FISH CULTURE AND ACCLIMATIZATION. 415 



tinned to operate the hatchery at Avoca until 1884, and in 1882 adopted the 

 McDonald hatching jar, being the first state to employ this most important 

 device. 



From 1879 to 1884 the state superintendent of fisheries, Mr. Worth, 

 carried on experimental work in the hatching of the striped bass on Roanoke 

 River near Weldon, and in the last year named, being financially aided by the 

 United States Commissioner of Fisheries, took over 4 million eggs. Thus was 

 laid the foundation for the striped bass work taken up later by Mr. Worth as a 

 superintendent of the Bureau of Fisheries. 



In 1885 the state discontinued all fish-cultural work, and since that time 

 the responsibility for maintaining the local fish supply by artificial propagation 

 has devolved on the general government. 



INTRODUCTION OF NONINDIGENOUS FISHES. 



The carp supplied to North Carolina applicants by the U. S. Bureau of 

 Fisheries in 1879 met with such a cordial reception that there was developed an 

 extraordinary demand for this species, and in 1882 the state fishery authorities 

 were obliged to construct ponds near Raleigh in which to conduct breeding 

 operations. The general government continued to send carp to the state, and 

 in 1883 the product of the local hatching ponds began to be available. In 1885 

 it was reported that at least 2,000 special carp ponds had been built in North 

 Carohna, and that 92 out of the 96 counties in the state had received carp. 

 Through the overflowing or breaking of the banks of ponds, the carp escaped and 

 gradually became firmly established in the rivers and other open waters, and 

 has now taken its place as one of the best known and most widely distributed 

 of the food fishes of the state. 



The history of carp culture in North Carolina has been quite similar to that 

 in various other states. The fish was planted in unsuitable waters or received 

 improper attention; and more was expected of it than w^as ever claimed by 

 those who advocated its introduction into American waters. The natural 

 result was disappointment, loss of interest, and gradual abandonment of the 

 enterprise by individuals. The carp, however, is suitable to-day, just as it 

 was when its planting was first undertaken, for the stocking of warm, shallow 

 waters of limited area in which no other fish or no better fish will survive or 

 flourish. 



The introduction of the- rainbow or California trout (Sabno irideus) was 

 begun in 1880 and has been continued until the present time, the plants of 

 young fish by the federal government now numbering many thousands each 

 year. The fish has become widely distributed and firmly established, and is 

 one of the most attractive species in the mountainous sections of the state. 



The introduction of a number of other fishes into the waters of North Caro- 

 lina has been attempted from time to time, among these being various kinds of 

 salmon. The early attempts to estabhsh salmons were perhaps justifiable in 



