The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-05-06
FISH TURF.
A Visit to the Fish Ponds al
Bloomsbury, N. ].
How the Finny Tribe Is Propagatsd in the Gar.
den state-2o,oOo Young Salmon Depos-
tied in q Tributary Of the Raritan-
Trip Up the Musconetcong Mountain.
BLOOMSBURY, N. J.. NAV 4 1874

BLOOMSBURY, N. j., May q 1873
II is well known that Congress appropriated
during the last session but one for the pro-
motion OF fish culture In the United States. The
quota OF salmon fry for New Jersey was 10000. DR..
Slack, OF Bloomsbury, one Of the Commissioners OF
Fisheries for the State, had the young fish Matched
in the ponds near his residence in the valley OF
Musconetcong. 1t was expected that the New
Jersey Legislature would make some Appropriation
to promote the fishery interests, but the expec-
taton was not realized DR.. Slack, after
much care spent in raising the fish, resolved at last
to inaugurate a movement that would stock the
rivers OF New Jersey with salmon and trout. Ac-
cordingy, he fixed on this day for the Important
event, and rainy, drizzng, miserable day It.
was. Alighting at the Valley station on the New
Jersey Central Railroad at half-past nine in the
morning found myself in the valley Of the Musco-
netcong standing on the platform of q station that
resembled stable, the mountains on either side
shrouded In mist aud the only highway visible coated
with wet clay. After contemplating the scene for
lew minutes wagon, drawn by q handsome
team, came dashng down the mountain road and
halted at the platform. 1t came at a seasonable
time, and after a brief explanation found myself
on the road up the mountain. Heavens, such
roadl II should live half century will never
dashed into ones face by the struggling horses,
and the rain beating into one's eyes and the
driver predicting "bad day." there was
something to test the early education OF
roads, boss, said the driver with most refreshing
c0olness clutchcd the rail OF the seat to AVOID
an Involuntary tS snmmersaat; inc pers Of tne Trip
The curtain OF mist that settled on the mountatna
before us would not arise whether we wished or no.
"How far have we to travel in this way2' asked.
"AbOuJ three-quarters OF a mile and then turn-a
mile and half altogether" was the response.
post with a vengeance. The driver did NOT
understand centrifugal force. or he would
the inner circle. Any one who has ambition to
become traveller on such q mountain road can
acquire experience in steeple chase ride.
OF the ponds began. Dr.. Slack was assisted by
! R. & sway the It third h
scribe the pans, troughs, water shoots, ponds,
mil, method Of raising the fish, &C., would occupy
understand the process thoroughly. Tens OF
thousands OF young salmon each about one inch
eeng "a they sn %S
however. they remain quiet till hunger again at
tacks them. II not attended to they devour each
other
The trout ponds are. indeed, great curiosity.
When the food, consisting OF meat chopped IN the
mill. IS thrown into the pond containing the large
fish the scene is exciting. From SIX to twenty or
thirty may be seen to jump above the surface the
water in desperate rivalry for the coveted morsel,
and this continues while the food is thrown in.
There are six ponds. The FIRST known as
Spring pond 500 pond No. 3 10000, while pond No.
lis empty. There Is also pond IN which water
cress IN large quantities Is raised. The spring
hundred to fifteen hundred gallons per minute.
Standing on the brink OF any OF the ponds you SEQ
the river MuscOnetcong at your feet sweeping past
through the cleft in the valley, and through this
river we had to drive to pursue our Journey
where one OF the tributaries OF the Rartan takes
It's rise. The horses plunged In with freedom
confidence in the instinct OF the animals was not
misplaced. There was, indeed, cause Tor nervous
sandy bottom u and the waters washed our boots;
but the noble animals paced steadily along, as If
pursuing their route on the highway the re-
apply with more force to the ascent OF the Mus
conetc9ng In the two galvanized ,n Iron vessels
dealers, we carried along about twenty thousand
.What is that smoke yonder Mt the base OF the
mountainS" inquired, as we wended our way TO-
'.Why, that Is one end OF the tunnel where the
Pattenburg riot occurred some weeks ago. The
smoke comes from the engine BY which the steam
Is ,Ss ct we @ better view
The mountain road is by no means dreary or
desoate for little hamlets sent up their curling
was audible at intervals, II the momentary
spells OF relief from the joting in the rnts
mountain was reached there was sense OF relief,
and but little regard was paid to the other 0bsta-
Giles OF the journey, Till we came to the little stream
that trickled down fssure OF the mountain and as
far as visible was nowhere more than four or
six feet wide. Here the precious freight Of young
salmon was deposited. Cheers were sent up, and
the little creek received the name OF Salmon
Run-a name that VIII yet become famous,
when salmon fishing in the Rartan and
Delaware Rivers will become favorite pastme.
The Legislature OF New Jersey acted In penurious
spirit in the matter as they refused to appropriate
n single dollar towards the raising OF the 1sh APP
propriated by the general government. DR.. Slack
kept the fry and raised the fish at his own ex-
Thn nUpic n.
preparation at the next session of the Legislature.
DR.. Slack abandoned the medical profession in
Philadelphia and has devoted himself for many
years to the science OF fish culture. AS the late
Legislature OF New Jersey gave almost exclusive
attention to railroads, it IS hoped thIt the fishing
Interests may received some attention at the next
session.