45 



That it was contemplated to use tlie most approved kinds- 

 of apparatus, and to construct the ponds in tiie most per-'uc*" 

 manner, so that those wishing to add iish culture to the other 

 recreations and industries of tlieir farms and country seats^. 

 wouhl luive before them a model in the establishment in thi<- 

 Park. Such is the topography <'f the country surroundiui:,"^ 

 Baltimore, that almost every farm or villa lias its sj)ring or 

 springs. Although there are few localities which offer i'acili- 

 ties for fish culture as a business, yet almost every g()0(i 

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

 if consumed by the laimer, saves him just so much meat^ 

 and if sent to market adds just so mucli to the food sup})l_v^ 

 from the country. 



That the operations could be so conducted that visitors 

 could see the various stages of the development uf the eggs 

 and the subsequent growth of the fish, and that our schools 

 would have an oj)})ortunity of having illustrated to their 

 classes in natural history, the discoveries on this important 

 branch. That it would be a very important step towards 

 supplying a long felt need in this country, of opportunities- 

 lor students to study the embryology of the oviparous inha- 

 bitants of the water. In the pond connected with the hatch- 

 ing house would be deposited from time to time the several 

 varieties of fish which were being intr(M;luced into the waters 

 (»f tlie State, so that at this central point, the public would 

 have an opportunity to see and become familiar with them. 



He stated to the committee that should they see fit to make 

 the approitriation asked, and the house was erected, and ponds 

 constructed, the Commission of Fisheries would gladly take 

 charge of them, and relieve the City and Park Commission- 

 of all expense of operating them. After the correspondence 

 whicli follows a favorable report was made l)y the Committee,, 

 and the resolution making the a})proj)riatiou whicli is copied 

 i>elow, was passed. 



FiTST Branch City Council, 



Baltimore, March 24/A, IST'i. 

 To the Board of Bark Commission . 

 ( Gentlemen : 



A proposition has been submitted to the Mayor and City 

 Council of Baltimore, by Major T. B. Ferguson, one of thc- 

 Commissioners of Fisheries of the State of Maryland, in re- 



