223 



This movement has not met with universal approval, for by the 

 ill-advised enthusiasm of some of its advocates a number of trout 

 and bream have been destroyed, and complaints are heard that 

 the fisheries of certain rivers have been injured. The general 

 results, however, have been very beneficial. The black bass will 

 never become the food of the millions, as may be judged from the 

 fact that New York market receives probably less than 60,000 Ibs. 

 annually ; yet hundreds of bodies are now stocked with them 

 in sufficient numbers to afford pleasant sport and considerable 

 quantities of excellent food. ' Valued as the brook-trout is for 

 its game qualities/ writes Mr. Halloch ; ' widely distributed as it 

 is, and much extolled in song as it has been, the black bass has a 

 wider range, and being common to both cold and warm waters, 

 and to northern and southern climes, seems destined to become 

 the leading game fish of America, and to take the place of the 

 wild brook-trout, which vanishes like the aborigines before civiliza- 

 tion and settlements.' " 



" I shall try to be present at the reading of your paper on 

 Friday, but fear that I may be detained by another engagement 

 I shall be very glad, then, if you will quote this letter as fully as 

 your space will allow, in justice to the black bass and its advo- 

 cates, as well as to myself. I am, sir, yours truly, 



" G. BROWN GOODE, 

 " Commissioner." 



I am sure, gentlemen, nothing could be more satisfactory 

 than this letter. As an enthusiastic angler for all kinds of 

 fish, I should be the last to advocate the introduction of a fish 

 which would spoil our sport. Nor would I have anything 

 to say for it if it were a fish like the trout, affording sport 

 chiefly to the rich ; but the black bass is essentially a poor 

 man's fish ; it will take any kind of bait freely, affords 

 superb sport, and thrives best in just those waters which 

 are not suited to trout and salmon, viz., ponds, lakes, and 

 slow, deep streams. 



In conclusion, gentlemen, I thank you sincerely for the 



