal food com-
pared with liver fed fish wholly ?

Mr. Marks: I could not say. Some of these men that use
mixtures claim that the fish is improved by them. I do not think
there is any doubt but what the mixtures of wheat middlings with
any meat food improves the fish.

Mr. Bassett: Would you consider it as fattening as meat ?
Mr. Marks: No, I don’t think so.

Mr. Titcomb: It keeps your fish in better condition for
spawning to have some of this food given them.

Mr. Marks: Yes.

Mr. Clark: I would Ike to ask regarding the race, if you
don’t think that better results would be obtaimed and double the
quantity of fry carried, if you had two sections, each half the
length of the present raceway, and having the same flow of
water? In other words, double the quantity of water and double
your fish by having them in two shorter raceways ?

Mr. Marks: Yes, I think better results would be obtained by
the method you suggest.

Mr. Titcomb: You would double the capacity of your race-
way for the same length?

Mr. Marks: Yes sir. We find a loss at the lower end larger
than at the upper end, if the race were shorter with the same
volume of water, the lower fish ought to be better.

Mr. Clark: The idea that I have, Mr. President, is that the
long trough does not carry fish enough.

Mr. Titcomb: Would you shorten up your intermediate riffle
compartment also?

American Fisheries Soctety. 223

Mr. Clark: No, nothing to amount to anything.
Mr. Brown: You put more fish in each division ?

Mr. Clark: More fish would naturally come in each division,
and the idea of having the two race ways of 200 feet each is that
you could introduce double the quantity of water for the hundred
thousand fish, whereas it would not be safe here now, even if
there was an ample supply, to introduce it when the fish were
young, because the current would be too strong.

Mr. Marks: With the amount of fish we have there now, by

fall it will be crowded—the growth of the fish will crowd it.

Mr. Titcomb: With the current which you have, do your
fish dash against the screen ?

Mr. Marks: This sized fish?
Mr. Titcomb: Yes.

Mr. Marks: No, but putting fry in from the trays it will
drive them against the screens.

Mr. Atkins: What proportion of those fish do you expect
to die during the season ?

Mr. Marks: I do not think we will lose over three or four per
cent.

Mr. Atkins: Between now and when ?

Mr. Marks: Say between now and September—provided

there is no disease.

Mr. Atkins: How do you take out the dead ones ?

Mr. Marks: With ascap. When we clean it down the dead
ones wash down against the screen and are taken off.

Mr. Atkins: Do you count or keep a record of the dead ones?
Mr. Marks: No, sir.

Mr. Atkins: But you satisfy vourself of the amount of fish
after you get through.

224 Thirty-fifth Annual Meeting

Mr. Marks: If we get many dead ones we know there is
something wrong.

Mr. Lydell: How do you get your fish out of there finally ?

A. It is not very hard.

(). How is it done?

A. With a small seine.

Mr. Titcomb: Do you take them right up in the seine?

Mr. Marks: Yes, sir.

Mr. Titcomb: I think it would be easy to put below each rif-
fle a flat frame of fine netting, so that they would wash down on
it, on the principle of down-stream salmon rack.

Mr. Marks: We take the bulk out with a seine and then take
two screens and a scap, and catch the rest, and then move on
down and do the same thing. There is no trouble in catching
them.

Mr. Atkins: You count those fish that you put in there ?
Mr. Marks: Just estimate them—that is all.

Mr. Atkins: And when they are taken out in the fall do you
estimate them again ?

Mr. Marks: We will count them—at least we did last year,
but we don’t always count them.

Mr. Lydell: How many fish did you get out of there last
year in full?

Mr. Marks: I could not say—lI think we had 17,000 brook
trout and about 25,090 rainbow.

QUESTIONS FOR THE QUESTION BOX, AMERICAN
FISHERIES SOCIETY.

BY JOHN L. LEARY, SUPT., SAN MARCOS STATION, BUREAU OF
FISHERIES.

1. Can anyone tell how to distinguish the sex of black bass,
with certainty other than by eviscerating ?

2. Have artifical nests, after thorough trial, proved satis-
factory ?

3. Have you ever transferred black bass fry, just after they
rise from the nest, to nursery ponds and held until two to four
inches long, and with what results ?

4. Have you ever stocked up an apphicant’s pond with black
bass fry just after the food-sac has been absorbed, and watched
the results ?

5. Which do you think gives best results planted in small
streams, lakes and ponds, fry or fish ?

6. In pond culture have you found it best to impound your
fish in small areas, or allow them to nest at will?

7. Do you approve of feeding your brood fish between the
seasons of spawning ?

8. Do you in your pond work, find it necessary to clean your
ponds every season after getting rid of your young fish ?

9. Do you find much trouble in handling crappie (the young
for distribution) in very warm weather ?

Nore: What I mean by fry is from the time the embryo
leaves the egg to the time the food-sae is absorbed, and fish, from
the time they are one or more inches long.

DISCUSSION.

Secretary: I would like to say that a conversation | had this
morning with Mr. Seymour Bower related to one of these ques-
tions and therefore I think it would be important to those who
are raising bass, to have some of these questions answered, 1f not
all. ‘The question I refer to was this:

“In pond culture have you found it best to impound your

226 Thirty-fifth Annual Meeting

fish in small areas, or allow them to nest at will?” This is ques-
tion number 6.

President: We will take up question number 1. “Can any-
one tell how to distinguish the sex of black bass with certainty

otherwise than by eviscerating ?”

Mr. Titcomb: That is answered in Mr. Reighard’s paper.

Dr. Birge: It seems to me that most of those questions are
pretty well answered in that paper.

Mr. Titcomb: 1 think that question about impounding the
adult fish might be a good one to answer here and have it put
into the report. Mr. Leary is talking especially about the large
mouth bass, and as far as I know the segregating of the parent
fish from the main pond is being discontinued.

Mr. Lydell: We now allow our large mouth bass at the Mill
Creek Station, to seek their own spawning nest. We are certain
to have plenty of natural spawning ground for them though, but
we build no nests for the large mouth bass.

Mr. Titecomb: At the Fish Lake Station, in Washington, we
supply the large mouth bass with small piles of gravel scattered
around, and they sometimes select them and sometimes they take
the weeds. This is a station where the impounding idea was
carried on most extensively, and as the apparatus which separates
the adult fish from the principal part of the pond rots out, we
remove it as not being at all necessary. The cannibalism does
not come from the large fish.

Secretary Peabody: Mr. Bower stated to me this morning
that he thought the transferring, molesting or changing of the
black bass was injurious, but I presume he was referring rather
to the small mouth than the large mouth bass perhaps.

Mr. 'Titcomb: We have ponds like those at Mill Creek; sepa-
rated by a partition, lattice-work, or net-work, a small portion—
one corner. We let the adults spawn in that corner and then the
young fish are supposed to have sense enough to go out through
these slats into the main pond and separate themselves from the
large fish. That method was adopted because I think at the

American Fisheries Society. 227

time the fish culturists thought that the large fish were the ones
that ate these small fish, but instead of that the small fish really
ate each other. Now we take away those enclosures as fast as
they rot out because they are of no advantage.

