FOREST AND STREAM 
69 
THE DANUBE SALMON. 
X -*- 
E are permitted by Professor Baird, United States 
Commissioner of Fisb and Fisheries, to publish, in 
advance of its appearance in his report on the propagation 
of food fishes, a very interesting article on the Danube sal¬ 
mon, written for him by Mr. Rudolphe Hessel, of Offen- 
burg, Germany. Mr. Hessel is one of the most practical 
and accomplished fish culturists in Europe, and has been, 
to a large extent, employed by the Prussian Government 
in this connection. It was under his direction that the quar¬ 
ter of million of salmon eggs presented by the German 
Government to the United States in 1872 were brought 
over, to which were added half a million more, purchased 
by the United States from Mr. Schuster, of Freiburg. Un¬ 
fortunately, the excessive and unusual temperature of the 
winter season in Germany affected these eggs so that when 
transferred to the hatching establishment of Dr. Slack, at 
Bloomsbury, a considerable per centage was lost. Thanks, 
however, to the care given to them by Mr. Hessel, on the 
voyage and subsequently, the damage was less than might 
have been expected with almost any other specialist. 
Mr. Hessel is, we believe, now a resident of the United 
States, and was in the employ of Professor Agassiz during 
the summer of 1878 in establishing aquaria and fish ponds 
on Penikese Island. 
While in Europe Mr. Hessel paid a great deal of atten¬ 
tion to the cultivation of leeches, crawfish, and other out- 
of-the-way branches of pisciculture, and it is much to be 
hoped that he may be induced to undertake something of 
this kind in the United States, where the field is so ample. 
The cultivation of crawfish has never been attempted, we be¬ 
lieve, in this country, although there is a very large demand, 
and one that is increasing very rapidly. 
There is much to be said in regard to the propriety of 
introducing the Danube salmon into American .waters, as, 
unlike other species of salmon, it does not leave the rivers, 
but feeds upon whatever it finds therein. Mr. Hessel is of 
the opinion, however, that it is much less destructive than 
such fish as the pike, etc., and it 'is probable that this will 
be an exceedingly valuable fish for localities where neither 
the eastern salmon, nor that of California, can be sus- 
ained:— 
“Professor S. F. Baikd, 
“ United States Commissioner: 
“The Danube salmon differs from the other Salmonidce by 
its more cylindrical and elongated body. The back is of a 
dark brownish green; the belly, silver white, and on its 
sides are black, round, and half-moon-shaped spots, which 
are more crowded along the upper part of the back; in this 
exhibiting a resemblance in marking to the sea trout. 
“With increasing age (fish of 12 to 20 pounds and more) 
the sides exhibit a reddish tint, which becomes of a beau¬ 
tiful rose color during the breeding season, and gives rise 
in some places to the name of ‘red fish,’ not to be mistaken, 
however, for the ‘ Bothel? (Salmo umbla, or salvelinus). 
“The Danube salmon surpasses all other Salmonidce in 
si^e, and attains a weight of 40 to 60 and 100 pounds. In 
rare cases, specimens of even 120 pounds have been 
caught. Its flesh is almost like that of the salmon of the 
Rhine in quality, but is white, while that of all the others 
of German Salmonidce is red. 
“A special peculiarity of this fish is its limited geograph¬ 
ical distribution, occurring only in the streams emptying 
into the Black Sea, especially the Danube and its tributa¬ 
ries. When young (weighing from 12 to 18 pounds) it has 
its abode in the deep, rapid, mountain branches of the 
Danube, and afterward descends into the river itself, in the 
lower portion of which, near Galaez, Semlin, etc., it is 
found of fully developed size. The rivers Drave, Save, 
and Thelss, the principal southern tributaries of the Dan¬ 
ube, also abound in full grown fish. It is also frequently 
caught in the northwesterly tributaries, above Vienna—the 
Inn, Lech, Isar, Salrach, Altmull, Regen, Iller, and even 
the small Brenz; indeed, generally, everywhere in the Up¬ 
per Danube of Wurtemberg. Except as indicated above it 
is to be met with nowhere else in Europe. It also occurs 
in the Black Sea, but only near its shores, and also in the 
Dnieper, which discharges its water into the Black Sea near 
Odessa; likewise in the Volga, Ural, Vrur Rivers of the 
Caspian Sea. 
