6 COMMISSIONERS OF 
But now all is changed, the streams that knew them then, know 
them no more. Dams have been built, and the ‘herring after 
vainly seeking a chance to obey nature’s laws, and seek fresh 
water to deposit their spawn, have gone, heaven knows, where. 
In the few places where they still have access, they fare but 
little better, for the local inhabitant, in the pious desire to get the 
best of his neighbors in every way, spreads his nets at the very 
outlet, where the fish first make their appearance, and sweep 
every one to the shore. 
With them disappear the codfish from our shores, for the cod 
feeds upon them, and can always be found in the greatest quan- 
tity where the herring abound. It has been thoroughly estab- 
lished, that herring do not migrate except from deep water into 
the fresh streams to deposit their spawn, and it may readily be seen, 
how their scarcity influences our deep sea fisheries. 
In view of these facts, and in the strong hope that it is. not too 
late to retrieve past errors, your Commissioners would strongly 
urge that some legislation may be had to protect these most pro- 
lific. fish. : 
Narrow River, in South Kingstown, and also the Breach, in 
Charlestown pond, in Charlestown, should be looked to. 
To fully establish these fish, a close time would be necessary, 
for about two years, and after that time, fishing only to a limited 
extent. No seine to be stretched across the stream, but only »& 
dipnet to be used, also a close time of two days in each week. 
We give here for convenience of reference, a list of the Com- 
missioners of Inland Fisheries, of the different States : 
COMMISSIONERS OF FISHERIES. 
UNITED STATES. 
Prof.’ SpencersE, Baird tiie. chek sae eee Washington, D. C. 
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