Mr. Fullerton: You let the parent fish and the small fish go
right together ?

Mr. Titcomb: Yes

that is for the large mouth bass.

Seeretary Peabody: Question number 7 is: “Do you approve
of feeding your brood fish between the seasons of spawning ?”

Mr. Clark: Certainly.

Secretary Peabody: Question number 8 is: “Do you in your
pond work find it necessary to clean your ponds every season
after getting rid of your young fish ?”

5 5 . . (2)

Mr. Lydell: J clean mine if necessary, and if not, I do not.
IT think a man should use his own judgment in regard to that.
If his ponds need cleaning let him cleam them.

Mr. Clark: That has reference either to cleaning out refuse
or cleaning it from the last fish. If from the latter, most certain-
ly; and draw them dry if you can.

Secretary Peabody: Question 3 is: “Have you ever trans-
ferred black bass fry, just after they rise from the nest, to nursery
ponds, and held until two to four inches long, and with what re-

999

sults:

Mr. Clark: I answered that question at our meeting either
yesterday or the day before, when I stated that I had transferred
10,000 fish to a pond, and we counted out 8,325 number two
fingerling fish from that number.

Mr. Titcomb: That is the small mouth bass ?
Mr. Clark: Yes.
Mr. Lydell: But he speaks of large mouth—there is great

difference between transferring large mouth and small mouth
bass—there is more loss in the former.

Mr. Fullerton: Do you think that the draining of the ponds
after taking the fry out and putting the adult fish in another

228 Thirty-fifth Annual Meeting

pond, would be good policy—that is in a climate like Minnesota,
letting the pond remain dry all winter?

Mr. Clark: I am not prepared to state.

Prof. Reighard: It is the practice to do that with the Ger-
man carp ponds. Exposing the vegetation and the soil in the
bottom of the pond to the air helps decay, and the freezing loos-
ens up the soil more or less, so that altogether the method has a
tendency to break down the more complicated chemical com-
pounds in the plant material, and make them more available for
plant growth the next year. I think Mr. Lydell has had a little
experience in that line.

Mr. Lydell: Our ponds were dry from about the first of Sep-
tember until the latter part of November, and our plant life in
there did not come on quite as early this season as it has in
former years but it is just as abundant now as it is in the other
ponds.

While I am talking I would like to ask Dr. Birge or Prof.
Reighard in regard to the introduction of foods in our ponds. I
noticed that the ponds that were dry the longest last fall were
the ponds that produced the most food this spring for fry and
young fish, and I was greatly surprised because I supposed that
the frost would kill everything, and did not expect anything at all
from the ponds whereas I got the most food from them. If it is
beneficial I will draw all my ponds dry this fall and leave them
dry all winter if it will bring me more food. If it is beneficial
to leave them dry during the winter to get daphnia and this food
I should lke to know it.

Dr. Birge: That is one of the things you have got to try a
good many experiments on before you know what is best. But
I should say that the exposure of the bottom of the pond to the
air, and perhaps to freezing, loosened up the material and put it
into a more soluble form, so that when the water came back on it
along in the spring there was more rapid growth of the minute
organisms on which these feed, and so they had a better chance to
develop. It does not seem to me at all unnatural that that should
be the case, but I think you want a good many comparisons. This

American Fisheries Soctety. 229

result is what these carp raisers find in Germany, and | should
think the same principle would hold here.

Mr. Clark: Are we to understand that the plant life would
grow more abundantly if the ponds were drained as suggested ?

Prof. Reighard: That is true of the microscopic hfe but not
of the chara.

Mr. Clark: I was in hopes to have a photograph here to
show how abundant the moss is at Northville. Mr. Titcomb
asked me to have a picture made of a pond drawn down, showing
the moss heaped up preparatory to removal. However, the photo-
graph has not, as yet, been forwarded here.

Dr. Birge: I would not expect drawing a pond down would
check chara, but I would not be certain of it.

Mr. Titcomb: Mr. Fullerton raised the question of removing
bass from large ponds and placing them in small ponds during
the winter. That has been the plan adopted in Washington, and
we have experienced no trouble in confining the adult fish in
small ponds through the winter, and have kept our large ponds
dry, thinking it was better for them for the reason Dr. Reighard
has stated, and in hopes that there was less luxuriant growth of
plant life as a result. We have a superabundance of aquatic
plants—and it is to eradicate them.

Prof. Reighard: When the daphnia and other crustacea be-
gin to grow in the ponds they increase very rapidly for a certain
time and then they diminish. It is possible that by using the
ponds in a certain rotation one might keep up the supply of
crustacea for a much longer time than by flooding them all at
one time. The water might be turned into a pond, and when the
food has appeared there, might be used for the fry and subse-
quently the water might be turned into another pond and so on.

THE CARE AND FEEDING OF FRY IN POND LIFE.

SENT IN BY F. M. JOHNSON, M. D., BOSTON.

Mr. President and Gentlemen: A sahent point for first con-
sideration is the preparation of the ponds. There should be
many places where the water is shallow and its force is slow,
other nooks where there is abundant shade, again where the
waters deepen, especially where the current is marked large
boulders should be thrown, providing resting places and safe hid-
ing corners for the tiny forms of life, we are all so interested in.
As all good ponds should be fed by a brook, its course ought te
receive special attention. Many fairly deep pools can be artifi-
cially made by the careful adjustment of stones, and of small
dams.

If we follow out the natural lines it is an casy task to en-
hance their natural inclinations. If the stream admits of a
bridge, one or more, then place them where they will be of value.

It is my pleasure to see each summer that my brooks are as
perfect as I can make them, all old rubbish that alone blocks the
stream should be removed, a clean white sand at the bottom of
the brook is the thing to be desired. When the pond is reached,
it is a wise procedure to clean it of all old and odd stuff that may
have been thrown into it. Then to control the current of the
brook so it will take the desired direction.

The growth of bull-rushes and water grasses should be en-
couraged and aided, for among the shielding leaves, shade and
protection are given. Old stumps of trees should be allowed to
remain where they are, all smaller streams that empty into the
pond might be aided by removing all clogging to the minute
streams that add food and oxygen to the pond waters. The white
lilies I favor if they are not allowed to multiply too rapidly.
The dams should be perfect in construction and the wire netting
kept clean. .

Let us now suppose that these details have been carried out
and the fry is ready for the new home. How and where should
they be placed? Neyer in my opinion ought they to be poured

230

American Fisheries Society. 231

from the can in any one especial place. No matter how tempt-
ing this particular locality appears. Always a few should be
dipped from the can and distrtbuted along the shores of the pond
and in the places by the brookside prepared for them. They now
soon learn to care for themselves. When the fry is very smali
no attempt should be made to feed them for there ought to be a
good and sufficient supply im the waters of the brook and pond.
A little later small schools of fry will be discovered at different
localized areas, and then feeding can be begun. If angle worms
are chopped up into small pieces, they make the very best food
possible and a natural one.

