310 
iL 
members of the American Fisheries Society. with all the priv- 
ileges of members, but without liability for initiation fee or 
antual dues. 
Pror. Gooner; I second the preposition. 
Tut Presipent: If there isno objection to Colonel McDon- 
ald’s ovotion we will proceed to vote on it. 
This was taken and carried. The list of names proposed was 
published in FoRESt AND STREAM, May 22, 1884. 
THE PRESIDENT; You haye heard the names which: have 
just been read. We will now vote on them. 
This was taken and carried, 
THE PRESENT: The Committee on the Oyster Resolution 
‘will please report. 
The committee has the honor to report: 
Whereas, The oyster industry of the United States exceeds 
all other fisheriésin the numberof its employes, capital in- 
vested, and value of its products, which are not articles of 
luxury, but a veritable food supply; and it haying been shown 
that this important industry is danger of extinction; and it 
bemg the opinion of this Association and of all competent per- 
sons that the preservation of the industry and the increase of 
the supply of oysters is dependent upon artificial extension of 
the present oyster area, which extension can only be achieved 
throngh private ownership and cultivation of oyster ground, 
therefore be it 
Resolved, That this Association most earnestly recommends 
the adoption of the principle of individual ownership of oyster 
grounds, that the oyster culturist may possess the surety of 
gathering the results of his labors. And it is likewise the 
opinion of this Association that an investigation of all the 
conditions affecting the life of the oyster is eminently desir- 
able and should be immediately undertaken, And further- 
more bé it 
Resolved, That a copy of this preamble and the resolution 
be forwarded to the Governors and legislative assemblies of 
the oyster producing States, and that copies also be trans- 
mitted to the President and Senate and the House of Repre- 
sentatives of the United States, 
Lizut. WINsLow added: Iam also instructed to moye the 
Immediate adoption of the preamble and resolution. 
Mz. Rooseyeut: I question the propriety of the resolution 
that has just been read. I beg that it may be read again. 
Whereas, The oyster industry of the United States exceeds 
all other fisheries in the number of its employes, capital in- 
vested, and value of its products, which are not articles of 
luxury but a veritable food supply, and it having been shown 
that this important industry is in danger of extinction; and it 
being the opinion of this Association and of all competent 
persons that the preservation of the industry and the increase 
of the supply of oysters is dependent upon artificial extension 
of the present oyster area, Which extension can only be 
achieved through private ownership and cultivation of oyster 
sround, therefore be it resolved, etc. 
Linvur. WinsLow reads preamble, and adds; The demand 
for oysters has far outgrown the supply. No remedy is likely 
to be of any practical value which does not haye in view an 
increase of the supply, and upon that principle the preamble 
isdrawa. It sets forth that an extension of the oyster area is 
necessary, and it hasbeen proved by the experience of every 
oyster community and country in the world, that an exten- 
sion of the ares and increase of the industry has resulted only 
when private individuals have taken it into their hands. The 
only government that ever attempted it was the French Goy- 
ermment, and if you look at the translations on this subject by 
the Fish Commission, you will see that one of the most emi- 
nent of authorities says that the failure of Coste’s efforts was 
due to the fact that the government attempted to go into the 
oyster business, and that oyster culture was made a success 
only when private individuals undertook it, A private oyster 
area is certain of a most conservative treatment, for it can be 
handed down to the descendants of the awner. Ownership 
begets that most powerful influence, self-interest, upon which 
success depends. It money is needed for its cultivation, money 
ean be raised on it by mortgage. I am not alone in this 
opinion. It is supported by the experience of all other fish- 
eries, and by gentlemen who haye had greater experience in 
the elaboration of details than I. That being, then, the essen- 
tial principle upon which depends the extension of the oyster 
areas, the committee thought it more advisable to deal with 
that alone, and leave the details to be decided by the Legisla- 
tures of the different States. Ido not think that this Society 
wishes to commit itself in this matter, other than to advise the 
adoption of a principle, as I have already explained. 
R, WinLcox: I favor the resolution; but if I were partici- 
pating in the legislation concerning the subject, I should pro- 
vide that the owners should only have the exclusive use of the 
areas for the cultivation of oysters; and only as long as they 
use them for that purpose. 1 shall vote for the resolution. 
