(19) 



diminishing scale. The importance of this measure bears on 

 every inhabitant of the State and cannot be too urgently press- 

 ed. The labors of this work are for the people and unless the- 

 dams are deprived of their objectionable feature they will be de- 

 nied that, which we cannot with our powers afford them. Co- 

 operative laws in South Carolina must be obtained or the in- 

 habitants of the upper waters of the Yadkin, Catawba, Broad 

 and Green Rivers will never reap the treasures of those streams. 

 Unless the laws of that State regulating fishing and the removal 

 of obstructions are enacted before the results of our work have 

 become an object, we will never secure them. Over three hun- 

 dred thousand California salmon have been released in waters 

 running through that State. It would be a pity to lose all of 

 them. With such laws and enough funds to run our work on 

 a legitimate basis we will fill every stream in the State. No 

 State can boast finer waters, besides the Chowan, Nottoway^ 

 Tar, Neuse, Cape Fear. Yadkin and Catawba, smaller streams 

 fill up all the gaps between, and inlets and sounds indent a coast 

 line for hundreds of miles. Go to the Linville, John's, Swan- 

 nanoa, Tuckaseege, Nantihala, Pacolet, Green and Broad and 

 you find waters as pure, clear and limpid as the world affords* 

 We have now the skill and appliances to restore them to their 

 former abundance. 



In conclusion I will ask you to secure if possible a law pre- 

 venting the use of explosives in the capture and destruction of 

 fish in North Carolina waters ; also to prevent the destruction 

 of any of the salmon we have introduced into our waters^ 

 making not the capture but possession the offence. The reasons 

 for protecting them are manifest. 



Below will be found a table showing what dssposition we 

 have made of the fish released in the waters of this State. It 

 includes some work of the United States Fish Commission, and 

 of Mr. Frank N. Clark and W. F. Page who had charge of the 

 work during the first two seasons. 



I would call to your special attention the earnest and faithful 

 labors of Chas. J. Huske, Wm. M. Russ and Thomas Taylor 

 who have shown character, willingness and determination while 

 aiding in the prosecution of our work. 



