12 FISH AND GAME. 



been made of all the State ponds and streams in the Common- 

 wealth for the purpose of developing a systematic and efficient 

 method of fish distribution. 



Pollution. - - The pollution question is daily becoming a more 

 important factor. Many of our finest streams and their trib- 

 utaries, viz., the Merrimack, Connecticut, Housatonic and 

 Charles rivers, have suffered severely by the misuse of manu- 

 facturing wastes and sewage. During the past three years two 

 hundred and seventy-six cases of pollution have been examined, 

 and such action as is consistent with present laws taken. It is 

 highly desirable that a complete survey of the pollution of our 

 inland waters be made, and that more suitable and workable 

 preventive laws be enacted. 



Hatcheries. Many varieties of edible fish are well adapted 

 for economical production by artificial methods. During the 

 past three years the State has come into control of two valu- 

 able hatchery sites, at Sandwich and Palmer, each of which is 

 now in process of development along definite lines. These 

 hatcheries will enable the State to produce fish at a handsome 

 profit, as compared with the average private hatcheries. At 

 the present time brook, brown and rainbow trout, chinook 

 salmon, yellow and pike perch, and black bass are raised 

 and distributed from well-equipped hatcheries at Sutton, Sand- 

 wich, Palmer and Adams. 



Game. 



Long ago the fact was demonstrated that not only can man 

 assist nature, but that he can far surpass her natural unaided 

 efforts. Massachusetts was a pioneer in the artificial hatching 

 of trout, and the value of similar experimentation in connection 

 with birds and quadrupeds has been proved. To carry on this 

 work on a broad, practical scale requires a reasonably elaborate 

 plant. Our general system includes hatcheries, rearing stations 

 and game farms for breeding birds, and reservations to attract 

 and maintain wild birds and game, where special efforts are 

 made to provide food, shelter, breeding places and freedom 

 from enemies. Especially for the solution of the game bird 

 problem is this work of great value. 



