38 REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF FISH COMMISSIONERS. 



tion, it is essential that a string of hatcheries should be established as is 

 done in other States. 



We have already built and equipped two extensive hatcheries: one at 

 Lake Tahoe as a point for distribution for the mountain region and the 

 eastern slope of the Sierras; and a large hatchery at Sisson, which was 

 built for the purpose of stocking the Sacramento River with salmon. 

 This can be used as a distributing point for the northern part of the 

 State for trout also; and a small hatchery on Shovel Creek, which is 

 for eyeing the eggs of trout to be shipped to other hatcheries as distrib- 

 uting points. 



Now, it is very essential that a hatchery with nursery troughs (space 

 sufficient to accommodate one million of young trout till they begin to 

 feed, or till they are old enough to be distributed in the streams) should 

 be built during the coming Avinter in or near San Francisco, as a dis- 

 tributing point for the waters in Central California, to which the eyed 

 eggs can be sent from Shovel Creek # or some other hatchery. 



A plain hatchery for this purpose, well equipped, with quarters for 

 the men, would probably cost from $1,000 to $1,200. 



The demand for trout will be the greatest from a hatchery here to keep 

 up the supply in the many streams in this part of the State, to meet the 

 growing wants of the many anglers in the counties surrounding the bay 

 of San Francisco. 



-This place is also the center from which radiates all the many routes 

 of travel by which the trout can be conveniently shipped to all parts of 

 the State without delay. 



After full consideration of these matters by your honorable Board, if 

 I have presented the subject in a proper light to convince you of its 

 importance, I would suggest that a petition be presented to the incoming 

 Legislature in the first days of its session to make an appropriation of 

 $1,000 to $1,200 for a new hatchery and its equipment and quarters for 

 the attendants, the money to be immediately available, so that work can 

 begin in time to have it finished to receive the first trout eggs in the 

 early spring of 1891. 



APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE SUPPORT OF HATCHERIES AND RESTORATION OF 



FISHES. 



As the field of fish culture and propagation is continually increasing, 

 the appropriation for this department must also increase with its devel- 

 opment. The appropriations, owing to the immense area of California, 

 should at least approximate those of Eastern States (which are devoted 

 almost entirely to hatcheries and the restoration of fishes). The State 

 of New York, which is of one third less area, makes an annual appropria- 

 tion of from $30,000 to $35,000 to enable its Fish Commission to carry 

 out its work. This department is being continually hampered by want 

 of funds, and is compelled to forego the necessity of making constant 

 improvements. Efficiency, thorough and satisfactory, cannot be had 

 without incurring expenses far above the present limited appropriation 

 in the department embracing Hatcheries and Restoration of Fishes. 



It is doubtful economy that hinders the cheapening of food for the 

 people. 



It seems absurd to appropriate so small a fund as $5,000 to foster and 

 maintain the fish industries of this State. A resource furnishing a staple 



