FOREST, FISH AND GAME COMMISSIONER. I47 



Some have been taken during the past summer that were twenty-two 

 inches long. During May and June, hundreds could be seen any day on 

 the spawning beds, anywhere from ten inches to twenty inches long, the 

 big fellows predominating. 



Very truly yours, 



John Wilkins. 



In closing I wish to pay a merited compliment to the foremen in charge 

 of the several hatcheries, whose strict attention to business and thorough 

 knowledge of their work has aided materially in making possible the excel- 

 lent results we have secured. It is my judgment that these men should be 

 encouraged to do original work along the lines of their several activities, and 

 for this reason I have appended an article on albino brook trout, which 

 shows the result of an experiment conducted by Mr. Winchester, of the 

 Adirondack hatchery, who has also collected, under the direction of the 

 secretary, a very complete set of specimens of the eggs taken and fish propa- 

 gated by the State. These specimens are arranged in an ingeniously con- 

 structed wheel, and are examined with great satisfaction by visitors to our 

 office. It is suggested that many valuable specimens of interest to scientific 

 workers can, from time to time, be gathered by the hatchery foremen and 

 that valuable experimental work can be done by them without interfering 

 with the business they have in charge. 



Recommendations 



In view of the preceding statements, and of other matters which have 

 come to my attention during the year, I would make the following recom- 

 mendations: 



1. That an effort be made to have the committee of the Legislature, 

 in their travels through the State, pay visits to the several hatcheries, 

 for the purpose of giving these committees a well-defined idea of the magni- 

 tude of our work and its importance to the people, as well as of the require- 

 ments of the hatcheries. 



2. That the location of the shad hatchery be changed in accordance 

 with the suggestion and for the reasons already given. 



