PREFACE. V 



All SO far known that is really important in regard 

 to it, and has been brought to light by the commis- 

 sioners appointed by the French Government to in- 

 vestigate it, as well as by the experiments of private 

 persons in France, is contained in this volume. • To 

 this is added a statement of English pisciculture. 

 The entire history and practical details of artificial 

 fish-breeding are, therefore, to be found in these 

 pages. The value of the discovery, and the expe- 

 diency of turning it to account, will speak for them- 

 selves. According to the authorities I have cited, it 

 is a subject equally interesting to the farmer, the 

 economist, and the statesman, and will prove a source 

 of immeasurably great wealth if properly pursued. 



It seems that a discovery of the highest impor- 

 tance, of a mode of actually creatjng fish in illimita- 

 ble numbers, was made in Germapy nearly a century 

 ago ; but so much occupied were the people of Eu- 

 rope in the art and science of cutting one another's 



the close of the fishing season, impregnate , the spawn taken from 

 at least two dozen female fish, with the milt taken from the same 

 number of male fish, and plant the same npon their fishing ground, 

 in pretence of the justice of the peace of the district, or some per- 

 son appointed by him." A fine of $60 is provided for a violation 

 of the act. Suits may be brought by the superintendents of the 

 poor, and the penalty to go to the support of the poor. If brought 

 by other pei'sons, one half the sum to go to the support of the 

 poor, the other to the person bringing the suit. — From, the Sunday 

 Atlas, March 26, 1864. 



