REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. llx 



was uot only made first in tbe Connecticut Eiver, but also on a larger 

 scale tbau elsewbere; and tbe results of tbe experiment of 1867 v.ere 

 seen as early as 1870. To tbe confusion of tbe incredulous, schools of 

 sbad in immense numbers were seen in tbe spring in Long Island Sound, 

 all making tbeir way to tbe Connecticut Eiver, and on tbe 23d of May 

 over 2,800 were taken from a pound near Saybrook. At anotber pound 

 3,oG0 were taken, and elsewbere tbey were caugbt in numbers varying 

 witb tbe locality. Tbe largest haul previously on record was in 1811, 

 when 2,280 were caugbt at one time, altbougb a draugbt of 2,300 was 

 reported at Haddain Pier in 1802. 



The abundance of sbad in tbe river in 1871 was still greater than in 

 tbe previous year, so much so, indeed, that in tbe time of greatest 

 plenty they could scarcely be disposed of at tbe rate of $3.50 per hun- 

 dred. At the present period the increase has been such that numerous 

 fishing-stations, for a long time abandoned, have resumed operations 

 with very satisfactory results. 



A great increase in the number of sbad has also manifested itself in 

 tbe Hudson and the Merrimac, and witb a reasonable continuance of 

 effort there is every reason to expect that tbe pristine abundance of fish 

 will be restored, and possibly even increased, if young sbad are hatched 

 out in sufficient number. 



2. — The alewife or fresh -water herring. 



I am inclined to think, for various reasons, that too little has been 

 done in our waters toward tbe restoration to their primitive abundance 

 of the alewife {Pomolob us mediocrls), the herring of our Southern and 

 Middle States; not to be confounded with the sea-herring, [Glupea 

 elongata.) It is better known as tbe alewife throughout New England, 

 and is tbe gaspereau of the British provinces. Like the shad, it as- 

 cends from tbe ocean in early spring into tbe fresh or brackish waters, 

 and has tbe advantage of breeding in quiet ponds, instead of requiring 

 a river for its development. In former times, and before tbe introduc- 

 tion of dams across the streams, this fish was very abundant along the 

 coast, and supplied an important article of food to tbe people, both fresh 

 and salted. 



The alewife in many respects is superior, in commercial and economi- 

 cal value, to the herring, being a much larger and sweeter fish, and 

 more like tbe true shad in this respect. Of all American fish none are 

 so easily propagated as tbe alewife ; and waters from which it has been 

 driven by the erection of impassable dams can be fully restocked, in the 

 course of a few years, simply by transporting a sufficient number of the 

 mature fish, taken at tbe mouth of the stream to a point above the dams, 

 or placing them in ponds or lakes. Here they will spawn, and return 

 to tbe sea after a short interval, making their way over dams which carry 

 any flow. Tbe young alewives after a season descend, and return, if no 