Mr. EARLL: It is not my purpose, in calling out a discussion 
of this resolution, to oppose any legislation that may prove 
beneficial to our oyster interests as a whole. It should, how- 
eyer, be remembered that this Society is national in its scope, 
and that any resolutions tending to aftect legislation without 
limit as to locality, should not receive its sanction until it is 
clearly proven that such resohitions are for the best interests 
of the industry when taken asa whole. Several gentlemen 
familiar with the oyster interests of the New England and 
Middle States are present, and as I understand, heartily ap- 
prove of the adoption of the resolution for these regions. 
But the oyster interests vary greatly with the locality, and 
laws of unquestionable benefit for one portion of the coast 
might work disastrously in another. 
As one who has given considerable attention to the oyster 
interests of our South Atlantic and Gulf States, I cannot 
believe that the adoption of the resolutions proposed would be 
a benefit to that region. On the contrary, lam strongly of 
the opinion that they would have an injurious effect. 
Our entire coast between Cape Henry and Mexico, including 
the thousands of miles of coast line along the numerous sounds, 
bays and tide creeks are literally alive with oysters, and yet, 
in all this region, the oyster interests are absolutely undevyel- 
oped. There are not half adozen places along this entire 
coast that have a shipping trade in oysters of any importance, 
and yet the oysters are so abundant that men can wade about 
in the shoal waters and pick up boat loads of them in a few 
hours, often finding them in bunches larger than they can Jift. 
In North Carolina, for example, oysters are so abundant that 
some of the fishermen find profitable employment in securing 
vessel loads of them, and carrying them to the river landings 
in the agricultural regions and selling them for fertilizing at 
three to tour cents a bushel. J feel safe in the statement that 
there is not one city between North Carolina and Mexico, 
where, with proper attention, the oyster interests could not 
beincreased fifty-fold without endangering the natural supply. 
What we most need in this region is more encouragement 
of the oyster interests, rather than legislation haying a con- 
trary effect. 
Limut. WinsLow: Please explain how a resolution which 
is an ineentive to individual cultivation of oyster area or 
propagation of oysters, and to an increase of the oyster sup- 
ply of the market, is likely to result disastrously, 
Ma. HARLL: The resolution urges the principle of private 
ownership of oyster beds, and does not exclude the natural 
beds from such control. TYhe natural beds in the South are 
capable of furnishing many more oysters than are now taken, 
If the principle of private ownership were adopted here, the 
best beds would naturally come under the control of individu- 
als, who could neither utilize them nor allow their less fortu- 
hate neighbors to do so without charge. Many of the poorer 
fishermen would be thus shut out from the best localities, and 
would be put to inconvenience in being obliged to go further 
from home to obtain a supply. In addition, many of the farm- 
ers living five to twenty miles from the shore, who now make 
Qccasional visits to the goast to gather a supply of oysters for 
_ = _— — 2 
FOREST AND STREAM. 
distribution among their neighbors, would meet with oppo- 
sition from the oyster monopolists, and a large quantity of 
food would thus be lost to the country, : 
_U believe that, as a rule, it is not best to introduce the prin- 
ciple of priyate ownership until the national supply of oysters 
is endangered; and even then it would seem unwise to give a 
man control over more ground than he is willing to keep up 
to its full limit of production, and work regularly. 
Mr. Prku; I heartily concur in both ths preamble and the 
resolution. Ido this not alone theoretically, but from prac- 
| tical experience, 
As I understand the resolution, it is not desisned to exclude 
those who get their living from the natural beds, but simply 
to encourage private enterprise and systematic effort to de- 
velop the growth of oysters where they are obviously disap- 
pearing. This can be done without interfering with the 
natural beds to any serious extent, There is room enough for 
both classes of oystermen to work, and work profitably. The 
States of Maryland, Delaware and Virginia are suffering from 
arapid depletion of their oyster beds, Something must be 
done to stay the waste, and this Society believes that this 
resolution embodies a method which will meet the difficulty. 
The poor man will continue his wasteful ways of gathering 
oysters from the natural beds; while those who wish to pur- 
sue the better ways of private cultivation will have an oppor- 
tunity to do so, and will be protected by the law in the pro- 
duct of their labor, We haye adopted this plan in Connecticut, 
and we find that both classes of oystermen get along together 
harmoniously and prosperously. Indeed the poor oysterman 
finds his best customers in the cultivators. The result is that 
the oyster industry of Connecticut has grown beyond all 
anticipation, and we have ten-fold more oyster cultivators to- 
day than we had ten yearsago, This is the direct result of 
the system set forth in the resolution. Why, our Connecticut 
growers are how shipping thousands of bushels of oysters 
every week to Baltimore, This may be exceptional. e do 
not expect to compete with the Southern growers, but we can 
see that our system is greatly improving our industry, and 
giying us unusual advantages in the market. This Society 
can safely recommend such a system to the States named. I 
advocate this on theoretical and on practical grounds. I hope 
the resolution will be adopted. The poor men are not to be 
driven off the natural beds. They can gather the pro- 
ducts of the natural beds as heretofore. The resolution simply 
proposes to encourage another class of oystermen who will 
cultivate private tracts, They will occupy but a very small 
part of the oyster grounds of these States—so small a part, in- 
deed, that there can be no interference with the poor men 
and there is not the slightest danger that they will be excluded 
from the natural beds. 
