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can a hundred times better serve the interests of the state than the Fish Commis- 
_ sioners of the United States, who are sure to move very wisely and intelligently 
but slowly. The United States Government could of course co-operate, but each 
state knows best the variety of fish that can be cultivated within its borders : 
and speaking for myself, I should dislike very much to have the powers of the 
fish commission of this state turned over to, or interfered with, in any way by the 
general government. I regret that I have not more statistics to furnish this 
assemblage in regard to the extent to which the whitefish seems to have been 
depleted in our great lakes, but this I know, that at the very homes of the species 
known as the brook trout, where formerly they abounded, now a trout dinner 
will cost a dollar; a whitefish dinner at the lake costs a dollar; and if this is 
a step in furnishing cheap food to the inhabitants in this State then I am mis- 
taken. I think the commissioners in this State should turn their attention more 
particularly to the propagation of fish in the lakes and streams I have re- 
ferred to, and in other streams east of Rochester on the lake shore, than to be 
so particular in stocking lakes in the “north woods” and in other places that are 
only accessible to the sportsman. 
I did not intend to say anything when I came here, only to listen; I felt 
honoured in being invited to come here, but the suggestion in the letter of Mr. 
Dunning referring the matter to the general government did not meet my ap- 
proval, and I concur with the gentleman from Michigan in that respect. 
I am obliged to you, Mr. Chairman, for the courtesy of being permitted to 
address this meeting. 
$ 
CHAIRMAN: The chair would like to ask of Mr. Green something in regard to 
the proper size of mesh for nets in the lakes. You have been a practical tisher- 
man ? 
Mr. GREEN: I have. 
CHAIRMAN: What is your idea of a proper size of mesh for nets—pound nets 
and gill nets in the lakes ? 
Mr. GREEN: Ido not think that in gill nets a smaller mesh should be used 
than 24 inch bar. 
CHAIRMAN : Two and one-half bar, that makes a 5-inch. 
Mr. GREEN: Yes; the average size, then, is three pounds or over. The smaller 
fish go through. In regard to the pound net, if you have a large mesh a great 
many fish would be killed. A pound net will clean out any stream, I don’t care 
where it is; if they took the pains to separate them, took out the small fish and 
put them back, which the fishermen will not do. I have seen boat-loads taken in, 
and a third of them would not be marketable. 
CHAIRMAN: Which is most destructive to fishing, pound or gill nets ? 
Mr. GREEN : [ think a pound net is. If a gill net is restricted to a proper 
size mesh, the small ones will go through ; and a pound net takes from a six-inch 
‘1p to a sturgeon. 
It was suggested by Mr. Amsden that a time be fixed upon for visiting the 
_ hatchery at Caledonia, but it was decided to leave the matter open until the 
afternoon session. 
Mr. AMSDEN moved that this committee take a recess until two o'clock. 
Carried, 
