The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-03-03
Fisb-Culture in Little Tennessee.

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Fish-Culture in Little Tennessee.
We have twice referred to the amend
mcnt II the bill for encouraging hsh-cu'-
turc on motion OF Mr.. DICKINSON, OF the
Virginia Senate, which excepted the "a1ers
OF Bland county and those streams rising
in Virginia and flowing into Tennessee ana
Kentucky from the operations OF the Dill.
It was not that this exemption was matter
OF any especial importance OF Itself that
we called attention to it, hut that it seemed
the inc!p!cnt .lage Of hostile legislation that
should meet the appreciation OF no hoerai
statesman. IL the inhabitants OF the hcad-
waters OF a stream may continue the prae-
tees hostile to the increase OF fish, serious
evils may be inflicted upon the lnhaDilahts
who dwell lower down upon the stream.
It Is in the head-waterS where the
growing fish delight 10 dwell ana
pursue their youthful sports which so
much promote their health and RAPID
growth II the pot-tiShers and dcStruc-
tive hunters OF fish are permitted to
CuC>S utlu MIL litli kii
and barbarols ways there can be no increase
in the stock of fish for such streams. PEG
ple who live lower down upon the stream
can derive no benefit from hsh-culture
while even those who live where the waters
rise can know nothing OF the advantages OF
streams well stocked with well-grown fish.
The net, the trap, the gun, and the gig VIII
destroy the fish and cut off the inhabitants
from the advantages OF having good sup
ply OF fish TO become q material addition to
the means OF subsistence and the sources OF
pleasure to the community.
Yet the inhabitants OF the lower waters
are not without the means OF retaliation,
although they be deprived of the advantages
that flow from tish-culture. They may OBJ
struct the passage of fish by dams and traps,
and deprive all dwellers higher up the river
OF fish, as a retaliation OF their churlish con-
duct in defeating all measures for restock-
ing the waters.
We trust that Virginia will do nothing to
countenance n barbarous conflict such as
this. Since our previous remarks upon the
subject we have received the last No. Of
that admirable paper the New York Forest
and Stream. In it we find al extract Of
letter from citizen of Tennessee-Mr.
GEORGE F. AKEEs-to one OF the New
York State fish commissioners, upon the
subject of the .adaptability of the Tennessee
waters TO the culture OF fish. We give it
here:
H., &c IL, fI,nyr
in Tennessee, the adaptability OF our streams
and climate to their production, and the
possibility Of resupplying our streams with
their primitive abundance, l will say that
the waters and climate of our State are as
favorable to fsh-culture as any l know in
the Union. Our rivers, lakes, and rivulets
are generally clear, pure, and sufficiently
cool for the healthful and rapid rearing OF
the best varieties OF game fish. They leap
from the hills and mountains in beauty
and gladness, and make their way
through valleys and plains the most
attractive and fertile in America. J.
regret to say the most OF them have been
despoled Of their fnny treasures by their
ruthless and unnecessary slaughter by lazy
sportsmen and pot-hunters, who use the
net, trap, seine, gun, gig, spike, ana every
conceivable destructive means OF killing.
''This is not generally for prudent or eX-
hilarating sport, OF for profit; but from an
unrelenting propensity, which seems to be
natural with those who engage in it, with
out reference to present uses or to future
supply. In this way it has come that few Of
our streams especially in Middle and West
Tennessee) have sufficient in them either to
supply our tables or to reward the eXertions
OF the eager and industrious angler
81 would therefore suggest the passage
OF law securely protecting the fishes in al
the waters Of Tennessee-the appointment
OF fish commission OF three persons, and
the establishment Of, say, three or more
hatching-housesf for the artificial propagation
Of fish. The duties Of the commissioners
should require them to see to the faithful
execution OF the protection laws, to dis
tribute fish from the hatching-houses to
streams that are deficient, and see that it is
properly performed and applied"
Now, suppose that we carry out the prin-
ciple embodied in the exemption from the
waters OF Tennessee rivers that lie in
Virginia, can we hope for any measures
in Tennessee that may lead to the increase
OF fish in those rivers? II we aim the first
blow we must look for the retaliatory policy,
and this in land Of civilization and refine
ment would be simply barbarous. Let US
understand this noble enterprise Of tish-cul.
ture better, and by no means enter into a
plan OF hostility towards our neighbors.
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A NICE SORT OF REAPPoRTIoNMEST.-W
are informed that the Northside oligarchy