Washington sentinel., 1854-04-05
Artificial Production Of Fish.

We notice in a Cleveland paper an interest
ing article on this subject, by Dr. Garhck,
which was read before Cleveland Academy Of
Science last month. An experiment made by
him, in the artificial breeding Of fish, is described
with minuteness. A dam was built across q
fine large spring of water, for the reception OF
the fish, (trout,) which were procured from
Lake Superior and transported distance Of
nearly coo miles, in good condition. This
was done in August and in November follow,
ing the fish commenced preparing the beds in
which the eggs were deposited, by removing all
the sediment and sand from gravelly locations.
These beds we're about one foot in diameter,
consisting Of coarse and fine pebbles. DR.. G.
says:
"On the goth of November, they had fairly
commenced operations, one pair of fishes oc-
cupying each bed the male manifesting the
utmost jealousy, and If any suspicious inter-
loper approached he was instantaneously at
tackled and driven off. On the 2lst, captured
a pair by means of landing net and placed
them in a bucket of water; and, being provided
with an earthern vessel, | made my first at,
tempt at artificial spawning and impregnating
the eggs. This was accomplished as follow
lows:
~ partially filed the earthern vessel with
water, and taking the female in my left hand,
and making gentle pressure on her abdomen
with my right, the eggs were forced into
the earthern vessel containing the water; the
male was treated in precisely the same manner,
forcing the spermatic fluid into the same yes.
sell The appearance of the eggs was almost
Immediately changed from their bright golden
orange color, to pale transparent yellow.
they were then placed in running water with
the vessel containing them.
By the 22d of January the young fish began
to leave their cells, the temperature OF the
water varying from AZ to so degrees Fahren,
heit. One fact is considered to be clearly
demonstrated, viz
every one who may be so fortunate as to
possess spring Of water Of moderate size can
rear this charming fish in great numbers, and
the streams that have been depopuiated by the
untiring zeal Of the angler can be replenished
with a little trouble and at a small expense.
Such streams as are not suited to the trout can
be stocked with other choice varieties OF fish
with the same ease."
DIR. G. concludes his article with few words
to those who may wish to repeat the experl-
ment, as follows:
"The attempt should only be made when
the eggs are mature. To be secure IN this, 1t
will be best for the beginner to take the parent
fish when they are engaged in deposlting eggs.
After the eggs are forced into the vessel con.
tanning the water they should be stirred about
a little, the water poured of, and the vessel
filed again before the spermatic fluid IS added;
after which the water should be a second time
agitated, in order that it may come in contact
with all the eggs. This is necessary to the I'M
pregnation Of all of them. They should then
be placed where they can have running water
constantly passing over them. This may be
done by having series Of boxes partly filled
with coarse sand and gravel, each placed be-
low the other in the form Of stairway, the
water passing from the first box to the second,
and so on. II would also be well to have the
bottoms of the boxes pierced with small holes,
in order to prevent the sediment from accumu-
lating, which is very destructive to the eggs,
"These general rules, if followed, will be
sure to crown the effort with success"