The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-02-08
THE FISHERY COMMISSION.

To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD
The commissioners OF Fisheries, DESTROYS OF in
forming,the public as to what has been done and
what is being done at their State Matching house.
submit the following extracts from their last an
nual report:-
Five million and forty-One thousand shad were
successfully hatched and turned loosely far the
greater part in the HudsOn--a small number being
shipped to other localities where 1t was deemed
advisable to attempt to COLOMBO them.
During the period OF five weeks Intervening be.
tween May 20 and June 80, 1873, at which date the
fishing ceased, owing to the high temperature OF
the water, the total number OF native shad caught
was l,64S, from which 5,745, geo spawn were ex-
tracted.
In the year 1872 upwards of $500. 900 young shad
were turned loose in the Hudson, which, together
with the $1,000 Try put in this year, must even.
tually increase the annual supply, inasmuch as
heretofore the entire yield OF the Hudson has been
but LOCO, 600 yearly Three years ago the shad
fisheries Of the HUDSON were so run down that very
few OF them were paying, and many fishermen had
two years has, however, improved and with the as
sistance OF proper law establishing weekly clos
ing tle there Is no doubt that the fisheries can be
restored to their original condition.
In order TO test as thoroughly as possible the
QUESTION wnesnep snaa woHid d tSve IN resh water
deposited in Canandaigua Lake on June IL.
1873; $4,000 were placed In Grana River Michigan,
so, 900 in Fox River Wisconsin, on the l7th $1,000
in the Genesee River on the 18th; 10000 in Ash
tabuia River, Ohio, on the Esd; $4,000 IN the
AusabIe and Racine rivers, Michigan, on the 18th (;
and 700 in the WABASH River, Indiana, June 25
1sh a 09 ahaa sss
length have been caught IN Lake Ontario. During
the spring OF 1873 1t was decided to Try the
experiment OF placing these fish in California
waters. Accordingly, under the direction Of the
United States Commissioner OF Fisheries Professor
Baird, Mr.. L. Stone started Tor California on the
5tn OF June with so, 900 young snad. Having de-
! posted them in various rivers, he returned and
left again on the 25th with fresh supply of So oOo
ment. On the 18th OF June J: W. Minor Assistant
United states sSo Fsh placed
hope that this trial will meet with abundant sue
cess. On the whole therefore, the shad Matching
! operations Tor this year have been most encourag
ing and In the event OF proper laws Tor their pro-
tection being passed, wonid. without doubt,
realize the fOndest hopes OF the most earnest sup
porters Of fish culture
The same arrangements were made this year as
In the previous ones Tor the distribution Of those
fish which have not as yet been artlncially cult
waited to advantage, such as bass Oi all kinds
perch and few other varieties As these fish are
give an exact statement of the number 50 used
but no doubt is entertained that the demand, how
ever large, can be supplied
We have sent large numbers OF grown black and
rock bass and salmon trout spawn to Otsego Lake,
NY. OF the former varieties. many have been
taken in sinner nets showing the rapid increase OF
the species. Of the latter there are l25 0Oo spawn
in process Of Matching.
| large number OF the eggs Of the Sacramento
River salmon obtained under the direction OF the
United States Fish Commission on the Mcleod
River, one OF the tributaries OF the sacramento
California, were shipped TO the Atlantic States.
The plan Of Professor Baird to distribute the eggs
among the Fish commissioners OF the various East
ern States has been carried out with most OF the
shipments. or total NUMBER of 925, 900 which ar
rived In good order New York has received 25O 600.
| These eggs have now Matched ana the young
salmon are IN q fine condition. We intend placing
| them In all the rivers and streams OF the State
| which are adapted to their growth.
| Our Matching house Is situated at Caledonia, N.
Y. 1t Is built on site acknowledged the best by
far in the United States for such purpose. IL has
an abundance OF water and capacity Tor Matching
about l0,0O0,000 fish. In addition to this 1t is
surrounded by ground peculiarly adapted for the
construction Of ponds and for The various purposes
| OF Hsh breeders.
ROBERT b. ROOSEVELT, Commissioner.