Of course this would be impossible where there might be
many ponds or one pond that covered too much territory, but in
a medium sized pond, it is not at all difficult. The luscious deni-
zen of the world below the grasses may not be easy to obtain and
the next food that has marked value is buttermilk. With this
all that is necessary is to pour a little of it in the water where
the fish are seen and they do the rest, or the finely ground up
liver can be used. With liver perfect freshness is absolutely
necessary for the slightest taint and the delicate children die of
intestinal disturbances. As the fry gain in size and strength,
they begin to be fingerlings and better able to take the foods
mentioned when not in quite such a finely mashed up condition.

Well cooked vermicelli is now greedily snapped up and if noc
given too often is most excellent. Ordinary cheese in very small
pieces never reaches the bottom and is swallowed most readily.
A piece of meat suspended over the stream will in a short time
give a good supply of maggots and these seem to be devoured
quickly. Food of any kind should be thrown in small quantities
so it can be seized and not fall to the bottom. Salt ought to be
added to the foods now and then. Ordinary milk curd made
with milk and Fairchild’s pepsin, and squeezed out through a
piece of gauze, is another food, easily digested by the fry, and
readily prepared. The yolk of hard-boiled eggs, mixed with a
httle salt and strained through a fine meshed seive, makes a
change in djet that is appreciated. Once a week at least, if the
waters are not stirred up by the rain, they should be stirred up
by wading about in them, so that for several hours, they become
markedly muddy. Into the waters salt should be thrown once

232 Thirty-fifth Annual Meeting

in ten days or a fortnight. By these measures, I feel sure I have
raised fry and very small fingerlings, that looked when I re-
ceived them as being in bad condition, sickly and with fins
frayed, to beautful fish who survived the winters of cold, and are
today as perfect specimens as could be desired. To these few
conclusions and applicable alone to the small ponds I would, gen-
tlemen, call your attention.

1. Fry should never be distributed en masse, but always a
few at a time and the localities chosen. :

2. Cut up worms, buttermilk, maggots, milk curd, cheese,
hard boiled eggs, vermicelli, and finely minced liver are all good
foods.

3. ‘The preparation of the pond and brook is a prime neces-
sity.

4. Fry are apt to be handled too carelessly. They are ex-
tremely delicate, and should receive extreme attention.

1 thank you, gentlemen, for your courtesy.

THE FISHWAY AT GRAND LAKE STREAM.
SENT IN BY W. 0. BUCK.

This ‘s in some respeets a new departure.

It is here definitely described partly for this reason and*also
for the purpose of directing attention to conditions which may
well exist elsewhere and which should be carefully considered by
fish culturists and met in some way wherever found. Let these
be stated first.

THE LOCALITY.

Grand Lake Stream is the outlet of a large lake at the head
of the west branch of the St. Croix River in eastern Maine.
This lake is well stocked with a small variety of landlocked
salmon. It has been asserted that all the adult salmon in the
lake come to this stream to spawn, and conclusive proof to the
contrary is yet wanting. The stream is a rapid one and for two
miles below the dam contains many gravel beds suitable for
ridds. Above the dam and within one hundred yards of it is a
gravel bed which suits the fish when the water is low enough
in the lake and the gates in the dam are opened enough to give
sufficient current. The management of the dam for many years
has met these conditions and the fishing for spawning purposes
has been carried on by placing a barrier net across the river just
above this gravel and then setting a trap for fish trying to reach
it from the lake. If such a barrier could be maintained through-
out the year and fish thus be kept from passing down through
the dam, all spawners coming to the stream from the lake could
be captured at the spawning season. But this barrier is main-
tained only from September 15 until a short time after spawn-
ing is over, about December 1. While the fish doubtless seek the
stream in greater numbers at this season, they will also run down
over the dam at other times.

THE DAM.

The dam has for long been in such a condition that fish could
pass it only downward and could not safely do that except in a

253

234 Thirty-fifth Annual Meeting

comparatively high stage of water. The leaky aprons wasted
water so fast that they became a trap for fish somewhat after the
manner of an Indian eel-basket. Fish allowing themselves to
float down through the gate were likely to be caught in eracks
or stranded on the plank. As little or no water flowed over the
lower end of the aprons which were close to or above the surface
of the stream, no fish could pass up.

As now rebuilt, however, the dam is twelve feet high and
maintained for storage of water to be used in driving logs
through the stream and also as a reserve for supplying water for
power to mills lower down the St. Croix. The gates are there-
fore closed during a considerable part of the year and the stream
then becomes a small brook with most of its spawning gravels
laid bare. During the driving seag6n, on the contrary, the gates
are opened and the stream is a river, broad, deep and swift, while
the logs are being sent through, to become a brook again when
for any reason the gates are closed. In case of a jam of logs and
sometimes for other reasons the gates are all closed suddenly and
fish are then very Hable to be stranded in little pools where they
must die as the water drains away. In fall, when water is needed
for the mills, the gates are opened and fish on the stream to
spawn find just the conditions they want on the gravels. Later
in the winter the gates are closed to let the lake fill, the gravels
are again laid bare and eggs deposited there are of course des-
troyed. As thus managed the stream is evidently a poor place
for fish, young or old, and the problem is either to modify the
management or get the fish off the stream. Each gate in the
dam as now built is in too sections; a top part to be lifted when
the water is high and a bottom part three and a half feet high,
which may also be raised at a lower stage of water. During the
high water this three and a half fall over the lower part of the
gate upon an apron forms a complete barrier to fish passing up
but none, of course, to their going down. And this period of high
water will be from early spring until fall. Perhaps it may prove
unnecessary to raise the lower sections of the gates at all, in which
case the barrier is permanent. ‘To be sure of getting the salmon
up over the dam then, they must be carried or a fishway must be
provided through which they can swim up. An effort was made
the past fall (1905) to trap and net fish on the stream and carry

American Fisheries Society. 235

them above the dam and more than 1,000 were so carried
up. This, however, was discontinued at the end of the spawn-
ing work of the station. To help fish left on the stream, or
which might reach it later, the present fishway was devised.
This was intended to help them in two ways. First, by provid-
ing a passage through which they might go to the lake if they
chose and secondly, by securing a constant, even if small, stream
in which they might live though all the gates in the dam should
be closed. To provide such a stream is necessary because some
fish, even if only the very young, will elect to stay in the stream.
The fishway as built consists of a straight flume about seven feet
wide and fifty feet long, divided into eighteen pools by partitions
reaching from side to side and from top to bottom. In these
partitions openings eight inches high and two feet long are made
at a height of ten inches above the bottom. At the lower end the
opening is at the bottom and also at the upper end, and, since
the bottom of the flume is nearly level in its upper part, severed
of the upper openings are nearer to the bottom than ten inches.
This arrangement at the upper end is necessary because at low
water in the lake only a few inches in depth enters the fishway
and all openings in the partitions must be low enough to allow
this to pass. It is for this reason too that the openings are raised
above the bottom in the steeper part of the fishway and are
placed on alternate sides of the flume, since, when so little water
enters, the pools are not filled and the fishway becomes of the
former shallow pool sort.

