MAKE EFFECTIVE GAME-LAWS. 151 



is, the trout streams have been so depleted and thinned of 

 their most attractive beauty that restocking by artificial 

 means has been found necessary as a last resort. 



Before addressing myself to the task of describing the ar- 

 tistic means for capturing this beauty of the brook, it should 

 be known that it is not lawful to take trout in the State of 

 New York by any other means than with the angle in fly and 

 bait fishings. Considering the diminished numbers in our 

 best streams, and the swift-growing density of the population 

 throughout the North, it is a question of importance whether 

 this law should not be adopted by all the states north and 

 east. The inhabitants of the United States are a peculiar 

 people in some things, and in no one element is this more 

 patent than in their running on the last idea, to the disregard 

 of all others. This is eminently so in artificial fish-culture. 

 There are many waters which require protection only to ren- 

 der the increase of trout abundant ; but instead of protecting 

 the waters by proper legal enactments, and faithfully carry- 

 ing them out, some states leave the waters to the mercy of 

 nets and spears. They appropriate sums of money for prop- 

 agating trout, and while the fish-culturist is hatching trout 

 on the middle of a stream, the mouth is being netted, and the 

 spawning-grounds thinned with the spear. This is " feeding 

 at the spigot and leaking at the bung." 



Game-laws should be enacted in each state establishing the 

 fence or close seasons for game fish and game animals, thus 

 protecting them while with young, while hatching, and until 

 they have recovered and fattened sufficiently for the table. 

 The legal season for taking trout in the State of New York 

 is from March until October, leaving six months of the year 

 wherein it is unlawful to take trout by any means. It would 

 be well if the Northern and Eastern States could unite upon 

 a close season, as it would assist to prevent poaching. Al- 

 though I have no key to fit the humor of the selfish proprie- 

 tor who would begrudge the laboring man his snatch of pleas- 

 ure at this universal and favorite pastime, or limit him to 



