The tribune. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1874-1876, 1875-06-02

all dead, ard from sosae cause or other
the spat thrown out while the parent
bivalves were yet alive, persshed without
forming young oysters, and to this day
the experiment of oyster naturalization in
California remains dead failure. Now,
who could have foreseen or predicted
such a rusult as thisf II there were no
native oysters on our western coast, what
could be easier or simpler than to import
them from the east, stock all waters suit
able, and enjoy the fruits of the enter
prise3 but in this case in lieu of success,
we have total failure as the result,
and it now seems to be tolerably as
sured fact that oysters cannot live and
perpetuate their species along the Cali
fornia coast. 1t will be safest then not
to count too strongly on future supply
of salmon from our own waters
Undoubtedly the first enterprise which
should engage the attention of q Fishery
Commissioner in this State is the resto-
ration of our shad fisheries. By means
of certain ingenious contrivances lmpreg-
mated shad eggs can be hatched out by
the million, and at the proper time the
infant fish turned loose to shift for them
selves. 1t will be necessary also, for the
adult fish to have easy access to suitable
spawning localities, and where this is
impossible by reason of dams wholly
obstructing their ascent, the parties own
ing said dams must be compelled to
provide capaclCus fish-ways, affording to
all anadromous fishes an easy passage to
the upper waters. 1t has been fully
established by legal decision in the New
England States, where some of the wealth.
lest manufacturing corporations have
attempted to defy the new Fishery Stat
utcs on the ground that such legislation
was an interference with vested rights,
that the State has full power IN the
premises. and that private interests must
give way when incompatible with the
public good. After all the putting in of
suitable fish passes in all dams, is q mere
matter of dollars and cents, and the com.
paratvely small outlay required ought
not to be allowed the slightest considera.
ton as compared with the general interest
OF the whole community.
special statutes must also be enacted
and enforced in regard to the time and
manner Of capturing tho fish, either by
netting or otherwise. Close seasons must
be declared vhen 1t shall be illegal to
take them In any way. and the general
sentiment OF the community must be
enlisted In favor of rigid enforcement
of the fishery laws. At a late period. !.
when shad have become plentiful and
can De furnished to consumers at reason.
able rates, some of the restrictions NAV
De taSen OF or modified if thought judi
clous SO to do.
In book entitled Superior Fishing Z"
published in the year 1866, Mr.. Roose-
welt OF New York city used the follow
ing language regarding the shad fisheries
OF that vicinity: "The shad that few
years ago swarmed up the Hudson river
In numbers incompatible have become
scarce, and quadrupled in price during
the last decade. On every portion Of
our sea coast, in spite of repienishment
from the mighty ocean, the same dimin-
utlon ,s visible, while many of our con.
nned inland waters are absolutely depop-
uiated:" Thus, Mr.. Roosevelt in the
year of our Lord 1865.
MIR. Roosevelt's lamentations and pro.
tests fell upon good soil. His recommen-
dation, concurred in by many other
influential parties, were needed, and the
Empire State soon rejoiced in the DOS
session OF trio of duly appointed
Fishery Commissioners, with legislation
and appropriations of money at their
backs. OF the present condition of the
Hudson river and neighboring shad
fisheries we will let this same Mr. Roose.
velt speak. In lecture on fish culture
recently delivered Mt the Cooper Institute
New York City, he says:
Admirable subject of the fish cu'tur
lists skill, the shad offers evcry induce.
ment to his cultivation. He ia fopnd
every. where along our coast is mani.
mously prolific, and is easily handled
cheap implements only are needed ths
eggs hatch IN few days; they are laid
In tne pleasant summer time; no esnec;oI
care Is demanded the conditions Of snc'
cess are simple; he requires little auner-
vision; when hatched he does NOT bavo
to be fed he takes his own wav una;d.S
to the sen, there he grows and fattens ~
the expense Of snails and' worthless ami
maicui@; he comes back of himself To
the nyer where he was bred: lie Iets
hlmseif be taken in all manner of nets
and, finally, when he presents himself In
bis full blown glory Of some half dozen
pounds upon the table, he is a dish fit
ior the gods. More than that-far more
important to us poor wrctched niortals~
nt ior the poor. He can be sold for three
cents pound, and is the cheapest food
In the world for the people.
For four years past the New York
U0mmiss,oners oa have yearly deposited
o,oO0,O0O to 10000, 900 of shad frv in
tne hudson, while tho Connecticut Com.