176 American Fisheries Society 



It is unlikely that more than a nominal excess of revenue 

 over all the costs of operation is to be expected. 



Two years ago this method of making sewage disposal 

 economic by the aid of fish culture evidently had been 

 stamped with the seal of official approval in Germany. 

 A Hamburg commission had examined and reported fav- 

 orably on the Strassburg installation, and had recom- 

 mended tentative establishments in suburban sections in 

 the region about Hamburg. In Strassburg itself it was 

 learned that the plans and specifications for enlarging 

 the system to the demands of the whole body of Strass- 

 burg sewage had been for some time completed, and had 

 official approval, but the necessary appropriation of funds 

 had not been made. It appeared that military influences 

 alone had intervened to prevent this not inconsiderable 

 public expenditure. In May, 1914, this seemed puzzling. 

 Within less than three months war had broken out, and 

 it may be inferred the Strassburg project is at least no 

 further advanced. 



The question arises how far these methods of sewage 

 disposal are applicable in the United States. In some 

 respects it is likely that greater difficulties will be en- 

 countered than in Germany. The public will regard fish 

 raised from sewage with more suspicion than the Ger- 

 mans displayed toward them, and it will be less suscep- 

 tible than the German public to efforts to counteract 

 its prejudices in this respect. Yet conditions suitable for 

 producing fish from sewage can undoubtedly be found at 

 many places here. In localities with a severe winter 

 climate there has been little or no experience with the 

 method, and low winter temperature must reduce, mod- 

 ify or put an end to its efficiency. The Strassburg ponds 

 are operated in a climate considerably milder than that 

 of our northern cities. 



