Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1870-11-28
OMMUNICATED.
Fish Culture.

COMMUNICATED
Fish Culture.
At a late meeting of the Maryland Academy
OF Science, Mr. Walter 3. Murdoch addressed
the following remarks to the Academy, on fish
culture:
pros A couple of months since my attention was
particularly attracted by what appeared to be a
fine opening for q pioneer OF fish in Maryland.
On investigation found but very few here
realized the lmportancs and value of the sub
jeet, and that only few persons in the State
have taken steps towards propagatiDg and
raising trout, bass, or other useful and edible
hsh. Desiring to ascertain the views Of gen.
tlemen throughout the country who were
known to be engaged and took deep interest
in piscculture, | addressed and received letters
from Hon. Horato Seymour, Theodore Ly.
man, James Rankin, f. A. Bracket, R. G.
Pike, Seth Green, DR.. Slack, aud many others,
all OF whom were unanimous in asserting that
the culture OF fish as business. if properly
managed, yielded the largest profits.
"B. Warehouse Hawkins, one OF the most
gifted lecturers OF the day, and who delivers a
series OF lectures OF natural science before the
Peabody Institute this fall, wrote that it would
afford much pleasure to urge upon my au-
dlence the economic and scientific value of the
sutject.'
From the Department of Agriculture, in
Washington, L was the ipient Of handsome
ly bound report of 1868, which contains an in
terestlng article on fish, appropriately illustra-
ted. also letter from tho Commissioner Of
Agriculture assuring me OF the interest taken
IN the matter by the government and himself
Gov. Bowie, in bis message to the Legislature
Ut the last session, says that secondary to our
oyster fisheries, but of equal interest to the in
terror counties OF the State, the river tishe-
ries Of sbad, herring, and other fish. These,
once OF great value, have gone to decay land
ines which once produced rental OF thousands
OF dollars annually, will now scarcely yield hun
dreds. The cost OF cured tieh is iully FIVE hun
dred per cent, in excess OF what it was forty
years ago. Maryland, from having been q
large exporter, has become an importer of
fish,
Through the instrumeptality Of the Cover
nor, Judge r. &. Roosevelt. Of New York, de-
livered highly Interesting lecture in Annapo
lis before the LEGISLATURE prior to lis adj journ-
ment. From the interest taken and by the
influence OF our worthy Governor, the Leglsa-
ture appropriated 81, 600 for detraying expen-
ses incurred by the commission 10 stocking the
waters of this State with fish. So far nothiug
has been accomplished, or is even under way,
owing to the difficulty experienced by the
Governor in getting gentlemen who, by prac-
LlCdl cApeIlcuCc, HdNC tuC CupdCNy lOI utliuS
the position. One person has lately been de-
termined upon, and the other, probably, soon
will be, 80 We may early look for active opera
tious. I would advise all who have suitable
ponds, streams or fountains OF water to pro-
cure at least Jew black bass He is hardy
breeder, ranks second to the brook trout, and
by some is considered superior, is best adapted
to our waters, requires out little care beside
feeding, and protects its young, which the
trout does not. 1t can be obtained at Harper's 8
Ferry. Williamsport Hancock, Cumberland,
aud almost any place along the upper Poto-
mac. ."-Bah. Sun.
1t is proposed that Virginia take similar
action on this subject of fish culture with the
State of Maryland; that similar Commission,
and appropriation bo made by our Legislature
at its next meeting 10 December; that the two
Commissioners may act jointly, together with
the aid OF the proper Department ct Washing
ton; that practical ex experiment. in plsclculture
be made during the Spring Of 1871, in this
ueighborhood on shad and herring roe taken
from these fish and brought to this market.
A petition has been drawn up and will be
presented to our citizens for signature, with
the hope that all, without hesitation, will sign
it. Is.
BALLooNs.-I our ci7il war, Mr.. Lowe, a
we-known acronaut, went up at Washington,
in q balloon. and actually tclegraphed from the
clouds, to President Lincoln, that he had a
view nearly fifty miles in diameter. Gen. alc.
Clean had important information from MIR.
La Mountain, another Gronaut, IN Septemocr'
1861, who rose mile and half high, and,
drifting over the Confcderates position. OBJ
served all their movements. lie was fired at,
but escaped, aud, rising to the height OF three
miles, met fresh current or air, which car
red him over Maryland, where be descended.
1t was said that, had be retained chief com
mand OF the army, he would have organized
feet of six or eight balloons.
During the present war in Europe not only
have observations been made and letters sent
in balloons, but at least one Minister OF State
has taken voyage 10 one OF them. 1t Is easy
enough to leave Paris 10 balloon, but dithcult
to land in that city. Out of all the balloons
sent off by the PaIlSians Only five have fallen
into the cnemy's hands. The rule OF the
road in this sort of travel, when the current
ia drifting the balloon in direction not deslr.
ed, is to throw out Il little ballast, and rise to
greater height, until another or more favorable
current OF wind is reached. TO do this 90 very
considerable height need he attained The
highest point ever reached (ty MIR. GlalShor
and Mr.. Coxwell, in mid. gland, on Septcm
ber, 5, 1882 was $1,000 feet say, seven miles.
But both pronautS became insersibc, and mar
row!y escaped death in the difficult air of that
immense distance from the earth. The balloon
service is likely to be continued in Paris while
the siege lasts. Already thousands OF letters
have been sent ali over Europe through its in
strumentality. - Washington Chronicle