Fish CuUurists' Association. 27 



well adapted for food and commerce, but would (were it not for an inter- 

 position of some kind) relentlessl}' pursue and kill them up to the close 

 of the year, whilst in the ver}- act of spawning, and in the foul condition 

 just related. It is also to be noted that at this time salmon, from their 

 sluggishness, and from having resorted to the smaller streams on shal- 

 low, gravell}" beds, become more easy pi-ey for their lawless pursuers, 

 who care nothing for nature's command to '•'• increase and multiply," nor 

 object to foul and unwholesome food, kill indiscriminately, with every sort 

 of device, every fish that may be found. This barbarous practice, hav- 

 ing hitherto so generall}' prevailed, has in numerous instances totally 

 exterminated many of the better kinds of fish from most of the waters of 

 the older settled parts of Canada and the United States. 



Many persons are very skeptical as to the actual necessity for close 

 seasons, or any other protection for fish, and consider legislation on the ■ 

 subject altogether superfluous. The}' know nothing of their habits and 

 nature, beyond the fact that they form delicious food, and cannot there- 

 fore see why they should not be taken and eaten at all times and in all 

 seasons. In order that seasonable and wholesome fish may be had in 

 our markets and at our tables at all times and at all seasons, nature has 

 made this wise provision, namely : That the spawning season is not at 

 the same time of year with all fish ; some kinds of fish collect in shallow 

 waters and in rivers to deposit their ova in the Spring months, and 

 others in the Fall. By this means a succession of fish can be taken in 

 season throughout the whole year. It only becomes necessary, then, 

 that wise and discriminating regulations should be made to assist the 

 laws of nature, to give to the people of this country, not only for the 

 present time, but also for the future, a bountiful supply of wholesome 

 fish food. 



From the few facts just mentioned respecting the nature of salmon and 

 other fish, and the tendency in man to destroy them, it is easy for any 

 person possessing ordinary intelligence, and not selfishl}' prejudiced to 

 the contrary, to infer how necessary and important it is that all fish 

 should be protected by proper legislation at proper seasons, and also 

 that all persons should be legally prohibited from killing or selling that 

 which is foul and unfit for food. 



Having explained the great necessity for passing laws in relation to 

 the preservation of fish at certain seasons of the year, it will be necessary 

 now to meet the question. Why resort to artificial means for the propa 

 gation of fish ; why not allow them to produce their young in the usua- 

 way? 



In contrasting the artificial with the natural method, the superiority of 

 the former over the latter system will be easily understood, even by the 



