64: New York Stvte 



Even a superficial examination of conditions showed very clearly 

 that different establishments varied widely in their methods of 

 handling these waste materials. In some ea.ses the\ \\ ere discharged 

 without any treatment whatever, in other cases certain materials 

 were extracted, and in still others more complete treatment was 

 given to remove the waste products. 



I am not able to find that any experimental information is avail- 

 able concerning the effect on aquatic organisms of t»uch partial or 

 complete treatment of these wastes. It is evident that this is a 

 very important problem from the standpoint of the Conservation 

 Commission, One has no right to infer that the removal of certain 

 substances from the industrial wastes will make the residue any 

 more favorable to the preservation of the aquatic life and for the 

 development of aquatic organisms in the stream after the waste 

 has been added to it. Indeed, one may go further and say that 

 even concerning certain processes for the complete treatment of 

 such wastes there is no information as to the effect such treatment 

 has upon the influence the waste exerts upon the living things in 

 the water of the stream. From the standpoint of conservation, it 

 is extremely important to determine precisely how such changes 

 as are now practiced, and those which may be advocated for the 

 future treatment of wastes, will affect the plant and animal 

 organisms in the water. It is evident that the stream may be as 

 seriously damaged by its conversion into a lifeless desert as by 

 adding to it those wastes which make of it a septic tank. In my 

 opinion, this is one of the first problems which the Commission 

 should plan to attack and for its solution it will be necessary to 

 engage the services of a man trained in experimental biology and 

 familiar with chemistry, while of course, he should be primarily 

 a student of the natural history or ecological phase of aquatic 

 biology. 



At Palmer Falls is located the first of the sulphite mills on the 

 upper Hudson. A general examination of the stream above this 

 point shows that it has the aspect of a reasonably pure and natural 

 water course. The river banks below the mill from which there 

 passes into the stream a large amount of sulphite pulp wastes 

 disclose a rich and extensive growth of very flocculent material 

 on the rocks. This covers all available area, extending well above 

 the present water line to high water level or towards that point. 

 The portion of this material on the stones which at the time of the 

 visit were above the water level, had been dried out and appeared 