Four of the pools are above the line of the gates in the dam,
i. e., extend up into the lake and their sides, of course, reach to
the whole height of the dam. Just below the gate the sides of
the flume are some two feet lower than above and thence slope
down to the level of a full stream at the lower end. As thus
built the pools fill to such a height that the total fall from lake
to stream is divided into as many steps as there are partitions.
The force of water at any opening is therefore not too great for
fish to swin against and the water in all the pools is unbroken
and of sufficient depth to provide resting places for fish while in
them. Such resting places they will find either at the side or
above or below the openings, since eddies or nearly still water
are to be found at all such points. Apparently fish will find no

236 Thirty-fifth Annual Meeting

difficulty in passing either up or down through this fishway at
any stage of water. And again the volume which will pass an
opening eight inches high and two feet wide, even under a small
head is sufficient to enable fish to find it and as the outlet of the
fishway is at the bottom and only twelve feet down stream from
the end of the apron of the dam it is easily accessible. In con-
clusion, however, be it said that the fish have not yet expressed
themselves as to the acceptability of the fishway and theirs is the
decisive vote. When they come to the dam this fall it is hoped
to learn their view of the question. Meanwhile the fishway is
open for consideration and incidentally for passage of a con-
siderable amount of water to supply the stream below when other
sources are scanty.

LIST OF MEMBERS.

ACTIVE.

Ainsworth, C. E., Sault St. Marie, Mich.

Ainsworth, G. G., United States Bureau of Fisheries, Leadville,
Col.

Allen, G. R., Roxbury, Vt.

Alexander, A. B., United States Bureau of Fisheries, Washing-
ton 1):

Alexander, George L., Grayling, Mich.

Alexander, L. D., 50 Broadway, New York.

Anderson, J. F., Djursholm, Sweden.

American Fish Culture Co., Carolina, R. I.

Andrews, Barschall, Columbus, Ga.

Annin, James, Jr., Caledonia, N.Y.

Atkins, Charles G., Hast Orland, Me.

Atwood, Anthony, 73 Waterest Street, Plymouth, Mass.

Ayer, F. W., Bangor, Me.

Babbitt, A. C., Williamsburg, Mich.

Babcock, John P., Fisheries Commissioner, Victoria, British,
Columbia, Can.

Bailey, Nelson, Wells River, Vt.

Baldwin, O. N., United States Bureau of Fisheries, San Marcos.
Tex.

Ball, E. M., Leadville, Col.

Barbour, Charles, Museum of Comparative Zoology, Cambridge,
Mass.

Bartlett, Dr. S. P., Quincy, Ill.

Bastedo, S. 'T., Toronto, Can.

Beaman, Hon. D. C., Boston Building, Denver, Col.

Beeman, Henry W., New Preston, Conn.

Bean, Barton A., United States National Museum, Washing-
ton: DAG:

Bean, Hon. Tarleton H., Capitol, Albany, N.Y.

927

£5/

238 Thirty-fifth Annual Meeting

Beardsley, A. E., Greeley, Col.

Beeson, W. E., care of Foster, Stevens & Co., Grand Rapids,
Mich.

Belmont, Hon. Perry, 580 Fifth Avenue, New York City.

Bennett, Charles P., Secretary of State, Providence, R. I.

Bickmore, Prof. A. S., American Museum of Natural History,
New York City.

Birge, Prof. EH. A., Madison, Wis.

Bispham, Charles K., 2508 Walnut Street, ese Pa.

Bissell, John H., Detroit, Mich.

Blatchford, E. W., Chicago, I1l.

Blakeslee, T. J., 353 Fifth Avenue, New York City.

Boardman, W. H., Central Falls, R. I.

Bogle, C. M., Editor Pacific Fisherman, Seattle, Wash.

Booth, Dewitt C., Spearfish, S. D.

Booth, W. Vernon, care of A. Booth & Co., Chicago, Til.

Bower, Seymour, Detroit, Mich.

Bower, Ward 'T., United States Bureau of Fisheries, Northville,
Mich.

Bowers, Hon. George M., United States Bureau of Fisheries,
Washington, D.C.

Bowman, W. H., Rochester, N. Y.

Bowman, W. F., Breakwater Hotel, Woods Hole, Mass.

Brass, John ne Drayton Plains, Mich.

Brewer, E. 8., Owosso, Mich.

Britton, F. if Vice President and General Manager St. Louis

Southwestern Railroad, St. Louis, Mo.
Brooks, Charles F., Sandy Spring, Md.
Brower, J. F., Vorrisdale Hatchery, ‘Holmesburg, Pa.
Brown, George M., Detroit, Mich.

Brown, G. W. N., Erwin, Tenn.

Brown, Thomas, Salmon, Ore.

Brush, Dr. E. F., Mount Vernon, N.Y.
Buck, William O., Hast Orland, Me.
Buller, A. G., Erte, Pa.

Buller, Howard M., Bellefonte, Pa.
Buller, Nathan R., Pleasant Mount, Pa.
Buller, Wiliam, Corry, Pa.

yuctanie wa oh ae

American Fisheries Society. 239

Bumpus, Dr. H. C., American Museum of Natural History, 77th
and Sth Avenue, New York City.

Burner, W. G., Durbin, W. Va.

Burnham, E. K., United States Bureau of Fisheries, Washing-—
ton, DD: €@:

Burrows, John C., Lake Taxaway, N.C.

Butler, H. A., Wawch Chunk, Pa.

Campbell, 8. H., State Fish Commission, Laramie, Wyo.

Carter, E. N., United States Bureau of Fisheries, St. Johnsburg,
ee

Casselman, E. 8., Dorset, Vt.

Chamberlin, F. M., United States Bureau of Fisheries, Wash-
ington, D.C.

Champhn, John H., Westerly, R. I.

Chase, Howard A., Room 724 Perry Bldg., Philadelphia, Pa.

Chandler, Horatio, Kingston, Mass.

Cheney, Major Richard O., South Manchester, Conn.

Clark, C. C., 306 East South Street, South Bend, Ind.

Clark, Frank N., Northville, Mich.

Clark, Fred, Mill Creek, Mich.

Clark, Walton F., Westerly, R. I.

Cobb, E. W., St. Johnsburg, Vt.

Capehart, Dr. W. R., Avoca, N. C.

Cobb, John N., United States Bureau of Fisheries, Washing-
ton, DAC:

Cogswell, T. M., United States Bureau of Fisheries, Washing-
tone D.C:

Cohen, N. H., Urbana, Ill.

