of the work carried on. It brings each Commissioner into 

 personal contact with the men employed ; and gives to the 

 several departments of work the advantage of different kinds 

 of influences all bent upon improvement and advance. 



(3). There should be persistent, systematic, thorough work 

 done with the State Legislatures, The greater part of this 

 kind of work must necessarily be performed by the Commis- 

 sioners. The Secretaries and Superintendents can be of more 

 or less service, but the legislative committees, if they are in 

 earnest, wish to have information and advice from the men 

 who are responsible by virtue of their ofifice, and they have a 

 right to be resolved of their doubts by the men who do, or 

 should, know the requirements of this department of the 

 State's business. . This is a particular in which many State 

 Commissions have not accomplished what seems to me their 

 whole duty. Legislatures are not in the habit of increasing 

 appropriations unless good reasons are advanced for it, and a 

 good account given of the expenditure of past appropriations. 

 The advances made in our art require of all who are to keep 

 pace with them, increased and better facilities, better equip- 

 ments, ever increasing operations. What State Commission 

 is doing all that can be done for the culture of its waters .'' 

 and doing it so well, there is no room for improvement. 

 Until that point is fairly reached and maintained, there seems 

 to be no stopping-place in continual improvement and exten- 

 sion. To keep pace, then, with the growing requirements in 

 the conditions of successful fish-culture, appropriations must 

 grow. And to that end all legitimate influences must be 

 brought to bear on State Legislatures. This is no one's busi- 

 ness if it be not of the State Fishery officers. And, in my 

 judgment, it cannot be as thoroughly and successfully done 

 by others as by the Commissioners of the respective states. 



WHITE FISH IN THE GREAT LAKES. 



Another notable success in fish-culture has been attained 

 in the re-establishment of white fish in Lake Erie, and the 



