15 



as the ti'catnic'iit of tiro spawn is somewhat difforcut iVoiii 

 that of those fislies with whicli those in the employ of the 

 Commission had been exercised. ■ The proposition contained 

 in the following w\as therefore made to Seth Green, under 

 whose skillful guidance several men had been made expert in 

 sliad hatching : 



M.VllYLAXD COMMISSIOX, FiSK AND FiSlIEllIES, 



102 JSr. Charleys SL, Baltimore, Md. 



Fch'y 2GtIi, 187."). 

 Mk. Setk GiiEEXj Kochcster, ]>[. Y. 



My Bear Sir: — I hope you have duly considered the pro- 

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

 Avhich I now repeat witli the request 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 

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

 and with the present 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 

 will, I offer you the sum of fi.ve hundred dollars, (|500.00,) 

 the extent whicli our appropriation, etc., permits. In con- 

 sideration of w^ich amount, you to furnish, for our service 

 in propagation, a practical lish culturist, experienced in tak- 

 ing the spawn of shad, and hatching the same, for the spawn- 

 ing season of Shad aud Kock in Maryland Avatersthis sprino-. 

 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 arc not to make any additional claim 

 against the State of Maryland. We to pay all the necessarv 

 expenses 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 patented by Mr. 0. N. 

 Bryan, of Maryland. Wliat do you think of it? 



Very truly, your's, T. B. Ferguson, 



Commissioner of Fisheries, State of Mar viand. 



Bochester, A\ Y., 3Iarch 3rd, 1875 

 Mr. T. B. Ferguson, 



Bear Sir: — Your's of February 26th, was received. I want 

 to see the work go on in your State. I think I Avill furnisb 

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

 box this coming Spring, for five hundred dollars^ (|500.00 ^ 

 I to pay the man's wages from the time he leaves here and 

 you to pay all other expenses from the time lie leaves here 



