Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1881-05-31

Through the courtesy of Hon. A. Fl. Pet
tibone, Representative in Congress from the
first district, we are permitted to publish the
following letter, addressed to him by Spen-
Ger F. Baird, United States Fish Commits
sioner at Washington:
WASHINGTON, D. c., May 26
Hon. 4. II. Petti6Oae, GreeneUiIle, Tenn
Dear Sir: Your letter on the subject of
restocking the rivers of East Tennessee has
been received. 1t was most welcome, not
only on account of the correct information
it gave me concerning the several important
streams of your portion of the State, but as
an evidence of the interest which you take
III the matter of fish culture.
| am satisfied that your expectations will
be realized, as we are every day having
stronger evidence of the good results which
have accrued from the artificial propagation
of our most useful fishes.
/ have already sent to some of the streams
named varieties of the salmon and trout
family, and will continue to attempt their
introduction. [ am now making arrange
ments to secure a number of the eggs of the
trout common to the Pacific Coast and
during the winter hope to send a large
quantity of this variety of trout to stock the
streams of East Tennessee. In fact, [ have
for some time been considering the estGb-
Eshment of an auxiliary Matching station
in your State, for the express purpose of
stocking the streams with fishes, which re-
quire clear, cold water.
The navigable streams of the State, ]
think, we will have no difficulty in stocking
with the migratory fish which enter SC
largely into the food resources of the At
lantic States.
The work of propagating the shad is be
ing prosecuted with great success this
spring, and [ am about sending q large
number of shad and herring to the rivers OF
Tennessee.
For small ponds and waters which are
subject to great elevation of temperature
during the summer, [ would recommend
the European carp, which has now been
successfully introduced into the United
States.
take the liberty of sending you two or
three copies of a pamphlet on the cultiva-
ton of this fish, written by the superindent
of the breeding ponds at Washington, as it
may give some of your constituency. who
may be desirous to enter into the cultiva-
ton of this fish, some hints as to the prep
aration of their ponds
The distribution of carp will take place
in the fall when the young fish from this
springs spawning viii be ready for
transfer. I enclose here with a
number of blank applications and
suggest that you would endorse favorably
the application of those persons whom you
wish supplied with carp, and who will be
likely to take proper care of the fish issued.
Thanking you for the kind expressions of
your interest in the work which has absorbed
ho hloeh OF my attention for the past ten
years. am, very truly yours.
SPENCER F. BAIRD.
we are 9ratlted to see SO much iptaroot
manifested by Congressman Pettibone on .
subject of SO much importance to our section,
We are glad that he has brought the matter
to the attention of Commissioner Baird and
that the prospect is SO fattering for good
results. The passage of the fish law by our
last Legislature makes it possible for fish cul-
ture to be fully tested in East Tennessee.
and there is little doubt but that it can be
made source of great profit to our people,
NOW IS the time to strike, and we
nope to see such and interest aroused,
ihat Commissioner Baird will not
hesitate to establish somewhere in East Ten
AeSSee the auxiliary Matching station of
winch he speaks. We know Of number of
gentleman who take an interest in this sub.
Ject, some Of whom we trust will at once
open up correspondence with Commits
bloner Baird. Maj Pettibone is now in
washington and will remain there about ten
Gays He will do everything to aid in de-
'eloplng and carrying out this enterprise.