(Jumiiii.s.siuiicr, it wus (k'i,'iia'<l iidvi.sabli' lo dceliiic these modi- 

 fied terius, jis the season was then so far advanced, that the 

 ni'ohahle results wonhl not aiitln)ri/.e the expenditure of so 

 hirge a [)oi-tion ot tlie a})pi'opriation. Tliis letter was there- 

 fore addressed, declining to perfect either agreement proposed, 

 viz: 



Makvi.ami Commission , Fisji and Flsiiekies, 



!U2 iV. C/nirlcs ,S7., Ihdtimore, Md., 



ilfay 21st, 1875. 

 31 R, JSctu (111 ken, iiocliester, N. ^'. 



JJecir Sir: — I found on my rc'turn, after a careful examina- 

 tion ot the sul)iect, that it would not he advisable for us to 

 expend so much of our appropriation for shad hatching, as the 

 agreement pro])osed by us Avonld necessitate, as the shad have 

 not yet become so scai'ce as to inake their diminution felt by 

 oui' people. 1 hope that we will be able to arrange our expen- 

 ditures this yeai', so that we will have a sufticient amount next 

 year to enter into an arrangement with you, and early enough 

 in the Spring to take advantage of the whole spawning season, 

 which commences and ends much earlier with us than in your 

 State. As I think the Senate will pass the deficiency appro- 

 priation bill, which has })assed the House, in time for Professor 

 Baird to commence o]»erations next wiick, you w"ill have your 

 hands full - - '' '' * * * 



V^-'ry truly, yours, 



T. B. Fekgusox, 

 ( 'ommissionci' of Fisheries, Md. 



It was impossible to devise other ap[)ari.itus suitable foi- 

 hatching shad, before the close of the fishing season of 1874. 

 Your Commissionei-s, however, conducted a series of exjieri- 

 ments, and obtained information necessary to insure a success 

 in sliad hatcliing the f<)llowing season, the results of which 

 will be seen by a reference to tlie subse(iuent table, showing 

 the operations during the season of 1875. Professor Baird, 

 U. S. Commissioner of Fisheries, however, assured your Com- 

 missioners, that should the bill then pending pass Congress, 

 making the necessary apj)ropriati(m for fish culture, in time 

 to find any ripe fish in the Potomac, lie would push opera- 

 tions vigorously on that river. Tlie season was so far advanced 



