6 Report on Inland Fisheries. 



we have obtained such gratifying results. Large nurabcrs of full grown 

 shad were caught at Pontiac, below the dam, this past year. 



Trout. Learning from our past experience in this department, the 

 delicate organization of this species of fish and its peculiar wants and 

 requirements, we have deemed it inexpedient to attempt anything in 

 this direction the past 3-ear. 



We find no trouble to hatch the fish and none in preserving them, until 

 the season becomes warm and dry, then our supply of water is apt to 

 fail and the young fish die. 



They require pure water, and will not do well in a temperature above 

 sixtj'-five degrees, unless there is a fall or swift current, and as the tem- 

 perature of spring water is much less variable than river water, it is 

 very essential that the former be employed. 



Owing to the variableness of the quantity of water moving from our 

 springs we have been unable thus fur to find a suitable place in the 

 vicinity of our hatching house, for the location of a trout pond with good 

 prospect of success. 



Frequentl}' our opinion is asked in relation to this branch of fish cul- 

 ture. AVe reply, trout can be raised and made to pay in Rhode Island, 

 if we can provide a regular flow of pure spring water through the severe 

 drouth to which we are subject during the summer months ; the flow must 

 be sufficient to change the whole volume of water in the pond or ponds, 

 at least once in twelve hours, and eight hours is better. 



We copy from the report of the Massachusetts Commissioners the fol- 

 lowing, which will be of value to an}- one in our State contemplating 

 the raising of trout : 



" There is an easier, more natural and perhaps more profitable way of raising 

 trout, which has not beeu tried by many of the growers ; its simplicity and cheap- 

 ness bring it within easy control of any one owning in whole or in part a trout 

 stream in which is any considerable fall. 



At the foot of the dam, where the owner's right terminates, should be con- 

 structed a dam sufficient to insure a depth of not less than six feet of water and 

 the overflow carefully screened ; above this a number of small dams should be 

 made, the distance between them being determined by the fall of the stream, 

 not being so near as to flow back on each other, but far enough apart to allow 

 a portion of the stream to remain unchanged, nor should they be so high as to 

 materially change the temperature of the water ; small fishways or shutes should 

 be built over these dams to enable the flsh to pass and repass around the dams 

 right and left, trenches should be made for the purpose of raising young flsh 

 a,nd conducting the overflow in times of freshets. The trenches for the young 

 should be gated so as to give at all times an overflow of water. 



It is desirable that the water flowing over the dams should be broken and 

 crated as much as possible ; at the head of one of the trenches may be built a 