Coker, Robert E., Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Md.

Cole, Leon J., 47 Wendell Street, Cambridge, Mass.

Comee, J. F., care of P. S. R. R., San Louis Obispo, Cal.

Cone, Moses H., Greensboro, N. C.

Cooper, E. A., Cold Spring Harbor, L. I.

Corliss, C. G., Gloucester, Mass.

Cox, Hon. Henry C., Wellsboro, Pa.

Cruickshank, James, 275 Central Park, West, New York City.

Cunningham, F. W., Gloucester, Mass.

240 Thirty-fifth Annual Meeting

Curry, HE. J., Freeland, Pa.
Curtis, J. M., Cleveland, O.

Davis, E. A., Bethel, Vt.

Dean, Herbert D., United States Bureau of Fisheries, Neosho,
Mo.

DeCarlo, G. Postiglione, Naples, Italy.

Degler, F. A., Sportsman’s Association of Cheat Mountain, Cheat
Bridge, W. Va.

Dennis, Oregon Milton, Secretary Maryland State Game and
Fish Protective Association, Baltimore, Md.

DeNyse, Washington J., Gravesend Beach, Borough of Brook-
lyn, N.Y.

De Puy, Henry F., 466 Dunham Ave., Cleveland, Ohio.

De Rocher, James D., Nashua, N. H.

Dickerson, Freeman B., Detroit, Mich.

Dinsmore, A. H., Hast Orland, Me.

Donahue, L. H., United States Bureau of Fisheries, Leadville,
Col.

Douredoure, B. L., 103 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, Pa.

Douglas, ioe B., St. Paul, Minn.

Downing, 8. W., Put-in-Bay, O.

Dunlap, I. H., United States Bureau of Fisheries, Washing-
(One

Ebell, Hon. F. W., Harrisburg, Pa.

Edwards, Vinal N., Woods Hole, Mass.

Ellis, J. Frank, United States Bureau of Fisheries, Washing-
ton, D.C.

Evans, Barton D., Harrisburg, Pa.

Kvarding & Farrell, Messrs., Portland, Ore.

Evermann, Prof. Barton W., United States Bureau of Fisheries,
Washington, D.C.

Everman, J. W., Assistant General Manager Texas & Pactfic
Railroad, Dallas, Tex.

Fassett, H. C., United States Bureau of Fisheries, Washington,
DAW:
Fearing, Hon. D. B., Newport, R. I.

American Fisheries Socvety. 241

Ferry, C. H., Room 1720, Old Colony Building, Chicago, Ill.

Filkins, B. G., Northville, Mich.

Finch, George C., Thompsonville, Conn.

Fisher, John F., Chapinville, Conn.

Follett, Richard E., New England Fish and Game Protective
Association, Boston, Mass.

Fox, Captain J. C.,Put-in-Bay, O.

Fudge, Andrew, Covington, Va.

‘Fullerton, Samuel F., St. Paul, Minn.

Gardener, W. E., Hollidaysburg, Pa.

Gavitt, W. S., Lyons, N. Y.

Geer, Dr. E. F., St. Paul, Munn.

Geer, E. H., Hadlyme, Conn.

Gibbs, Charles, Hast Orland, Me.

Gill, Dr. Theodore, Smithsonian Institute, Washington, D.C.

Goldsborough, E. L., United States Bureau of Fisheries, Wash-
ington, D.C.

Gould, C. B., 83 Moss Avenue, Oakland, Cal.

Graham, A. R., Berkeley, Mass.

Grant, R. P., Treasurer Anglers’ Association of St. Lawrence
Rwer, Clayton, N.Y.

Grave, Dr. Caswell, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Md:

Gray, George M., Woods Hole, Mass.

Green, Chester K., Fisheries Station, Monument Lot, Washing-
ton, D.C.

areen, Dr. D. W., Ohio Fish and Game Commission, Dayton, O.

Greene, Myron, Franklin, Vt.

Grindle, C. 8., United States Bureau of Fisheries, East Orland,
Me.

Guard, J. E., Bullochville, Ga.

Gunckel, John E., Toledo, O.

Gurinian, V. G., 248 Jackson Boulevard, Chicago, Ill.

Haas, William, Corry, Pa.

Hagert, Edwin, The Continental, Philadelphia, Pa.

Hahn, Captain E. E., Bureau of Fisheries Station, Boothbay
Harbor, Me.

Haley, Caleb, Fulton Market, New York.

242 Thirty-fifth Annual Meeting

Hall, C. E., Superintendent Parkside Hatchery, Criesco, Pa.

Hansen, G., Osceola Mills, Wis.

Harron, L. G., United States Bureau of Fisheries, Washing-
ton, Do €:

Hartley, R. M., 560 Bullitt Bldg., Philadelphia, Pa.

Hay, Prof. W. P., Howard University, Washington, D. CO.

Hayes, J. R., Esq., Detroit, Mich.

Hamberger, Hon. John, Hrie, Pa.

Helmer, D. 8., Post Allegheny, Pa.

Helmer, E. R., Post Allegheny, Pa.

Hempshill, T. J., Hollidaysburg, Pa.

Henkel, C. D., United States Bureau of Fisheries, Tupelo, Miss.

Henkel, C. P., Tupelo, Miss.

Henry, W.S., Parkside, Pa.

Henshall, Dr. James A., Bozeman, Mont.

Hill, J. H., Superintendent Umpqua Hatchery, Hoaglin, Doug-
las County, Ore.

Hines, W. B., White Sulphur Springs, W. Va.

Hobart, T. D., Pampa, Gray County, Texas.

Hogan, J. J., La Crosse, Wis.

Holden, H. 8., Syracuse, N.Y.

Hubbard, Waldo F., Nashua, N. H.

Hume, R. D., 322 Merchants Exchange, San Francisco, Cal.

Huntoon, B. W., care of Huntoon Oyster Co., Fairhaven, Wash.

Huntington, L. D., New Rochelle, N. Y.

Hurlbut, H. F., Hast Freetown, Mass.

Hutchinson, E. S., 1331 G Street, Washington, D. C.

Ingraham, HE. W., Oil City, Pa.
Irish, Clifford E., Lake George, N. Y.

Jennings, G. E., Fishing Gazette, 203 Broadway, New York City.
Jewett, Stephen 8., 614 Main Street, Laconia, N. H.

Johnson, F. M., M. D., 43 Tremont Street, Boston, Mass.
Johnson, O. J., Glenwood, Minn.

Johnson, Mrs. F. M., 43 Tremont Street, Boston, Mass.
Johnson, R. 8., Supt. Manchester Station, Manchester, Ta.
Johnston, 8S. M., Union Wharf, Boston, Mass.

American Fisheries Society. 243

Jones, Alexander, United States Bureau of Fisheries, Fishery,
Tenn.

