REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. *17 



Canada, through W. F. Whitcher, esq., of the fisheries department of 

 Canada, facilities were ofiered for the transportation of fishes on the 

 Canadian railways, and from the same gentleman a permit was granted 

 to Mr. James W. Milner, of the United States Fish Commission, to col- 

 lect fishes in Lake Simcoe for scientific purposes. 



Eefereuce has already been made to the donation at the close of the 

 Centennial of the fishery exhibits of several countries, as lljforway, Swe- 

 den, Spain, the Philippine Islands, Portugal, Japan, China, etc. 



Faciliiics extended by railroad companies. — The general appreciation 

 of the objects of the Commission has been satisfactorily exhibited in 

 the facilities given by various railroad companies to the messengers 

 engaged in the transportation and planting of young fish in American 

 waters. With very few exceptions all whose services have been required 

 have carried the cans containing the young fish without any charge for 

 extra baggage, and, what is of more importance, have permitted the fish 

 to be taken in express-trains, and to be visited by the messengers accom- 

 panying them, at such times as were necessary, for the purpose of giving 

 them the requisite attention. The free transportation of the messen- 

 gers themselves has not been asked for nor expected, the facilities men- 

 tioned being of much more importance and having an absolute relation 

 to the success that has been experienced in the work. 



Appended herewith is the circular authorized, with occasional special 

 slight modifications, by the companies named in the accompanying list. 

 A few railroads only have refused co-operation in this action, on the 

 ground that they can make no exceptions to their general rules. Even 

 here, although the charges for extra baggage have been collected, the 

 desired facilities to attendants have been granted. 



"The Lake Shore and 

 "Michigan Southern Eailway Co., 

 "General Superintendent's Office, 



"■ Cleveland, 0., March 15, 1876. 

 " To Conductors and Baggage-masters : 



Upon presentation of this order, duly countersigned by Spencer F. 

 Baird, United States Commissioner of Fish and Fisheries, you will 

 transport free, until March 1, 1877, cans of young fish in baggage-cars 

 of passenger-trains. 



"You will also render every assistance desired by messengers in 

 charge of fish and allow them access to baggage-cars for the purpose 

 of taking care of the fish. 



"Conductors will honor government orders, when properly receipted, 

 for transportation of agent or messengers of the Commission ; but in 

 absence thereof a first-class ticket or fare must be collected. If the 

 government order extends to a point beyond this railway, you will have 

 it properly receipted, take it up and procure for the bearer a through 

 *2 F 



