Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-02-14

no cost, as has been done, the triumph
of fishways is secured. We have no
doubt that success is in the hands of the
Commissioner if he perseveres, waiting
patiently and allowing results to be his
vindication.
Other regulations are necessary in addl-
ton to fishways, to prevent excessive fish
ing and provide free opportunity to VS.
it the spawning grounds. These are
necessary on the lower rs well as the up
per waters. Fishing stations for salmon,
shad and alewives, in the tide waters,
should not be allowed to interfere with
and check the passage of such fish up the
streams. The good sense displayed by
the Commissioner in his remarks and sug-
gestions upon this part of the fisheries
seems to be very apparent. We cannot
prevent increase and have it too. The
destruction of fish on their passage to the
spawning grounds is the death of the
species.
In regard to the dissemination of valua-
bic species Of fish in our ponds and rivers,
the Commissioner has not been as success
full as he hoped, on account of unfavorable
circumstances over which he had no con-
troll Yet he has accomplished considera-
bic in making even commencement.
The stocking Of the waters of Maine with
fish is not a small task The State has not
less than 1920 lakes, having an area
of 2300 square miles, with 5151 streams
having an area of 900 square miles
more; these last with their branches,
according to Mr.. Wellss Report, thread
ing 1.-THE surface of the State with a
fine network of brooks and rivulets, SO that
in all parts it seems alive and in motion
with running waters" An effort was
made to stock our ponds quite extensively
with black bass, but did not succeed, on
account of the failure of the young crop so
that the contractor could not furnish the de-
sired quantity. Still the Commissioner
persevered and introduced quite 2 number
into several ponds, where we hope they
are doing well and will give good ac-
count of themselve, in future. The arti-
fetal incubation of Schoodic salmon and
trout is already under successful trial at
Manchester and Alma. Several thousands
have been Matched in these places and dis
tributed in various waters to take care of
themselves. The Matching of sea or river
salmon in the same way would supply guam
titles of the young to furnish destitute places
and would. be an important enterprise.
The Commissioner thinks a favorable local
ity for this business might be found on the
upper waters of the Penobscot, where sal
mon eggs can be obtained in sufficient
quantity.
OF the difficulties which come in the way
of raising fish the Commissioner says
The trouble begins before the eggs are
laid. Many species must come within
reach of their most deadly foes, in search
ing for Il spawning ground. Shad, ale
wives, salmon, smelts trout and whitetish
suffer in this way. Insurmountable obsta-
CTS are pldCtu dClOSS Stltalll w utlt tItS
were wont to ascend. Shut out from places
where their eggs could find the circum-
stances essential to their development, they
must deposit them in incongenial waters
where few or none will escape destruction.
The fish that reach their breeding grounds
are constantly harassed by their enemies,
nd Of tha,, IactrAya1 hafora fbox-
can deposit their eggs" There are other
serious troubles, but these are enough to
show that fish cannot grow in our waters
without care and protection. Artificial
breeding may make fish of some kinds plen-
ty, but these young fish must have some
thing to feed uponin order to have a chance
to grow and become useful to man for food.
This last is matter for consideration in
relation to our small ponds and streams
which are limited in the amount of food they
furnish for fish. For breeding fish there
are now in the New England States thirty
or forty breeding establishments. Mr..
Atkins thinks the work of filling our waters
with fish again should not depend wholly
upon the State, but that individual and
private associated effort should be encour-
aged to enter into it as much as possible
BITUMINOUS COAL PROPERTIES IN
PENNSYL VANIA.
The Boston Journal few days since
contained an interesting letter from Pitts
burgh, giving some valuable information
on the bitumInous coal question. We ex-