14 Report of tht American 



energeticall}' as ever under the able superintendence of Mr. Seth Green, 

 to whom fish-culture owes such great obligations. White fish, salmon 

 trout and shad were hatched in many millions. Black bass and Oswego 

 bass, with their allied species, were distributed. Barren lakes and 

 streams were re-stocked, no application being denied, and no demand 

 not being filled to the utmost. The returns from these proceedings in 

 previous 3'ears began to make themselves apparent. From ever}' direc- 

 tion came reports that waters which had long been unproductive and 

 worthless, were beginning to yield, and, in some instances, were alread}' 

 yielding abundanth'. Wherever fish had been placed, they seem to have 

 thriven, and the care taken to select the proper varieties for each lake or 

 stream was rewarded. 



These operations were not experiments, and to them the attention of 

 the New York Commission was mainly directed, although some experi- 

 ments appeared to promise well. The shad, for instance, which were 

 placed in the Genesee river lived and grew to a fair size. Many had 

 been taken of a pound weight, and a few even much larger. But the 

 question was not 3'et answered as to whether the}- would spawn when 

 wholly confined to fresh water. In protecting and hatching artificialh' 

 impregnated ova, as well as in re-stocking streams which have been 

 depleted bj' neglect or overfishing, the fish-culturist "acts with certaint}' 

 and confidence ; but the acclimatization of new varieties to unaccustomed 

 waters is always an uncertaint}'. 



This, gentlemen, is in a few words a report of what has been done in 

 the State of New York. I think it is encouraging. I know that as much 

 or more has been eflfected in other States either under their Commissions 

 or b}' private enterprise. 



POISONING AND OBSTRUCTING THE WATERS. 



BY FRED. MATHER. 



From all over the land there is a murmur of complaint about the pol- 

 lution of our creeks and rivers by manufacturing companies, dyeing 

 establishments, saw mills, and the like ; and while the general Govern- 

 ment, States and individuals are working to re-stock our nearly exhausted 

 rivers, lakes and streams, this pollution is allowed to go on unheeded 

 and unchecked. 



The murmur is graduall}' getting louder, and we will ere long, we 



