The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1896-07-03
RESIGNATION OF sUPT. WATKINS,
OF THE WILLOW BROOK HATCH
cry is ACCEPTED
EXPERT WILL BE IN CHARGE
AFTER NEXT SEPTEMBER UNTIL
WHEN NO SUPERINTENDENT
WILL BE NAMED
NEEDED IMPROVEMENTS WAIT
Committee Is Authorized to Rrfna
the Willow Brook Institution
Up to Date.

Z. ). watkins has resigned as super
intendent Of the state fish hatchery
to which position he succeeded on the
death Of his father about a year ago
His resignation was rendered yester-
day, at meeting of the state game
and fish commission, held in the office
of President Undertake Lack of ex.
perience had made Mr.. Watkins work
unsatisfactory to the commissioners
For the present Foreman ). A. Murray
will have charge of the hatchery, but
in September a professional piscicul-
turist will be engaged.
It was decided to appoint no adlf-
tional deputy wardens before JAM
81. There are numerous applications
on file; but the commissioners think
that with seven salaried deputies and
over forty working for percentage
Of fines collected through their work,
ample protection is afforded the game
and fish.
Reports Of deputy wardens showed
that the people are cooperating most
heartily with the officers to prevent
violations and punish violators Of the
law. This is shown to be true, because
violations have decreased greatly in
number during the past year.
Commissioners Timberlake, Fullerton
and Benson were appointed a commit
tee to inspect the state hatchery and
make necessary improvements Ex-
Supt. Watkins was appointed to the
position from which he just resigned
upon the death of his father. S. 8.
Watkins, who was for many years in
charge at Willow Brook. He had not
up to that time had any responsibility
for the work Of the hatchery, although
he had been around great deal. He
was not equipped, however, with the
general knowledge of piSciculture
which his father had, nor was he
abreast of the latest requisites for the
propagation of the finny, as to topo-
graphy, arrangement Of apparatus,
and nurture Of the young. This made
1t difficult for him to continue in a
position which at this time might tax
the energies of an expert, for the state
fish commission is making an heroic
effort to restock the lakes which have
been violated by pot-fishers, and are
endeavoring to propagate fish by the
millions Even with the most improved
appliances and most admirable loca-
percentage Of fish produced is very
small compared with number of eggs
Matched. The slightest trouble in feed
ing or in circulation of water is
enough to seriously increase the loss,
and at Willow Brook, where the build
ings are for the most part old, and
many of the arrangements Of tanks
and circulating systems old fashioned
the efficacy Of the institution is seri-
ously impaired. The commission is
however, making an effort to remodel
the institution on lines closely follow
ing those Of the federal hatchery at
Lester park, near Duluth, which is in
charge Of F. w. Wines, considered one
of the most expert pisciculturists In
the country. His suggestions are be-
Ing closely followed in the arrange
ment of the Willow Brook hatchery
and it would not be surprising if his
recommendation should have much tc
do with the naming Of Supt. Watkins
successor.