72 GROWTH OF FISH. 



fourths of the whole returned. Such an increase 

 in actual wealth, is without a parallel in any 

 other branch of human industry with which I 

 am acquainted. 



With proper care and suitable waters, other 

 varieties of fish will increase in growth Avith a 

 rapidity almost equaling that of the Salmon. 

 Near Brussels, in the waters of the Boitsford 

 successful exj)eriments have been made with the 

 Pike. In October 1852 about 2,000 Pike were 

 placed in these waters and left as stock — none 

 of which weighed over two pounds. Sixteen 

 months afterwards, these fish were taken with 

 the rod and line, many of them weighing six 

 pounds and over. All of them were indigenous 

 to those waters ; but it was found that fish not 

 indigenous increased much more rapidly in weight 

 than the indigenous ones. Another Pike from 

 neighboring waters placed in those near Brussels 

 was found to have increased from 3|- to 8^ 

 pounds in eleven months. I could add numerous 

 cases of well authenticated facts, if I deemed it 

 necessary to prove the rapid growth of fish. 



From the above statement of facts, every re- 

 flecting mind must be convinced that the course 

 pursued by the French Government is a wise 

 one as far as political economy is concerned, and 

 most unquestionably humanitarian so far as the 

 social interest is concerned. 



