136 Thirtieth Annual Meeting 



least to distinguish Carp when properly prepared. Suppose we 

 grant that it was a mistake to introduce these fishes into our 

 waters, is it not better to take them also under the protection of 

 our laws, to regard them as a real money producer and a source of 

 cheap food for a large class of our people, since all this can be so 

 readily accomplished without detriment to our game fishes? 



In a word now, our new law gives the market-fisherman an 

 opportunity to realize his revenues from August 1 to April 15 in the 

 rivers used for commercial navigation only; all other streams and 

 lakes will be left for the angler. With the proper enforcement of 

 the amended law of which I have spoken, there is every reason to 

 expect L-iat the coarse fishes will remain abundant in our waters, 

 and that the game fishes will increase from year to year. Thus I 

 trust you will be able to get a faint glimpse of the fact that we are 

 striving to do a good work in Illinois, in preserving and enlarging 

 the means which God and nature have placed in our hands for sup- 

 plying an inexpensive and healthful food for the tables of the masses 

 and a dainty for the tables of the rich and the well-to-do. In this 

 important work we shall progress the more the better the people — 

 the source of our authority — understand the methods by which and 

 the ends to which our efforts are directed. 



Wishing you a pleasant and very profitable meeting, I am, 

 Very sincerely yours, 



NAT. H. COHEN, 

 President Illinois Fish Commission. 



