IF. 



Maryland Commission, Fisii and Fisjieuiks, 



1!I2 iV. Charles St., Baltimore, Md. 



Fch'y. 2m, 1875. 

 Mr. Setii Green, Kocbester, N. Y. 



311/ Dear Sir : — I hope yon have duly considered the pro- 

 position made yon by me in New York, a few days since, 

 which I now repeat with the re([nest that you give me your 

 answer as soon as practicable, as I am anxious to perfect all 

 of my arrangements for the spring's work. I mentioned to 

 yon, that I do not feel authorized under the circumstances, 

 and with the ])resent developments in fish culture, to purchase 

 for the State of Maryland the right to use your patent, but 

 as I think perhaps the boxes used by you are more convenient 

 and perfect than any of those since devised or patented, and 

 being desirous to secure your friendly co-operation and good 

 Avill, I offer you tliesum of five hundred dollars, ($500.00,) the 

 extent which our appropriation, etc., permits. In considera- 

 tion of which amount, you to furnish, for our service in pro- 

 pagation, a practical fish culturist, experienced in taking the 

 spawn of shad, and hatching the same, for the spawning sea- 

 son of Shad and Rock in Maryland waters this spring. You 

 to pay the wages as agreed upon between himself and you, 

 and should we use the boxes, such as used by you in shad 

 hatching, you are not to make any additional claim against 

 the State of Maryland. We to pay all the necessary ex- 

 penses incurred for this practical fish culturist, from the time 

 he reports, until discharged by us in Baltimore. I have just 

 received drawings of the box })atented by Mr. 0. N. Bryan, 

 of Maryland. What do you think of it? 

 Very truly, your's, 



T. B. Ferguson, 



Commissioner of Fislieries, 



State of Maryland. 



lioclwMer, N. Y., March ord, 1875. 

 Mr. T. B. Ferguson, 



Dear Sir : — Your's of February 26th, was received. 1 want 

 to see the work go on in your State. I think I will furnish 

 you a practical man and the right to use my shad hatching 



