1865 TO 1878 391 
zoologists was had in regard to the proposed Seaside 
Laboratory at Wood’s Hole. Particular attention was 
given to the shad and menhaden fisheries. 
The year 1875 was very largely occupied with prepara- 
tions for the Centennial at the Smithsonian. The recur- 
ring periods of ill health indicate overwork. In addition 
to his public duties the Professor was making plans for 
a new house. His rented home was too small to furnish 
the increasing space demanded by the work of the Fish 
Commission. 
The utilization for fish culture of the warm, weedy 
ponds of the Southern States had always been a problem. 
The finer game fish demand colder water even to survive. 
The carp, the culture of which has been carried on for 
centuries in Europe and Japan, furnishes an abundant 
supply of fish food of the second quality. This fish 
Baird decided to introduce, to occupy the pools previously 
affording nothing better than mud pout, catfish, bream 
and suckers. 
The success of the project, executed in 1875, has been 
surprising, and, though the fish does not appeal to the 
epicure, it now furnishes the average man with many 
million pounds of wholesome and inexpensive food. The 
summer station was at Wood’s Hole and hatching arrange- 
ments for the eggs of cod and other marine foodfishes 
were put at work. 
The Centennial year, 1876, was for the most part 
occupied with exposition work at Philadelphia, service 
on juries of award and similar functions. It was enlivened 
by a visit from Professor and Mrs. Huxley; long sessions 
with Dom Pedro, Emperor of Brazil; and the introduction 
of the telephone to the public. Mrs. Baird was unfavor- 
ably affected by the great heat of that summer and was 
