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of examining the lakes was begun. In 1886 a proper crew- 

 was organized, consisting of three men, one being in charge. 

 They were provided with a gang of gill-nets having meshes 

 of four different sizes, thermometers, a small drag or trawl, 

 sounding lines, fishing tackle, blank reports with printed 

 instructions, and a complete camping outfit. And so with 

 fairly good and practical results the lakes of three counties on 

 the southern border of the State were examined and reported 

 on. For a short time towards the end of summer a second 

 crew was sent out to examine some places where there were 

 special reasons for knowing the contents and capabilities of 

 several lakes. In 1887 further improvements were made in 

 the outfit, and the crew increased to four. The addition of 

 one man secured more expeditious work. The result of these 

 examinations give the Michigan Commission in permanent 

 and convenient form, not only the exact, but the essential, 

 facts about the lakes in eight counties of this State. The size, 

 depth, character of bottom, quality of water, temperature, inhab- 

 itants, kinds and quantities of food ; in a word what fish are 

 there, and the knowledge what can and ought to be there in 

 order to obtain the greatest productiveness of the given waters. 

 One characteristic these examinations have lacked. They 

 afford an opportunity for scientific investigation, which would 

 add materially to their practical utility, and which would cer- 

 tainly make them more complete from all points of view. We 

 have not the means to supply that want. The United States 

 Fish Commission has the means and the men. We are dis- 

 cussing with the Commissioner, and the head of the Depart- 

 ment of Scientific Research of the United States Fish 

 Commission, a practical method of co-operation in carrying on 

 further examinations of Michigan lakes. Here is a field well 

 worth cultivating. If fish-culturists are to do anything for the 

 interior lakes they must know as well as possible the conditions 

 under which their efforts must be tried. There are six or seven 

 northern States besides Michigan, of which I have some 

 knowledge, where such efforts ought to be made. 



And while the lakes are being examined, why not the 

 streams and rivers ? Our experience has proved that there are 