Mr, Roosrveit: A year ago I sailed from Charleston, S. C., 
through the inland watersto Florida, and was astonished at 
the oyster resources of that part of the country. For a thou- 
sand miles I sailed between masses of natural oyster beds that 
at low tide were six feet high. In our localities at the North 
we have to bear in mind that in establishing oyster beds it is 
necessary to supply them with seed, which can only be ob- 
tained from public beds, or by importation. Shut up the pub- 
lic beds or make them private, and you shut them out of com- 
petition. So I suggest these words as an amendment to the 
resolution; ‘That in approving private ownership in oyster 
lots, we do not recommend that the natural beds should be so 
appropriated,” 
Likut, Winstow: I object to the amendment, I[ think it 
would be unwise to embarrass the enunciation of the general 
principle with any particular applications of it. Thatis a 
province which perhaps we have no right to enter. I should, 
therefore, speaking for the committee, prefer to see the reso- 
lution adopted as it stands, thinking it would better accom- 
plish our end—that is an extension of the oyster area and an 
increase of the supply of oysters. 
Mr, HARLL: 1 sécond Mr. Roosevelt's amendment. 
Lizut. Winstow: I moye to strike out the amendment made 
by Mr. Roosevelt. This preamble and resolution have been 
very carefully drawn, and are simply the enunciation of a 
general principle. As I explained, we want the supply of 
oysters increased, and that can only be done by an extension 
of the area. The extension can plyaee accomplished through 
the efforts of private individuals, which efforts will be exerted 
only when those individuals have a proprietary interest In the 
beds. We should not in the same resolution enunciate a prin- 
ciple and recommend only its partial application. Let others 
decide that. j 
The motion to strike out Mr. Roosevelt’s amendment was 
put, resulting in a tie. 
THE PRESIDENT: I move to strike it out. 
The amendment was therefore cancelled. 
Mr. Pike: I beg to offer this amendment. 
[This amendment was never delivered to the recording secre- 
tary, and a letter to Mr. Pike asking for a copy of it has 
neyer been replied to.] 
Lizut. Winstow: I object to this amendment on the general 
principle already stated, 
Mr. HARLE: I think that the resolution will tend toward the 
monopolizing of individual beds. 
Prov, Ginu: 1 think it is unnecessary to add anything what- 
ever to, or make any change in the resolution. 
Tum PRESIDENT; We will now yote on Mr. Pike’s amend- 
ment. 
This was taken and lost. ; 
THE PRESIDENT: We will now yete on the original ques- 
tion. 
This was taken and carried. 
The meeting then adjourned. 
THE COD GILLNET FISHERINS.—U. 8. Fish Commission, 
Washington, D. C.—In reply to a recent declaration that the 
nets are ruining the cod fisheries, 1 have already stated that 
the facts are exactly the opposite, and now add in further 
proof the report of the U, 8. Fish Commission agent at Glou- 
cester, Mass., for the week ending Nov, 1. Hesays: ‘The 
amount of fish caught in gillmets and landed here during the 
past week is as follows: 915,000 pounds of pollock and 67,000 
pounds of large cod. Considering the number of boats, nets 
and men engaged in fishing, the catch yesterday exceeds any- 
thing on record. Thirteen smal] vessels, fishing with cod gill- 
nets, landed last night and this morning 250,000 pounds of pol-- 
lock and 20,000 pounds of large cod. These fish were caught 
in 76 nets, 50 fathoms long and 2144 fathoms deep, and were 
fished by 95 men. Some of the boats left some of the nets, 
not being able to take all the fish that were in them. When 
the schooner Hector came to its nets three of them were 
found on the top of the water, the buoyancy of the pollock 
being so great as to part the anchor lines and cause the nets to 
come to the surface. There were 8,000 pounds of fish taken 
out of three small nets, while one small boat with six nets 
landed 12,000 pounds.”—CHARLES W. SMILEY. 
