598 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [60] 



periods, and thus it will be possible for the employes of the forest 

 service, the only service which at present can be counted on in this 

 respect, to become practically acquainted with, fish-culture. 



In conclusion it cannot be denied that in Italy the sea fisheries are of 

 greater importance than the fresh-water fisheries ; but at the same time 

 it should be stated that even in the sea man may exercise a beneficial 

 influence on the propagation of fish. We have an example of this by 

 what is done in this direction in America as regards the cod, and in 

 the Baltic as regards the herring. Some of our efforts should, therefore, 

 be directed to salt-water fish-culture, which is destined in time to pro- 

 duce still greater results than fresh- water fish-culture. 



Genoa, August 6, 1885. 



[* After visitiug and studying the principal fish-cultural stations of 

 Germany, Switzerland, and the Netherlands in 18S4-'85, under orders 

 from the Italian Government, Dr. Bettoni and Dr. Vinciguerra advised 

 the establishment of two somewhat similar stations in Italy. The prin- 

 cipal fish which they pointed out as suitable for cultivation were salmon, 

 trout, and carp. Bolsena was mentioned as the most favorable place in 

 Central Italy for one such establishment. The plan for the station con- 

 templated a hatching-house, with all the necessary apparatus, an arti- 

 ficial canal from a small stream to the Lake of Bolsena, and the con- 

 struction of two large ponds, each with an area of 1,000 square meters 

 [nearly ^ acre] and a depth of one meter [3^ feet]; these ponds being 

 intended for the cultivation of carp on the Dubitsch system. Besides 

 these ponds, two rectangular basins were to be laid in cement, each 

 with an area of 12.5 square meters [134.5 square feet], and two other 

 basins, one round and the other elliptical, to be used as stock and win- 

 ter ponds for carp and other fish. The total estimated cost for starting 

 this station was about $2,350. Brescia was proposed for the location 

 of the establishment in Upper Italy, on a somewhat larger scale than 

 the one-at Bolsena. The plan contemplated making a large canal and 

 two small ones, emptying into a pond of irregular shape, having an area 

 of 246 square meters [2,648 square feet]. From this pond another canal 

 is to start, feeding a large hatching-house and supplying water for three 

 circular ponds with an area of 495, 128, and 110 square meters, respect- 

 ively [5,328, 1,378, and 1,184 square feet]. There are to be also four 

 rectangular ponds, in x^airs, each covering 414 square meters [4,457 

 square feet], and two large rectangular ponds, each with an area of 

 506 square meters [5,447 square feet]. The building is to contain, be- 

 sides hatching-rooms furnished with the latest improved apparatus, a 

 room for the director, one for a laboratory, and one for a small museum. 

 The total estimated cost for the Brescia station was about $4,650.] 



*This paragraph is not apart of Dr. Bettoni's report, but is from an article by- 

 Prof. P. Pavesi relative to the establishment of fish-cultural stations in Italy. It is 

 inserted hero as showing ono of the results of Dr. Bettoni's work. — Editor. 



