Maker EFFECTIVE GAME-LAWS. 151 
is, the trout streams have been so depleted and thinned of 
their most attractive beauty that restocking by artificial 
means has been found necessary as a last resort. 
Before addressing myself to the task of describing the ar- 
tistic means for capturing this beauty of the brook, it should 
be known that it is not lawful to take trout in the State of 
New York by any other means than with the angle in fly and 
bait fishings. Considering the diminished numbers in our 
best streams, and the swilt-growing density of the population 
throughout the North, it is a question of importance whether 
this law should not be adopted by all the states north and 
east. The inhabitants of the United States are a peculiar 
people in some things, and in no one element is this more 
patent than in their running on the last idea, to the disregard 
of all others. This is eminently so in artificial fish-culture. 
There are many waters which require protection only to ren- 
der the increase of trout abundant; but instead of protecting 
the waters by proper legal enactments, and faithfully carry- 
ing them ont, some states leave the waters to the mercy of 
nets and spears. They appropriate sums of money for prop- 
agating trout, and while the fish-culturist is hatching trout 
ou the middle of a stream, the mouth is being netted, and the 
spawning-grounds thinned with the spear, This is “ feeding 
at the spigot and leaking at the bung.” 
Game-laws should be enacted in each state establishing the 
fence or close seasons for game fish and game animals, thus 
protecting them while with young, while hatching, and until 
they have recovered and fattened sufficiently for the table. 
The legal season for taking trout in the State of New York 
is from March until October, leaving six months of the year 
wherein it is unlawful to take trout by any means. It would 
be weil if the Northern and Eastern States could unite upon 
a close season, as it would assist to prevent poaching. Al- 
though I have no key to fit the humor of the selfish propric- 
tor who would begrudge the laboring man his snatch of pleas- 
ure at this universal and favorite pastime, or limit him to 
