10 



these facts, and the result of similar experiments by others, we 

 have adopted the method, as mentioned before, of planting the tish 

 just as they are taken, all varieties together, which, after all, is but 

 following nature's methods more closely than in undertaking to raise 

 the standard by planting only the better and gamier varieties. 



I 



I'ONDS FOR FISH, 



The building of ponds for both native fish and carp has been 

 much stimulated by the success of those earlier in these experi- 

 ments, and in all parts of the State demands for stock are constantly 

 being made. Reports of the ponds stocked two and four years ago 

 are very encouraging. Even the fact that one of the hardest and 

 coldest winters, followed by a phenomenally hot. summer, and the 

 consequent loss of fish by freezing and drought, has not, we are 

 glad to state, interfered with present and prospective plans for a 

 continuance of such work. The ponds built during the past two 

 years, and those now under process of construction, are, as a rule, 

 an improvement on those previously constructed. Experience has 

 taught many lessons, and among them this : that tish, like everything 

 else, are successfully cultivated just in proportion to the care used 

 in preparing a proper place for th^ir reception, and the means used 

 in feeding and caring for them. We would, if space permitted, be 

 pleaserl to give a list and description of such lakes, built or im- 

 proved, for the reception and cultivation of native fish in this State. 

 The number is, however, too large to undertake it. Each pond or 

 lake built and successfully maintained, however, only adds to the 

 interest, and the example is rapidly followed by others. 



FISHING CLUBS. 



Aside from the artiticial lakes and ponds constructed and pro- 

 jected, we are pleased to note a growing appreciation of the value 

 of the thousands of a^res of land and water along the Mississippi 

 and Illinois rivers as preserves for fish and game. Many hundreds 

 of acres have, during the past two years, been fenced in, and good 

 and comfortable club-houses erected, controlled by dubs, the fisn 

 carefully protected, and in many instances a rule fixing a limit as 

 to size of fish allowed to be taken rigidly enforced. 



A number of these clubs report to us favorable results following 

 the plant furnished them by the Commission. Varieties of fish 

 wliieli, previous to such planting, had been either extinct or very 

 scarce, are being caught in fair numbers and of fair size. The in- 

 terest manifested by the tishing clubs in a rigid enforcement of 

 existing laws, and a desire to aid in obtaining better ones, as 

 expressed by their correspondence, is very fiattering, and we are glad 

 to report good work done by them, and desire to thank them for 

 much valuable assistance in our work, 



OUR WORK. 



Of the value of the work done in the distribution of native fish, 

 we have, we think, practical demonstration. It has been our en- 

 ^leavor to make the distribution as general and effective as possible 