Jones, Dr. O. L., 116 West Seventy-second Street, New York.

Joseph, D., Columbus, Ga.

Joslyn, Hon. C. D., Detroit, Mich.

Kauffmann, 8. H., Hvening Star, Washington, D.C.

Keeseeker, A. G., Fishery, Tenn.

Kelly, H. L., Jr., Oregon City, Ore.

Kendall, Dr. William C., United State Bureau of Fisheries,
Washington, D.C.

Kent, Edwin C., Tuxedo Club, Tuxedo, N.Y.

Kenyon, A. W., Usquepaugh, fh. I.°

Kiel, W. M., Tuaedo Park NOY.

Kisterbrock, Josiah, Jr., “The Continental,” Philadephia, Pa.

Kittredge, Benjamin R., Kent Cliffs, Putnam County, N.Y.

Knight, Prof. A. P., Queens University, Kingston, Can.

Lambert, E. C., Amoskeag Mfg. Co., Manchester, N. H.

Lambson, G. H., United States Bureau of Fisheries, Baird, Cal.

Latchford, Hon. F. R., Toronto, Can.

Laumen, Felix, San Marcos, Tex.

Lawton, Herbert, Quincy, Mass.

Leach, G. C., United States Bureau of Fisheries, Wytheville, Va.

Leary, John L., United States Bureau of Fisheries, San Marcos,
Tex.

Lewis, C. C., United Staes Bureau of Fisheries, Northville,
Mich.

Lewis, Charles E., Chamber of Commerce, Minneapolis, Minn.

Locke, E. F., Woods Hole, Mass.

Lovejoy; Samuel, Bullochville, Ga.

Lydell, Dwight, Mill Creek, Mich.

Mahone, A. H., 668 Via Monte, Buenos Ayres, Argentina.
Mallory, Charles, Burling Slip, New York.

Manning, W. W., P. O. Box, 1778, Boston, Mass.
Manton, Dr. W. P., Detroit, Mich.

Morcher, George, London, O

Marks, H.-H., Sault St. Marie, Mich.

244 Thirty-fifth Annual Meeting

Marks, J. P., Paris, Mich.

Marsh, M. C., United States Bureau of Fisheries, Washington,
Dio.

Martin, Timothy J., care of Davis, Collamore & Co., Fifth Ave-
nue, New York City.

Mathewson, G. T., Thompsonville, Conn.

May, W. L., 1655 Market Street, Denver, Col.

Mayhall, L. E., Supt. Commercial Trout Co., Sultan, Wash.

McCook, George M., Ohio Fish and Game Commission, Steuben-

ville, O.

McDonald, A. G., care of A. Booth & Co., Detrowt, Mich.

McDougal, J. M., Gunnison, Col.

Mead, Prof. A. D., Brown University, Providence, R. I.

Meehan, W. E., Commissioner of Fisheries, Harrisburg, Pa.

Meeker, D. W., Moorehead, Minn.

Merrill, M. E., St. Johnsburg, Vt.

Miller, Frank, Put-in-Bay, O.

Miller, Walter H., United States Bureau of Fisheries, Spear-

fish, S. Dak.

Miller, W. J., Scott Depot, W. Va.

Milligan, Dr. J. D., United States Bureau of Fisheries, Woods
Hole, Mass.

Mills, G. T., Carson City, Nev.

Monroe, Otis, Will Creek, Mich.

Monrce, William, Mill Creek, Mich.

Moody, G. C., Mill Creek, Mich.

Moore, Charles H., care of Michigan Fish Commission, Detrott.
Mich.

Moore, Dr. H. F., United States Bureau of Fisheries, Washing-
LOM .C

Morgan, H. A., University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tenn.

Morrell, Daniel, Hartford, Conn.

Morris, Robert T., M. D., 676 Madison Avenue, New York City.

Morton, W. P., Providence, R. I.

Mountain Lake Camp, R. F. D. No. 1, Sanbornville, N. H.

Mussey, George D., Detroit, Mich.

Neal, John R., 2214 “T” Wharf, Boston, Mass.
Neal, L. J., Mill Creek, Mich.

+ paler

af

American Fisheries Society. 245

Nevin, James, Madison, Wis.

Norris, J. Olney, Room 212, Chamber of Commerce Bldg., Balti-
more, Md.

North, Paul, Ohio Fish and Game Commission, Cleveland, O.

O’Brien, W. J., South Bend, Neb.

Ohage, Dr. Justus, St. Paul, Minn.

O'Malley, Henry, Baker, Wash.

Orahood, H. M., 1010 Seventeenth Street, Denver, Col.
Orr, W. J., Bay Port, Mich.

Palmer, Dr. Theodore 8., United States Department of Agricul-
ture, Washington, D.C.

Palmer, Stephen 8., Monticello, N. Y.

Parker, W. H., Lac la Peche, Quebec, Canada.

Payne, Charles, Wichita, Kans.

Parkhurst, Hon. C. Frank, Providence, R. I.

Partridge, H. E., Minneapolis, Minn.

Paxton, Thomas B., Ohio Fish and Game Commission, Cincin-
nati, O.

Peabody, George F., Appleton, Wis.

Peoples, Hon. Hiram, New Providence, Pa.

Pierce, Captain T. C., United States Bureau of Fisheries, Wash-

-ington, D. C.

Perdum, James K. P., Woods Hole, Mass.

Pike, Robert G., Middletown, Conn.

Plumb, Charles, Will Creek, Mich.

Pollock, Robert L., 510 Sykes Block, Minneapolis, Minn.

Pope, T. E. B., United States Bureau of Fisheries, Washington,
ae.

Powell, W. L., Harrisburg, Pa.

Prather, J. Hub, Lexington, Ky.

Preston, Hon. John L., Port Huron, Mich.

Price, Andrew, Marlinton, W. Va.

Price, Calvin W., Marlinton, W. Va.

Proctor, Hon. Redfield, Proctor, Vt.

Race, E. E., Green Lake, Me.
Ramsdale, Frank C., Bayfield, Wis.

246 Thirty-fifth Annual Meeting

Randall, G. W., Plympton, Mass.

Rankin, J. F., Ohio Fish and Game Commission, South Charles-
ton, O.

Rathbun, Richard, Smithsonian Institute, Washington, D. C.

Ravenel, W. DeC., Smithsonian Institute, Washington, D. C. ..

Reed, C. A., Fish and Game Warden, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz
County, Cal.

Reighard, Prof. Jacob E., University of Michigan, Ann Arbor,
Mich.

Richards, G. H., Sears Building, Boston, Mass.

tippel, Robert, Woodruff, Wis.

toberts, A. D., Woonsocket, R. I.

Roberts, C. C., Woonsocket, R. I.

Robinson, Robert K., White Sulphur Springs, W. Va.

Rogers, J. M., 159 La Salle, Street, Chicago, Ill.

Root, Henry T., Providence, R. I.

