The enterprise-recorder. (Madison, Fla.) 1908-1933, 1909-06-10

whose ancestry has been domesticated
and artihcially Matched and reared
for generations.
Probably better results would be
obtained with most species were II
possible to protect the fry until they
are stronger, more active and better
able to care for themselves; but the
difficulties attending such an under
taking on a large scale are many
some Of them being created by the
ungrateful conduct of the fsh them
selves. through their proneness to
cannlbalism. The problems of feed
ing and of providing sufficient vol
umes OF water are also serious.
The number of fish spawned arti-
fcially must always be exceedingly
small compared with the number
spawned naturally, with local excep-
tions in the case of the trout and the
salmon.
The justification and the efficiency
of fish culture lie in improving upon
nature, and securing a more complete
and efficient fertilization Of the eggs,
in Matching a larger proportion of
the eggs of the young in all stages of
development from their may enc
mics, from one another, -aoi from
the results of untoward physical en-
vironment.
The Fish Cars. '''9T
For this reason the same care must
be exercised in transporting and plant
ing the fish as is required in carry
ing them through their early devel-
opment Some are planted close to
the hatcheries, and here the principal
precaution required is to deposit
them where they are least likely to be
destroyed, either by their enemies or
by exposure to adverse physical con-
ditions. A lot of little Holsters, for
instance, planted where young pol
lock abound would be eaten to al
most the last one, and the labor and
expense of a season would go for
naught
Much care has been expended in
perfecting the methods and means of
transportation, and 1t is now possible
to transport many species across the
continent, or even to such distant
places as Argentina and New Zea-
land. For this purpose the Bureau of
Fisheries now maintains six specially
equipped cars, and in addition, mill
lions of eggs and fry are carried in
baggage cars by messengers, who Of
ten have to work unremittingly day
and night to care for the tiny lives
committed to their charge.
Our government carries on this
work on a vastly greater scale than
any other country, and the Bureau of
Fisheries maintains fifty-three sta
tions and a steamer-the Fish Hawk !
which is employed as a floating
hatchery at the various places along !
the coast.
The work is constantly growing. |
Ten years ago the number Of fish fry |
planted was four hundred and nine
y
lightweight thousand two hundred |
and sixty-eight. while in 1905 the
product reached the enormous fig |
ure of two billion eight hundred and |
seventy-two million planted in every |
State and Territory of the United |
States, in river, lake and sea.
In the early days fish culture was
ridiculed, but it is now strongly ad-
vocated by both sportsmen and COM
mercial fishermen, who often make |
claims for its success which the bur-
eau would hesitate to urge. 1t in |
creases the fish supplies of waters al
ready stocked, and 1t introduces 9TH |
ers in waters where they were un-
known before. It has reflled eX-
hausted trout and bass streams, and |
has maintained to a large extent the |
shad and the whitefish, which under |
poor laws, inefhciently enforced, |
would have been sadly depleted.
1t is difficult in many cases to show |
absolute proofs of the results of the |
numerous plants Of eggs and fry, for
it is usually impossible TO distin-
they have grown to ad-
hatchery's product
from that of nature; but there are
numerous cases where circumstances
leave no room for doubt.
1t is only necessary to refer to the
worn out trout and bass streams
which have been restocked. Streams
productive, but depleted
by excessive fishing, have been made