210 Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting. 
food, good water, and intelligent care. When they were wanted 
for the table they were properly treated and properly cooked, 
and they found the carp at least on a par with the former favor- 
ite coarse fish, the buffalo, and gradually they came into more 
general use. The quantities obtainable attracted the attention of 
eastern parties, and investigation was followed by a steady 
market and demand for them. Carp have found their way into 
every city and town of the west, and on almost every table. Not 
always on the bill of fare as carp, but under various names, from 
carp to salmon, it is served to the public daily. All this hag, 
of course, followed only as a result of a better knowledge of 
how to care for carp and how to cook them. 
Now, we again find great concerns handling thousands of 
tons of coarse fish from the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers to 
the east, and thousands of men are given employment in the 
work incidental, and a number of towns are absolutely sup. 
ported by this industry. 
Gentlemen, conditions are following the text, the greatest 
amount of food for the greatest number of people for the least 
price is being produced, and the introduction of the carp is 
responsible for it. 
It is not necessary for me to undertake to prove that, from 
a commercial standpoint, none of the other varieties of fish 
compare favorably with the carp as a money or food producer. 
speaking of Illinois waters only, but a constantly increasing 
supply of the gamier varieties goes to show that their introduc- 
tion has not only given more food for man, but has increased 
the supply of food for the game fishes, as well. 
I think I have shown that I am a friend of the carp for good 
reasons. It is adapted to such waters as the Illinois River and 
the lakes adjacent to it. It is in no sense a destroyer of other 
fishes, being a vegetable feeder, except as it disturbs the vege- 
table growths and, in a way, drives out some species into clearer 
water. It is of commercial value, being hardy, prolific and of 
rapid growth, and being tenacious of life is easily transported, 
and it is a good food fish, cheap and wholesome. 
I am conscious that our state is especially fortunate in being 
able to supply the conditions most favorable to the successful 
cultivation of the carp, and regret that so many must, of neces- 
