The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1876-04-09
AORNNG CATHOLIC ENGER SUNDAY APRIL 1876
FOOD FISHES.

The United States Commissioner of Fish and
Fisheries has written q very interesting letter
to Mr.. Kerr, Speaker Of the House of Repre-
seutatives, giving details as to the progress
already made in stocking our rivers with 6sh
The work was commenced in 1872 since which
time large number of the principal streams
in thirty-two States have been supplied with
the eggs aud spawn of shad, herring, rock fish,
salmon, white fish, carp, etc. The Commits
sioner says:
1t is not alone to the introduction of suitable
6shes into water previously uniuhsbted by
them that the efforts of the Com IN ission are
directed, but also towards restoring full
supply to streams where their former abund-
ance has been exhausted.
At one time all the rivers the Atlantic
coast abounded in shad and Furnished an
enormous aggregate of food, sufficient not only
for several months supply 30 the inhabitants,
but allowing surpins for shipment, either
fresh or salted. Now, however, this condition
has become matter of tradition in regard to
nearly every stream south of the Potomac, and
nothing but the method of artificial props9a-
ton will restore the stock. When, however,
of shad, artifcially treated, can be made to
produce more young fish than those of two
hundred pairs of natural spawners, the i'm
portance Of the measures to be adopted by the
Commission will be readily appreciated.
/ inclose herewith tables showing the dis
trbation of eggs and spa wn during the years
1874 and 1875, making the follo wing aggregate:
Psnobscot sa1n on 1894
California salmon b l53,14S
Total. .........................26,l9 ,s55
To this is to be added the Matching and dis
tributiou. during the winter and spring of 1875
and 1876 of California salmon, Penobscot
salmon, land locked salmon, and lake white
tish. not yet completed, and the details of
which cannot no ~ he given, but amounting to
at least IA 900 900 of fish, thus making total
of 10000, 600 of fish supplied by the United
States Fish Commission in three years. This,
as the assumed ratio of one to two hundred,
would represent the proceeds of 5000 900, 900 of
eggs laid in the natural way and subject to all
the especial perils of natural spawning.
On the Importance to our people of the great
work he remarks:
The operations of the Commission have it is
believed, given entire satisfaction TO the people
at large, as shown by the general popularity
of the measures adopted, the great nterest ex
cited in the subject throughout the country,
and the appointment of State Fish ComUfB-
sions in nineteen States in most instances for
the purpose of directly cooperating with the
United States Comm ssou in its Efforts to
secure from the waters their fulles. Nieid of
animal food, This has rightly been considered
an object of the greatest I'M bortance in view of
the rapidly-incTe ng population of the United
States, and the almost corresponding diminu-
ton of the average yield of vegetable food
by the farming lands, and it is not thought to
be exaggeration to say that the waters can be
made to yield larger percentage of nutriment,
acre for acre, than the land.
A further evidence of the Importance of this
effort is shown by the fact that China, with its
enormous population, greater to the square
mile than any other part of tho world, derives
interior waters of the empire, the methods of
cultivation of fab being there conducted in
very efficient manner, and every cubic yard of
pond and stream thoroughly utilized.