FISHCULTURE IN MAINE.—The Augusta Journal says: 
“The culture of salmonin Maine is a success. Parties are 
now on the lakes, and itis expected that 100,000,000 eggs will 
be taken for propagation. The introduction of carp has been 
an immense success.” Mr, Henry O. Stanly, of the State Fish- 
eries Commission, has offered Mr, F. 8. Weeks, of Cold Spring 
Harbor, N, Y., 100,000 eggs of the Rangeley brook trout, whi 
will be hatched at the station of the N. Y. F. C. on Long 
Island. Some of these eggs may be sent to the Bisby Club in 
the Adirondacks, part of the fry will fe in the ponds of Mr, 
Weeks, and the remainder will be at the disposal of the New 
York Commission, 
But of all books be sure to read ‘Wooderaft.” See advertisement 
elsewhere. —Ady, 
wines. 
[Noy. 13, 1884. 
PROFESSOR HW ART.—We have had a call from FProfes- 
sor Cossar Hwart, Regius Professor of Natural History in the 
University of Ndinburgh, and Convener of the Scientific Inves- 
tigation Committee of the Fishery Board for Scotland, who 
comes to inspect our fisheries and methods of fisheulture. He 
has already visited Canada, where he seems to haye found 
conflicting opinions as to the methods of increasing the supply 
of fish, or at least much discontent with the present manage- 
ment, He has spent some timeat Washington where, although 
somewhas familiar with the scope and character of the work 
of the Fish Commission from its publications, he found much 
that was new and interesting, and was impressed by the 
thorough methods of scientific investigation and its blending 
with practical work in propagation under Prof, Baird. He 
had just returned from an inspéction of the hatching station 
of the New York Fish Commission at Cold Spring Harbor, of 
which he said that it left an impression of being prepared to 
do a great deal of work in time, at a comparatively small ex- 
pens: and the station was advantageously placed to combine 
oth fresh and salt water work. Prof, Ewart was on his Wey 
to Wood’s Hall to inspect the work there, and afterward to go 
to Gloucester, Mass., and then to Maine to visit the works of 
that State, and of the United States at Orland and Grand 
Lake Stream. We will look for the official report of his visit 
to America, 
Che Kennel, 
FIXTURES. 
BENCH SHOWS. 
Dec. 16, 17, 18 and 19.—Third Bench Show of the Southern Massa 
chusetts Poultry Assoviation, Taunton, Mass, Wm. ©. Dayenport, 
Assistant Secretary. . 
Dec. 30, 31 and Jan. 1, 2, 1885.—Bench Show of the Meriden Poultry 
Association, Meriden, Conn. Joshua Shute, Secretary. 
Feb. 1 to 11, 1885.—New York Fanciers’ Club, Third Annual Bxhibi- 
tion of non-sporting dogs, poultry and pigeons at Madison Squar> 
Caen, Feb. 1 to 11, 1855. Chas. Harker, Secretary, 62 Cortlandt 
street. , 
Jan. 10 to 14, 1885.—World’s Wxposition Beueh Show, New Orleans, 
La. Mr. Chas. Lincoln. Superintendent. 
Jan, 27, 28, 29 and 30.—Annual Bench Show of the New Brunswick 
Poultry and Pet Stock Association. Mr, H. W. Wisson, Secretary, 
St. Johns, N. B. 
March 3, 4, 5 and 6, 1885.—Second Annual Bench Show of the Cin- 
Capes p Ousted Club, Cincinnati, O. Charles Lincoln, Superio- 
endent. 
April 7 to 10, 1885.—First Annual Bench Show N. EB. Kennel Chub, 
Music Hall, Boston. J. A. Nickerson, Secretary, 1594 Tremont street, 
Chas. Lincoln, Superintendent. 
FIELD TRIALS. 
Noy. —.—-Third Annual Trialsof the Robs Island Club, Robins 
Island, L. I. Open to members only. Mr. A, T. Plummer, Seererary 
Noy. 17.—S8ixth Annual Trials of the Eastern Field Trials Glib, at 
High Point, N.C, W, A. Coster, Secretary, Flatbush. 1. 1. 
Nov. 17,—¥irst Annual Trials of the Fisher's Island Club, Fisher*s 
Island, N. ¥, Open to members only, Mr. Max Wenzel, Secretary. 
Hoboken, N. J. 
Dec. 2.—Second Annual Trials of the Pacitic Coast Field Trials 
eer at Walltown Timber, Cal, N. E, White, Secretary, Sacramento 
fal. 
