A SYSTEM OF AQUATIC FARMING 89 



delicacy. This fish, on account of capacity for rapid multiplication 

 and growth in restricted quarters and in ponds with abundant vegeta- 

 tion, is, perhaps, one of the most available for systematic cultivation. 

 Other fishes, such as catfish and some of the species of bass, could be 

 utilized in certain situations to good advantage. 



While frogs have not been, as yet, a very common article on our 

 markets, I do not know that the market has ever been over-stocked, 

 and in the vicinity of large cities it would seem that a much larger 

 quantity could be disposed of. As it is, immense numbers are utilized 

 in the laboratories of schools and colleges, this demand being met for 

 the most part by the capture of frogs in natural ponds. Crayfishes 

 have not attained any special market value in the majority of markets, 

 but I am told that they are sold to a great extent in New York City, 

 and I see no reason why they should not be used as much as shrimp. 

 Terrapin and no doubt other species of turtles could be marketed in 

 much greater numbers than they are at present if their cultivation were 

 systematized and markets properly handled. Both ducks and geese, 

 while reared, so far as domestic species are concerned, very largely on 

 land, would no doubt thrive better and get the best part of their growth 

 on aquatic plants which form the greater part of their native food. 

 They could be readily cultivated in connection with other crops. 



The shells of fresh-water clams have been the basis for the estab- 

 lishment of some extensive button factories and the pearls that they 

 produce have furnished a livelihood to a considerable number of indi- 

 viduals. But it is said that many of the factories have had to close 

 on account of the exhaustion of the clams in adjacent streams. Doubt- 

 less, some reasonable system of gathering the shells or providing for 

 the propagation and growth of successive generations would easily make 

 this a permanent crop in suitable waters. 



Alligator hides have a high commercial value and are all too scarce, 

 with good prospect of disappearance from the extermination of the 

 ungainly animal that produces them. I do not know that an alligator 

 farm, fenced out in a suitable swamp or bayou, would be a commercial 

 success, but it would seem well worth while to experiment in some of 

 the swampy wastes in the domain of this prince of reptiles. 



It may be somewhat remote, but it seems conceivable that it would 

 be possible to utilize some fur-bearing animals in this direction, as, 

 for instance : the beaver, muskrat, and possibly the otter, as these 

 animals could certainly be colonized in suitable localities where an 

 abundant water supply at a fairly constant level is available. As to 

 possibilities of securing any regular crop from such animals, we have 

 little data to guide us, but we know that under natural conditions they 

 multiply at a fairly rapid rate. Muskrats in some localities are caught 

 and marketed for food as well as for the skins. 



