8 



iwf with tl^c sinallsr iiiigrntory species constant feeding may prove a% 

 efloctive substitute (as far as propagative vigour is concerned) foi? 

 irrigration to sea- water. To establish this principle, and reajj all thu 

 i>ractical atlvantages of its application, would be a great triumph for 

 Xjisnianian pisciculture. And I cannot but think that so near the salt- 

 water the experiment might be aided by supplying the detained fish- 

 with shrim2)S aiul other marine diet. 



" I fully admit that the (piestion is mainly one of pounds shillings 

 and pem;e. A sum of not less than £500 should be raised by private 

 subscription before any further call is made on the public revenue. 

 The amount sounds Urge, but 1 feel sure it could be raised if the right 

 men were appealed to in the right way. In the course of a little casual- 

 canvassing for this object, I have met with a great deal of encourage- 

 ment from Tasmanians, and am convinced that many who like myself 

 have derived health and enjoyment from their occasional visits to the 

 island will also gladly become subscribers. Indeed, I l)elieve that on the 

 one hand the requisite funds will be forthcoming if the enterprise be 

 purely Tasmauian, while on the other hand Melbourne w^ould gladly 

 join in the enterprise should her co-operation be invited. And it should 

 be remembered tha-t the repetition of a process which has twice been 

 carried through with perfect success will be neither so costly nor so 

 difficult as the original experiment, The great point will be to set 

 the subscription on foot without delay, and to communicate with 

 England if possible by the next mail. There should I think be two sub- 

 scription lists, one for residents and another for visitors ; the latter class 

 of subscribers may else be discouraged by the large amounts which some 

 Tasmanians will, I know, contribute. Before quitting the salmon 

 question, I wish it to be clearly understood that I still believe there 

 are some salmon, though but a few, in the tideway and the river,. But 

 this, as I have already said, is no reason in a matter so important why we 

 should not "make assurance doubly sure;" and accelerate a result 

 which if in course of attaiimient is still being arrived at very slowly. 



"And now let me revert to our friends the trout. Generally, I would 

 urge that with any stock-fish turned out hereafter, the neighbourhood 

 of good gravel beds should be especially attended to. Had the fish 

 thus far been placed where they could have bred as freely as they have 

 fed they would have been swarming. The fishmg season should, I think, 

 also be modified. For a year or two to come, it might with advantage 

 be limited to the 5 months from November 1st to April 1st ; after 

 that, October lOtli to April 10th, would be a reasonable extension for 

 all streams but the Plenty, which, as long as it continues the head- 

 quarters of the establishment, slwuld be exceptionally restricted. B^ 

 the way, it would be an excellent thing if mullet fishing w^ere also 

 stopped from April 1st nntil, say, September 1st. These delicious fish 

 are now reappearing, and will again, the trout notwithstanding, become 

 numerous throughout the island if treated fairly and not killed wdiolesale 

 when spawning or " shotten." 



It would much raise the general estimate of your naturalised fish if 

 people knew when they are in season (of which I have spoken already) 

 and also how to cook them. The trout served up at the farewell dinner 

 to the late Governor were left soaking in cold water for hours after they 

 were gixtted ; a blunder worse than many crimes. No fresh water fish 

 — a trout least of all— should be washed after opening. They should 

 be wiped out with care, and if boiled, be plunged at once into boiling 

 water pretty strong of salt. Fish up to Ulbs, may be fried or boiled ; 

 above tliat size, boiled or baked. A large trout is much improved for 

 the table by crinqnng the instant he is killed. A very large one may 

 be cooked in thick sliceslike a salmon. If jjeople will have sauce, cape* 



