The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1875-02-27

OF them eventually. lie thought they
would never supplant the trout in Eastern
fisheries. Mr.. Wilnot reported that the
salmon fisheries of Canada had improved
wonderfully during the past few years.
He thought the catch of 1874 had been
fully double that of 1878. In fact, there
were such large numbers captured that the
immense preserving factories could not use
| them all. Next year the Canadian Gov
eminent will establish two breeding farms
in Nova Scotia. Mr.. Wilmot read paper
on fish culture in Canada. He thought
legislation should be brought to bear very
forcibly on the subject of the preservation
of fish. He said this new industry was
one of vast Importance both as mode of
furnishing cheap food to the people, and
as road to individual wealth. The speaker
asserted his belief that aqua culture would
in time become in Importance the peer Of
its sister, agriculture. Prof. Baird and
Livingston Stone had been instrumental
i'll bringing to Eastern waters the Cali
fornia salmon, and in peopling Western
waters with fish naturally living in the
East. Fish from England have been planted
ed in Canadian streams. In France and
Prussia, besides the other countries of
Europe and Asia, the art of psciculture is
extending very largely. All general gov
ermental efforts have been surpassed by
those made by local legislators. In no
country has fish culture made such 2igan-
tic studies as in Canada. There are now
five fish breeding establishments within its
domains, and there are others in course of
construction. There are periods when GER
tain fish are in season and fit for use.
There are other times when the same fish
are out of season, are unfit for use, and
should not be taken. After spawning the
fish is lean and warm-and by the draining
efforts which spawning has cost them. At
such times, the fish should be protected by
every effort which can be brought to bear.
The question has arisen, why resort to
artificial means to propagate fish when they
are provided by nature with the means of
doing SO themselves? In travelling about
the United States and Canada, find an
almost incredible amount of skepticism on
this subject of artificial propagation of fish.
Now if we can show the public that the
balance is in favor of the artificial cultva-
ton of fish, 1 think it will be direct
benefit to the Association. Not over one
per cent Of the natural eggs deposited ever
produce fish, while by the artificial pro-
cess from 80 to 80 per cent is almost always
saved. In order to show the advantages
of the artificial system over the natural
one, it will be necessary to describe both
processes. From the time the egg is de-
posted by the wild fish it is beset with
difficulties and dangers. When the salmon
is ready to lay her eggs she seeks shallow
spot where the water flows rapidly and
where the bed of the river is gravelly.
Here, by the aid of the swift current she
scoops out small circular nest where, by
a series of muscular contractions of the
body she deposits her spawn. She is gen.
orally accompanied by male, who rests
in the water by her side, and elects his
milt at the same time she presses out her
spawn. When the operation is complete
it sometimes lasts several days-the female
fish covers the eggs with fine gravel and
leaves them to hatch. In this position
they remain during the Winter months,
and if they escape the insects which often
feed upon them and the other dangers to
which they are subject, they are Matched
in April or May. For five or six weeks
the young fish floats about on his side
incapable of moving, and during this time
he is subject to the attacks of other larger
fish. By the artificial method tho female
fish, when ready for spawning, is taken
from the water and her eggs are removed
and mixed in pan with the milt and
which has previously been removed by =
like process from the male. The eggs are
carefully guarded until the time for hatch
ing, and when the fish is strong enough to
take care of itself it is allowed to 60 free.
In contrasting the two processes have to
say that in the artificial mode there is no
fear of losing the young fish, and that the
mother is freed from her burden in few
moments, instead Of spending days or
weeks in laying her eggs. In the artificial
process, too, there is an increase of over
IS per cent over the natural mode.
DR.. Salter, former United States Consul
at China, stated in few words that there
had been great progress in the art Of fish
culture there. He also said that he had
eaten shad which were caught in the Yang
Use Kiang river 1, 200 miles from it's source.
At the mouth of the river the water is very
dirty and muddy, being Of tie color of
pea soup. Mr.. Roosevelt said this was an
important fact, as the United States Com
! missioners had wished to stock the Missis-
sippi river with shad, but had been doubt
full as to the success of the plan, because
of its extremely muddy nature. DR.. Salter
said that in China the culture of fish was
considered to be the second only in import.
ance to agriculture. Prof. Gill spoke at
some length on the geographical distribu-
ton of f,sn. His statements were once
Or twice disputed by MIR. Green. Mr., Will
mot impressed upon the society che advisa-
bility of using some effort toward the pro-
lection Of fish by legislative action. He
thought it was time the Society did some
thing besides listen to detailed accounts of
the habits of fish. He said the fish had
nearly all been destroyed by reckless fisher
men. 1t was necessary to preserve those
left to US. MIR. Green agreed with Mr..
Wi!not, but the Association adjourned
before acting in the matter.
gin a Scotch country parish, not long
ago. there lived church officer who had
filled that office and that of gravedigger
for the long space Of fifty years. Suspi-
cions had long been entertained that he
was in the habit Of helping himself out of
the collection plate whenever opportunity
permitted. 1t was difficult of cours. to
prove this. At last, however, the sum of
Clio pound was distracted from the mis-