The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-01-08

the striped bass, sheepshead, pompan0, and
moon fish. The run Of shad. herring, perch
and black bass, however. has Increased,
and this Is traceable 10 the labors u the
United states fish commissioner. and the
commissioners Of the several states. An
exhaustive history Of fish propagation i
given, and this will prove of great value to
students. The report continues;
ITO subserye the best interests OF The
whole people due caution should be exer-
cised in eliminating the personal element
from all consideration Of this most import
ant subject. A strict surveillance OF the
fish ways that now exist in the rivers and
the erection OF others where necessary
would do much 10 supplement the work OF
restocking our waters. The trout and bass
20 be placed in our mountain streams
should receive that protection during their
spawning season that reason and a
knowledge Of their breeding habits shall
dictate. Without this protective policy the
labors Of the commissioner IN planting Try
will be in vain and this fruitful source OF
food and sport for the people will be failure
and a disappointment.
Among the more important species OF
saltwater fish which IL Is deemed advisable
10 propagate, are Spanish mackerel, bonita
shad. trout. pOrgies. and striped bass. and
there should be liberal paintings Of noun
tain and brook trout and black bass. The
total value OF the scale fisheries Of Virginia
cannot fall short Of 81 100000.
while the oyster interests Of virginia
continue 10 be a fruitful source OF revenue 10
her people. in the total catch and the aggre-
gate value Of her oyster products she u not
measuring up 10 the incOnceiyable posi-
biliteA Of her bay and river bottoms. Oys-
tiers taken by dredging and tongmen are
fewer than formerly and inferior In quality.
the result Of working over the same rocks
and grounds uninterruptedly wear by year.
Added 10 this is the perniciOus practice Of
selling for expectation from the state small
oysters az a small price for planting pur-
poses. That an intelligent ana progressive
system of oyster culture should DE develop
ed. a change in our laws is necessary.
.sThere are hundreds ofthousands Of acres
under our rivers and bay awaiting careful
and intelligent working 10 return hand
some profit 10 the expert culiiVator and
indirectly 10 the state. Under the present
laws regulating the rights Of planter o.
his bed he is not only liable % be dispossessed
al any time with the actual loss OF capital
expended i'm the making Of his planting
grounds but 10 lose all prospective adFan
tage from his outlay. This uncertainty OF
tenure has kept and will continue 10 keen
capital from our waters and prevent the
development of this industry.
Il would recommend such liberal legis-
lation a. will guarantee 10 the planters the
ground 10 be required for planting, with the
right 20 hold or dispose Of the same as other
real property under certain proper restric-
lions. The total value Of the she'll Fisheries
of the State may be estimated at about
S222j,0OO.
"The commission has planted during the
year l.l3j,OOO young shad and l,JOO,OV
Spanish mackere in the hav'
In conclusion, acknowledgment is made
Of gifts. &c. a list Of the commissioners oi
the several States is given, and the follow
ing is asked "That an appropriation be-
made To- meet the continually expandinc
work Of the artificial reproduction Of tide
water fsh: 10 enable the commissioner o.
exercise "a strict surveillance Of the fish
WAYS Of the great rivers. and 10 cause them
10 be erected when necessary 90 enable
him 10 stock the different streams Of the
state with such fish as are adapted % differ
ent localities; 10 provide boat suitable o.
the needs OF the commission