Dyche. — New State Hatchery for Kansas 177 



We have tried very hard to convince our legislature that lobster culture 

 is a business proposition, but we cannot make them do anything and 

 we get mighty discouraged sometimes. But what Professor Dyche has 

 done puts new life into us; and if we all looked at things the way he 

 docs, perhaps we would all do better work. 



Mr. Graham : I think the legislature of Kansas has absolute confi- 

 dence in the state commission. 



Mr. Fearing: Our commission is curious, in that it is working for 

 the love of the cause and without pay. 



Dr. S. P. Bartlett, Quincy, 111. : Professor Dyche has overcome 

 difficulties that seem insurmountable. I have been before the legislature 

 35 years endeavoring to accomplish similar objects, and fully compre- 

 hend the difficulty of the work. 



I cannot say anything about the workings of those ponds, but the 

 idea is mainly the rescue of the fish. I like his plans for the distribu- 

 tion of the different varieties, but I could not be loyal to the interests 

 1 have represented if I did not object to his cutting out carp. 



Professor Dyche: I am a great friend of the carp. I will talk- 

 carp to you for an hour if you wish. 



Mr. Meehan : That subject is tabooed. 



Mr. W. O. Buck, Neosho, Mo. : I wish Professor Dyche would 

 explain some details, especially in regard to the openings. The problem 

 of controlling the outlet of the ponds is a difficult one for me, and I 

 imagine it is the same at most stations. I wish Professor Dyche would 

 explain what arrangements he has for getting absolute control of 

 the fish. 



Professor Dyche: You mean for getting water from the pond to 

 the river? 



Mr. Buck: No, holding the water, preventing leaks and holding it 

 at just the height you wish. How about leaks? 



Professor Dyche: Our engineer, Prof. W. C. Hoad, of the Kansas 

 University, will use practically the same system of cement runways, 

 pipes and valves that he has installed in other places in the state in 

 connection with water works and sewer systems. Between any two 

 ponds he constructs a cement runway, 29 inches wide, built up on both 

 sides ; and this cement structure runs down into the water on both 

 sides and the wall on the sides of the embankment is one foot higher 

 than the earth embankment. The flash-boards are put in so as to regu- 

 late the height of the water in the pond. Wire screens of different 

 sized mesh will lie used to regulate the fish. The stop-boards fit so 

 well that there is practically no leak. In a gravity run such as we have 

 there is no great pressure anywhere and consequently no leaks except 

 where poor workmanship or some accident might cause it. 



Mr. Buck : The flash hoards are set horizontally, running in slots 

 in the concrete, are they? 



Professor Dyche: Yes. The engineer has such flash- or stop-boards 

 in good working order in other localities. I might say that the engi- 



