166 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 

 SO.— CUI^TURE OF EDIBLE SIVAIIiS. 



By RIJD. HESSEI.. 



[From a letter to Prof. S. F. Baird.] 



Eegarding the cultivation of the Selix pomatia and the H. adspersa, 

 I have to report that if j ou intend a trial with either of these next year 

 steps will have to be taken to get some of them during the next two 

 months, as this is the season when they can be shii)ped best and can be 

 found in the finest condition. I think we can get the H. pomatia in 

 Bavaria or "Wurtemberg, and two other kinds, the H, adspersa and the H. 

 'naiiticoides — which latter I consider to be the best in taste of all — in Italy 

 and Southern France (Genoa, Marseilles, and Bordeaux). In each of 

 the countries the mediation of a consular agent might be requested. The 

 prices are not very high yet in Germany, perhaps five or six marks [about 

 $1.30] i)er hundred for selected ones. It may be that the H. adspersa 

 and the S. nauticoides could be obtained for the same price. 



The Romans, as you know, raised these animals in their cochlearia 

 about 2,000 years ago, and they introduced their cultivation into Ger- 

 many and France. In Germany the practice was reintroduced by the 

 monks of the eighth century in their convent gardens. They sometimes 

 adopted the better plan of collecting them in the field and keeping 

 them in garden-beds to fatten. The method which I desire to intro- 

 duce is a different one from that used by either the Romans or the Ger- 

 man monks : I raise them from the egg. 



The cultivation of these species is very interesting ; and in a rich 

 country like America there is no doubt but that they will bring good 

 prices in the market, notwithstanding the excellent oysters, clams, &c., 

 which we have. I hope that you will decide in favor of this enterprise. 



Washington, D. 0., Novemher 17, 1883. 



81.— AMERICAIV JSIiACK BAS.S PI^ACED IN TSE RIVER IVENE, EIVO- 



L,AIVI>. 



By JOHN T. IIEl^SMAN. 



[Abstract from the Fishing Gazette, December 1, 1883.] 



Of 1,200 black bass brought from the United States by Mr. W. T. 

 Silk, 140 were placed in the river Nene. They were from 4 to 7 inches 

 in length. The river has a number of small backwaters with swift cur- 

 rents and gravelly bottoms, and also deep, quiet holes. Fishing will be 

 prohibited for some years until the fish are well established. I think 

 the l^ene and the Wellaud are the only rivers in England where the 

 bass have been put ; but they are in several lakes. 



