164 EEPORT OP COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



taries, Lech, Inn, Salzacli,Theiss, Drave, Save, Marosz, even in the severe 

 ■winter of 1852, and always to my satisfaction. 



I am entirely satisfied that the >S'. huelio will be admirably adapted 

 for the Mississipi)i Eiver and its nnmerons tributaries. The large, deep 

 iiidentatious, overgrown with cane, as well as the numerous ra[)id moun- 

 tain aftluents, offer favorable abodes. The large lakes of the United 

 States appear also to be equally appropriate for this fisli. This, of course, 

 is nothing- more than m^^ individual opinion, but that its acclimatation is 

 possible is beyond doubt. 



For the introduction of this fish two ways seem to be indicated : 1, 

 the direct importation ot a number of live fishes, about one year old, 

 to be nursed in a suitable small lake until mature for propagation ; or, 2, 

 the importation of a large number of impjegnated eggs to be artificially 

 hatched. The former has great difliculties, as the hncho, like all salmon, 

 constantly requires fresh water 5 still 1 should be willing to try it with 

 about twenty-five to fifty specimens of the age of six to twelve months. 

 It would, however, take almost three years before the fishes would be 

 fit for propagation, and this is a great loss of time. The latter method 

 ofiers no less ditficulties, viz, the collection and transportation of the 

 eggs, which are very sensitive, especially as the temperature of the sea- 

 s )n is rapidly increasing, when they are spawning. It is scarcely cred- 

 ible that their artificial impregnation is entirely unknown to the fisher- 

 men of the Danube, although they believe it possible with the tiout. 



It would therefore be necessary to engage the most intelligent of the 

 fishermen; to instruct them, and, if they are willing to do the collecting, 

 to assign a centrally-situated place, where the hatching can be carried 

 to the^'St stage, viz, the development of the eyes. Immediately after 

 the impregnation eggs woidd not endure transportation for more than 

 two days. 



I have consulted several fishermen of the Danube, in person as well 

 as by letter, and believe I could obtain 000,000 to 700,000 eggs in the 

 first year. This is a considerable quantity, under these circumstances. 

 The eggs are very sensitive, and -s^ill need to be managed by an expert; as 

 the fishermen are entirely ignorant, and even require to be informed the 

 mode of packing, &c. Huningen, in 1872, secured 10,000 eggs, for which 

 a man was sent to the Bavarian Danube. Mr. Schuster also received 

 a]>out 2,000, which were hatched. Those at Hiiningen perished. It was 

 the first time Messrs. Schuster and Haack had tried the hatching of 

 hucho. In Germany preference is given to the salmon of the Ehine 

 over the huchoj and even over the salmon of the Elbe, though the latter 

 is the same fish. I believe, however, that the hucho will improve in 

 the Rhine, as does every other fish, though it is already a splendid table- 

 fish and desirable uot alone on account of size. In reference to the dif. 

 ficulties of transportation, I need not direct your attention to the fact 

 that they become so much greater in a journey to America. But as I 

 reported in one of my last letters to Washington, I hope to meet all 



