918 THE AMERICAN FARMER 



practiced among civilized nations, their efforts being attended with such marked results that 

 other European nations were not slow in following their example. 



Considerable interest has already been awakened throughout the country in regard to 

 fish culture upon farms, or in private fish ponds. This may be easily done, and with but 

 comparatively slight expense and labor. Almost every farm has some stream or pond that 

 may be utilized for this purpose, or if not, at least land of a low, marshy, swampy nature, 

 that is almost worthless for any agricultural purpose whatever, but which might be trans 

 formed into a fish pond, and made more valuable in the production of fish than any equal 

 area of the very best land for any agricultural product. Fish of suitable kinds bring a good 

 price in the market, many such as the brook trout, salmon trout, etc., frequently command 

 ing exorbitant prices. But w T hen it is not desired to supply the market, simply an abundance 

 of fresh fish for family use, fresh from the water, is of no small import, and is a luxury that 

 few families far from a market ever enjoy, since no food of any kind deteriorates in quality 

 so quickly by keeping as fish. For the following practical directions on the breeding and 

 management of fish we are indebted to Mr. Seth Green, Superintendent of the Fisheries of 

 the State of New York; also noted in this country and in Europe for his valuable experi 

 ments and discoveries in the art of fish culture. 



Points in Fish Culture. &quot;The following points upon fish culture seem to be estab 

 lished: First Fish culture, extending to every desirable variety of fish, is entirely practica 

 ble. Second It may, under proper management, be made profitable to the producer; as 

 much so or more than the cultivation of land, or of land animals, and on similar conditions. 

 Third It may furnish to all classes an abundance of cheap, and the most nutritious and 

 healthful food. Fourth It is absolutely necessary in order to the preservation of the fish 

 of the country from total destruction. Fifth Every section of our country, and all its 



BLACK BASS. 



creeks, rivers, lakes, and seacoasts are available for this, care being taken that the right kinds 

 of fish be selected for the water into which they are placed, observing latitude, climate, tem : 

 perature, and quality of water. Sixth It may be carried on by stocking waters with young 

 fish brought from hatching establishments, or by obtaining eggs for hatching, and both eggs 

 and young fish may be transported safely to almost any distance. Seventh The money capi 

 tal required for these operations is small, skill, care, patience, perseverance, and common 

 sense, the same as in any other business, being the chief requisites. Eighth Individual 

 enterprise is alone sufficient for success, though State action is desirable; indeed, legislation is 

 essential, if not to foster, at least to protect those engaged in the business of fish culture. 



Varieties of Fish Best Adapted to Fish Culture. The fish of North America 

 are the finest in the world for food and sport, while some species have peculiar recommenda 

 tions to the fish culturist. Probably the most valuable variety to be found anywhere is the 

 shad; it is scarcely surpassed for the table, it is among the most prolific, it is the most easily 

 manipulated, its eggs hatch in the shortest time, its fry require no care after birth, and being 

 migratory, it draws its sustenance from the sea while it travels far inland, in its periodic 

 visits to the land. We have abundant varieties for the vast extent of valuable waters in our 

 states, from the sluggish, turbid streams and ponds of the South, to the lively sparkling spring 

 brooks of the North; from the smallest ponds to the immense inland seas of fresh water. 

 For the lakes the Whitefish, Salmon Trout, Herring, Black Bass, and Wall-eyed Pike; for 

 the rivers, the Yellow Perch, Black Bass, Shad, and Salmon; for still and deep streams, the 

 Bullhead or Catfish, the Perch, and many other kinds of coarse fish; for the swift mountain 



