FOREST, FISH AXD GAME COMMISSIONER. 143 



vision be made for the rearing of black bass, and the Commission has plans 

 for this well in hand and will push them to a successful conclusion just as 

 soon as certain questions involving the water supply can be settled. The 

 demand for this species of fish has grown steadily for several years 

 and is now so great that the importance of this work can no longer be 

 overlooked. 



A very serious epidemic among the brook trout at the Cold Spring 

 hatchery, a misfortune which was shared by one or more of the great private 

 hatcheries on Long Island, has temporarily removed this hatchery from 

 active service. The Commission at the outbreak of this disease, communi- 

 cated with Hon. George M. Bowers, the United States Commissioner of 

 Fisheries, who promptly furnished one of his best experts to render all 

 possible assistance. The matter was given the closest possible attention, 

 but in spite of every effort not a single fish could be saved. The report of 

 the expert on this epidemic is appended in the hope that it will be of service 

 to fish culturists, should similar disasters befall elsewhere in the future. 

 With a view to prevent any further occurrence of the kind at this important 

 hatchery, the Commission has replaced all the old rearing ponds by cement 

 structures and has thoroughly renovated all their connections. An entirely 

 new lot of brood fish, — 12,000 in number, were sent to this hatchery from 

 the Adirondacks during the fall, and it is believed that no further trouble 

 will be experienced. 



In connection with this hatchery it is regretted that the Commission 

 has been forced, temporarily at least, to abandon the valuable work that 

 was being done there in lobster culture. Excellent progress had been made 

 in this work, and the great need for continuing it will be apparent to anyone 

 familiar with the rapidity with which the lobster is disappearing from our 

 waters. A considerable amount of lobster culture is being done by other 

 states, and the condition of the work is well shown by the following letter, 

 which was received by the secretary during the course of some inquiries 

 made by him with reference to this subject: 



