26 



FISH AND GAME COMMISSION 



unable to intelligently conserve and use the splendid species with 

 which nature has endowed us. 



Certain fish diseases common to the different varieties of trout 

 seem to be prevalent throughout the State. In most cases they are of 

 well known types and they may be held in check by rather simple 

 means of control, hence their early diagnosis is imperative. Some are 

 difficult to treat in a satisfactory manner. It is proposed to establish 

 within the bureau an agency for the control of disease and the pre- 

 vention of serious loss from that cause. In this connection it is intended 

 that each station shall eventually be provided with a microscope of 

 simple construction, and that the foreman and others in charge shall 

 acquaint themselves with its proper use in the detection of the presence 

 of certain organisms which are apt to give serious trouble unless their 

 growth is checked. 



The writer, under State authority, recently made a trip of observa- 

 tion to a number of the most noted centers of fish culture in the East 



Fig. 4. Counting rack placed in the Shasta River near its mouth for the enumera- 

 tion of salmon and steelhead passing upstream on their spawning migration. 

 Photo by Dr. J. O. Snyder, November 8, 19 31. 



and Middle West. Through the courtesy of officials in charge, details 

 of organization, construction, general hatchery methods, transportation 

 and distribution were carefully observed. Some of these may and 

 will be applied here with profit. After consideration of all that was 

 seen and heard, it appears that no definite formulae or set of specific 

 rules relating to construction, feeding, treatment of disease, distribu- 

 tion and planting, or other methods of procedure relating to fish cul- 

 ture may be successfully established for universal application. It 

 follows that the fish culturist must be able to see and grasp the signifi- 

 cance of the biological and physical conditions with which he has to deal 

 in any particular situation, and then act in an intelligent manner. 

 This pronouncement is particularly applicable to fish culture efforts 

 and conservation as well in this State with its great diversity of topog- 

 raphy and climate. 



