earnest desire for the return of shad and salmon to the rivers^ 

 of New England, as in the days of our ancestors. 



Numerous instances were cited where experiments had been; 

 made in Great Britain and France to restock streams that 

 had become nearly or quite destitute of edible fish. In every 

 instance where the efforts had been judiciously made the re- 

 sults were successful. The barren streams in many instances 

 had become sources of wealth to the nation, and furnished 

 an immense amount of wholesome food for the inhabitants 

 thereof. Is it placing too high an estimate upon Yankee en- 

 terprise and New England character to say that as good and 

 even better results may follow similar efforts to restock the 

 streams of New England ? 



During the session of the legislature of Massachusetts in 

 April last, we visited Boston twice, and appeared before the 

 legislative committee to whom was referred the subject of 

 restocking the Merrimac and Connecticut rivers with sea-fish. 

 That committee and the leading members of both branches 

 of the legislature seemed favorably impressed with the impor- 

 tance and feasibility of the project, provided it had the concur- 

 rent legislation and assistance of the other states interested. 



But it could not be expected that the legislature of Massa- 

 chusetts would cause the erection and maintenance of fishways 

 over the dams at Lowell, Lawrence, Holyoke and Turner's 

 Falls, which at a moderate estimate would cost over twenty 

 thousand dollars, u.nless the other states interested signified a 

 willingness to co-operate in the movement. The legislature 

 manifested a desire to cause the fishways to be built, if in 

 return Vermont and New Hampshire would supply and suit- 

 ably protect the young fish, and Connecticut would cause 

 the erection of a fish way at Enfield Falls, and enact and en- 

 force laws to prohibit the fearful and unrestricted slaughter 

 made with gill-nets within her borders. 



We, as commissioners, felt unauthorized to make any 

 pledges, but expressed the opinion that Vermont would cheer- 



