44 



>ol' Mrtrvland, being desiioiis to sec cstablislied, in the vicinity 

 ol' Baltimore, a hatching house, and ponds for the artificial 

 })ropagation of fish, has consnlted the Public Park Commis- 

 sioners \vitli the view of obtaining for the purpose the facili- 

 ties which the Drnid Hill Pnrk affords, with its numerous 

 springs, well adapted localities, etc., and believes that did 

 the means at the disposal of the Coinmissioners admit, they 

 would ghidly see within the Park limits, an establishment 

 not merely valuable for increasing the fish tood resources of 

 the State at large, but which would l)e an object oF i)ecnliar 

 interest to all visitors to the Park. Tlie arrangements of 

 this establishment might be such as to contribute materially 

 to .the beauty ot the Park, but without the means for any 

 other than the most necessary expenditures to keep the Park 

 in order, the Park C'ommissioners are unable to devote any 

 portion of tliem to the purpose suggested. It is understood, 

 however, tliat they cordially agree to the ap})lication now 

 made to your Honorable Body for any appropriation for the 

 purpose specified, which can be accomplished for the sum ot 

 five thousand dollars, a contribution to the beauty and in- 

 terest of the Park wliich, it is earnestly hoj)e(l, your Honor- 

 able Body will find no difficulty in granting. 



T. B. Fer<;uson, Coinmissionei-. 



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

 chairman oi the "Committee of Ways and Means" to whom 

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

 explained to the Committee the sco[)e oi' the establish men I 

 such as c(>!]tem|)la[ed, thougli comparatively small, sncii are 

 the improvements in the a]ipai'atu:< used in fisli culture, that 

 millions ot eggs could be hatched during' the winter, and dis- 

 tributed throguhout the State. 



Should tlie Water I'oard decide on the introduction of those 

 .fishes whicli would be likely to keep the water in the lakes 

 and reservoirs pure, tliat by means of the hatching house, 

 the supply could be so kept up that the lakes might be throwji 

 open to anglers under proper restriction. 



Having a breeding establishment in so central and accessi- 

 Ijle a locality, the citizens of Baltimore, as well as those from 

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

 iuid thoroughly understand the subject of fish culture around 

 Avhich there has been some mystery thrown. 



That the student of natural history might liave an excel- 

 lent opportunity of studying the habits, and observing the 

 /gradual development of the se\^eral kinds of fish ab ovo. 



