FOREST, LAKE, AND RIVER 



One fact has been found true in all shad rivers, 

 that, whenever a high dam or other obstruction 

 has been erected across the stream, fisheries above 

 that point have ceased immediately, while those 

 below have flourished for a time, and then declined. 

 Another important reason that has driven the fish 

 away, is that below the dams the spawning areas 

 have been greatly impaired by chemicals, sawdust, 

 and refuse from the mills. Freshets, too, bring down 

 masses of earth and other debris, and cover up 

 the spawning grounds. 



Again, extensive fisheries near the coast have 

 caused a concentration at points where shipping 

 facilities exist, and the shad have been cut off from 

 reaching their spawning grounds. 



The males arrive several days before the females, 

 and it is for this reason that roes are scarce, and are 

 not readily obtained until the last third of the 

 season. 



Shad would have ceased to exist utterly, I believe, 

 had it not been for patient, persistent work of 

 gentlemen connected with the United States Fish 

 Commission, who finally succeeded in raising them 

 artificially, and, by stocking the streams annually, 

 enabling the lovers of this most dainty and palatable 

 fish to enjoy their full share. To Seth Green, pri- 

 marily, is due the credit for successful propagation 

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