ON INLAND FISHERIES. 13 



on the subject of the coast fisheries, and this year the Professor's re- 

 port which inchides 1877, gives a very thorough and exhaustive 

 account of the menhaden fisheries. Meantime we must do what we 

 can to protect ourselves, and bear in mind that abundance can only 

 come from judicious protection. 



INLAND FISHERIES. 



The Commissioners have to report that this department remains 

 unchanged the past year. Black Bass have multiplied throughout the 

 State and are now a comparatively abundant fish where they were 

 entirely unknown ten years ago. They are even reported in numbers 

 in the Hope street reservoir, City of Providence, where they have 

 made tlieir way through the main water pipes from the Sockanosset 

 reservoir a distance of six miles, having been pumped into that from 

 the Pawtuxet River, together with yellow perch, roach, shiners, &c. 

 We have had an application to stock the (xeorgiaville reservoir with 

 them which will he done this spring. 



No young shad were distributed this year owing to the failure of 

 obtaining them from the Connecticut River fishery, but the coming 

 summer we liope to be able to do our own hatching in our own waters; 

 tlie cost will be small. 



We anticipate soon to be able to introduce some of the European 

 carp, now in process of propagation and growth at Washington, into 

 such of our waters as are suited to them. A fine table fish, quick of 

 growth, and thriving in stagnant waters where other fish will not do 

 well. A vegetable feeder entirely. When these fish will be ready for 

 distribution inlimited numbers we are not advised, but the Commis- 

 sioners will be glad to receive applications for them and when the 

 time arrives will place tliem in such localities as in their judgment 

 seems best for them. 



W'e append our financial report for the year 1879, which will be 

 found to conttiin a record of our expenditures in carrying out the pro- 

 visions of Chapter 751. 



NEWTON DEXTER, ) Commissioners 



J. H. BARDEN, \ of 



A. A. REED, Jr, ) Inland Fisheries. 



