AMERICAN FISHERIES SOCIETY. 63 



atioii of aiiificial ponds by holdiiiji- back, by means of suitable 

 dams, the How of water in creeks, from springs and artesian 

 wells (we have over seven hundred flowing artesian wells in 

 North Dakota) and the creation of reservoirs by excavations in 

 the ground, and the tillinjij of the receptacle from common 

 water wells, the water beinjj; lifted by means of wind and other 

 power. 



At tirst the syst(Mn w^as looked upon with indilTerence and 

 some opposition, but beinjj: based upon what seemed j;ood 

 sound ])rincii)les and havin<j: been made ])i'actical in many 

 parts of our State for a series of years, its advantages are now 

 conceded. Through this i)lan numerous farmers are now rais- 

 ing large quantities of fish, and many more will try the ex- 

 periment as soon as the snpi)ly can be obtained from the wa'iter 

 or elsewhere. Two years ago I furnished five thousand (5,000) 

 lake trout fry to a farmer living near Oakes, N. D. He planted 

 them in an artificial pond made by damming up the waters 

 from a spring upon his farm. A few days ago I received a 

 letter from him. He is very enthusiastic and much delighted 

 because his fish raised from the fry are most plentiful and 

 measure from ten to twelve inches in length — speckled beau- 

 ties afiording rarest sport, as they take the bait most readily. 



The benefits attending the carrying out in practical detail 

 of the Home Fish Culture System demonstate it contains 

 true merit, and is worthy of studious attention, as it indicates 

 fish culture, at a small expense, can be made a profitable factor 

 in diversified farming or rural life. It has many desirable 

 advantages, some of which I here mention: It is an inex- 

 pensive system; under jjroper management, it is certain, as a 

 rule, to supply a large amount of cheap and nutritious food 

 for the family; it can be made a source of revenue, if desired, 

 by sales of the fish, and what is a most desirable feature, no 

 person has a legal right to take the fish without the consent of 

 the owner. Besides all these profits, the fish are near at hand, 

 so the pleasure of angling can be indulged in at any time and 

 fresh fish had for the table when desired, and the culture of 

 the finny tribe at the home place is most fascinating and in- 

 structive to the family, especially to the young studying the 

 works of nature in beautiful development. 



It is gratifying to know the interest in this home fish culture 

 sy>stem is constantly increasing in our State. 



I am also, thus far. meeting with the best of success in my 

 ex])erimentations with the raising of fish in artesian water. 



This pioneer work of fish culture in North Dakota is being 

 carried on under the most adverse circumstances, the principal 

 difficulty being there is no appropriation made by the State to 

 cover the expenses, but the results are most encouraging and 



