164 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



txiries, Lecb, Inu, Salzacli,Theiss, Drave, Save, Maro8z,even in tbe severe 

 winter of 1852, and always to my satisfaction. 



I am entirely satisfied that tbe S. hucho will be admirably adapted 

 for tbe Mississippi Eiverand its numerous tributaries. The large, deep 

 indentations, overgrown with cane, as well as the numerous rajiid moun- 

 tain affluents, offer favorable abodes. The large lakes of the United 

 States appear also to be equally appropriate for this fish. This, of course, 

 is nothing more than my individual opinion, but that its acclimatatiou is 

 possible is beyond doubt. 



For the iutroductiou of this fish two ways seem to be indicated: 1, 

 tbe direct importation ot a number of live fishes, about one year old, 

 to be nursed in a suitable small lake until mature for propagation ; or, 2, 

 tbe importation of a large number of impiegnated eggs to be artifieially 

 hatched. The former has great difiticulties, as the hucho, like all salmon, 

 constantly requires fresh water; still 1 should be willing to try it with 

 about twenty-five to fifty specimens of the age of six to twelve months. 

 It would, however, take almost three years before the fishes would be 

 tit for propagation, and this is a great loss of time. The latter method 

 offers no less difficulties, viz, the collection and transportation of the 

 eggs, which are very sensitive, especially as tbe temperature of the sea- 

 s )n is rapidly increasing, when they are spawning. It is scarcely cred- 

 ible that their artificial impregnation is entirely llI)kno^^u to the fisher- 

 men of the Danube, although they believe it possible with the tiout. 



It would therefore be necessary to engage the most intelligent of the 

 fishermen; to instruct them, and, if they are willing to do the collecting, 

 to assign a centrally-situated place, where tbe hatching can be carried 

 to the first stage, viz, the development of tbe eyes. Immediately after 

 the impregnation eggs would not endure transportation for more than 

 two days. 



I have consulted several fishermen of the Danube, in person as well 

 as by letter, and believe I could obtain 000,000 to 700,000 eggs in the 

 first year. This is a considerable (piantity, under these circumstances. 

 The eggs are very sensitive, and will need to be managed by an expert; as 

 the fishermen are entirely ignorant, and even require to be informed tbe 

 mode of packing, &c. Hiiningen, in 1872, secured 10,000 eggs, for which 

 a man was sent to the Bavarian Danube. Mr. Schuster also received 

 about 2,000, which were hatched. Those at Huningen perished. It was 

 the first time Messrs. Schuster and Haack had tried tbe hatching of 

 hucho. In Germany preference is given to the salmon of the Ebine 

 over the htccho, and even over the salmon of tbe Elbe, though the latter 

 is the same fish. I believe, however, that the hucho will improve in 

 tbe Rhine, as does every other fish, though it is already a splendid table- 

 fish and desirable not alone on account of size. In reference to the dif. 

 ficuUies of transportation, I need not direct your attention to the fact 

 that they become so much greater in a journey to America. But as I 

 rei)orted in one of my last letters to Washington, I hope to meet all 



