The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1870-07-02
ABOUT FISH.

State of Connecticut who have an
appropriation from tina State of
$4,000 per Annum for the purpose
of repienishing the rivers of that
State with Fish, have made a very
able report, which we have lee n
favored with through the kindness
of DR.. Culbertson. While a sys-
TEN OF wholesale destruction and
subsequent anniAilatoin, has been
going on in tie waters OF our west
ern Rivers until very recently, tue
Eastern States have been expend-
ing large sums to get back to the
point whe we are now.
We cannot but endorse the good
sense of the Commissioners in Sc
lecting our Favoritc. the black
bass, for their action, and we are
glad to learn that their efforts are
likely to be attended with the full
lest measure of success.
If our State will now which it
has the opportunity. stop the indis'
eliminate slaughter Of Fish, 1t will
subserve one of the greatest, and
most import'nt interests, which it
is in its power to recognize. We
copy from the report as follows:
The black bass was selected for
this purpose for several reasons;
first, he is one Of the finest fish
known for the table, ranking Sec
ond only to the salmon and trout.
and by some considered even su-
perior to them In size he attains
an average weight of four or five
pounds, and one has been taken in
Massachusetts, which weighed
seven and half pounds. Second
", he is exceedingly hardy, and
well adapted to our waters. Being
q native of the Northern Lakes, he
has been transplanted to several
ponds in Massachuset and Con
necticut, and found to thrive and
of clear water, having a variety of
mud and gravel bottom. and one
or more deep holes, of from thirty
to forty feet, is suitable for him.
Thirdly, he is q great breeder, and
is one of the very few fishes which
protect their spawning beds and
young fry. Some fishes devour
their own eggs soon after being de-
posted, and a ma jority leave them
prey to their numerous enemies,
but the black bass remains in the
vicinity of the nest, and drives Off
all intruders. When the eggs are
hatched out, the young fry are still
protected by the mother, they re-
naming closely together. and she
darling about in all directions TO
preserve them from harm, while in
most species, the parent fish does
not hesitate to devour his own pro
geny at every convenient oppor-
tunity.
Fourthly. he is. perhaps. the OF.
~ fish suitable to our waters, able
to defend himself against the raw
enous pickerel CT pike. Nearly
all cur lakes and ponds are infest-
ed with this pirate among fishes
1t is doubtful VIII ether the fine fish
known as tie wbitefsh (COrrego-
nus Albus) would thrive at all in
this latitude, but it is almost cer>
tain that, as he has no powers of
defence, were he TO be introduced,
he would soon be exterminated by
the pickerel. The black bass
on the contrary, has proved him
self able to conquer all his enc
mics.
Finally, he is as game as the sal
mon, and in comparison with his
size. affords as much sport 10 tue
angler. He readily takes a hook,
frequently rises three feet out of
the water in his struggles to free
himself, and requires quick eye
and steady nerve to land him
safely. The late Mr.. Tisdale, OF
East Wareham. Massachusetts,
who has had much experiel &c
with this species, and who many
years since stocked pond near his
residence with them. was of the
opinion that black bass devour
young cells, and will eventually
eradicate them from any waters
in which the two may be placed
together.
CAPT CROKER went Eastward
| to the land of the blue noses, on
Thursday morning last. and will
tarry while in Nova Scotia and