THIRTEENTH ANNUAL MEETING. 57 
BLACK BASS IN MAINE. 
BY GEORGE SHEPARD PAGE, 
It is often difficult to determine the exact date, or obtain re- 
liable information as to the original introduction of a new species 
of food fish into a river or lake, and particularly to ascertain the 
facts relative to the stocking of the water of a State for the first 
time. This is important, not only that the agents in the work 
shall be placed on record, but chiefly that we may know defin- 
itely the time required to disseminate fish over a large territory 
in such numbers that the people can rely upon them for food 
and sport. Experience with the black bass in Maine is one of 
the most pertinent and effective illustrations of the value of such 
labor. 
In August, 1869, accompanied by four friends, I left New York 
by Hudson river afternoon steamer for Newburgh. Arriving 
there about 7 P.M., my transportation box was conveyed to the 
small private pond of Mr. Walter Brown. At daylight the next 
morning we literally surrounded the pond and began casting 
the fly. In an hour, thirty-five small-mouthed bass were placed 
in the box, and at 7 A.M. the steamer Mary Powell started with 
us forthe metropolis, Arriving there at 11 a.m., the box con- 
taining forty gallons of water and thirty-five bass from one-quar- 
ter pound toa pound weight, was taken to the dock of the Fall 
River line, and a stream of croton water turned on until 5 P.M. 
Arrangements were made with the night watchman to work the 
air pump at intervals. Arriving in Boston an express wagon con- 
veyed the box to the Eastern Railroad, and during the journey 
at intervals of fifteen minutes I zrated the water by the use of the 
air pump. At 3 P.M. the train reached Monmouth, in Maine, about 
fifty miles northeast of Portland. Very near the station is Coch- 
newagn pond. I selected twelve bass and quickly transferred 
them to the pond. The train moved on, and a few minutes later 
arrived at Winthrop. A wagon was hired and the box taken to 
East Winthrop, four miles distant, and twenty-one bass were 
liberated at the head water of the famous Cobosseecontee pond, 
the largest of a chain of lakes thirty miles in length. Placing 
