Ma.y 18, 1895.] 
FORESf AND STREAM. 
396 
JgjiBhcttUure. 
Michigan Fisheries. 
THE eleventh biennial report of the Michigan State Board 
of Fish Commissioners has been put in the hands of the 
printer, and will soon be distributed for the benefit of the 
public. Advance sheets containing a vast amount of inter- 
esting matter on the subject of fish propagation by artificial 
methods enables us to present to readers of Forest and 
Stream information in regard to the operations of the Com- 
mission and the results of their labors. The volume also 
contains the results of a biological examination of Lake St. 
Clair, undertaken for the State. Board of Fish Commissioners 
in the summer of 1893 under the supervision of J. E. Reigh- 
ard, comprising sixty pages, including valuable maps and 
statistical tables, 
The report upon the commercial fisheries is especially in- 
teresting, and states that as early as 1S85 the work of gath- 
ering statistics relating to the commercial fisheries was 
begun. The work of gathering the statistics has been done 
by the agent for the pas* three years, and familiarity with 
the work, gained by experience, gives to this work greater 
value than if it had been done by different individuals. The 
principal fish to receive attention in the artificial propaga- 
tion are the whitefisb, lake trout, wall-eyed pike, black bass, 
brook trout and rainbow trout. The only plants of the lat- 
ter were in Baldwin's Creek, Lake county, in 1893, and in 
Big Creek, Crawford county, and Pere Marquette River, 
Newaygo county, in 1894, the total being 21,000 in two years,' 
Of whitefish in the two years there were planted 290,900, and 
there were placed in the waters of Detroit River, Lake St. 
Clair, Lake Michigan, Saginaw Bay, Straits of Mackinaw, 
Lake Huron, Sault St. Marie River, Lake Erie, Lake Supe- 
rior and some of the smaller waters within the State. Of 
brook trout plants 3,741,000 were made in 1893 and 3,853,000 in 
1894; these were distributed well over the State in all 
streams which were regarded as suitable for the purpose, 
nearly every county in the State coming in for a share. Of 
brown trout plants 444,000 were made in 1893 and about 
850,000 in 1894. Of lake trout about 585,000 were planted in 
the two years. Of wall-eyed pike about 35,500,000. Of carp 
about 8,250 and of black bass about 53,500 in 1894, the first 
year it has been extensively tried. 
The overseer of Cascade Springs Station, C. F. Holt, says of 
this experiment: "Late in the spring of 1893 we decided to 
find some suitable place where could be carried on operations 
for the artificial propagation of black bass. We believed that 
with a small outlay of money experiments might be made to 
determine the practicability of hatching the black bass for 
stocking on inland lakes, and if these operations were suc- 
cessful we should be justified in entering upon that work in 
the near future upon a scale sufficient to meet the wants of 
the State for this fish. We wished to find some suitable 
water in which the parent fish could be held under domesti- 
cation, and a place where suitable ponds might be con- 
structed in which to hold them " * * * Cascade Springs in 
Kent county was selected as offering advantages greater than 
any other locality examined. A beginning was made with 
250 small-mouthed black bass in the fall of 1893, which win- 
tered well in the ponds, with no loss. Early in May, 1894, a 
close surveillance of the fish in the ponds was begun, in order 
to be able to take the ova as soon as the spawning period 
arrived. This supervision extended over a period of several 
weeks, and during. this time several hundred eggs were taken 
and fertilized. The result of the season's operation demon- 
strated that the artificial propagation of the black bass 
promises to become successful and important. Over 50,000 
fry of the small-mouthed black bass were hatched at this 
station in 1894 and distributed in the inland lakes of Allegan, 
Barry, Berrien, Calhoun, Cass, Charleroix, Eaton, Emmet, 
Grand Traverse, Jackson, Kent, Oakland, Otsego and Wash- 
tenaw counties. The probabilities are that there will be sev- 
eral hundred thousand distributed each season. Certainly 
no ot her branch of the new work of the board in recent years 
is calculated to meet the public demand more fully than'this. 
At the Paris Station, in Mecosta county, the principal work 
of hatching trout is carried on. There are raised at this sta- 
tion brook trout, rainbow trout and the brown trout of 
Europe. The culture of trout calls for a different class of 
operations than those used in connection with the hatching 
of whitefish and pike-perch. The ova of the whitefish is taken 
from the wild fish, and with favorable conditions and an 
ample supply of parent fish, a sufficient quantity of fry can be 
obtained each season. But with the brook trout and the 
other varieties of trout named a different state of affairs'ob- 
tains, and the stock fish needed for trout work must be 
obtained from parent fish held under domestication through- 
out the entire year. 
