THE UNITED STATES BUREAU OF FISHERIES. I4OI 



the long gauntlet of the rivers only to meet new foes in the estuaries, on the 

 coast, and in the open sea. 



It is, therefore, no wonder that artificial propagation on a large scale is 

 imperatively demanded in the western salmon streams, and is actively urged 

 and highly commended by fishermen, canners, business men, and the public at 

 large. The beneficial influence of the work of the Government, supplemented 

 by that of the three coast States, has been unmistakable in some sections and 

 can not be doubted in general; but it is of course very difficult to distinguish 

 definitely the increase due to natural from that due to artificial propagation. 

 The history of the salmon fishery in the Sacramento River in California, and 

 the recent increase in the catch notwithstanding most unfavorable physical 

 conditions in that stream, afford unmistakable evidence of the value of cultiva- 

 tion. Some very suggestive though not altogether conclusive information rela- 

 tive to the benefits of salmon culture in the Columbia River has been furnished 

 by marking young salmon before releasing them from the hatcheries. The 

 number of marked salmon that returned as mature fish and were captured and 

 reported indicates a very large percentage of survivals and suggests the growing 

 dependence on artificial propagation for the maintenance of the runs. 



In the case of marine hatching operations it is so difficult to prove bene- 

 ficial results that their utility is doubted by some people. When the Bureau 

 began the cultivation of the cod and the lobster many years ago, it proceeded 

 on the principle that the effects of the fishermen's improvidence could be coun- 

 teracted by artificial propagation. The ultimate success of cod and lobster cul- 

 ture on the Atlantic coast was therefore confidently expected, and the expec- 

 tations have been more than realized. Practical results of an unmistakable 

 character were first manifested nearly twenty years ago, since which time a 

 very lucrative shore cod fishery has been kept up on grounds that were entirely 

 depleted or that had never contained cod in noteworthy numbers in the memory 

 of the oldest inhabitants. There is much unsolicited testimony on this point 

 from many people who have profited from the operations of the Maine and Mas- 

 sachusetts stations. The benefits have not been confined to the immediate 

 vicinity of the hatcheries, but have extended westward and southward along 

 the Middle Atlantic coast and eastward along the whole coast of Maine. The 

 benefits of lobster culture have been slower in appearing, owing, in part at least, 

 to the less extensive operations and the excessive mortality to which the young 

 are liable ; but from all parts of the New England coast there are being received 

 reports of more lobsters, particularly of small size, than have been seen for many 

 years, and there is reason to believe that the long-continued decline of the 

 lobster fishery has been arrested. 



B. B. F. 1908— Pt 2—46 



