J. PISCICULTURE AND THE FISHERIES. 439 



such a passage almost impossible. Indeed, but for the stren- 

 uous efforts of the Commissioners to introduce young shad 

 into the river, it is probable that by this time the shad-fishing 

 would have almost entirely ceased. The Commissioners pro- 

 pose, therefore, that the use of nets be forbidden from Satur- 

 day night until Monday morning throughout the season, and 

 that after a certain period the capture of fish in the summer 

 be entirely prohibited. 



The Commissioners report, in reference to the experiment 

 of the introduction of young shad into the Genesee River in 

 1871, that in 1872 young fry were taken there in June five 

 or six inches long ; and that, two months later, fish seven 

 inches in length, and weighing a quarter of a pound, were 

 caught near the mouth of the river, where it emjDties into 

 Lake Ontario, as many as a hundred being captured at once 

 in a small net. Details of the result of experiments for stock- 

 ing the tributaries of the lakes are given in the report, to which 

 we must refer our readers. 



PEXXSYLVAXIA FISHEEY LAW. 



A new fishery law has just been passed by the State of 

 Pennsylvania, which provides for the appointment of three 

 competent persons, to be known as the State Fishery Com- 

 missioners, who are to hold their oflices, unless the commission 

 is sooner dissolved by legislative enactment, for three years. 

 Their duties are to forward the restoration of the inland fish- 

 eries, and to stock the same with suitable fish, and also to su- 

 perintend the erection of fish-ways as specified in the act. 

 Special attention is to be given to the construction offish-lad- 

 ders, of which there are to be built during the year 1873 one 

 in the Columbia dam, one in the Clark Ferry dam, one in the 

 Shamokin dam, and one in the first dam in the Juniata River, 

 above its junction with the Susquehanna, for which $25,000 

 are appropriated. During the year 1874 ladders are to be 

 placed in the Muncy, Nanticoke, and Lewistown dams, one in 

 each of the first two dams occurring: on the Lehisfh River, 

 above its junction with the Delaware, and one in the Towan- 

 da dam, in the north branch of the Susquehanna River, for 

 which $30,000 are appropriated. During the year 1875 lad- 

 ders are to be placed in the ISTewton Hamilton dam, in the 

 Raystown branch dam, and in the third and fourth dams on 



