TWELFTH ANNUAL MEETING. 5 
thousand dollars, and he has made fish-culture a success in 
Scotland. Up to April, of this year, he has sold ten thousand 
dollars’ worth of young trout and salmon, and his example has 
been largely followed in England, Ireland and Scotland.” 
The Secretary then read the report of last meeting, and the 
following new members were proposed: W. H. Schieffelin, 
Frank D. Butler, and Col. M. A. Bryson. 
a PEW PACTS IN RELATION’ i) THE: FOOL Aer 
SPAWNING SEASONS OF FISHES ON 
THE ATLANTIC COAST. 
BY E. G. BLACKFORD. 
For a number of years past at the meetings of this Association, 
inquiries have come up as to the time or season of the spawning 
of striped bass, sheepshead, and bluefish, but no one was able to 
answer these questions with any accuracy, and the amount of 
knowledge on this important subject was apparently very limited: 
During the summer of 1882, the Senate Sub-committee on 
Foreign Relations visited several fishing points on the coast, for 
the purpose of taking evidence from the fishermen, dealers and 
others, as to the food and habits of the menhaden, and also as to 
the fact that this fish formed one of the principal sources of food 
for the bass, bluefish, and other valuable fishes of our coast. 
The results of this inquiry conclusively proved that no accurate 
information could be obtained upon which to base any national 
legislation for the protection of the salt-water fisheries. 
At the suggestion of Prof. Spencer F. Baird, I determined to 
avail myself of the facilities afforded by Fulton Market to begin 
a careful examination of the viscera of all the important fishes. 
that came through my market. My numerous business engage- 
ments precluded my giving personal attention to this important 
work, and I was fortunate enough to obtain the assistance of 
