240 THROUGH CANADA 



The need of replenishing by artificial means 

 is unquestionable. To assume, however, that the 

 destruction of the natural supply does not matter so 

 long as the deficiency is made up in that way is an 

 argument, I am disposed to think, too readily 

 accepted in the Dominion. What struck me was the 

 obtuseness of the age towards the future. " As long 

 as I have a good time, catch plenty of fish, and throw 

 away the surplus, why should I put myself out for 

 the sake of the man who comes after me ? " That 

 appears to me to be the trend of things, and such a 

 liberal interpretation of free agency should be firmly 

 dealt with by the Government. If the guardians of 

 the future are unable to inculcate the altruistic doctrine 

 that I am my brother's keeper, they should at least 

 insist that I shall not be my brother's robber. The 

 apology for this little homily will be found in the 

 official reports on the fishing, and the causes that 

 have led to wanton destruction in the fish supply. 

 The efforts to make the waste good reflect a great 

 deal of credit on the authorities, but its inadequacy is 

 equally apparent. In the province of Ontario alone, 

 from 1 90 1 to 1909, there were 59,842 fish reared and 

 deposited in the rivers and lakes. These were nearly all 

 bass — brook trout only amounted to 55, and speckled 

 trout fry 2000. Taking the eight years, the average 

 stocking amounted to 7480 per annum. An examina- 

 tion of the reports shows that this is far below the 

 drain put on the rivers and lakes. J. H, Willmot, of 



