Titcomb. — A Permanent Stocking Policy 19 



The owners of artificial ponds which do not receive a supply 

 of fish from public waters, but which are stocked at the owner's 

 expense, should have perfect freedom to take the fishes from these 

 ponds at all seasons, but they should be under the direction of the 

 commissioners as to the species propagated when such ponds 

 empty into public waters. 



In the encouragement of fish ponds on farms, progress in this 

 direction will never be what it ought to be until the public are 

 educated to recognize private ownership of fishes which are 

 artificially propagated or privately controlled in ponds privately 

 owned. Under present conditions public sentiment is such 

 that people will steal fish who will not steal umbrellas. 



The owner of the private fish pond must also be encouraged 

 and educated as to how to construct his pond and as to the results 

 he may expect from the utilization of his waters. He should also 

 be instructed as to the species of fish that will probably thrive 

 best in the proposed pond. I recently had an inquiry from a man 

 who wrote as follows: "I have a small lake of fresh, running 

 water. I would like to raise in it flounders, carp and pike; let 

 me know whether these fish will stay in such waters." It is 

 needless to comment before a body of fish culturists as to the 

 ignorance of the public on this subject. Another man recently 

 wrote asking for young fish for a lake 75 by 175 feet, and expressed 

 a preference for pickerel, bass, trout and white perch. You will 

 all agree with me that one cannot off-hand make recommendations 

 for the kind of fish suitable for this man's little pond, but to give 

 you an idea of the action taken in this matter there follows a 

 copy of the letter which was written in reply. 



"Receipt is acknowledged of your letter of May 7th, making 

 request for a number of species of fish for a small lake 75 by 175 

 feet. From the size of the pond it is assumed that it is a lake over 

 which you will wish to retain your personal control, and for that 

 reason will not want to receive fish from the state which would 

 necessitate opening the waters to the public. If such is not the 

 case, it is suggested that you use the enclosed application blank 

 to describe more particularly the water and give other information 

 called for. If you desire to purchase fish, the commission will 

 give you a list of dealers, and in that case if you will fill out the 



