Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1898-06-29

these maggots for the feeding of young
fry is a quite elaborate affair, the same
having been planned and arranged by
Supt. Atkins.
PENoBsCoT SALMON.
The salmon reared at Craig brook works
have with few exceptions been liberated
in the Penobscot river and its tributaries,
and more than 80 per cent. or them in
small tributaries within ten miles OF the
station, having been spread about in
streams and lakes at all accessible points.
Thus it will be seen that the government
works are a direct advantage to the fish
ing interest OF our own State. The fish
are transferred in tin cans holding about
eight gallons, filled to within an inch
from the shoulder, thus giving opportu-
nifty for the water to swash about and
aerate itself. These cans hold from 200
to 800 Atlantic salmon, seven months old +,
each. Salmon in all stages of growth
under artificial conditions, are subject to
many diseases, and to these Supt. Atkins
has devoted much study, as he has to
their food, in both subjects Of which he
is recognized authority among Ameri-
can fish culturists.
Previous to 1871 it was necessary to go
to the upper waters OF the Penobscot
where the salmon spawned naturally,
for their eggs. But Mr.. Atkins conceived
the plan OF erecting ponds or confines
for the fish near the entrance to the
river, or in quite near proximity to the
hatchery, and keeping them in these
ponds until wanted for their eggs later
in the season. This plan marked an era
Of wonderful progress in artificial fish
culture, and it was first carried out in a
successful manner by Supt. Atkins in 1871.
1t was the first time such an experiment
had ever been tried in the world.
SUPERINTENDENT ATKINS.
Charles G. Atkins, assistant United
States fish commissioner and superintend-
ent OF the government works at Craig
brook, has devoted his life to the study Of
the habits Of migratory fish, their arti-
fetal propagation, and the entire subject
of fish culture in its many and intricate
branches. Mr.. Atkins graduated from
Bowdoin college in 1861, among his class
mates being Frank l.. Dingley, OF the
Lewiston Journals; Edward Stanwood,
editor of the Youths Companion; Prof.
A. s. Packard, OF Brown university; DR..
M. c. Fernald, former president Of the
University of Maine, and DR.. c. o. Hunt,
OF Portland.
A few years after his graduation, and
while engaged in farming and fruit grow
ing, Mr.. Atkins attention was arrested
by statement made in an article on
"Aqueculture" contributed to the report
OF the Maine board of agriculture by the
late DR.. Ezekiel Holmes. In that article
the statement was made that an acre OF
water properly stocked with edible fish
was capable OF producing as much human
food as an acre Of land. This statement
led Mr.. Atkins to take up the study OF
fish culture. He thought anybody could
produce food from the soil while few
could do it from the water and from hat
moment he decided to devote his life tc
fish culture.
| The New England states were about tC
engage in this enterprise, as just detailed
ana ME-. AL n his DeCdIlG IlltTtSltu III Tue
subject. The Maine legislature wNs
about to join New Hampshire and
massachusetts, in the experiment and Mr.
Atkins applied personally, and without
petitions or recommendations, for the
position of State fish commissioner. He
was appointed by Gov. Chamberlain c
this position about as soon as he asked
for ii, and at once entered upon his
| duties.
MIR. Atkins occupied the position of fish
commissioner for this State for four years
from 1867 to 1871; and from the latter
date to the present time he has been in
the constant service of the national gov
eminent as assistant fish commissioner
most of the tine in charge OF the various
| hatcheries in this state at Or!and, Grand
| Lake stream and Craig brook.
When the late Prof. Spencer F. Baird
Was in charge of the United States fish
commission, he assigned Mr.. Atkins tc
| office duty, and WAS so highly satisfied
with his abilities that he wanted to retain
| his services at the Washington office
| Had he done so Mr.. Atkins would have
undoubtedly to-day been at the head OF
the important branch OF the government
service. But his dislike for indoor W ork
was so great, and his desire to be out
among the fish, watching them anc
studying their ways was so absorbing
that he informed Prof. Baird that unless
he could be relieved from office dutie.
| and go back to the ponds and hatch
cries, he should feel obliged to resign hi.
position entirely. Very unwillingly tt
his chief, MIR. Atkins wishes were re
garded, ant he has ever since been en-
gagged in what is called the "field work
of the commission.
Mr.. Atkins is one OF the best informed
experts on the subject Of the artificial
propagation OF fish in the United States
il not indeed the best, and as for tina
matter perhaps the best in the world
For period OF thirty years he has de