10 



On the other hand, if ponds or limited water spaces are stocked 

 with the coarser varieties of fishes in the majority, and with bass and 

 other game fishes only in their relative proportions numerically, 

 much better results will follow. Instances are numerous throughout 

 the State Mdiere such attem^its have been made, and we have drawn 

 our conclusions from their results as well as from ouro\vn experience. 

 To illustrate this point we will cite one instance in our work: In the 

 early part of the season of 1895 we stored 50,(XX) young bass in one 

 pond near Havana. These varied in size from one to four inches in 

 length, and were selected from the fishes gathered and reserved for 

 the late distribution. When we were ready to draw uj^on our stock 

 we found it had diminished to such an extent as to leave us barely 

 5,000 in the pond. The fish had been fed with live minnows and 

 such artificial food as could be given them, but not sufficiently to 

 prevent them from preying upon each other to the extent given. The 

 reservoir in which they were stored was small, and so did not allow 

 the fish any chance to protect themselves by getting under cover or 

 escaping in other ways. Of course in larger ponds or lakes the loss 

 would not have been nearly so great, yet even then it would have 

 been large, and would increase with the growth of the fish. 

 On the other hand, we could mention a very large number of ponds 

 stocked with a general variety where the best of results have been, 

 obtained. We are earnest advocates of general pond culture and 

 would advise those who are sufficiently interested to desire to make a 

 trial to stock their ponds with all the varieties, just as they are found 

 in the lakes and ponds from which our supply is taken, excluding, of 

 course, the worthless fishes, such as dogfish, gars. etc. The gizzard 

 shad, better known, perhaps, as the hickory shad, is a very prolific 

 fish, and while valueless for table use it is invaluable as a food pro- 

 ducer for the game fishes. And while on the subject of pond culture 

 we cannot refrain from again reiterating the necessity of giving 

 proper care to the fishes, and of providing suitable water for their 

 home. If success is attained it must bo at some expense and work. 

 To simply put fish into a mud hole and look for good results is to 

 waste time and money. For public waters we have already outlined 

 our policy, and the same i^ractice carried out in private ponds will 

 produce the greatest results. 



In the Fox river the catfish, once indigenous to its waters, had 

 become practically extinct, owing to the dams which prevented the 

 adult fish from ascending the river at the proper season. This 

 stream was stocked with channel catfish in the first year of our ad- 

 ministration, with good results, and many of these fish are now 

 found in tlu> river. 



The scarcity of the larger catfish in the Illinois river is marked, 

 and can be attributed to the same cause, viz: the dams preventing 

 the fish from coming up the river. The large ones are taken out by 

 the fishermen and their replenishment prevented by the obstruction 



