FISHERIES, GAME AND FORESTS \<j 



were fingerlings, when allowed to run down into the main stream. The letter says: 

 " Our river holds out wonderfully well, and the trout are fat, showing plenty of food. 

 I think the shrimps I put in account for the condition of the trout. I do not know 

 anything about the shrimps in the river, but do know that since they were planted the 

 trout have grown noticeably fatter. I do know, however, that the shrimps that I put 

 in the little pond multiplied wonderfully. For once when I drew it down the bottom 

 was fairly alive with them, and I have no doubt but there are millions upon millions 

 in the river. I think that the question of food supply for the fish in our streams and 

 ponds is of the utmost importance, and I also know that the fry we hatched and fed 

 in our pond for weeks after the sac was absorbed were worth verv much more for 

 stocking. In fact, planting fry as soon as the sac is absorbed is largely a waste of 

 effort, judging from my own experience." 



It may be well to refer to the standing of the State of New York, based upon 

 the value of its food product derived from commercial fisheries. A statistical 

 report on the fisheries of the United States, by Dr. Hugh M. Smith, of the 

 United States Commission, in 1893, places New York third of all the States in 

 the Union in the value of the product from its fisheries, Massachusetts being first 

 and Maryland second. 



The value of the annual catch in New York waters was $5,041,000, and the capital 

 invested, $5,981,000. As late as May, 1895, Dr. Smith made another statistical 

 report on the fisheries of the Middle Atlantic States, New York standing second in 

 the value of its fisheries, and in 1891, of shad alone 3,044,956 pounds were taken, 

 valued at $161,209, which was less than the catch of 1889, but unforeseen causes of 

 temperature, freshets, etc., operate to produce fluctuations in the catch, in spite of the 

 best efforts of man to the contrary. 



If New York is to keep her place as second of the Middle Atlantic States, and 

 third of the States in the Union, in the value of her fishing products, her fish cultural 

 efforts must be assisted by liberal appropriations and necessary laws to maintain this 

 proud position. 



New York with its area of 49,170 square miles, with jurisdiction over 1,550 square 

 miles of water, has but thirty-five men to protect its interests in the fish, game and 

 forests, a number entirely inadequate for the task set before them. Within the past year 

 the State has added to its great public park in the Adirondacks, by purchase, about 

 110,000 acres of land, mostly virgin forest. This great tract of land and water has 

 for years been thoroughly protected by its former owner as a private preserve, and 

 in all probability, now that it is thrown open to the public, it will afford the best 

 fishing and shooting in the State. We would recommend that additional fish, game 

 and forest protectors be provided by law, that the newly acquired territory, and other 



