REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. Ixiil 



FroLii a very earlj' period, the prevservation of the salmon-fislieries 

 in Europe, or their restoratioii when exhausted, has occupied a great 

 share of attention. The problem has perhaps been most carefully worked 

 out in Great Britain, where in numerous localities, formerly exhausted, 

 this fish has been restored, to the very great profit of those who control 

 the streams. So far from being a luxury now, unattainable by any but 

 the wealthy, salmon have become a staple fish of Great Britain, and are to 

 be had in the season at prices very little more than are paid for ordinary 

 kinds. 



The history of the introduction of salmon into Tasmania exhibits an 

 instance of enterprise highly to be commended, especially when we bear 

 in mind the fact that it was necessary to transport the eggs over sixteen 

 thousand miles of ocean, during a period of many months, involving an 

 exposure to tropical heat ; but which was actually aecomplisbed with a 

 percentage of loss scarcely greater than that at the celebrated estab- 

 lishment at Hiiuingen. The first experiment in this directi(m was made 

 in 1862, and, according to Mr. H. K. Francis, failed from an insufficient 

 supply of ice. The eggs were packed between layers of moss, in boxes, 

 which were suspended, in order to break the motion of the ship, A 

 small stream of ice-water was made to flow over them to keep them of 

 a proper temperature. They were thus maintained in good condition for 

 eighty days, during which time they passed through the tropics". But 

 the supply of ice failing, the eggs all died. 



Ultimate success was hoped for, however, from the result of an exper- 

 iment made in an ice-house in London, where eggs, kept for periods from 

 forty-five to one hundred and forty -four days, were afterward hatched 

 out into vigorous fish. 



In 1804 a more successful trial of sentling eggs to Tasmania was made. 

 The eggs were packed between layers of moss, as before, being strati- 

 fied with successive layers of moss, ice, and charcoal, in boxes perforated 



for instance, in Connecticut River they set in beginning of May, and coutinne only 

 about three weeks ; in Merriniac River they set in beginning in April to spawn, and 

 lie in the cold, deep brooks until. September and October, then sileiitly, so as not to 

 be observed, and with dispatch, they return to the sea. lu Chebucto, Cape Breton, 

 and Newfoundland they continue the greatest part of the year. 



t^Yillialus, in his History of Vermont, 1^^09, vol. 1, p. 147, remarks that '•' the salmon 

 begins to pass np Connecticut River about the 25th of April, and proceeds to the high- 

 est branches ; and. that about the same time, or a little later, they are fonnd in Lake 

 Champlain and the large streams which Ml into it. When going up in the spring 

 they are round and fat, and of an excellent taste and flavor, and are taken in great 

 numbers from the first week in May to the second week in Juue. When they arrive 

 at the upper parts of the rivers, they deposit their spawn and remain there daring the 

 summer-season, but become very lean and flaccid. Toward the latter end of Septem- 

 ber they return to the sea, but so much emaciated that they are not taken or used for 

 food. Some of these salmon in the spring will weigh thirty-five or forty pounds. They 

 migrate only to cold waters. None of them are ever found to the south or west of Con- 

 necticut River. Those that go farther to the northward and pass up the river Saint Law- 

 rence are generally more large and rich than those which come from the southward." 



