INLAND FISHERIES. 5 
’ They did not do well owing to the drying up of the spring that 
fed the ponds, during the heat of the past summer. We then led 
a stream from the main river (Ponegansett) into the ponds, but 
after doing well for a time, the water got too warm, (70°), and 
all but about 10,000 died; these we have on hand in good con- 
dition. Another year we shall not attempt to keep any trout 
through the summer. 
Black Bass. We are glad to be able to report a very happy 
state of affairs in regard to this excellent fish. Five years ago, 
the then commissioners, Samuel S. Foss, A. Reed and N. Dexter 
placed a smallnumber of bass in four ponds, namely Herring, 
Sneaches, Moswanchicut, and Wanchog ; no fishing was allowed for 
three years, and at the end of that time under restrictions, as per sec- 
tions 3 and 5 of chapter 137 of the General Statutes. The fish have 
increased famously, and excellent fishing has been had in all these 
ponds except Sneaches, where they have not done so well. 
Every year since, more ponds have been stocked, as well as 
streams, and now we are glad to report, that most all of the best 
waters in every town in the State bas a full supply of these fish, 
even far away Block Island has been remembered, and two ponds 
stocked there. This year, Blueville pond only, has been stocked 
with these fish. In the future, when the close time expires from 
the three years’ limitation, we are sure that a plentiful supply of 
these most excellent game fish will be found, and we shall claim 
the black bass as a Rhode Island fish hereafter. 
The Commissicners have letters from various parties who have 
been very successful in bass fishing, the past summer,’ showing 
beyond a doubt, that our efforts in this branch of our department 
have been crowned with success. 
Herring. We wish to say a good word for the much neglected 
herring, a fish valuable to man, and doubly valuable in the econo- 
my of nature, as affording food for other fish. In early summer, 
in olden time, the herring. swarmed in every stream. No matter 
how insignificant emptying into tide water, these spawned and 
went their way back rejoicing. Our forefathers took what they 
wanted, and little dreamed that their descendants would suffer for 
a lack of them. 
