Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1857-05-29
Propagation OF Fish.

1t is mistaken idea to suppose that
the lakes rivers, and small bodies of fresh
water in our country, are not capable of
producing large quantities of fish as food
for man. Civilization may, it is true, de-
stroy some kinds of fish, as well as Of AMI
mails, but better kinds may supply their
places. The fish :hs; will not thrive in one
water, may thrive in another. Ii is true,
fishing must be prohibited a. certain sea.
sons; but let the habits Of fish be ssccr-
tained, and let them be protected properly,
and they may be had as long as grass
grows and water ruus-furnishiug excel
lent, healthy food, affording manly out
door amusement, and tending to purify
waters.
The subject Of introducing Ssh into va,
ters which have ''run out" as the common
saying is, is one of importance, and is at
tracing great attention among practical
men, especially in Europe. Fish, as well
as animals, birds, trees, plants, and grain,
may be propagated widely; there is no exclu
sively "natural" place for them; aud des
titute streams or ponds nsy be filed with
choice specimens Of the "hnny tribe"
This has already been done TO some ex
tent, but the cart is still in it's infancy.
Properly prosecuted, such results may yet
be attained ,ha, Capt: Hummel may again
catch his Shad in the Shamokin Dam
The West and North Branches Of the
Susquehanna are capable of sustaining fish,
either Of the old or of some new kind and
Penns Creek, Buffaloe Creek, the Chill,
lisquaque, &c, may yet be stocked with an
abundant supply of food for our tables.
Water as well as earth can be made t,ibu-
tary to mans wants and pleasures, but both
have to be studied and cultivated to render
them fully beneficial.
The Commissioners appointed, about
one year ago, BY the Massachusetts Legis-
lature, to ascertain and report to the next
General Court such facts respecting the
artificial propagation of fish as may tend
to show the practicability and expediency
Of introducing the same into the State,
have presented their report. The expert
ments made were limited to the trout, and
were conducted by Mr.. Atwood, an ac.
complished ichthy yOlogst.
He says he went to Sandwich, in Barn.
stable county, and located for the purpose
ofexperimcnting on the artificial propaga-
tion oftrout. On the 18th of September,
be obtained four specimens-two males
and two females-and found the eggs
were not mature. Carefully observing the
condition of those that were taken from
that date, no mature eggs were noted un.
til the Sd of November, when some were
obtained, and formulated by artificial
means. This was effected in the following
manner: took, says the report, zine
vessel and put into it about one pint of
clear water; then taking the female fish,
whose eggs were mature, holding her over
the abdomen, the eggs freely passed from
the hsh into the water; then took the
male hsh, whose milt was mature, and,
holding him over the vessel in the same
manner, pressed the milt into the water
containing the eggs. The water was stir.
ed gently with the hand, SO that every
part Of the egg came in contac. with the
milt After the lapse of.wo or three min.
utes, the water was poured off and some
fresh water added. The eggs by thi.
means were successfully fecundated.
MI Atwood sfterwsrd collected from
VARIOUS streams, $4,000 eggs which were
-0'anoa'ed BY artificial means, and after
Nafa placed in tubs supplied by con,in.
aOus stream. They we're also tried in
O'H''ua'e water and though fer time
''ey aeveloped hopefully, tbeY aftervard