‘ ‘The Danube salmon has not the peculiar habit of mi¬ 
gration from the sea of the true salmon {Salmo salar), 
though it also ascends the rivers to spawn, like most other 
Salmonidce. Differing from the other European salmon, 
however, which breed in autumn or winter, it deposits its 
eggs in March, April, and May, the female making large 
cavities in the middle of the river for the purpose, called 
by the fishermen of the Danube ‘bruch,’ (break). Accom 
panied by several males, the female fish deposits its eggs at 
the bottom of these excavations, and while thus engaged 
are easily caught with the ‘trident,’ or fish-spear, and even 
after one of the males has been taken out the others leave 
the place only for a short while to return and meet the same 
fate. Many fish are thus captured during the breeding sea¬ 
son, greatly to the injury of the fisheries; and although 
laws prohibiting this mode of fishing during the breeding 
season have been enacted in all the littoral states of the 
Danube they are mostly evaded. 
“The eggs of the Danube salmon have a diameter of 
about .20 of an inch, and their yolk is not a connected mass, 
as in the eggs of the other Salmonidce , but is distributed in 
oily drops upon the entire inner surface. A period of forty to 
fifty days in cold weather, even more, is necessary for hatch¬ 
ing. The eggs are rather sensitive, and suffer greatly from 
the rapacity of the grayling, Thymallus.vexillifer , Agassiz, 
which exist in great numbers in the tributaries of the Dan¬ 
ube. They follow the female hucho in shoals, and voracious¬ 
ly consume the eggs. Hence this beautiful fish is never so 
abundant as the Salmo salar in the Rhine, where the Tliymal- 
lusi s far less numerous than in the Danube. In addition to 
this, the season for depositing their eggs is far more favorable 
to the S. salar , since then the Thy'mallus are full of milt and 
eggs and less hungry than at spring time, when they have just 
done spawning. The young fishes lose their yolk bag after 
ten to eighteen days. They have a length of .80 of an inch 
when hatched, 6 to 6.80 inches when six months old, and 
— 
24 to 82 inches after two years. This rate of growth is 
quit e favorable, when compared with that of the European 
brook trout, but is less- than with the other Salmonidce, 
which, migrating to the sea, there find richer nourishment 
than the huclio , which generally remains in the river.. Since 
the hucho does not enter the sea, it appears especially adap¬ 
ted to the large lakes of America, as well as to the Missis¬ 
sippi and its tributaries. 
“In its third year the Salmo hucho attains its maturity for 
propagation. Before that period it prefers to remain in the 
small rivulets; but when sufficiently grown prefers the 
most rapid places of the larger tributaries, where rocks, 
trunks of trees, etc., offer shelter. Like the S. Salar , it as¬ 
cends obstructions several feet in height, sometimes six to 
eight. Like the other large Salmonidce , it is a rapacious 
fish, neither more or less so than its congeners of equal 
size, but is, I believe, decidedly surpassejd in voracity by 
Silurus glanis , or sheat fish, a kind of cat-fish, and the pike, 
Esox Lucius. The daily consumption of food of the last 
mentioned species, according to my * own observations, 
amounts to one third of its Own weight. The S. hucho has 
a bad name for voracity, because it is not at all dainty; 
it preys on its own kind, catches frogs and water fowl, and 
even does not refuse water rats. But, after all, it con¬ 
sumes, in proportion to its size, far less than the smallest 
trout; and the most reliable fishermen of the Danube agree 
with me in the opinion that it is .not as bad as reputed. 
True, it shows greater energy in pursuit of food, but this 
occurs principally in winter time, when most of the other 
fishes remain in their hiding places and the river is covered 
with ice. In such cases it frequently jumps high up the 
banks, where it is easily killed. 
“I have often examined the stomachs of these fish of 
different sizes, and mostly found white fish and frogs, 
sometimes salamanders {Triton cristatus ), and once even a 
ring snake, Tropodonotus natrix. 
“I believe that in the sluggish southern waters of North 
America the numerous salamanders would serve as food, 
as the hucho loves to hunt in bends of the river overgrown 
with cane, and shows great skill in catching his prey. 
“Several years ago some ichthyologist maintained that 
the hucho is subject to a peculiar disease of the skin, of 
which he gave a description This is, however, a mistake, 
as I have ascertained by consulting many of the fishermen 
of the Danube, and to my certain knowledge may occur in 
any fish, very frequently on the carp. It is a spongy ex¬ 
crescence, originating where the skin had been injured or 
the scales rubbed off, and of fungus origin, the same 
mould, viz., Septomitris clavatus, which sometimes covers 
the eggs in breeding establishments, especially in winter 
time, especially when dead animal matter had been allowed 
to contaminate the water. 
