United States Co-^biission of Fish and Fisheries, 



Washington, February 15, 1873. 

 GENTLE3IEN: lu Compliance with the order of Congress I transmit 

 herewith my report for 1872-73 as United States Commissioner of Fish 

 and Fisheries, embracing : first, the result of inquiries into the causes 

 of the decrease of the food-fishes of the sea-coast and lakes of the 

 United States ; and, secondly, the history of the measures taken for the 

 propagation of food-fishes by stocking the rivers and lakes with shad, 

 salmon, and other valuable species. 



Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 



SPENCER F. BAIED, 



Commissioner. 

 Hon. Schuyler Colfax, 



President of the United States Senate ; and 

 Hon. J. G. Blaine, 



Spealcer of the House of Representatives. 