Rosenberg, Albert, Kalamazoo, Mich.

Ruge, John G., Apalachicola, Fla.

Russell, Henry, Detroit, Mich.

Safford, W. H., Department of Fisheries, Harrisburg, Pa.

Salmon, Alden, South Norwalk, Conn.

Sanborn, F. G., 612-613 California Street, San Francisco, Cal.

Saunders, A. A., Carolina, R. I.

Saunders, Dr. H. G., Chattanooga, Tenn.

Seagle, George A., Wytheville, Va.

Self, E. M., Bullochville, Ga.

Sellers, M. G., 1306 Arch Street, Philadelphia, Pa.

Sherwin, H. A., 100 Canal Street, Cleveland, O.

Sherwood, George H., American Museum of Natural History,
77th and &th Avenue, New York City.

Shurtliff, Merrill, Fish and Game Commission of New Hamp-
shire, Lancaster, N. H.

Simmons, Walter C., Providence, R. I.

Singleton, James H., Woonsocket, R. I.

Slade, George P., 309 Broadway, P. O. Box 283, New York City.

Smith, Frank W., Superintendent Coos River Hatchery, Marsh-
field, Ore.

Smith, H. G., Minneapolis, Minn.

ste ed

Aen ees GA «

— ae

American Fisheries Society. a4

~F

Smith, C. Jay, care of J. W. Marston & Co., Lewis Wharf, Bos-
ton, Mass.

Smith, Lewis H., Algoma, La.

Smith, Dr. Hugh M.,United States Bureau of Fisheries, Wash-
ington, D.C.

Smith, J. A., 13 West 25th Street, Baltimore, Md.

Snyder, J. P., U. S. Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, D. C.

Southwick, J. M. K., Newport, R. 1.

Spencer, L. B., Superintendent Aquarium, 37 West 128th Street.
New York City.

Spensley, Calvert, Mineral Point, Wis.

Stapleton, M. F., United States Bureau of Fisheries, Mammoth
Spring, Ark.

Starbuck, Alexander, Cincinnati, O.

Starr, W. J., Haw Clasre, Wis.

Steele, G. F., Port Edward, Wood County, Wis.

Stevens, Arthur F., 227 West Grand Street, Elizabeth, N. J.

Stevenson, Charles H., United States Bureau of Fisheries, Wash-
ington, D.C.

Stewart, A. T., Northville, Mich.

Stone, Charles A., Plainfield, N. J.

Stone, Livingston, Cape Vincent, N. Y.

Story, John A., Hast Orland, Me.

Stotz, Martin, 996 N. Marshall Street, Crogin Bldq., Philadel-
phia, Pa.

Stranahan, J. J., Bullochville, Ga.

Stranahan, F. A., Cleveland, O.

Streeter, H. R., Carolina, R. I.

Sumner, Dr. Francis B., College of the City of New York, New
York City.

Storr, Charles A., care of Plympton Gardner & Co., New York.

Surber, Thaddeus, United States Bureau of Fisheries, White
Sulphur Springs, W. Va.

Suthers, Frank, Madison, Wis.

Sykes, Arthur, Madison, Wis.

Sykes, Henry, Bayfield, Wis.

Talbot, Henry, Interstate Commerce Association, Washington,
Dat:

248 Thirty-fifth Annual Meeting

Tankerslay, A. S., United States Bureau of Fisheries, Tupelo,
Miss.

Taylor, Robert Kirby, 66 Leonard Street, New York City.

Teal, J. N., Worcester Block, Portland, Ore.

Thayer, W. W., 234 Joseph Campau Avenue, Detroit, Mich.

Thomas, Henry G., Stowe, Vt.

Thompson, George B., Davis, W. Va.

Thompson, James F., Martinsburg, W.Va.

Thompson, Wilham H., Secretary Anglers’ Association of St.
Lawrence Rwer, Alexander Bay, N.Y.

Thompson, W. P., 112 Broad Street, Philadelphia, Pa.

Thompson, W. 'T., United States Bureau of Fisheries, Leadville,
Col.

Tinker, E. F., St. Johnsbury, Vt.

Titeomb, John W., United States Bureau of Fisheries, Wash-
ington, D.C.

Townsend, A. A., Carolina, R. I.

Townsend, Charles H., New York Aquarium, New York City.

Tubbs, Frank A., Neosho, Mo.

Tulian, Eugene A., Oficina, Meteorologica, 640 Viamonte, Bue-
nos Ayres, Argentina.

Turner, Avery, Vice President and General Manager of Pecos
Valley Lines, Amarillo, Tex.

VanDusen, H. G., Master Fish Warden of Oregon, Astoria, Ore.

Veeder, John J., Woods Hole, Mass.

Venn, Harry 8., United States Bureau of Fisheries, Washing-
tow PD: €.

Vincent, W. 8., United States Bureau of Fisheries, Cape Vin-
cent, N. Y. .

Vogelsang, Alexander T., Mills Building, San Francisco, Cal.

Von Bayer, Hector, United States Bureau of Fisheries, Wash-
ington, D.C.

Von Lengerke, J., 318 Broadway, New York City.

Walker, Bryant, Detroit, Mich.
Wall, Joe, Salmon, Ore.
Wallett, W. H., Put-in-Bay, O.

American Fisheries Society. 249

Wallich, Claudius, United State s Bureau of Fisheries, Oregon
City, Ore.

Walsh, Joseph, Woods Hole, Mass.

Walters, C. H., Cold Spring Harbor, N. Y.

Ward, Prof. H. B., Lincoln, Neb.

Waterhouse, Rev. E. M., Broadway and 210 W. 72nd Street,
New York City.

Webb, W. Seward, 44th Street and Vanderbilt Avenue, New
York City.

Wentworth, E. E., United States Bureau of Fisheries, Baker,
Wash.

Wheeler, Charles Stetson, 2413 Washington Street, San Fran-
cisco, Cal.

* Whish, John D., Secretary of Forest, Fish and Game Commis-
sion, Albany, N.Y.

White, R. Tyson, 320 Bridge Street, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Whitaker, Hon. Andrew R., Phoenixville, Pa.

Wilbur, H. O., 235 Third Street, Philadelphia, Pa.

Willard, Charles W., Westerly, R. I.

Wilson, C. H., Glen Falls, N. Y.

Winn, Dennis, United States Bureau of Fisheries, Washington,
D.C:

Winn, S., Carolina, R. I.

Wires, S. P., Lester Park, Duluth,- Minn.

Wisner, J. Nelson, Jr., United States Bureau of Fisheries, Ore-
gon City, Ore.

Wolf, Herman T., 489 The Bourse, Philadelphia, Pa.

Wood, C. C., Plymouth, Mass.

Wood, Frank, Hdenton, N. C.

Worth, 8. G., Hdenton, N. C.

Young, Capt. John L., Atlantic City, N. J.

