The daily gazette., 1881-02-17
THURSDAY. FEBRUARY II, lssI.s
Oup F,s4ppvINrv,psrs r,o

OUR FISHERY INTEREsTs.-A great
deal might be said in favor of our
State giving small amount of aid to
to the cultivation of fish. The fact
that fish can be cultivated with success
and great profit to the people is no
longer matter of doubt. The gov
ernment of the United States, through
its commissioners, have solved that
doubt, and efforts in this direction are
no more experimental than the culture
Of fruits. Food is a necessity, and
the more of it we can secure, the more
choice, the better and the cheaper it
will be. Certainly fish make good,
wholesome and nutritious diet. Why
then should we pause or hesitate to
turn our creeks and rivers and fresh
:. water ponds into productive fish
falnasP That it can be done is not
doubted. We published in the GA
zETTE few days since an account of
the great "terrapin farm" as it was
termed, in Alabama. The owner of
which sold annually 10000 terrapins.
This farm is few acres of low land
cut up into bitches. He buys salt
water terrapins every year for breed
ers; let's the sea water in upon them,
and raises an increased production an.
nually, and makes a handsome profit.
We also gave an account of Senator
Denniss' terrapin farm in Mary land,
not far from our State line. These
farms we're upon land somewhat like
some Of our own land in Delaware
With very little cost such farms may
be made in many parts of the PENN
sula where salt water can be had
The results in this matter in Alabama
and Maryland are surpr Using.
With reference to food fishes we can
have little trouble. We are assure d
that the Government Fish Commissi
is able and willing to supply almost
any amount of food fish that is need
cd for stocking our rivers or creeks.
The capacity for production is so i'm
mense that that commission is able to
hatch and supply with young food fish
all who will receive them by authority.
ihence all our State is expected to do is
to appoint one or more commissioners
in each of the counties, who will take
pleasure in receiving the young food
fish of the Government Commission at
the proper season, and place them in
the rivers, creeks or ponds. Now he
has no one to direct these to and hence
we are losing time and an opportunity
to supply our rivers.
Our Representative in Congress,
Hon. E. L. Martin, has gwen the sub
Ject much earnest attention; but finds
his duties preclude his attending to it
longer. If, therefore, the Legislature
should appoint commissioners in each
county, who would attend TO this mat
ter it would result in great good. The
amount of money need not perhaps
exceed in all $1,000. Or perhaps ii
would be better 10 have but one Com
missioner for the State. The cultiva-
ton of game fsh-such as are caught
with the rod and hook and line
would require much more trou-
ole. They have to be placed
in ponds and brooks that are more
suitable for their growth. But SO far
as the supply of food fish is concerned
the Government Commissioner will
furnish to any State fish commission
all the young fish that is quir d.
The product is being enlarged and
varied every year. and we hope that
more attention will be given to our
own excellent variety of fish ere long.
There are no better food fish than he
white and yellow perch, trout, sunfsh,
catfish, rock and founder