A History) of Fish Culture 



WILLIAM E. MEEHAM, Director, Philadelphia Public Aquarium 



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CALICO TELESCOPE GOLDFISH 



Oun=>d by Geo. E. Wilt Photograph k>>> H. W. Schmid 



It is now generally accepted as a fact 

 that fish life in fresh water streams and 

 other bodies of fresh water can no longer 

 be maintained, except in very remote 

 places, by natural propagation. The 

 steady growth in population, and the re- 

 sultant increased demand for fish for 

 food, has caused a greater drain on the 

 supply than the fishes in nature can over- 

 come. Hence, in order that the demand 

 be met, it became necessary to assist na- 

 ture by what is termed artificial propaga- 

 tion. If it were not for what is being 

 accomplished by the fish culturist in this 

 direction, it is safe to say that many of 

 our familiar and best food and game 



fishes would have long since been exter- 

 minated. 



The fish culturist employs three meth- 

 ods of propagation : in troughs with 

 water running over and under wire net- 

 ting trays ; by keeping the eggs revolving 

 in glass jars filled with water; in ponds 

 in which the fishes are allowed to spawn 

 naturally, both mature and young fish 

 being guarded from their many enemies. 

 Only very heavy eggs, like those of the 

 trout and salmon, are hatched by means 

 of the troughs and trays. Semi-buoyant 

 eggs and those which are yielded in vast 

 quantities are hatched by the jar method. 

 Pond culture is reserved for those fishes 



