96 



Pennsylvania, New York, and New Jersey, where these 

 states have entered into an inter-state protective agree- 

 ment, which still remains imperfect, however, nntil 

 Delaware joins in the compact. This agreement 

 specially relates to the shad, which, running up on our 

 eastern coast, and into their habitat rivers and 

 streams, attain the perfection of flavor and superiority 

 of quality in the waters of the Delaware River. For 

 many miles the four states herein mentioned have 

 exclusive rights to this desirable fish, and it having 

 been proven that non-protection would finally result in 

 extermination, the wisdom of inter-state legislation was 

 acknowledged and joint-protection laws adopted. Del- 

 aware doubtless holds the law under protracted consid- 

 eration because of the vast numbers of fish that have 

 annually fallen into her nets, but when she becomes 

 satisfied that the proposed legislation will actually 

 produce better effects for the fisheries of her own 

 domain, as well as that of her sister states, she will, I 

 have no doubt, accept the proposed legislation without 

 further demur. 



It stands to reason that if a co-operative law guards 

 the fish during the spawning season, the number will 

 increase in surprising ratio. 



Another thing to be considered is the unpalatable- 

 ness of fishes that are hurrying into shallow waters in 

 order to deposit their ora. The flesh is soft and some- 

 what flavorless, and of late years particularly the roe 

 alone of spawning shad is regarded as valuable. In 

 some of our markets the body of the fish can be pur- 

 chased for a small sum in comparison to the price paid 

 for the crisp, bright flesh of the male, while the roes 

 bring fancy prices according to the wealth of the pur- 

 chasers. 



I must confess to an idea that a single debate is not 

 sufiicieut in such a matter, but that we should urge it 

 from time to time, until all the individual states thus 



