Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-07-18
FISH FOR FHR TENNESSEE
An IuterestiDg Letter from Ex.sena-
afOr FOWher-Whaf the Government

NASHVILLE, July lO,-I you VIII al
1 low me to correct an impression you seem
/ tohaye entertained relative TO an effort Ia
stock the Tennessee river with fish, Z Eshall
be very much obliged tO You. ~ i'-.f
IL made application tOthe Commissioner
of Fish and Fisheries for both the Teunes-
see and Cumberland rivers. Il has 50 hap
pened that the first installmeRt was sent 70
the Cumberland. L presume this has, oc-
CURED from the fact that it was the purpose
to stock the head waters Of the Tennessee
| from the Matching establishment in Mary
1 land. l have learned that great success has
not been had there this year. As the
sources Of the Tennessee are Within twenty
hours of the Potomac it is desirable to- re-
sort to that point for the supply. 80 -
The young fish for the Cumberland came
from the Matching establishment at. Mt.
Holyoke, Massachusetts,. They were Oqt
about fOTty-eight hours. ---y. s.r-sr-
| You may rest assured that your great
and beautiful river VIII not be neglected
by the Commissioners. My application
was for both shad and salmon. 1 am more
confident of success with the salmon than
with the shad, though / have confidence in
the success Of both if a perSeyering effort Is
made. l5b1
The upper Tennessee is admirably
adapted to both these classes. Its runner
GUS branches of clear waters, running over
a clear surface, viii furnish them with ad-
mirable spawning grounds.
l am happy to know that you feel an in
terest in this important subject. If the press
| would devote some attention TO it, our next
Legislature would take measures to estab-
lish a commission for the care and prOpaga-
/ . . aHa fr,
effect much good. - ti
There are several varieties of fresh water
fish indigenous to the waters Of Tennessee,
that could be multiplied TO a great extent,
| under a well digested system. The noun
tain trout is now, found in the streams
| among the mountains. This variety could
be vastly increased, and would succeed over
| a much larger space of country tran it now
occupies. 1t is by far the most delicate Of
all the varieties. The black bass is found
| in all the clear streams and lakes in the
State. These few fishes are more desirable
and can be made to abound under proper
care. The Jack, so nearly allied 10 the lake
| salmon as scarcely TO be distinguished by
the careful observer, is a most delicious
| fish, aud Of fine size. The propagation OF
these three varieties alone viii amply Jus-
tify the Legislature in making provision for
that purpose.
There are other indigenous varieties
found that will claim attention, besides
many foreign ones that may be introduced.
1t Is true that some Of them are not so
desirable rs tbe sbad and salmon. Ii these
can be successfully introduced, they can be
multiplied to an indefinite extent. They
require little or no food during their so
jOurn in fresh water. They grow to their
full size in the ocean, returning to their
I spawning grounds fat and vigorous.
The great distance 10 be traversed by
these fish from the head waters Of our
streams to the ocean, is a formidable o6jec-
tion. But the salmon OF the Pacific coast
pass over much greater space and more for
midable currents. There is a species of
shad in China that passes over afar greater
distance than would be here required.
Both species are strong and active. The
salmon of the Pacific coast, averaging
twenty pounds and reaching often fifty, has
great power and endurance. They pass
through waters far more muddy than the
waters Of the Mississippi, and ascend cur
rents far more rapid, Olten ObstTucted by
falls Of several feet in height.
Commissioner Baird has been assured by
DR.. Lawrence that the shad had been taken
from the head-waters Of the Ouachita, Ar
kansas. DR.. Middleton Goldsmith attiEms
that they have been caught al the lalls Of
the Ohio at Louisville. DR.. Turner also
states that they have been taken from the
Wabash, Indiana and Illinois, and in the
NeOshO of Kansas. # these observations
should prove entirely correct, the problem
with respect to the shad is already solved.
II only remains to place the young fish in
OUTt streams to secure a supply.
The season for Matching the salmon will
be in October and November. l am en-
tirely confident that Prof. Baird viii secure
a supply for both the Tennessee and Cum
berland. The appropriation made by the
last Congress was small, and there is a
great necessity Of outstanding it. One fact
may be relied upon by the people, that this
sum viii be made to do the greatest possi-
bic amount of work The Government
cannot, among all It's officers, claim more
competent, enthusiastic and elfdenying
agent. 1t is with this man work Of love
and duty rather than Of official life. He
will earnestly consider the wants and pos
sibilities of every locality in the Union.
1 have no doubt that the inhabitants on
the banks of the Tennessee, will, in the
course Of a fewyears, be able to enjoy the
luxury of a fine shad or salmon from the
waters Of their beautiful river.
l have written this note to let you know
that your interests were considered in the
application made by me, and l am satisfied
they will be attended to, at the earliest
possible period. ....,.-.
In the meantime hope you Will keep
the question before your readers. You
can do very much for the early establish
ment of State Commissioner whose duty
it shall be to look after this important in
terest. Yours respectfully, a
......... Jos. S. FOWLER.
The Times also publishes the following
letter from Mr.. Fowler to Hon. E. A.
James: .. =
NASHVILLE, Tenn, July 10, 1sT5.-
Dear Sir; | send to your care letter for
the Times to correct an impression under
which the editor seems to be labOring, rela-
tive to my application for supply of fish
for our rivers.
: was very particular in putting in the
claims of the Tennessee. Il is the pecu-
liar character of that stream that led me to
look for success. @ -a
. In 4 letter from Commissioner Baird, he
wanted the sum Of about 500 to pay for
Transportation and the erection of a. hatch
ing establishment for the salmon. The
eggs are brought from the Sacramento
river, California, and Matched in the local
titles where they are to be placed. For
this purpose a small, rough house, and
some treughs are required near a good
spring of clear water.
wrote to Judge Patterson relative to a
spring suitable for the purpose, near some /
iof the tributaries to the Tennessee, but re-
ceived no reply to my inquiry. remem=
Der fine spring beyond Chattanooga at
the old Ross place. My recollection Of it
is that it is a bold, clear stream. Will you
let me know the amOunC of water dis
charged by it; mean generally. You
need only give general opinion; also the
flow of water from it, its distance from the
Tennessee river or the creek into which il
empties. l think it would be an excellent
spot. If you know Of any other large
spring near the river, please let me know.
The season for Matching the salmon will
be in October and November. | desire to
post the Commissioner before that time.
Any information you may have on this sub
iact will be very desirable. If the Tines
should publish my letters, send me copy.
Yours truly, JOS. 6. FOWLER.
Keep OF the Grass