58 First Annual Report of the 



for artificial culture. The general results are so favorable as to 

 merit approval for the work as a whole, and improvements are 

 being made as rapidly as facilities will permit. 



From its geographical position, and because of its splendid 

 water supply, the Long Island Hatchery is the most profitable of 

 all. Its annual yield is about one-half of the entire output of the 

 nine stations. Far more important results could be obtained on 

 Long Island if the commission should establish, in suitable loca- 

 tions, a biological station for the study of aquatic life and some 

 additional hatcheries for the propagation of marine species, and 

 especially shellfish and Crustacea. Among the shellfish the oyster 

 has received no attention whatever so far as study of its artificial 

 culture is concerned. While it is true that no government, 

 either Federal or State, has made great progress in the arti- 

 ficial rearing of oysters, yet sufficient is known to encourage the 

 belief that oyster culture can be placed upon a basis of commer- 

 cial importance. New York ranks so high in value of its indus- 

 tries based upon oysters, clams and other mollusks that it should 

 engage earnestly in the study of the subject, and should establish 

 methods which will enable the people engaged in those industries 

 to increase the supply and bring it within the reach of the poor 

 man's purse. 



One of the most serious drawbacks in our present fish cultural 

 operations is the lack of useful information about the diseases of 

 fish. We have no one in the State service who is directly engaged 

 in the study of bacteria which cause epidemics among trout. In 

 connection with the Biological Laboratory, it would be easy to 

 secure the services of some of the most eminent scientific men in 

 the country providing that the essential facilities for laboratory 

 work were furnished them. The results for fish culture would be 

 inestimable. 



Perhaps the most unfortunate condition observed at some of 

 our stations is due to pollution of hatchery waters by drainage and 

 sewage. It is true that this condition is provided for in the pres- 

 ent law ; but in actual practice satisfactory remedies have not yet 

 been found, and much damage has been done to brood trout. The 

 state of affairs at Caledonia is one of the best illustrations of the 

 harm that can be done by such pollution. Caledonia ought to be 



