10 



Fourth It is absolutely necessary in order to the pres- 

 ervation of the fish of the country from total destruction. 

 Fifth Every section of our country, and all its creeks, 

 rivers, lakes and seacoasts are available for this, care 

 being taken that the right kinds of fish be selected for 

 the waters into which they are placed, observing latitude, 

 climate, temperature and quality of the water. Sixth 

 It may be carried on by stocking waters with young fish 

 brought from hatching establishments, or by obtaining 

 eggs fur hatching, and both eggs and young fish may be 

 transported safely to almost any distance. Seventh The 

 money capital required for these operations is small, 

 skill, care, patience, perseverence and common sense, 

 the same as m any other business, being the chief requi- 

 sites. 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. 



CHAPTER I. 



FISH CULTURE. 



We do not propose to trace back the Science of fish 

 culture to its origin, nor settle the disputed claims of 

 individuals or nations, to its discovery. That the old stag- 

 nant, almond-eyed nation of the East may have known 

 something of it, as that curious, half developed race had 

 misty intimations of many other important natural phe- 

 nomena is not to be doubted ; but the knowledge was of 

 small extent and little utility, and has remained like the 

 people among whom it existed, without development. Its 

 practice consisted mainly in transporting from place to 

 place, certain varieties of fish-eggs, which had the pecul- 



