The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1872-01-31

pasture, Calfpasture, South, Moorrnan's,
South Anna, Staunten, Banister, and Dan
rivers. We also put a few in Christians
creek, in Augusta county In Flat creek,
Amelia county, a tributary Of the Appomat-
toy, both being streams Of some size. We
did not place any in the Mattapolli or the
hopomattoy. because we doubted the srlta-
biity of those waters for their propagation.
It will be very easy to transfer them to these
streams if found to flourish well IN the
streams in which they have already Deeh
placed. ...-
We trust the Legislature will pass such
laws for the protection of the bIach pass
throughout the State rs will enable them TO
ill the waters in which they may be 1ouha
to succeed. We would suggest heavy pen
atty, both by fine and imprisonment, If Killed
at all within three years, with n further pro-
vision that they are not to be taken IN the
two succeeding years, except with hook ana
line.
THE TROUT. .
The trout has been as successfully propa-
gated artilicially as any other species OF hsh.
Unlike the shad, the trout requires time TO
hatch and rear. From forty-liye to sixty days
for Matching, and a like period for nursing,
before it can take care of itself. -.
Ponds for the breeding fish, and apparatus
for taking their spawn, aud hatching-horses
for developing the oya and young fry, are in
dispensabie to the artificial propagation of
these fish. The mountain streams will know
them no more unless by artificial propaga-
tion, and in addition thereto, the protecting
pgS Of the law.
The methods adopted for the capture Of
this fish arc very numerous and destructive.
to
be operative to satisfactory extent. The
value attached to this fish for the table gives
impetus to the pursuit of them, whilst the
Spl>eness of the population in the recesscs
of the mountains renders the violation Of the
law but little liable to detection.
The patent Of A. S. Collins for gathering
the spawn Of the trout is complete. Their
clearinghouse has capacity for two mil
lions Of oya, and it does not seem to US can
bc improved.
The cost Of making tic necessary ponds
and building the hatching-house complete
ought not to exceed 1000. But it is ques-
tion whether it might not be as well to post
pono this operation for a more convenient
season. 10
OTHER VARIETIES.
Eels need neither artificial propagation nor
protection. i-4.
The sturgeon is another one of our most
valuable fishes. We cannot see that any
protection for it is called for. since there
seems to be 10 scarcity Of them in our mar
kct, and the "closc-days," if made law, will
be ample. ....
Your commissioners propose also to intro
ducc the gold fish from the waters Of TIC
Potomac river, not for ornamental purposes,
| but as !, dainty dish for the lordiy black bass
and the laEG-lockcd salmon.
The striped bass is superb fish for the
table, and, to quote from Norris's book, is
= 4 fish Of wonderful beauty and force,
That bites like 4 stccl-lap and pulls like horse.
It HIS not been artifcially propagated, nor
arc It's spawning-srounds well defined, a.
though it is supposed to be in creeks and
coyeS where frcsl. streams enter, bat not
| above tide-water. il is seldom found above
the lead Of tide until they have attained
some size, and their predatory habits probi-
| by ind:lce them to ascend so far only for
food. They arc occasionally caught during
the entire winter.
| The commissioner concludes his report
with the draft of a law which lie RECON-
memd> to be passed to effect the protection,
| culture. and Increase Of fish in our water.
! As the subject will probably be brought to
the attention Of the General Assembly by
bill, VIC defer notice on this branch Of the re-
! port 1t present.