Zacharie, Col. F. C., 345 Corondelet Street, New Orleans, La.
Zweighapt, 8., Deer Park, Haines Falls, N. Y.
Zalsman, P. G., Paris, Me.

250 Thirty-fifth Annual Meeting

HONORARY.

Adams, Mr. Fred J., Grand Rapids, Mich.

Besana, Mr. Guiseppe, President Lombardy Fishery Society, Via
Torino 51, Milan, Italy.

Borodine, Nicholas, Chief Specialist in Fish Culture, Depart-
ment of Agriculture, St. Petersburg, Russia.

Cortelyou, Hon. George B., Washington, D. C.

Denbigh, Lord, Colonel of the Honorable Artillery Company,
London, England.

Fish Protective Association of Eastern Pennsylvania, 1020 Arch
Street, Philadelphia, Pa.

Fryer, Charles E., Supervising Inspector of Fisheries, Board of
Agriculture and Fisheries, 3 Delahay St., London, England.

Hamilton, Dr. J. Lawrence, M. R. C. 8., 30 Sussex Square, 2

Brighton England.

*Hoek, Prof. P. P. C., Scientific Fishery Adviser of the Dutch
Government, The Hague, Holland.

Hofer, Prof. Dr. Bruno, Munich, Germany.

Johnson, Mrs. Frank M., Boston, Mass.

Kishinouye, Dr. K., Zmperial Fisheries Bureau, Tokyo, Japan.

Lake St. Clair Shooting and Fishing Club, Detrott, Mich.

Matsubara, Prof. S., President Imperial Fisheries Institute,
Tokyo, Japan.

Metcalf, Victor H., Secretary of the Department of Commerce
and Labor, Washington, D. C.

New York Association for the Protection of Fish and Game,
New York Cty.

Peck, Hon. George W., Milwaukee, Wis.

Perrier, Prof. Edmond, Director National Museum of Natural
History, Paris, France.

South Side Sportsmen’s Club, Oakdale, L. I., N.Y.

Steindachner, Prof. Dr. Franz, Royal Natural History Museum,
Vienna, Austria.

The Governors of the Several States.

The President of the United States.

Vinciguerra, Dr. Decio, Director Royal Fish Cultural Station
and Aquarwm, Rome, Italy.

*On furlough until autumn 1907, as General Secretary to the Interna-
tional Council for the Study of the Sea, Copenhagen, Denmark.

etetne aap

> ot aS eee Ay

ee. er Se. ee ee

American Fisheries Society. 251

Von Grimm, Dr. Oscar, Inspector-General of Fisheries, St. Pe-
tersburg, Russia.

Von Pirko, Mr. Franz, President Austrian Fishery Society, Vien-
na, Austria.

Woodmount Rod and Gun Club, Washington, D. C.

CORRESPONDING.

Ayson, Lake F., Wellington, New Zealand.

Ayson, Charles L., Hakataemen, Oamaru, New Zealand.

Apostolides, Prof. Nicoly Chr., Athens, Greece.

Armistead, J. J., Dumfries, Scotland.

Birbeck, Edward, Esq., W. P., London, England.

Calderwood, W. L., Esq., Inspector of Salmon Fisheries, Edin-
burgh, Scotland

Feilding, J. B., Upper Downing, Holywell, North Wales.

Giglioh, Prof. Enrico H., Florence, Italy.

Jaffe, 8., Osnabruck, Germany.

Landmark, A., Inspector of Norwegian Fresh Water Fisheries,
Christiana, Norway.

Marston, R. B., Esq., Hditor of the Fishing Gazette, London,
England.

Olsen, O. T., Grimsby, England.

Raveret-Wattel C., Director of Agricultural Station at Nid-de-
Verdier, 20 Rue des Acacias, Paris.

Sars, Prof. G. O., Christiania, Norway.

Solsky, Baron N. de, Director of the Imperial Agricultural Mu-
seum, St. Petersburg, Russia.

Trybom, Dr. Filip, Stockholm, Sweden.

RECAPITULATION.
HM eH ee ed ce I acgcy er ois ae ARNG WRG one Ghote! « Tah >, doo aE me oe 387
1 EGOT DINE TEAY Satie a i a oe are Wa a a 7
CC OTee SOMO MNO ees ener sha wa lis AE oe ¥ estes winis seperti alee a 16

Wort eaVRe rather) Seay ts oo ree ead chai, af aise b vvei wore) Saleh s ams 473

CON STi OT Tang

(As amended to date. )

ARTICLE I.
NAME AND OBJECT.

The name of this Society shall be American Fisheries Society.
Its object shall be to promote the cause of fish culture; to
gather and diffuse information bearing upon its practical success,
and upon all matters relating to the fisheries; the uniting and
encouraging of all interests of fish culture and the fisheries, and
the treatment of all questions regarding fish, of a scientific and
economic character.

ARTICLE II.
MEMBERS.

Any person shall, upon a two-thirds vote and the payment of
two dollars, become a member of this society. In case members
do not pay their fees, which shall be two dollars per year, after
the first year and are delinquent for two years, they shal! be noti-
fied by the treasurer, and if the amount due is not paid within a
month thereafter, they shall be, without further notice, dropped
from the roll of membership. Any person can be made an hon-
orary or a corresponding member upon a two-thirds vote of the
members present at any regular meeting.

Any person shall, upon a two-thirds vote, and the payment of
$15.00, become a life member of this Society, and shall there-
after be exempt from all annual dues.

ARTICLE If.

OFFICERS.

The officers of this Society shall be a President and a Vice

252

eed

American Fisheries Society. PAI

President, who shall be ineligible for election to the same office
until a year after the expiration of their term; a Corresponding
Secretary, a Recording Secretary, a Treasurer and an Executive
Committee of seven, which with the officers before named, shall
form a council and transact such business as may be necessary
when the Society is not in session, four to constitute a quorum.

ARTICLE IV.
MEETINGS.

The regular meeting of the Society shall be held once a year,
the time and place being decided upon at the previous meeting
or, in default of such action, by the Executive Committee.

ARTICLE V.
ORDER OF BUSINESS.

Call to order by President.

Roll call of members.

Applications for membership.

Reports of officers.

a. President.

b. Secretary.

e. Treasurer.

d. Standing Committees.

5. Committees appointed by the President.

a. Committee of five on nomination of officers for en-
suing year.

b. Committee of three on time and place of next meet-

H G9 % +4

ing.
c. Auditing committee of three.
Reading of papers and discussion of same.
(Note—a. In the reading of papers preference shall be
given to the members present.
b. The President and two Secretaries are em-
powered to arrange the papers of the meet-
ings of this Society.)

for)

~2

Miscellaneous business.
8. Adjournment.

254 Thirty-fifth Annual Meeting

ARTICLE VI.
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 regu-
lar meeting, provided at least fifteen members are present at said
meeting.

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ixth annual meeting of the.

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july, 1907, at Erie, Pennsylvania, U. S. A.

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