Dec. 5 —Sixth annual Trials of the Nalional American Kennel Club 
at Canton, Miss. D. Bryson, Seeretary, Memphis, Tenn. 
Dec. 15,—Sonthern Sportsmen's Association Trials, Cantou, Miss. 
Mr. T, ig. Renaud, Secretary, New Orleans, La. 
A. K. R. 
HE AMERICAN KENNEL REGISTER, for the registration or 
pedigrees, ete. (with prize lists of all shows and trials), is pub- 
lished every month. Entries close on the ist, Should be in early. 
Entry blanks sent on receipt of stamped and addressed envelope. 
Registration fee (#5 cents) must accompany each entry. No entries 
inserted unless paid in advance. Yearly subscription $1, Address 
“American Kennel Register,’ P.O. Box 2882, New York. Number 
of entries already printed 19707. Volumetl., bound in cloth, sent 
postpaid, $1.50, 
MOTHER DEMDIKE. 
Editor Forest and Stream: 
In your last issue, in giving your opinion of the greyhounds 
at the last New York show, you state that Mother Demdike 
did not fulfill your expectations. 
Tf she, a bitch who in England has won over the peerless 
Bonny Lass and such well-kmown greyhounds as Memnon, 
County Member, Sister Mary, Lancashire Witch, Heather 
Belle, Acalia, Destructive, and others; and who has been con- 
sidered by such judges as Messrs. Lort, Langdale, Charles, 
Graham and Hedley (judge of the Waterloo meeting) as one 
of the best, if not the best, greyhound in Kngland. If such a 
greyhound does not fulfill your expectations, I think that your 
expectations of what a greyhound should be would be gladly 
received by greyhound breeders in general, H. W. SMITH, 
Worcuster, Mass, 
[The eriticism to which Mr. Smith takes exception is as fol- 
lows; ‘‘In the bitch Glass the recently imported Mother Dem- 
dike had a clear win, and although she is a good bitch, and is 
unquestionably the best of her breed in the country, we muist 
confess that she does not fulfill our expectations, She has r) 
splendid head, which could only be improved below the eyes, 
and there but a trifle. Her eyes might, to atlvantage, be 
smaller and darker. She has along, well shaped and well 
shaped neck, but we would like to seeitabit cleaner, In 
chest, loins and feet she is very good, and she shows consider- 
able muscular development behind; her tail, too, is first-class, 
and her gait is perfection, and unless she can go out of slips 
at a rattling pace, her looks belie her. Her worst fault is a 
deficiency of bone in the forearms, and she is a bit flat im the 
back.” ‘This indicates whatwe consider Mother Demdike’s 
worst faults, We should also like tosee her not quite so straight 
in shoulders and a trifle more bent in stifle. An extended exam- 
ination of the records of the English shows would be interest- 
ing in this connection, though the fact that Mother Demdike 
had won over the excellent dogs mentioned by ow, corres- 
pondent has no especial bearing on her faults. Taking, how- 
ever, the last few shows within the year at which this bitch 
was exhibited, let us see where she was placed with regard to 
some of the dogs mentioned by Mr. Smith. ' 
Atthe Hanley show, October, 1883, Mr. Lort judge, the 
greyhounds stood: First, County Member; second, Memnon; 
third, Demoiselle; vhe., Mother Demdike, and these awards 
the London Field practically indorses, 
At the Dundee show, November, 1833, Messrs, Hden, Taylor 
and Morrison judges; County Member received vhe, Tn other 
words there were in the class a number of dogs better than he, 
At the Dorchester dog show in July, 1854, Mr, H, G. Miller, 
the owner of the celebrated Misterton, and a well-known 
coursing man, was judge. Lancashire Witch was first, Heather 
Belle second and Mother Demdike third. This award seems 
especially important in view of the experience and hence 
probable competence of the judge, ’ 
At the Stanley dog show, July, 1854, Mr. Geo. Helliwell 
judge, Acalia was first and Mother Demdike second. 
Referring now to Bonny Lass, let us see what the London 
Field recently said of her at the last Crystal Palace show: 
“Tn bitches there were more competitors, and we scarcely 
coincided with the judges here, for Bonny Lass, who won, a 
great favorite once, could scarcely move her hindquarters, 
and Mr, Hedley evidently suspected this.” Bonny being 
spoken of in the past tense, the inference is that although only 
seven year's old, she has passed her prime. As for Sister Mary, 
she is eleyen years old, if still alive, and years ago had lost aly 
— —— 
