The daily gazette., 1883-03-19
FISH FOR DELAWARE.
HATCHlNG AND BREEDING
PONDS WANTED.
TWO MILL ON OF sHAD IN JUNE.
A Petition I'd the Legislature From Cui-
zens OF Sussex County-A Proposed Lnl
Asking For an Appropriation.

|
For some time the matter of establis hing
hsh breeding and Matching ponds in this
city has been aRitated, and many gentlemen
interested in the scheme are very anxious to
nave some steps taken In the matter. The
plan proposed, and one which NAV very
likely be consummated, is to locate the
ponds alongside the Cool Spring Reservoir.
In that connection Enoch Moore, Jr., Fish
Commissioner, in his first biennial report.
| says ~.
sI would retomnFeFid small apptoprfa-
tlon for the purpose Of building a Matching
house and experimental ponds for this State.
The City Council OF Wilmington have made
| very generous offer of piece of ground to
| be used for that purpose only. 1t Is well
adapted for that purpose, being located
alongside OF Cool Spring Reservoir. 1t con
tains about three acres and has a never fail
ing supply OF pure spring water, about forty
thousand (+O,000) gallons of water running
through it daily. For a small outlay, say
live thousand t$5,O0O) dollars, u series of
ponds could bd built and small one story
building and all the appliances for hatch
ing mouse and experimental ponds put upon
this ground. That this would be great
benefit to the state have no doubt, for here
could be Matched eggs of the California
salmon, and-locked salmon, trout, carp,
etc, and annual distributions Of the same
made throughout the State. have no
doubt 1t could be made great success aud
at very little expense to the State after the
first cost"
When the Cool Spring Reservoir was
Duilt the property adjoining it was CON
demned for the city providing that it should
be used for the purpose of a reservoir within
20 years or revert back in default of such i'm
proyement, 10 the original owners.
lnasmuch az the city will have
to erect basins or reservoirs upon
the ground at no very distant dav, the
erection Of fist ponds could be done in con
junction with the city work. A + present it
is estimated that at least 10000 gallons Of
excellent water are wasted every day by the
running of of the large spring under the
present reservoir. plan by which the
water thus wasted could be saved and then
pumped If needs be TO the reservoir at
Redney street is much talked The bill be-
fore the Legislature TO allow the city to ex
pend $3.50, 900 for the protection f its water
system allows the city to act in conjunction
with the Fish Commissioner in the creation
OF Matching ard breeding ponds.
In conversation with Colonel Moore this
morning he briefly and hurriedly gave an
idea OF how the ponds could be constructed,
stating that in recent interview with
Spencer L. Baird, the United States Fish
Commissioner, that gentleman, upon being
given description Of the large supply of
good water at CoolSpring Reservoir declared
it was just the right spot for a breeding sta
tion. Colonel Moore's idea is to first throw
dam across the lot where the spring comes
out, aud thus form large pond. Below it
would be three or four other basins
or ponds ed from the overflow of
those above hy a system of pipes. When
1t was desired to lower the water in either
OF the basins to inspect the progress of the
fish the matter could be readily accom-
plshed by gates aud pipes. The fish which
would be introduced into the basins are
carp, bass, trout, white fish and salmon.
What is needed mostly in the Delaware
river and the streams running into it is a
species OF fish which can take its own part
and fight the native pike, who are very
savage and unciyil toward any in
truders. No steps have been taken
by the citizens Of Wilmington looking to the
erection of the proposed ponds, although
the project is looked upon with favor, aud
several gentlemen have already expressed
their Willingness to contribute sum yearly
for the support of the establishment, the
cost of which would not be very great, pro-
viding the work is done, as already sug-
gested, in conjunction with the city.
A bill will be introduced before the Legis-
lature this session, notice of which is to be
given to-day or tomorrow, asking for an
appropriation to further the matter. Col.
Moore to-day received the following, which
will be presented to the General Assembly
in connection with the bill mentioned
To the Honorable the Senate and House
Of Representatives Of tie State Of DelaWare
IN General assembly met
The petition of the subscribers, citizens of
Sussex county, respectfully showeth: That
as the culture of fish in the State of Della
ware is an Important industry, and there
fore ought I'd be encouraged for the general
good of the people Of said State. and your
petitioners recommend an appropriation,
for the purpose of blildng Matching house
and experimental pond; and as the industry
is increasing the duties of the Commissioner
also increases, and your petitioners also
recommend an increased appropriation sufil-
cient to enable the said Commissioner to
give more oGhis time to the extension of fish
culture in this State. And your petitioners
will ever pray, etc.
Signed by IS well-known citizens.
sHAD FOR DELAWARE.
Col. Moore has received information from
the United States Fish Commissioner that
the quota of shad for Delaware streams this
yea will be 100000 and they will be
ready for delivery about the first of June.
They will he placed in the Christiana,
Murderkill, Appoquininink and Other
streams.
AGhAU6sG