Fish CuUurists' Association. 25 



great salmon '• Bonanza" of the McLeocl River been discovered by Mr. 

 Stone, where immense works have been erected. From each of these 

 establishments millions of eggs and fiy are being distribnted annually 

 throughout all parts of the Union. Over and above this public recogni- 

 tion, many millions of dollars are now employed in the work of fish 

 culture from private sources by the people of the Republic. 



It may not be amiss to state that, within the same period of time, in no 

 countiy has fish culture made greater progress then in the Dominion of 

 Canada. From its first inception at Newcastle, in the Province of 

 Ontario, it has made rapid strides throughout America. Its operations 

 there have ensured the artificial propagation of the more important 

 commercial fishes of this country, and at the present time, through the 

 wisdom of the Canadian Government, there are no less than five salmon 

 breeding establishments founded within its territory', all of which are in 

 practical working condition, each with a capacity for containing man}- 

 millions of ova. Other institutions of a similar nature arc also in 

 contemplation of being built during next season b}^ the Canadian 

 authorities. 



Reference being made here to the Newcastle fish breeding works in 

 Ontario, it will not be taken in the light of self-laudation for me, the 

 sole originator of that institution, to state that from it has sprung all of 

 the national and State fish breeding establishments on this continent. 



Fish culture having now become both a popular and successful indus- 

 try in the United States and Canada, it is of importance that it should be 

 vigorousl}' carried on. The once many famous rivers in both of these 

 countries have now become ver}' much reduced in their supplies of sal- 

 mon and other fish. This falling off is also experienced in the countless 

 lakes and their innumerable tributaries everj'where throughout the land. 

 Both demand early attention in order to prevent the final extermination 

 of an article of food which it is now almost impossible to sustain in the 

 natural viay alone. A judicious application of the natural and artificial 

 methods of propagation, together with thorough protection during the 

 close seasons, would soon reproduce in those waters a large supply of fish, 

 both for domestic purposes and foreign trade. The outlay required to 

 achieve this object will be found to be trifling indeed in comparison to the 

 ultimate benefits that would assuredl}' flow from its application. 



Having made a few remarks upon the question of fish culture in a gen- 

 eral wa}', it will not be amiss to refer to the necessity of wise legislation 

 for the protection and preservation of fish at certain seasons of the year, 

 more particularly' during the close or spawning season. 



The sea fisheries, from the unlimited field which the}' cover, and the 

 extensive area in which the natural production of fishes is carried on, do 



