22 



laws should be so amended, we think, as to make possession of 

 illegal nets a violation of the law, and, when found in jjossession, 

 or nnlawfuUj^ placed, they should be confiscated and destroyed. 

 The laws should be so amended ^s to make a limit as to size 

 of game fish taken at certain seasons of the year, and possession 

 of such fish, when under size, punishable by tine. That a suflB- 

 cient compensation should be paid a limited number of wardens 

 so as to enable them to give their full time to the enforcement 

 of the laws, and for this purpose the appropriation for the en- 

 forcement of the lavvs should be increased, even if, in order to 

 do so, the appropriation for the general purposes of the Com- 

 mission should be diminished. 



ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. 



We can not close our report without making acknowledge- 

 ment of our indebtedness to the friends who have aided us in 

 many wa^'S to meet obstacles and overcome them. To the rail- 

 road managements of the State, the people of the State owe 

 very much. It would be difficult to compute, in dollars and 

 cents, the value of the assistance given us by them, and always, 

 whether a matter of inconvenience or not, in so courteous and 

 cheerful a manner that the favor extended has seemed of even 

 double value. They have been our best friends, rendering the 

 work, otherwise impossible, a comparativie success. 



To the U. S. Fish Commissioner, Col. M. McDonald, we are 

 indebted for help in eYerj way. A friend to every interest that 

 promised ttie betterment of the propagation or protection of 

 fish, he has responded generously to our every suggestion. 



To the employes of the U. S. Fish Commission, who have 

 been associated with us in our work, we owe much for their 

 prompt and cheerful performance of duty. 



To the Press of the State for favors without number. 



To the friends who have, from time to time, come forward 

 with time and means to assist in the work, who have sj^ent 

 their time and mone^- to better the condition of the people at 

 large, without hope of reward further than that they should 

 receive by reaping the benefits of the work as one of the people 

 of the State. 



Respectfully submitted, 



S. P. Baktlett, Secretary. 



