FISHERIES, GAME AND FORESTS. 7 I 



summer the temperature remains for weeks above the limit that would sustain trout 

 life. It is very unfortunate that this hatchery was ever located where it is. To be 

 a success, the location must be changed. There are sites within a short distance that 

 are far better, and where spring water in abundant supply could be obtained to run the 

 hatchery to its full capacity, and where I think sufficient could be obtained also to 

 carry a number of stock fish. 



The people in this section have done everything in their power for this hatchery, 

 but a large majority of them never favored the present location. The building itself 

 is one of the finest constructed hatchery buildings belonging to the State, and, if a 

 site could be obtained near by, the building could be moved. 



There is no question but what this section of the State is in the greatest need of a 

 hatchery and the liberal planting of trout, as there are endless numbers of splendid 

 trout streams ; in fact, nearly all of the streams are trout waters. I think that more 

 summer visitors of the middle classes visit Sullivan county than any other county in 

 the State. It might be supposed that this section could be stocked from some of our 

 other hatcheries, but it is a section very hard to reach and deliver fry or yearlings 

 alive, as the railroad connections are such that it takes very much longer to reach 

 there from our other hatcheries than it does to go from Buffalo to New York. 



During the summer but little was done at this place, except to take precautionarv 

 measures and do all we could against freshets or freezing up of the water supply. 



If we have no trouble during the coming winter and spring, we will be able to 

 plant a much larger number of trout during the season of 1896 from this hatchery. 



Special mention should be made of the courtesies and kindnesses extended to the 

 Commission, and this hatchery in particular, by the New York, Ontario and Western 

 Railway. This road has always made it a point to grant any reasonable request we 

 made of them, and they have always carried our fish, fish eggs, empty cans and men 

 in charge free of all expense. When the fish car Adirondack is on the line of their 

 road, every facility and accommodation is extended to the crew in charge. 



At the Pleasant Valley Hatchery, situate about two and one-half miles from Bath, 

 Steuben county, we have one of the finest plants owned by the State. F. L. Ramsdell 

 is in charge of this important hatchery. 



During the past summer additional land and water privileges adjoining the present 

 property were purchased by the State at an outlay of $3,750. 



The work of improving the new property, as well as the old, is progressing as 

 fast as possible. By the time the fish are hatched the coming spring we will have a 

 number of nursery ponds completed, and ready to rear from forty to fifty thousand 

 trout to the age of four, eight and twelve months. 



