352 ANNUAL RECORD OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY. 



ural food in the quantity needed in practical fish culture, 

 remarking that, as the young of the salmon especially are 

 hatched out in the winter season, the necessary quantity of 

 larvae and minute crustaceans can not be had. The only al- 

 ternative remains, therefore, to furnish the young brood with 

 artificial food, or else to turn them out into the stream on 

 the absorption of the navel-bag. But Mr. Wengen found that 

 grated calf's liver will answer every purpose, since but a few 

 of the young fish perish before they get accustomed to this 

 food, the larger number surviving and thriving upon it. In 

 his opinion, however, if young fish are protected through the 

 period of hatching, and until after the navel-bag has been 

 absorbed, they may then be let out into the streams to take 

 care of themselves, as by this time they have passed that pe- 

 riod in their life when they are exposed to the greatest dan- 

 gers. 



The fertilization of the much larger proportion of eggs v 

 which takes place in artificial impregnation, and the seclusion 

 of the young, before the yolk-bag is absorbed, from their nat- 

 ural enemies, will give the larger percentage of the laying a 

 chance to develop and become mature fish ; although, of 

 course, should the young be fed until they have materially 

 increased in size, the proportion assured for the continuance 

 of the stock is still greater. 2 A, August 26, 1871, 128, etc. 



IRISH OYSTER FISHERIES. 



A valuable contribution to the science of animal culture, 

 if we may use the term, is found in the report of a commission 

 appointed in Ireland to inquire into the methods of oyster 

 culture in the United Kingdom and France, with a view to 

 the introduction of improved methods of cultivation. This 

 appears to be by far the most complete and practical account 

 of the subject that has yet been published, including, as it 

 does, the investigations prosecuted under public and private 

 auspices in the different countries of Europe. After a dis- 

 cussion of the oyster fisheries of England, and giving a de- 

 scription of the different methods and places of culture, it re- 

 marks, in conclusion, that while not concurring in the opinion 

 put forward by some as to the extraordinary profits to be 

 realized from oyster cultivation, the commissioners believe 

 that, if judiciously undertaken, and prudently and persever- 



