The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1880-03-22
EpIronlAL CORRESPONDENTS.
Interview with Prof. Bnird, U. =. Fish
Commissioner -The Growing Impor'
tance Of FIsh CuIIurc-InterestinE In
formation About tho Carp.

lance Of FIsh CuIIurc-Interestiny In
formation About tho Carp.
WASHINGTON, March 20;
paid visit day or two since to Prof.
Spencer F. Baird, who has charge OF the
National Museum at the Smithsonian In
stitute, and who is the U. S. Commissioner
OF Fisheries. / went to see him for the e.
pecial purpose OF talking on the subject OF
fish, and more particularly in regard to the
Carp fish. found that he was just COIN
pleting the shipments authorized under
the late act OF Congress tothe Berlin Fish
Exposition, and he was enthusiastic over
the extent and variety OF our American
contribution 10 that important interna'
tional exhibition, which is to be opened
in April. lie said to me that he had no
doubt that our display would sufpass that
Of all the nations put together. We had
only $4,000 allowed US, said he, by Con-
GEES, but as the ocean steamers are carry
ing all our freight free Of charge, We shall
readily have what is equivalent to s2S, 1000.
! asked him what all he had shipped. ~
can't tell you the half, said he. Wehave
sent an endless variety OF fish, comprising
lake fish, stuffed fish, plaster carps, oysters,
sponges, coral &c. We have sent fish put
up as food in cans, and as dried fish, and
in other ways, to an amount that would
sustain thousand men for week. We
have sent also specimens OF every variety
OF fish product that enters into manutact-
lures and into the arts, such as oil, bone,
fin, blubber &C.. 1t will be magnificent
display, and considering the short time al
lowed US for getting 1t up, very remark
able display.
"What results do you expect from the
display, I asked.
@WeIl," he replied, at will reveal to
Europeans, more than all that could be
written on the subject, the boundlessness
OF our food resources in the way OF fish.
Our country covers such variety OF lati-
tude, and has such completely ofstreams,
that our fish varieties are infinite, and
capable OF themselves OF contributing
largely to the support Of vast population.
This fact, for one thing, will impress itself
on the European mind, and in that way q
new impulse to emigration will be given.
Another result will be that We will open
up a more extensive demand for our fish
food throughout Europe. We now export
about $4,000, 900 annually OF fish food. l
expect to see these exports reach 5O,OOO,-
600 in lew years.
But, Professor, asked, notwithstanding
our great resources in the way OF fish va
rieties on this continent, are We not
especially propagating the German Carp
fish at this timer
Yes, we are doing good deal in the
way OF pushing Carp culture, although it
Is only one OF the many varieties that have
/, engaged our attention, and not more
prominently than Salmon and Shad. The
Carp Is an inland fish-a domestic fish
and can be raised by any farmer who has
stream OF water on his farm, and there
: fore 1t assumes deserved prominence in
our efforts to supply the country with fish
food.
. What progress has been made up TO this
time in introducing this fish?
A great deal. We have thus far been
able to supply all demands from fish Gull
turists throughout the country. This We
have done from small beginning. We
are only in the incipiency Of the culture,
however, as far as the country is concern
ed, as indeed We are oil all fish culture.
Our first experiments in the way OF in.
Producing Carp were made inlS76 and were
unsuccessful owing to the long voyage OF
the fish. In 1877 small lot OF them were
successfully brought over by DR.. HeSsell
and planted in ponds at Druid Hill park,
Baltimore, where they have increased
abundantly, and from this pond 100 were
removed to the Government Carp pond
here, built especially for them. From
here We have sent out small consignments
to all parts OF the country. The fish are
now fairly introduced and we expect great
results TO follow.
Public interests greatly aroused all over
the country in fish culture, is 1t not PrOfP
Yes, fish culture is spreading like Wild
fire. People everywhere are realizing its |
great importance. You are giving 1t atten.
ton in West Virginia. We have sent a |
good many fish TO your commissioners.
Your representative at Wheeling (Mr. Ii. |
B. Miller has manifested much interest
in the matter.
What Especial merits do you claim for
the Carp fish?
We claim that 1t is an excellent food
fish. The best varieties are held in high
estimation in Germany. In Paris, Berlin
and Hamburg, DIR. Hessel writes that In
spite OF an abundant supply OF different
salt and fresh water fishes, the carp Is al
ways preferred, and, with the exception
OF the trout and salmon, frequently COM
mands price three times as high as all
the rest. There are many varieties OF this
fish, and as strongly marked, as OF sheep,
dogs, pigeons, or other domestic animals,
One great point in carp ish is the fact
that they are readily propagated and rear
ed. 1t has been domesticated in Europe
from time immemorial, having been in-
troduced many centuries ago from Central
Asia or China. They soon become tame
and will eat from the hands Of their keep
or. Their ieCundity is great A fish weigh
ing four or five pounds lays as many as
half million eggs, and one OF ten or fl
teen pounds three times that number. The
rate OF increase Is very great, owing in
part 10 the fact that parents do not devour
their young. The 100 fish brought to
two years ago have increased
10 at least 10000. They are thus able
10 populate body OF water to the fullest
extent, filling up the available space with
their own kind, while Carnivorous species