BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 347 



the ga uze bottom, only that here the valves are placed like sails. By this 

 contrivance the motion divert to the buckets by the steam-engine causes 

 the water to rise continually and pass through the buckets with a screw- 

 like movement, which of course keeps it fresh all the time and in a con- 

 dition suitable for the development of the codfish-eggs. The result has 

 amply proved the usefulness of this apparatus, for during the first year 

 more than 70 per cent, of the eggs developed to young codfish, and no 

 less than half a million were placed in the sea near Gloucester, Mass. 

 I have already mentioned that these codfish, constantly increasing in 

 weight and number, have been caught and brought into the market, 

 and we may therefore consider codfish-culture in America established 

 on a safe basis. 



In what manner can the .Netherlands derive the greatest possible 

 benefit from the lessons taught by the American exhibit at the London 

 Fishery Exposition "I Certainly not by leaving fish-culture, in the future, 

 principally in the hands of private individuals. In this way we may 

 get a number of establishments which may be placed on a line with 

 establishments for raising chickens and pigeons, but the public interest 

 is not advanced thereby. For this purpose it is absolutely necessary, 

 as has been mentioned above that the Government take the matter in 

 hand and follow out a carefully prepared programme. 



The first requirement, viz, numerous inland waters and rivers hav- 

 ing suitable food for fish, we possess to an eminent degree. The carp, 

 which, as the vegetarian among fish, would prove highly valuable in 

 inland waters, the shad and the salmon in the rivers, and the codfish on 

 the coast, are all fish whose adaptability to fish-culture has been fully 

 proven. We have a large fishing population on our coasts; there is no 

 need of seeking a market for our fish; and it will certainly be easier 

 now than it was in former times to find young men of scientific educa- 

 tion, competent and willing to do their share of furthering this import- 

 ant public interest. Men thoroughly conversant with the technique of 

 fish-culture should be brought over from America, and teach some of our 

 young men the practical part of fish-culture, so that they, in their turn, 

 may be able to supervise and teach others this part of the work, which, 

 though mainly consisting of manual labor is of the greatest importance 

 for the ultimate success of the work. 



It is not necessary, however, to begin everything at one and the 

 same time, and to load down our budget during the very first years 

 with a large appropriation for this purpose. The best plan would be, 

 to make a beginning with carp and codfish ; carp,* because they can be 

 distributed throughout our entire country, as both Friesland and Gronin- 

 gen, Holland and Utrecht will be immediately benefited by their increase; 

 and codfish, because our fishermen can easily obtain mature codfish, 



* The carp of which wo speak here, are 1he leather and mirror carp, and roust be 

 distinguished from the common carp already found in our waters. The former have 

 a different shape and a much finer flavor. 



