218 American Fisheries Society. 



to carry them past this period, especially in the more frequent 

 unsuccessful years, probably marine fish culture could be placed 

 on a more sound footing, if indeed it is possible to influence the 

 number of fishes in the ocean by work on such a comparatively 

 small number of individuals. 



The writer, as a former employe and as an ardent admirer 

 of the purposes and traditions of the United States Bureau of 

 Fisheries, wishes to emphasize that the foregoing remarks are 

 not intended to be mere destructive criticism of marine fish cul- 

 ture in America and wishes to reiterate the hope that they may 

 stimulate constructive thought in the minds of fish culturists in 

 such a direction that marine fish culture may some day, if pos- 

 sible, be raised from its position of questionable value to that 

 of its companion operating in the fresh waters which has its 

 worth absolutely established. Before salt water fish culture can 

 compare with it much research will be necessary, and it is to be 

 hoped that the Bureau of Fisheries will see fit to carry on such 

 research intensively or at least initiate and supervise efforts in 

 that direction. 



[Practically all of the facts and figures used as a basis of reasoning 

 here have either been taken from the publications of the United States 

 Bureau of Fisheries direct or from various members of its personnel. 

 The writer is indebted to Mr. J. T. Nichols, of the American Museum of 

 Natural History, for a number of criticisms and suggestions, and to Mr. 

 R. H. Corson, a private individual and angler of unusual breadth of vision, 

 virho is at present collaborating with the Bureau of Fisheries, as he must 

 bear the responsibility of sowing the seeds which have led to the publication 

 of these thoughts.] 