“The mode of catching the hucho differs greatly along 
the extended banks of the Danube, and is influenced by 
the situation, depth, etc., of the river. In summer time they 
are taken in nets, and smaller ones, up to six pounds, with 
the fly, which, however, is refused by the older fish. From 
October to their spawning time, even during the coldest 
yfinter, and under the ice, they are also to be taken with 
minnow bait on ground hooks. No other fish of the Dan¬ 
ube, beside the pike, will take the hook. 
“No fish of the salmon tribe, the true salmon, Salmo 
sOjlarnoX, excepted, affords more sport to'the angler than 
the hucho , especially before the river becomes covered with 
ice, or when it breaks up in spring, and none takes the 
hook at this season more readily, whether small or large, 
from one pound up to sixty. In rapids or other places, 
provided they are free from ice, the fishing is always suc¬ 
cessful. I have frequently practiced this mode of fishing 
in the Danube, from Linz to Galaez, and in its tributaries, 
Lech, Inn, Salzach, Theiss, Drave, Save, Marosz, even in 
the severe winter of 1852, and always to my satisfaction. 
“I am entirely satisfied that the S. hucho will be admir¬ 
ably adapted for the Mississippi River and its numerous 
tributaries. The large, deep indentations, overgrown with 
cane, as well as the numerous rapid mountain affluents, 
offer favorable abodes. The large lakes of the United 
States appear also to be equally appropriate for this fish. 
This, of course, is nothing more than my individual opin¬ 
ion, but that its acclimatation is possible is beyond doubt. 
“For the introduction of this fish two ways seem to be 
indicated:—First, the direct importation of a number of 
live fishes, about one year old, to be nursed in a suitable 
small lake until mature for propagation; or, second, the 
importation of a large number of impregnated eggs to be 
artificially hatched. The former has great difficulties, as 
the hucho , like all salmon, constantly requires fresh water; 
still I should be willing .to try it with about twenty-five to 
fifty specimens of the age of six to twelve months. It 
would, however, take almost three years before the fishes 
would be fit for propagation, and this _ is a great loss of 
time. The latter method offers no less difficulties, viz., the 
collection and transportation of the. eggs, which are very 
sensitive, especially as the temperature of the season is 
rapidly increasing, when they are spawning. It is scarcely 
credible that their artificial impregnation is entirely un¬ 
inown to the fishermen of the Danube, although they be¬ 
lieve it possible with the trout. 
“If would therefore be necessary to engage the most in¬ 
telligent of the fishermen; to instruct them, and if they 
are willing to do the collecting to assign a centrally situa¬ 
ted place, where the hatching can be carried to the first 
stage, viz., the development of the eyes. Immediately 
after the impregnation eggs would not endure transporta¬ 
tion for more than two days. 
“I have consulted several fishermen of the Danube, in 
person as well as by letter, and believe I could obtain 
600,000 to 700,000 eggs in the first year. This is a consid¬ 
erable quantity, under these circumstances. The eggs are 
very sensitive, and will need to be - managed by an expert; 
as the fishermen are entirely ignorant, and even require to 
be informed, the mode of packing, etc. Htiningen, in. 
1872, secured 10,000 eggs, for which a man was sent to the 
Bavarian Danube. Mr. Shuster also received about 2,000, 
which were hatched. Those at Hliningen perished. It 
was the first time Messrs. Shuster and Haack had tried the 
hatching of hucho. In Germany preference is given to the 
salmon over the hucho , and even over the salmon of the 
Elbe, though the latter is the same fish. I believe, how¬ 
ever, that the hucho will improve in the Rhine, as does 
every other fish, though it is already a splendid table fish, 
and desirable not alone on account of size. In reference 
to the difficulties of transportation, I need not direct your 
attention to the fact that they become so much greater in a 
journey to America. But as I reported in one of my last 
letters to Washington, I hope to meet all these difficulties 
by the adoption of a little apparatus, by means p of which"! 
may safely carry 400,000 to 500,000 eggs. I think I have 
overcome the difficulties of construction. Ice for cooling, 
as you suggested, will be applied without allowing the di¬ 
rect contact of the eggs with the melting water. . Of this 
apparatus I hope to exhibit drawings and models in Amer¬ 
ica when I see you. In conclusion, I have to say that it 
will be necessary for the fishermen to ask permission for 
the collection 'of eggs, which, however, could be readily 
obtained. 
“I believe that now I have told you all, the good and 
bad, of this fish; it is, however, far “from my purpose to 
unconditionally recommend its introduction into your coun¬ 
try. I believe the Salmo salar ought to be tried in the Mis¬ 
sissippi at the same time, as the Gulf of Mexico would af 
ford rich feeding ground. The Ohio and Missouri, with 
their many tributaries, may also be found suitable. 
