The sun., 1901-04-25
The Growth ofEish Culture,

From the Boston Globe.
An old observer remarked recently that
of MI the various commissions run by
this government the Z. S. fish commits
sion was the most valuable. Here is
commission that is feeding the people
rather than killing them in war 1t is
j source Of profit rather than expense,
and it is pushing kind Of culture that
is producing astonishing results. In 1881
fish culture was little known. Since
then il has brought fish that were only
seen on the tables of the rich within
reach of the poorest, and the prospects
are that in few years the daintiest fish
will be ''dirt cheap" and so plentiful as
to almost swim into the mouths of poor
consumers.
While the manufacturing interests
| that have ccntcred in New England have
nngnestonaby added much to the wealth
rs well as thoroughly aroused the enter
prise Of the inhabitants of this section,
they have occasionally interfered, and
| that 10 no slight degree. with certain
~ her important fishery interests Thus
the Mcrrimac river, once celebrated as a
resort for shad, quite lost its reputation
IN this respect when mill canals.and mill
dams We're constructed along it's waters
much to the advantage of manufactures.
10 doubt. but most decidedly to the detri-
lnent Of the shad fishery which had long
lccn prosecuted with pleasure ana sue
cesS in its waters.
Now. however the shad. which was
formerly very rare fish here, is to be
found plcntifully in the windows of tho
fish markets. When the commission be,
gan to study this fish little was under-
stood of its history and habits. 1t was
supposed to be migratory fish from the
warm waters of the tropics. that came
north in the spring and entered certain
rivers. It is now known that this was 4
mstake-that the shad is a sea fish that
does not 90 far from the rivers it visits
~ the spring. Acting on this knowledge
the fish commission have already suc.
reeded in bringing what was once n deli.
lcacy for royalty within the reach of tho
poorest. They have established theil
llatching schools and ponds at the mouths
of several rivers, and this fish is becom
lng plenty, in spite of the rapacity of the
lseinerS.
\ fair sized female shad will WELD
2a,oOO eggs. 1t is only necessary in or.
der to hatch them 10 squeeze them into
Z glass jar through which Il stream Of
wafer IS made to rnn by syphon mr.
rangemcnt. The loss only amounts TO 4
few hundred out of every million. Som,
o'her simple devices are required in the
process, hut il is easy to hatch million,
daily. The fish commission has hatchiro
stations for shad on the Potomac. III,
SnSlnehanna. the Delaware and n few
minor rivers. Its agents 60 off in boats
catch the finest females and select th,
best "roeS." These are fortified. III,
Young shad are .'incnhatcd'' and wbnr
they are hie enough are liberated Ii,
millions and allowed to swim out TO sca
Whore it is deemed necessary the Iittl,
ones are kept in ponds till they are ba
enough TO paddle their own canoe. )
ana then they are let go. Most of then,
survive. Some Of course, are deyoured
by bigger fish, but millions are added
yearly to the food supply Of the people
~ IS 10 be remembered that ii takes
H. I'VE or SIX Years for n Shnl IN ofto;n ~,