Evening star., 1897-05-13

from waters in the vicinity of the hatchery.
During the season there were obtained in
this manner $50 yearling small mouth black
bass. Of which 300 were supplied to three
applicants in the state, 200 to streams in
Bath county. Va. and 80 forwarded to
central station, Washington
Work i'm nIin9is.
1t was only in the winter of 1SS1-S that
the attention of the commission directed
to the efficient work of the Illinois state
fish commission in the distribution of native
fish led to n ,gotiations, and a pooling of
issues.
This work was under the direction of
Dr. Bartlett, the secretary of the Illinois
commission, with headquarters at Quincy
Under a law of the state no seining is al
lowed of any pool stream except sucn
as will dry up or freeze solid in the follow
ing season. But the annual spring freshcts
leave many just such pools and sloughs
along the Illinois and Mississippi bottoms
and as the overflow occurs just about
spawning time they are filled with fry.
Later In the season. when the pools have
shrunk and the fish haze grown to a good
size for transportation, these little ponds
and hurrow pits become the storehouse
from which the fish may be obtained in
almost unlimited quantities, and supplies.
too. that IL not transplanted would only
perish The levee system along the river
tanks, wherever effective, of course, inter-
feres with this natural hatchway.
Some of these pools DIR. Bartlett had
seized each year and distributed the FISH
tbro ughout the state. The L. S. fish COM
mission offered to join in the good work
ard pay half the expenses and divide the
proceeds, which offer was readily accepted
The first year over 100000 fish were sent
out to various states from this source, of
which nearly $1,000 We're black bass. The
work has grown since and is now regu-
lar branch Of the United States commits
sion service. After DIR. Bartlett had sew
cred his connection with the state commits
sion Mr.. Mcdonald. recognizing the value
of his experience and services, appointed
him the government resident director in
charge of the work, and the distribution
gees on row practically independent: of the
Illinois state commission.
Good Words for the Graphic.
The writer reni,s smbers one consignment
brought by the commissions fish car No.
to Waterloo, ILL.,, late in the season. un-
der an emergency demand. when the bass
furnished were all breeders. The fish car
will transport a million fry, but these thou
sand bass taxed its capacity. In seining
for these fish, to fulfill long-deferred
promise-the season was far advanced
and the weather very warm-Dr. Bartlett
secured with the bass enough crappie TO
stock all the streams in the country, but
they do not stand transportation like bass
and the heat was so intense that they were
all returned to the Illinois river.
The crappie is another fish well worth
more attention than he seems to receive
here. One of the most prolific of breed
crs, affording excellent sport still fishing
and occasionally at dawn a wonder at the
fly, many think 1t the best pan fish in
the world. 1t grows over three pounds
and with bright colors in spring water,
but will thrive even in mill pond that
catches the hot water from Corliss con-
denser. He molests no other fish but the
minnow. and is infinitely to be preferred to
the white or yellow perch, both for size
and flavor.