XVI REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



warded to California for the waters of Clear Lake. Arrangements were 

 also made for the hatching of salmon for the waters of Michigan and 

 Wisconsin. 



At the close of the field-work of the season, Mr. Milner visited all 

 the prominent dealers on the chain of lakes, and obtained the amounts 

 of their receipts of lake-fish for the year. 



After the close of the distribution of the shad in 1873, Mr. Milner vis- 

 ited the shores of Lake Huron, and obtained a collection of its fishes. 

 The inland locality in that region inhabited by the grayling was also 

 examined, notes relating to its habits were obtained, and a knowledge 

 of the facilities for obtaining the spawn acquired. 



Later he proceeded to Lake Erie, and made a large collection of 

 fishes in the vicinity of Sandusky, Ohio;- and afterward at Cincinnati 

 the species of the Ohio River were obtained. 



Full details of Mr. Milner's labors will be found on page 1 of the 

 appendix to the present report. 



B— ACTION m EEGARD TO PROPAGATION OF FOOD FISHES. 



8. — INTRODUCTORY MEASURES. 



It will be observed that the labors thus referred to, as authorized 

 by the original resolution of Congress, relate only to the investi- 

 gations of the facts as to an alleged decrease of the food-fishes of the 

 sea-coast and the lakes of the United States, an inquiry into the causes 

 of the same, and the best methods of remedying the evil. 



At a meeting of the American Fish-Culturists Association, held in 

 Albany February 7, 1872, it was for the first time suggested that measures 

 be taken to induce the United States to take part in the great under- 

 taking of introducing or multiplying shad, salmon, and other val uable food- 

 fishes throughout the country, especially in waters over which its Jurisdic- 

 tion extended, or which were common to several States, none of which 

 might feel willing to incur expenditures for the benefit of the others. 



A committee, of which Mr. George Shepard Page was chairman, was 

 ticcordingly appointed to present the subject to Congress, and to do 

 whatever was in its power to secure the desired object. This gentleman 

 visited Washington, and appeared before the Committee on Appropria- 

 tions to urge the measure and secure its favorable action. A clause 

 appropriating $10,000 was accordingly put into the appropriation bill for 

 the purpose in question ; but this was rejected by the House. Subse- 

 quently, however, the subject was considered by the Senate committee, 

 who took an equally favorable view of it with the House committee, 

 and an amendment appropriating $15,000 was introduced and carried 

 successfully through Congress; its disbursal being placed under my 

 charge. To the action of the association in question, therefore, the 

 credit of the original idea and the consequent favorable action of Con- 

 gress is emphatically due. 



