874 EEFOET OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



cate these facts to the persons in charge of them for their guidance. 

 One way and other I have written a decent vohime in this connection, 

 and cannot possibly duplicate or quadruple these notes, which are in 

 the rough. I have not written on this subject to the government, which 

 must depend upon your society and similar bodies for the propagation 

 and distribution of the whitefish. 



I may remark here that the acclimatization of whitefish is in its in- 

 fancy, and much has yet to be learned regarding it. It was thought, 

 less than four years ago, that the eggs could not be sent across this 

 continent. Several parcels failed, but at length a few were hatched 

 and placed in Lake Tahoe, in the north. This was less than three 

 years ago, and now the fishes which come to the sandy, pebbly banks 

 on the Californian side of the lake are being netted and sent to Virginia 

 City Market. They spawn, it is beheved, the third year. Last year 

 ten men and two teams were employed by the lake commissioners to 

 cut a road several miles through the snow to place whitefish in another 

 Northern California lake, and Lake Tulare in the south, warmer than 

 Taupo, and about as large, has been stocked. The entire shipment of 

 whitefish ova for California and Nevada, from ISTorthville, Mich., packed 

 precisely as those for New Zealand by Mr. Clark, and coming in the 

 same car, were spoiled in transit. On being opened by Mr. Woodbury 

 and myself they stank and were putrid. They had been placed near 

 the stove by the express agents to prevent their freezing. Ours had 

 been less considerately treated, and arrived sound and lively, as I had 

 proof, every box having been opened and examined by Mr. Woodbury 

 in my presence. We then ascertained their temperature, and gave 

 them a drenching with water at a similar heat ; screwed them up, re- 

 versed their position, placed them upon and surrounded them with ice 

 in the Pacific Company's ice-houses. I telegraphed to Mr. Woodbmy, 

 and brought him twice fi'om a considerable distance, by road and rail, 

 in extremely wet weather, to assist me, and as it was a labor of love, I 

 am anxious that he should, at least, have honorable mention. I should 

 also remark that Woodbury has invented a hatching basket, in which 

 30,000 salmon eggs may be hatched with certainty. It occupies about 

 two feet square, and would, I think, be a great assistance to you. I 

 don't know the price, but it is trifling, and I thought I would mention 

 it to you. If I can get one by next steamer, I will send it down. 



Perhaps it would not be trespassing too much upon your kindness to 

 ask the secretary of your society to make copies of this letter, or so 

 much of it as may be necessary for their guidance, and forward one to 

 the Christchurch, Duuedin, and Nelson societies ; or send one to the 

 government requesting them to communicate the same to those bodies. 



I dare say I have nearly wearied you, but I know your enthusiastic 

 love for acclimatizing such natural products as animals and fishes as 

 may be useful to man, and therefore presume ui^on your time and pa- 

 tience. I forgot to say that whitefish take bait. They should be closely 



