4S 



the sum of iive thousand dollars, a contributiini to the beau- 

 ty and interest of the Park which, it is earnestly hoped, your 

 Honorable Body -will lind no difficulty in granting. 



T. B. Feruuson, Conimissioner. 



In response to an invitation from Mr. John S. Bullock, 

 Chairman of the "Committee of Ways and Means" to whom 

 this letter Avas referred, Mr. Ferguson appeared before, and 

 explained to the Committee the scope of the establishment 

 such as contemplated, tliough comparatively small, such 

 are the improvements in the apparatus used in fish culture, 

 that millions of eggs could be hatched during the winter, 

 and distributed throughout the State. 



Should the Water Board decide on the introduction of 

 those fishes which would be likely to keep the water in the 

 lakes and reservoirs pure, that by means of the hatching 

 house, the su|)piy could be so kept up that the lakes might 

 be thrown open to anglers under proper restriction. 



Having a breeding establishment in so central and accessi- 

 ble a locality, the citizens of Baltimore, as v;ell as those from 

 all parts of the State, would be educated to the importance, 

 and thoroughly understand the subject of fisli culture around 

 which there has been some mystery thrown. 



That the student of natural history might hare an excel- 

 lent opportunity of studying the habits, and observing the 

 gradual development of the several kinds of iish ab ovo. 



That it was contemplated to use the most approved kinds 

 of apparatus, and to construct the ponds in the most perfect 

 manner, so that those Avishing to add fish culture to the 

 other recreations and industries of their larms and country 

 seats, would hare before them a model in the establishment 

 in the Park. Such is the topography of the country sur- 

 rounding Baltimore, that almost every farm or Yilla has its 

 spring or springs. Although there are few localities which 

 ofter facilities for iish culture as a business, yet almost every 

 good spring can be made to support a thousand or so fish, 

 which if consumed by the farmer^ saves him just so much 

 meat, and if sent to market adds just so much to the food 

 supply from the country. 



That the operations could be so conducted that visitors 

 could see the various stages of the development of the eggs 

 and the subsequent growth of tlie fish, and tliat our schools 



