The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1861-06-21
Fish Brooding.

The Agricultural Report Issued from the
Patent Office in 1859. under the heading
"Breeding OF Migratory Fishes" says:
"In addition to the experiments already
alluded to, others Of even greater interest
in some respectsarc now in progress. Those
which are next to DO mentioned will eventu.
ally, it is hoped, afford much practical in
formation in regard to the question whether
tho breeding Of migratory fishes can be Sc
managed as to bo made source Of profit to
the breeder; in other words, whether those
fishes, after being reared in private waters,
and allowed to follow their instincts by
going to sea at tho proper age, will return
when adult, at the spawning season, to the
place where they are Matched, in sufficient
numbers to enable the breeder to repay him.
self for his care Of them when full grown.
"Somowhat similar experiments have been
made in other countries, for tho purpose Of
settling the same question; but notwithstand'
ing the enthusiastic anticipations Of foreign
ish breeders, wo have as yet, no positive and
reliable accounts by which to estimate their
value"
The Report then proceeds to state that thi,
experiment has been undertaken by Messrs.
U. S. Treat & Son. The breeding operations
were commenced in the spring Of 1857, a,
which time number Of salmon, striped bass
shad, and alewives wero placed in ponds
which Messers. Treat had obtained control Of,
and which are located in the northern portion
OF the town Of Robbinston. The shad and
alewivcs spawned about the first Of June, and
the gate which held tho water Of tho lakes
was closed for about three months, when j.
was opened and portion Of the young fish
were allowed to 90 to sea. The remainder
were retained two months longer when they
were dismissed to salt water. The number Of
young produced by this spawning was csti.
mated at moro than Eve millions. At the
time of their going to sea they had grown to
the length of three to Eve inches.
The Report closes its references to tho OK
pertinent of Messs. Treat, as follows:
"Mr Treat confidently expects the return
of his fsh-such Of them rs survive the dan
gers Of the scas-as soon as they become cap
able Of reproducing their species and feel the
impulse Of that instinct which induces them
to seek the fresh water for the purpose Of do
posting their spawn"
A letter received by us from U. s. Treat,
Esq, under date Of May Gath says:
"The question which has been so frequent,
| " asked me, when will your fishes return
., ,olped. Our fishes have returned in great
numbers. This may add another leaf to the
history of fish breeding. They made their
appearance in the Red Beach stream on the
o2d. and in the Lowo stream the Oath. ]
shall DO very busy in seeing that they reach
their new homes.
Who can now doubt the success Of our ex-
pcrimcnti Hero we have the waters crowd.
ed with species Of fish never before known
to those waters. Il has astonished the old
settlers, I assure you. The cultivation OF the
waters is now no longer an uncertainty and
the road is open to the public free charge
We heartily rejoice with Mr.. Treat in tho
success of his enterprise. lie has pursued 1t
under great difficulties. The expense in time
and money has been considerable, and he has
borne Il oil himself. lie ehasencountercd not
little opposition. and those who have not
opposed, have gravcly shaken their heads as