FISH-CULTURE. 37 



FISH-CULTURE. 



BY P. E. HOY, M. D., EACINE. 



It is 01 tlie first importance to ascertain the nature of the water 

 which we desire to stock with fish, its depth, temperature and 

 chemical character; also, the natureof the bottom, and of the shore, 

 how supplied, and what becomes of the surplus water; what species 

 of fish, Crustacea, mollusks, annelida, and insect larvae are found 

 in the water and in the mud of the bottom ; what 'aquatic plants 

 are found growing in the water, and on the margin of the lake, 

 pond or stream. An intelligent answer to these several interroga- 

 tiyes would furnish data, that will enable us to escape the danger 

 of certain failure. For it is evident to the most careless, that these 

 conditions should agree with the iustincts, habits, and way of life 

 of the animals to be developed there. The neglect to observe, or 

 properly appreciate these natural conditions has, in many instances, 

 been the cause of total failure of fish culture, even when in other 

 respects, the men have been skillful pisciculturists. All our lakes 

 should be surveyed in the most careful manner, under the supervis- 

 ion of men fitted for such investigations. The paper prepared by 

 the lamented Dr. Lapham, on Lake Oconomowoc, is a model in al- 

 most all points. It only remains for us to dredge the bottom in 

 order to secure the lower forms of life, to ascertain their species and 

 abundance, so that in all future time it can be known to a scientific 

 certainty what valuable species of fish will thrive in its waters. 



What species of fish are best to cultivate in order to stock our 

 hundreds of small inland lakes? This is a question of great mo- 

 ment, and one that should be answered with caution in any given 

 case. I will however in a general way state a few of the species 

 that will be suitable for many of these charming sheets of water. 



White-fish.— The genus Coregonus includes the true white-fish of 

 the great lakes. They may be known by their blunt nose and 

 short underjaw. These fish are, undoubtedly, superior as an arti- 

 cle of diet to any other fresh-water fish. They feed on small crus- 



