98 Tzvcnty-sixth Annual Meeting 



Lake Superior AreaXacXpro' would equal $239,000,000 



Lake Michigan AreaXacXpro' would equal $153,940,000 



Lake Huron AreaXacXpro' would equal $132,000,000 



These figures are given in round numbers, and are based on 

 the repeated calculations of cultivation of water areas where 

 water is made to produce wealth. 



Let us suppose that the estimated consumption of fresh fish 

 is 150,000,000 pounds annually, and that there are imported into 

 the United States 100,000,000 pounds annually. The estimated 

 value of these connnodities would hv $7,500,000. What a small 

 percentage of profit in comparison to the possible opportunities 

 for food production; a comparison between about $750,000,000 

 and $7,500,000. 



To supply an existing deficiency of ten years ago the United 

 States Commission expended on building and apparatus on these 

 lakes $62,000. 



Its operating expenses are $20,000 annually 



It is possible that the states have ex- 

 pended $50,000 $30,000 annually 



This is equivalent to an expenditure 



of $11 2,000 $50,000 annually 



to secure a money value of about $7,500,000. 



If we compare these values of the water products with the 

 water products in countries whose food is largely fish and where 

 fish are cultivated the result would be a comparison of $750,000,- 

 000 to less than $8,000,000. 



If the 150,000,000 pounds of fresh fish taken in American 

 waters are valued in the ratios of fish value of other products the 

 ratio would be $4,500,000. 



Suppose we estimate these fish values, numerically 75,000,000 

 of fish, and if it was possible to instruct men and interest them to 

 do the spawning as suggested, and if 30,000,000 of fish could be 

 thus spawned, would not a possible 250,000,000 fish be a fair per- 

 centage for the experiment? 



These figures may seem optimistic and far-reaching, but they 

 are within tlie limits of computation and certainly v/hen we know 

 the vast areas of these unsalted seas and the possibilities of their 

 production they cannot be thought visionary. 



It has been well said: "^Through the Niagara river speeds 

 the overflow of the four upper lakes, where the majestic St. Law- 

 rence carries it ofif to the ocean. The shores of eight of the 

 United States and two of the vast provinces of Canada are 



