BULLETIN OF THE UNITED PTATES FISH COMMISSION. 177 



Vol. TI, ]¥o. IS. H^-ifshington, D. C. 8ept. 7, 1886. 



55.-FISBI AIVO OVSTKK CUI>TI;KE IIV THE rROVBIVOE OF VE1\I€E.* 



By ALEXANDER P. NINNI. 



FISn- CULTURE. 



The Lagoon of Caorle is situated betweeti the lower portions of the 

 rivers Liveuza and Tagliamento, and is laved by the waters of the sea at 

 the ports of Falconera and Baseleghe. Several streams empty into it, 

 producing a hurtful mingling of the waters and hindering their course 

 at the time of high water. 



By the law of June 25, 1882, a portion of this territory, containing a 

 population of 30,350, was comprised in the first works of i)ublic improve- 

 ments ; and the tirm of Grego, in 1883, presented a memorial to the 

 ministry of public works, through Mr. Lionello Grego, making the 

 proposition (which was accepted in a general way) to convert the lakes 

 and swamps into fishponds, instead of either filling them or laying 

 them dry by a mechanical process. In this way it was thought that the 

 object which the law had in view would be reached, viz, to remove the 

 miasmatic effluvia developed by the mingling of fresh water with the 

 waters of the sea. 



In constructing the large fish-j)ond, all the fresh water Avould be 

 Ke])arated from the salt water, thus preventing the generation of dan- 

 gerous effluvia, it having been shown that low grounds inclosed by 

 embankments and covered only by sea-water do not show these miasms, 

 but are always found to be in a satisfactory hygienic condition. 



As this fact cannot be doubted, the question would have to be viewed 

 not only from a hygienic but also from an economical point of view, 

 wliile the problem could be solved, in part at least, with a very small 

 expense, by utilizing these vast marshes for the raising of fish instead 

 of reclaiming them. 



In consideration of these circumstances Messrs. Grego intended to 

 devote to fish-culture and shell-fish culture a large part of their marsh 

 property. 



I at once made a preliminary visit to the locality in question, having 

 the good fortune to be accompanied by Messrs. Giuseppe and Lionello 

 Grego, from who'm I was able to obtain all tlie needed information. I 

 commenced my journey at Val Kova (belonging to Grego). This is a 

 fishing and hunting ground which covers 5,007.87 square rods. 



* Progetii per estcndere la 2)escicoltura ed introdnrre la cocleocoltura vel fondo situaio nei 

 comuni ceiisuari di Lvtjiigiiana e Caorle in Distreifo di Portogniaro, rrovincia di Vevezia, 

 Rome, 18d5. Trauskitcd from tlio Italiau by Herman Jacocsox. 

 Bull. U. S. F. C., 86 12 



