394 ANNUAL RECORD OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY. 



as suckers, black bass, etc., have passed through, and that 

 quite a number of yearling shad were among the number, 

 with only one mature fish. 



Although the dam has been in use for some time, the fact 

 that no shad for several years were seen to ascend it was 

 seized upon as an argument in oj^position to the assertion 

 of its efficiency. This, however, was met by the theory, 

 now well established, that anadromous fish ascend to the 

 point whence they commenced their downward journey to 

 the sea, and no higher, and that consequently, as no shad 

 had been hatched or placed as young fish in the water 

 above Hadley Falls, none would attempt to go above as ma- 

 ture fish. But as for two years past young shad have been 

 hatched below the dam and carried to the waters above, 

 the Commissioners think there is no reasonable doubt that 

 the yearling shad in question were of the number. In an- 

 other year we may, therefore, anticipate the passage of adult 

 fish. 



The other fish-ways in the state, as on the Merrimac, the 

 Neponset, the Taunton, and the Palmer, have also proved to 

 be efficient. Shad-hatching in 1875 was conducted as here- 

 tofore on the Merrimac, the whole number of shad taken 

 therein amounting to 1433, and of spawn to 6,670,000. The 

 catch of shad during the past year in the Merrimac was lar- 

 ger than it had been for twenty-five years previous, they be- 

 ing so abundant that at Newburyport they were salted and 

 barreled as in olden times. This is considered by the Com- 

 missioners as very satisfactory proof of the beneficial results 

 of artificial culture. 



The report is accompanied by a valuable sketch of the 

 progress of fish -culture in New England, and also a bill 

 proposed for the regulation of the shore fisheries of the 

 state. 



TENTH REPOET OF THE PISH COMMISSIONERS OE CONNECTICUT. 



The tenth report of the Fish Commissioners of the State 

 of Connecticut was presented to the Legislature at the May 

 session ; and as giving the history of the efforts of the first 

 decade in the restoration of fish to the waters of the state, 

 they take occasion to review what has been done from the 

 beginning under state patronage. 



