43 



formed by Mr. Henry Carroll, that before the dains were- 

 erected, that the shad and rock ascended in munbers as far 

 up as liis estate, and were taken by the people on horseback 

 by spearing them. Since they have been cut oif from access 

 to their spawning beds in the upper river, they have greatly 

 diminished and almost disappeared fi'om the lower river. 



Hatching House. 



Section IJ of Act establishing the Commission of Fisheries, 

 authorizes the Commissioners to ''obtain the necessary ova, 

 and construct and erect suitable hoiLses and devices for hatch- 

 ing the same, and protecting the small fish, until fit to be 

 distributed." But after a careful investigation into the cost 

 of the site, and tlie erection of a hatching house, we found 

 that Ave would not have the means to procure eggs, hatch 

 them, and distribute the young fish — if we made the neces- 

 sary outlay ibr a hatching house. We, therefore, arranged 

 witli Mr. Alexander Kent, to have the eggs which we might 

 leceive from the U. S. Commissioner, liatched in his estab- 

 lishment at Green Spring. Accordingly we placed in his 

 charge the three hundred and seven+y-five thousand eggs of 

 the California Salmon received in October, 1874, and the 

 eighty tliousand of the Maine Salmon received March Dtli, of 

 the same year. 



We found that if v»-e had to pay tlie usual charge of one 

 dollar and fifty cents (i|2.50) per tliousand for hatching Sal- 

 mon eggs, we Would not be able to operate as largely as de- 

 sirable, even though Ave received tlie eggs free of all save ex- 

 press cliarges, irom the United States Commissioner. 



As Ave deemed it of the greatest importance that Ave should 

 for some years to come introduce the California Salmon in as 

 large numbers as possible, Ave made application to the United 

 States Commissioner for a million of eggs from liis establish- 

 ment on the McCloud liiA-er, when he should distribute them 

 in the Fall of 1875. To provide for their reception and care, 

 Avc carefully examined the springs and their surroundings in 

 Druid Hill Park, and after consultation Avitli the Park Com- 

 missioners, addressed the communication Avhich follows — 



To the Jlonorahle Mayor and Council, 



of the City of Baltimore. 

 The undersigned, a Commissioner uf Fisheries of (he State 



