The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1885-08-14
DOMESTIC ECONOMY.
How Fish Culture Has Increased, and the
Best Method for Encouraging lt-Gener-
al Industrial Miscellany. "
porgress IN Fish cu,ture.

Porgress III Fish Culture.
Fish culture was undertaken in most
parts OF this country from necessity.
In no part of the world were fish bot
ter distributed. When the country
was discovered there was excellent
fishing, not only all along the coast of
the Atlantic, but in the numerous
lakes, rivers, and small streams. In
many places the first settlers would
have persisted during seasons when
the crops failed had it not been for
the liberal supply of fish. Shad were
so plenty in the rivers of some of the
eastern states that they were sailed
for use during the times when they
could not be eaten in their
fresh state. Dried cod, smoked her-
rings, and salt mackcrel were among
the chief articles of food in town and
country. They also took the place Of
most of the condiments now in use.
Old ''dun'' Goldfish was known as
lake cod cheese" in all parts of the
coast. Smoked alewives, or Eastport
behring's, were employed in place of
small coins in making change in coun-
try stores. Lobsters, clans, and
oysters were SO plenty that they were
hauled about and sold at a nominal
price. Smells, cells, hake, blucGsh,
and paddock atfordcda variety to those
who lived largely on '.the harvest of
the seas" The prosperity of New
England at the commencement of its
history was largely due to the fish
that supplied the people with their
principal articles of food.
The rivers cmptying into the ocean
and all their tributaries, rs well as
the lakes that fed them, were plenti-
fully supplied with fish. Salmon we're
soplentlful in many streams that the
people We're able to catch and cure
them IN large quantities. All the
mountain streams and spring brooks
were stocked with trout. The lakes
abounded with pike, pickerel, bass,
and perch. The great lakes in the
west were full of trout and whltetish,
and supplied the earlier settlers of the
prairies with cheap and cxcellentfood.
for May years no necessity was seen
Tor the artificial propagation of fish or
even for protecting them from destruc-
ton. They. We're caught in nets,
seines, and other apparatus that were
the most easy to manage. Dams were
erected across streams that prevented
the passage of fish. In many places
the water OF streams was polluted by
tanneries, distilleries, ana breweries
SO that the best varieties could not
live in them. The supply of fish sud-
denly fell off in almost all parts of the
country ut about the same time. Shad
hpnanla ca oost1x, tl,at avn l-A A.
wealthy could eat them. Salmon be-
came so scarce that they were beyond
the reach of most persons. Even
mackerel was expensive food, while
brook trout readily commanded so
cents per pound in city markets. Even
CLANS and Holsters took their places
among the costly luxuries of the table.
Although tsh-breeding was attempt
ed by a few persons of wealth aud
leisure many years ago, it has only be-
come a matter of general interest since
the formation of the National Fish
culture association, which held its last
annual meeting at Washington during
the first week in the present month.
This association has added millions of
dollars to the wealth of the country,
and we have but just began to derive
the full benefit of its labors. Ithas
worked in connection with the ma
tional and various state fish commits
slons. 1t was stated ut the meeting at
Washington that the expense of hatch
ing white-tish had been reduced from
$500 to $50 per million during the past
ten years. The association has sug-
gested most of the means that have
been adopted by state commissioners
for the establishment of tishways and
the management of hatcheries. 1t
recommended many of the bills that
were passed by state legislatures for
the protection of fish in inland water
courses. 1t first suggested the INTRO
duction of the various varieties of the
German carp, which was undertaken
by the national government. Only a
few years ago thirty-tive of these fish
were brought to this country and
placed in the government ponds at
Washington. Some of their progeny
are now in every state and territory.
They have been. sent to over %, 900
places, and it is estimated that there
are now 200, 900, 900 carp in the coun-
try. Most of them are still small,
which accounts for the fact that they
are not in the market.
The United States commissioners
have distributed about 600, 900, 900 fish
since 1872, and are prepared to send
out 100. 900, 900 this year. Many of
them have been placed in waters
where fish were never known to exist
before. The experiment was in q
j L. t.fr y, -, tAnr, -
German carp are found to do well in
the alkaline lakes and streams in Ari-
iona and New Mexico, where NO fish
had previously existed. They also
thrive in the artificial st%ock-ponds IN
Texas, Colorado, and other places
where fresh fish are difficult to obtain.
The carp is singluiarly adapted to the
waters Of the south, in which fish that
do well in Il cold climate do not thrive,
Local associations are needed to en-.
courage fish culture by means of bring.
ing a knowledge of the methods pur-
sued by experts before the public. Few
people will attempt to start a hatchery,
to construct a fish pond, or even tc
stock one if they have no knowled o.
the business except that derived from
ooohs II papers. IL is Win Watel
farming as with land farming. PEG
pie desire to see how new operation
is performed before they will engage
in it themselves. The establishment
of a new hatchery or artificial fish
pond III a county will cause many
people to visit and and see how it is
managed. The directors of count,
agricultural societies could render fish
culture profitable by establishing 6
breeding establishment on their fair
grounds. 1t would be a great attrac.
ton at the annual fairs, and hell
swell the receipts. it could be render
ed ~remunerative in other ways. Breed
ing fish could be obtained free OF cos
from the national or state commissions
their eggs Matched. and the small fry
sold to persons who desire to stool