“P. S.—Of late years there is, everywhere in Europe, 
manifested the desire to destroy the pike in lakes and 
ponds. Although our laws are quite stringent, and are 
strictly executed, the catching of Esox is allowed even in 
spawning time, as rational fish breeding has proved them 
injurious. Salmo huyho and the other Salmonidce are pro¬ 
tected by law during the spawning season. 
“I consider the omul or Salmo omul of Baikal Lake as one 
of the most excellent of the Salmonidce. It is, however, at 
present scarcely to be had in Europe. According to my 
information, it. surpasses the salmon of the Rhine in qual¬ 
ity, and is extremely prolific. About 20,000 hundred weight 
are said to be caught in the lake, and preserved by smok¬ 
ing, every year. Salmo omul , as far as I know, has never 
been described satisfactorily in any work of natural history. 
“Very respectfully, yours, 
‘ ‘Rudolphe Hessel. ” 
—The main features of the oyster bill, which has been 
agreed upon by the members of the General Assembly of 
Virginia,representing oyster producing districts,are contain¬ 
ed in the following synopsis: 
1st. Capital invested in planted oysters to be taxed at 
fifty cents on the hundred dollars, as other species of prop- 
er ty_this tax to be collected by township collectors. 
2d. Tax' of fifty cents on the hundred dollars’ value of 
oysters taken by tong-men. 
3d. Licensed dredgers permitted to take oysters in the 
Chesapeake Bay, and Tangier and Pocomoke sounds, with 
$3 tax per ton, with certain restrictions. 
4th. Captains and sailing masters of vessels (licensed) 
armed with police power to arrest and take before the 
nearest justice parties violating the law. Inspectors may 
fin-point reliable tong-men armed with same power of ar- 
rest 
5th. The aboli&iment of the- oyster navy, and sale of 
steamers. 
6th. Taxes to be collected by inspectors appointed by the 
county judges. 
r oodhnd, Wawn and (§ardm. 
GRAPES IN CITY GARDENS. 
I T is just as easy to cultivate the grape in small as 
well as large tracts of grounds. Our gardens can be 
made to yield a good, reliable crop of grapes nearly every 
year. Then, when every one is so ready to say of good 
grapes, “how good they are; how very fine,” why not cul¬ 
tivate them within your own enclosure ? Within the lim¬ 
its of every city yard will be found a space sufficient to 
grow, and grow well, from one to three vines, whose heal¬ 
thy, luscious fruit you may have for the picking. And 
then a vigorously growing, .thrifty grape vine is delightful 
to look upon, especially if well trained to a good, firmly 
made trellis. Who that can cover with the deep green 
leaves of a fine Concord or Catawba grape, would look 
with complacency upon a red brick wall? No one who has 
ever tried it; that we can verify by numerous testimonials. 
One lady writes us:—“Mr. Wyman, I am greatly your 
debtor for information received from you in answer to how 
to grow a good Concord grape in my back yard. This 
grape, you know, was presented to me by a friend, and all 
my neighbors then said ‘it will never grow; you can never 
get anything from it but leaves.’ I followed your direc¬ 
tions, as laid down, and my grave vine has borne me two 
crops of grapes—one of six and a half pounds, and the next 
year eleven pounds, and I am satisfied.” 
One fine, large, thrifty Concord grape, well cultivated, 
will* give'a yield the third year of six pounds of very fine 
fruit, and the fourth year this same vine will yield ten 
pounds, and thus increases, as the vine grows and does 
well, until you arrive at a weight of say twenty-five pounds. 
I do not limit even the first year’s fruit so low as six 
pounds, but I do say you should not allow more than six 
pounds to mature on a three year old vine, at any rate'. 
Remove all the small, irregular, and misshapen bunches, 
and what you have remaining will tell you the story in full; 
and this story, having been learned frdm the vine itself, 
is far better than any other teacher. Again, if you know 
how to keep your grapes, which is as easily done as to raise 
them, you can pack your boxes full of these rich, luscious 
bunches as easily as you can make a jelly, and surely with 
one half the trouble. The way to do this is to know how 
to do it. 
“What kind of grapes shall I plant?” asks a lady friend, 
at whose request this is written; “what do you recommend 
for a garden of forty feet by seventy?” 
The kinds of grapes we recommend are those that have 
an established reputation for bearing, and good ripening, 
qualities. In choosing your grapes, for whatever situation 
in which you design to place them, always have a regard 
to the quality of the fruit you desire from these vines. Al¬ 
though the Catawba and Isabella are both hardy and good 
