EXPORTATION OF FISHES AND HATCHING APPARATUS. 1015 



every year to increase twenty millions pounds. Gentlemen, I think 

 that in view of this increasing demand, the word " depecoratiou " has a 

 threatening sound ; for we cannot take into consideration the circum- 

 stance that the demand for meat has been temporarily diminished. This is 

 only a period of transition, which, trying as it may be to our beloved 

 country, has no bearing on the great question of permanently supplying 

 sufficient and nourishing food. 



Gentlemen, should we not in view of this "depecoration" remember 

 the words of Frederick the Great, the illustrious ancestor of our Royal 

 Protector, calling that man a benefactor to his country who made two 

 ears of corn grow where formerly only one had grown ? Should we not 

 in our time ask, Who will double the production of meat? Gentle- 

 men, as soon as we will count fish among the Peciis, we need not fear 

 any " depecoration," but we have only to say, "Germany expects every 

 pisciculturist to do his duty." 



Gentlemen, the number of eggs annually produced by fish is count- 

 less — nothing need be said about this here — but countless are likewise 

 the fierce enemies of the spawn — therefore, let the spawn be protected ; 

 let the young fish be protected during the first tender stage of their ex- 

 istence; this is so easy in theory; and, gentlemen, let only a greater 

 interest in pisciculture be awakened among the more educated classes 

 in Germany than there has been felt hitherto, and a magnificent result 

 cannot fail to be obtained. Shall I mention China as an example? 

 No, rather the United States of North America, from which we have 

 documentary proofs of the most perfect success of the efforts made by 

 pisciculturists. As I am about to lay before you these results from 

 across the ocean, my heart is filled with admiration, but likewise with 

 a feeling which I will not term envy, but a strong desire that we in old 

 Germany might emulate these efforts, and obtain similar results as far as 

 our natural conditions make this possible. 



You will permit me to preface my remarks with a brief theoretical 

 observation. 



]n our country the salt-water Jj^lieries can contribute a considerable 

 share toward increasing the quantity of food by bringing more fish 

 into the market. The pasture-grounds of the North Sea are inexhausti- 

 ble. Although London alone receives from the North Sea at least as 

 large a quantity of fish as the quantity of beef which it consumes (about 

 900,000tonsof twenty hundred- weight annually), not to mention the large 

 quantity' of other food with which the North Sea supplies the great city, 

 this does not in the least diminish the wealth of these waters, which 

 England alone enlivens with 1,900 fishing-vessels. Germany might like- 

 wise reap much greater benefit from these waters. 



My subject does not permit me to enter into details, but this I must say, 

 and address my words, as I hope, to persons of influence : Our railroads 

 might well have the nohile officmm — possibly for many years at a 

 sacrifice — to further the introduction of salt-water fish into the great 



