EEPORTS OF COMMITTEES. 13 



TROUT. 

 Ohio Whitney, ist premium., $25 00 



In the year 1872, the Society offered two premiums for the 

 most successful experiments in the artificial propagation of trout, 

 entries to be made on or before June ist, 1872, premiums to be 

 awarded in 1874. 



For this competition we regret that there was but one entry 

 made, that by Ohio Whitney of Ashburnham. At the time of the 

 offer of the premiums, there were other parties interested, and it 

 was hoped that two or three might be rehed on to make entries. 

 A committee having no knowledge of the subject, except what is 

 acquired during the examinations, may easily be led astray by the 

 enthusiasm of a single exhibitor, and hearing but one side of any 

 disputed point, is likely to arrive at conclusions that would not 

 stand the test of the more complete information that an earnest 

 competition would bring out. We feel warranted, however, in 

 deciding that Mr. Whitney has carried forward a very successful 

 experiment in the artificial propagation and rearing of trout, much 

 more so than the unaided fish would be capable of doing, for, 

 while he has furnished every facility for their natural increase in 

 the most prolific manner, he has also removed apparently every 

 impediment to their full and rapid developement; and while by a 

 careful assorting and separating of the different sized fish, they 

 are prevented from, exercising their cannibal propensity of eating 

 one another. He has also refrained from the gustatory enjoyment 

 that they are so capable of furnishing, on the ground that he 

 loves his pets too well to think of eating tliem. This policy, if 

 continued, will soon overrun his ponds and eventually cause a 

 failure of what appears to us now as a most successful experiment 

 and one deserving the first premium. 



Mr. Whitney takes great pleasure in exhibiting his results, and 

 in imparting to every one interested, the information which he 

 has acquired concerning the habits of this beautiful and useful 

 fish, and the conditions for their most perfect propagation and 

 developement. 



Jabez Fisher, C/iamna?t. 



