and size were so great that it would have been impossible to pro- 

 cure transportation for them, and so they were taken in quantities 

 by people living about there. We took from the lake at that time, 

 black bass weighing '6':l pounds, croppie weighing 1^ pounds and 

 carp weighing 7 pounds. These were weighed and on exhibition 

 at the Leland Hotel, Springfield. AVe were informed that after- 

 ward, the lake ultimately di-ying up^ a great number of bass were 

 taken out, which were much larger than those above mentioned. 

 The size and quantity of fish taken from this lake show that in 

 still water, fed by tile and surface drainage, native fish not only 

 grow rapidly, but increase in numbers to such an extent as to 

 seem almost incredible. 



The following statement from Mr. Wilkinson, division superin- 

 tendent Illinois Central E. K., regarding a plant of fish made in 

 the Clinton reservoir of the Central R. R. at about the same 

 time as the first-named instance, will serve to illustrate further the 

 fabulous growth and increase attained in the inland waters: 



Illinois Central Railroad Compant, 



Office of DmsioN Superintendent, 



Springfield, December y, 1888. 



S. P, Bartlett, Esq., Secretary Fish Commission, Quincy, Illinois: 



Dear Sm — I take pleasure in advising you of the proximate results of the fish planting in thie 

 company's reservoir at Clinton. 



During the summer of 1887, the water getting low in the reservoir, owing to the general^onght, 

 it was thought best to take the fish out. The result was simply astonishing. From"mj' best recol- 

 lection the fish that were planted there not to exceed three to three and half years previous, had in- 

 dividually attained a remarkable size, besides being in great quantity. I should estimate thai we 

 took out not less than two thousand pounds in drawing a seine through the pond, which is some 

 eight hundred feet long and an average of say one hundred feet wide. The water seemed to be fairly 

 alive with all varieties and sizes of fish, and 1 was much astonished to find a great quantity of black 

 baes in excellent condition ; they run in weight from four and one-half pounds down to two pounds. 

 The German carp, of which there was a large number, lan in weight from seven pounds to fourteen 

 and one-half pounds. The other varieties of fish ran in about the same proportion, but I was im- 

 pressed that the black bass had more than maintained their relative position in point of growth. 

 Therefore it would appear that if such quantities of fish can be grown in an artificial water reservoir, 

 it can be regarded as a splendid result and at once recommends itself to the thoughtful as an ex- 

 ample of the solution of the problem of providing cheap food, and it seems to me that any farmer 

 has it in his power to enjoy a fish diet without expense. The propagation of the German carp seems 

 to be entirely successful. I distributed several of this fish, weighing from twelve to fifteen pounds, 

 and the report of those who partook of them was favorable. " Properly cooked, they are a very 

 wholesome and nutritious article of diet. It gives me great pleasure to testify to the entire success 

 offish culture so far as it has come under my observation, and I consider it due to you, to advise 

 you as above. 



Respectfully, 



WM. W1LKI;SS0N, 



Division Superintendent. 



Also the following letter from Hon. John M. Pearson, of God- 

 frey, 111., which is to the same effect: 



Godfret, Lll., June 6, 188S. 



Dear Sii:— 1 feel like writing you a fish letter. Last Friday I took fifty croppie out of my little 

 pond, of about one pound weighteach. About two weeks siucej after the heavy rain, the railroad 

 pond here (which you stocked), ovorfiowed. and the boys found tish in the field below that weighed 

 1854, 18, Ifi'e and G pounds. The weight of the big ones was increased by spawn, which, in one in- 

 stance, weighed 6' ^ pounds. *' * * * * * *•* 



[Signed.] JOHN M. PEARSON. 



With such facts as the foregoing before us, it is but fair to 

 presume that the growth and increase of the fish, planted by us 

 in the rivers and lakes, the natural homes and breeding places of 

 the native fish, would be much greater than in the still Avaters of 

 artificial ponds. And from the distribution this season of thous- 



