The Washington herald., 1907-07-07

eraI egg-collecting stations, and two new
hatcheries yet to be built at Squaw
Brook. Moosehead Lake. and Moxie Pond.
Research has proven that something
Ike 80 per cent of eggs taken and devel-
oped artifcially hatch and come to ma
turity under favorable conditions, while
something like per cent become candl-
dates for the fsherman's hook under nat
ural conditions. The foes Of the nsh,
foes which destroy the spawn. later suip
down the fry by the quart, and stll later
prey upon the growing fish in decreasing
numbers. but increasing satisfaction. give
the fry but Il very small chance to grow
up.
Mere Rapid Than Nature.
Under artificial conditions the trout and
salmon, the lake trout. and other fish are
given every facility for development. The
result is that with the ordinary supply
Of spawn. ponds may be stocked faster
than by nature, and still a considerable
supply may be left for the introduction
Of these food and game FISH into waters
that were not, formerly, stocked with
them. In this way hundreds Of streams
In Maine that were once trout waters only
have come to be among the finest salmon
lakes In the country. the growth Of the
fish having been tremendous.
Names appropriation for the fish cul-
tural operations Of the State is S25,000 a
year Several years ago the commission
ers announced that this sum was entirely
too small to permit the successful opera
ton Of the hatcheries then in commission.
Since that time more hatcheries have been
built When all these are In working
order the annual report will doubtless tell
Of millions OF trout and salmon annually
placed in Names waters There will be
no need 70 fear. so long as the laws are
observed, that fishermen will exhaust the
grand supply OF game fish now to be
drawn from ia the waters OF the sixteen
counties Of the State.
The game belt is limited 10 certain
counties. but for sport with rod and reel.
there is not a county but is interested.
and deeply so. Within those confines may
be found some splendid trout and salmon
ponds. or brooks where all the fun Of
'goin' fishin' may be enjoyed 20 the
limit
Trouble I'm Massachusetts.
So much for smooth progress IN Maine.
In Massachusetts. where work is done
as intelligently as anywhere else IN the
country, It is asserted that beneficial re-
suits are being minimized.
A strong sentiment is being crystalllzed
I'm Plymouth, for instance. regarding
matter which appeals to two different in
terests, This is the prohibition Of the
taking Of fish in the bay by means Of nets
rs opposed to travis and hand lines.
There was considerable discussion about
the matter a few weeks ago after the
United States Fish Commission steamer
Phalarope had sailed away at the end Of
her very successful season.
The Phalarope. like her sister vessels Of
the commission. is engaged IN collecting.
fcrtilizinE and forwarding 10 the hatch
cries the spawn Of food fishes. her spe-
cial function lu these waters being the
care OF the eggs Of the cod. This season
she secured 2g1 1e00 ono of these to be hatch
ed and developed at the Woods Hole sta
ton.
But say some partisans in Plymouth,
who are interested In the local fisheries
'of what use are these measures If. at
the same time. We allow a practice 10
20 on which does more damage each sea
son than the government can repair?"
They assert that it is exactly the same
condition which the State authorities have
at length recognized regarding the lob
ster. The female fish. who. in the course
Of nature, would do much 10 keep I'D the
supply, are destroyed The government
goes on tirelessly putting into the ocean
helpless miunOws, which take all the
chances Of babyhood and millions Of
which must perish before they become an
inch in length