516 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



it. The specimens shown to us were, without a single exception, very 

 fine, and even if this were the only result obtained, it would be a great 

 step toward improving the species. 



A million of young fish are every year thrown into the lake of Zurich, 

 which, without this i)recaution, would not contain a single trout on 

 account of the rapid increase of fish of prey, especially of pike. 



The establishment of Mr. Massart, of Berne, is one of the most com- 

 plete and best organized which I have seen, and shows the great expe- 

 rience of its proprietor in pisciculture. It is located on the banks of the 

 river Aar, seven or eight kilometers (4J to 5 miles) from Berne. The 

 water which feeds the basins is of two kinds — spring water and river 

 water; during summer the latter is used, because it is more abundant 

 and carries with it more alimentary matter than spring water ; it is 

 besides just as fresh at this time of the year on account of the snow 

 melting in the mountains, which are very near. Spring water is used 

 during winter and for hatching. The basins of the establishment are 

 small but deep ; the largest only measures 80 square meters and has a 

 depth of perhaps 2 meters ; they are dug into the ground. 



Mr. Massart, like all pisciculturists who are obliged to experiment in 

 order to learn, has, in the beginning, met with many failures; but by 

 perseverance he has succeeded in averting the misfortunes which 

 seemed especially to strike the young generations. It is well known 

 that the most critical moment in breeding fish is that which follows 

 immediately after the absorption of the umbilical bag. During this 

 period, which lasts at least four to five months, the young fish are fre- 

 quently attacked by what is commonly called malady of the gills, and 

 at this moment the choice of food is a matter of the greatest importance. 



Mr. Massart places his young salmon, two weeks before the absorp- 

 tion takes place, into a large basin, which is not very deep, and but 

 sparingly fed with water, and which remains almost entirely dry for 

 seven or eight months of the year. During this time the infusorite 

 have time to develop, and when the young fish are placed in the basin 

 they there find a food which is suitable for their age. 



Mr. Massart actually raises 20,000 trout every year, and besides fur- 

 nishes the Prussian administration at Hiiningen with millions of eggs, 

 which are from there sent to different parts of Europe. 



Large numbers of white-fish live with the salmon, and serve them as 

 food. Mr. Massart adds to this boiled corn made into a paste. It will 

 scarcely be necessary to say that pike or perch, as soon as they show 

 themselves in the waters of the establishment, are immediately killed. 



This piscicultural establishment is destined to a great development, 

 and will render great service to the city of Berne. The government 

 has given Mr. Massart the right of fishing at every season of the year, and 

 keeps a close watch over his property. A neighbor, who was convicted 

 of having taken two trout out of his basins, was arrested by the can- 

 tonal police, and had to pay very dear for this transgression. 



