8 



A large number of aijplications for oyster territory are 

 now ready for favorable consideration, and the receipts by 

 tlie State this year will be correspondingly large. 



In addition, the benefit derived by this important in- 

 dustry from this law cannot be overestimated, and is 

 thoroughly aj^preciated by the oystermen. We think that 

 the Commission, in its various departments, can claim, 

 without boasting, that valuable results have been obtained 

 for the State, and that no investment made by it shows 

 more gratifying returns. 



You will j^ardon me for the time I have taken in speak- 

 ing of my own State, but the work done by the Commis- 

 sion there is simply indicative of the progress of fish 

 culture, and shows the great value of the work this Society 

 may do and has done in stimulating the interests of the 

 country in the artificial propagation of fish. 



Many other States have vigorous and successful commis- 

 sions, perhaps, of greater efficiency than that in which I 

 am i^ossibly more particularly interested, and that all the 

 State Commissions have been helped by our Society is 

 beyond question. These meetings cannot fail to produce 

 excellent results. Aside from the pleasures of social re- 

 union and intercourse, the mutual expression of practical 

 experiences in fish work is of great value to all of us. 



I tliank you for the attention you have given me, and 

 congratulate you upon the present standing and member- 

 ship of the Society, and await your further pleasure. 



The Treasurer, Henry C. Ford, presented the financial 

 report of the Society for the year ending May 14, 1890, 

 which report was received, and, on motion, accepted. 



