74 American Fisheries Society 



being the case, the question arises as to whether there is any- 

 thing else that can be done to bring science and practice closer 

 together in fisheries work. I desire to offer a few suggestions 

 that may be of use. 



1st. To the scientific man not regularly engaged in fish- 

 eries work: Get in touch with your state or local fish men; 

 cultivate their acquaintance and learn what are their problems 

 and difficulties and interest yourself in their solution. Any 

 problem is a good one for the scientist, and in its solution you 

 will render a service to the state and to humanity. If you 

 are a teacher, make your summers and other spare time count 

 in such service. 



2d. To the practical man: Get acquainted with the scien- 

 tific men who can help you — zoologists, botanists, chemists, 

 bacteriologists, etc. ; tell them of your difficulties and enlist their 

 services in your problems. They may know nothing of your 

 particular difficulties, but, because they are trained in methods 

 of research, they may be able, with study, to help you. 



If possible to make such an arrangement, get at least one 

 man with scientific training on your staff, either in an advisory 

 capacity or, better still, as a regular employee. Most of our 

 state fisheries bureaus and large commercial firms have no 

 scientific men employed. If you can do no better, place a 

 scientific staff in the field, or at the hatchery or station, during 

 the summer. University men are often free at this time 

 and can be interested in your problems. 



Make every station and hatchery into a research laboratory 

 as far as possible, by interesting the scientific men of your 

 neighborhood, if there are any; universities and colleges are 

 so numerous that you will probably find one not far distant. 

 If you have water problems go and talk to the chemist. The 

 chances are that he will be interested in finding out what is 

 the matter. The botanist and zoologist will be glad to know 

 what organisms are in your streams and ponds. Most of 

 these men are peculiar in that they would rather work for 



