REPORT UPON THE DIVISION OF FISHERIES. 345 



that I believe no doubt can exist concerning it. In the following para- 

 graphs more detailed statements are given, under appropriate headings, 

 of the status of this part of the work. A consideration ot these will con- 

 vey a knowledge of present conditions and will also show that the effort 

 to prepare these reports or complete those already begun must neces- 

 sarily restrict the activity of the division in other directions during the 

 next year at least. The matters which seem to deserve special men- 

 tion are as follows : 



9. Fisheries of the Great Lakes. — The inquiry concerning the fisheries 

 of the Great Lakes, which was instituted by Professor Baird in 1885, 

 had for its object the obtainment of as full and definite information of 

 those industries as it was practicable to secure. The supposed expan- 

 sion in products, value, etc., of the lake fisheries, the intimate relations 

 existing between Canadian fishery enterprises and American markets, 

 and the influence of artificial propagation by the national and State 

 Fish Commissions upon the most important lake fisheries were the prin- 

 cipal reasons lor making the investigation. It should be borne in mind, 

 however, that the fishery clauses of the Washington treaty had just 

 expired, and it w r as believed that a consideration of the fishery relations 

 between this country and Canada might be somewhat influenced by a 

 full knowledge of existing conditions in the lake region. 



The prosecution of this inquiry was delegated to Mr. Earll, who was 

 assisted by six gentlemen, all employes of the Commission. To facili- 

 tate the inquiry, the region was divided into sections, and each assist- 

 ant was given a certain area to canvass. Work was begun in August, 

 1885, and continued through the months of September, October, and 

 November. 



Notwithstanding the fact that the investigation was practically com- 

 pleted that year, the elaboration of the field notes and the compilation 

 of the review has been delayed, and to the present time little has been 

 done. There have been, of course, many causes for delay which were 

 obviously imperative. Chief among these were the press of other mat- 

 ters connected with the routine work of the office ; the absence in the 

 field or assignment to other duty of those intrusted with the prepara- 

 tion of such reviews, thus practically leaving no one available for un- 

 dertaking the responsible duty of elaborating field notes and compil- 

 ing reports. Preliminary work on a review of the lake fisheries has 

 been begun, under my instructions, and as soon as practicable it will 

 be made ready for printing ; it ought to be completed during the com- 

 ing year. 



10. The sardine industry. — The report upon the status of this industry 

 in 1886 has been vigorously pushed forward of late ; it is now well ad- 

 vanced and will soon be ready for printing. The report includes much 

 interesting information, among which may be especially mentioned com- 

 plete statistics ; a discussion of changes that have occurred in recent 

 years in the methods of capture of fish and their preparation for market ; 



