Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-04-04

1t. Now there Is general complaint about
the scarcity of the bass in the Potomac.
This change Is due to no other cause than
the carp. The carp is natural scavenger,
and he destroys the spawn of fish
wherever he can find it. The carp follows
the schools 10 their spawning beds and
sucks up nest after nest without fear of
interruption, because he is too big and UNI
Wieldy for the fish he pursues to drive him
away. There will be no more carp distrib-
uted by the United States fish commission
while l am in charge of it. and they will
be cleaned out Of all the ponds wherever
they may be that come under the author
fty of this office
Other Destructive Fish.
There will be no wall-eyed pike distrib-
uted, either. We have received many re-
quests for fish of this character under diff
ferent names from various parts of the
country, but they are all wall-eyed pike,
pure and simple, most pernicious and de-
structfve fish, and, as ! said, none will be
distributed. The perch is another destruc-
tive fish. There are very few members of
the perch family that do not come under
this condemnatory head. Like the carp,
they follow the schools of fish and destroy
their spawn.
1--WE do not propose to introduce any
mere foreign fish in Americn waters"
ne continued There is some demand
for the Introduction of the German trout
IN this country. but the persons who
desire such an Importation apparently do
not realize what an effect. the appearance
OF tnls Esh Wonid have upon our native va
rieues. The German trout is stronger
larger, more vigorous and vicious ard
grows raster than any of our variety and
III IL We're introduced into this country 1t
WOULD Quickly drive cut the brook trout in
tHe east and the rainbow trout in CaIifor-
ma. No, continued Commissioner Brice
Inc care and preservation and increase of
the nshes indigenous to American streams,
or "a1ch nave been found to adapt them
selves 10 our waters without driving out or
destroying tle native varieties should b.
the ann and object of the fish commission"
The Commission to BE Reorsnnfxc.l.
Yes. there will be something of a reor-
gahization liz the work Of the commission"
ne replied in response to the reporters
query. Its aim will be to secure the very
best practical results of the most far
reaching nature; to exert the widest pos
s!bie influence for good. 1t will be our OBJ
5ect to reach all localities and increase
wherever possible the supply of food and
game flsh native to their ponds, streams
and lakes, introducing other varieties only
when the assurance is absolute that no
eVl results will follow. OF COURSE the
scientific branch of the work will be fos-
Tered, as it is an important and necessary
adjunct of the work, but it will be con-
OF the commission"
The reporter. in leaving, mentioned the
heauties OF the aqCarums in the exhibit
and their instructive value to the general
public. which seldom sees a fish other than
in a fried or other edible condition, and
Commissioner Brice indicated that he was
going to improve this portion of the bureau
also.
L am going to secure specimens of every
variety of tout in this country and place
them il the exhibit. They are easy to
Keep. and it will be mighty interesting for
q fisherman to be able TO come here and
see such collection and become informed
as to the habitat of each member of the
SpecieS'