From 10,000 to 12,000 adult brook trout are carried in the 
ponds from which the eggs are taken for the hatchery, and 
the output of the brook trout for the last two years has been 
in 1893, 2,626,000, and in 1894, 2,788,000. The hatchery at Sault 
Ste. Marie Station produces both whitefish and brook trout; 
its capacity is 30,000,000 whitefish and 500,000 brook trout. 
A large addition to this hatchery was completed in 1S94, and 
will give a further capacity of 40,000,000 whitefish and suffi- 
cient brook trout to supply the upper peninsular streams for 
many years. 
At Glenwood the culture of carp is carried on. This is not 
a popular fish with our people; it is coarse, strong and vastly 
inferior to all of our native fish. Just why it should be 
propagated is a mystery unless it is intended as a medium for 
cleaning out the ponds and small lakes of other fish and all 
the aquatic vegetation that flourishes in them. It is justly 
entitled to the name given to it inGermany, the "hog-fish" — 
for no porker loves to "root" in the mud better than a carp. 
Charleroix is the seat of the largest salmon trout fisheries 
now conducted upon the lakes. The time has arrived, the 
commissioners say, when the artificial breeding of salmon 
trout should be entered upon by the State, and no more con- 
venient point could be selected for the purpose than this. 
The salmon trout is only second to the whitefish in import- 
ance of the commercial fish of the lakes, and it is hoped that 
the work will be begun at once. 
The whitefish hatching operations for the past four years 
have assumed such large proportions that it has been found 
impossible even with the aid of two cars in constant service 
to get the young fish into the great lakes soon enough to 
prevent considerable loss by overcrowding in the tanks at 
the Detroit hatchery. 
These fish lose their food sac in from ten to fifteen days 
after they are hatched, and should be liberated in the 
great'lakes, where they might find their natural food before 
that period terminates. 
The report makes interesting statements relative to the 
stocking of the streams of the State with brook trout, brown 
trout and rainbow'trout. In the Lower Peninsula, where 
until within recent years the stocking has been principally 
done, the trout plants have been phenomenally successful. 
Streams in more than fifty counties in the State have been 
successfully plauted, and in every instance where the waters 
have been suitable and the fish properly planted the success 
has been unqualified. The full measure of this success can 
be more adequately appreciated when it is known that 
before the introduction of the artificial propagation of the 
fish none of the streams of the Lower Peninsula, with the 
possible exception of one or two small river basins, contained 
brook trout. By a careful and liberal .^tookin^ of these 
waters with fry this has all been changed, and uow it can be 
said that nearly all these streams rank with any of the 
country in the superior trout fishing they afford. It has 
been a commonly accepted notion that brook trout will not 
thrive in many of the streams of the Lower Peninsula be- 
cause of the latitude in which they lie, and the height to 
which the temperatare rises in many of these waters. But 
the abundance and size of the artificially bred trout in the 
streams of Calhoun, Barry, Kalamazoo and other counties 
in the southern portion of the State have upset this theory. 
The natural condition of these streams is such that the fish 
take kindly to their new environments. Nearly all the 
streams in Michigan which are fed from spring water 
sources are filled with the natural food of the trout, such 
as the caddis, fresh-water shrimp and other crustacea. 
A valuable chapter on the Lake Erie food fish is a feature of 
the report, and Dresents a statement of facts and figures 
which leaves no doubt that the present system of pound and 
gill net fishing is a vicious and utterly destructive one. The 
cause of the enormous decrease in the number of fish caught 
seems to be "due to the systematic efforts of the net fisher- 
men to get the greatest amount of fish possible regardless of 
future consequences." 
The pound netters with their inside nets catch great num- 
bers of the small fry not large enough for food, and in San- 
dusky alone, a year ago, it has been stated, thousands of tons 
of these small fish were ground up for fertilizers. Then the 
gill uetters cover the entire lake, going across from one side 
to the other. These with their powerful tugs and immense 
nets intercept the fish and break them up into groups, which 
are practically valueless so far as spawning is concerned. 
The commissioners recommend that the present session of 
the Legislature authorize the imposing of a license fee upon 
all nets which may hereafter be fished in the great lake« and 
their connecting waters, and that the fund so obtained from 
licenses shall be used in the propagation of food fish, by the 
Board of Commissioners, for stocking the great lakes of this 
State. The achievements up to date, by this Board of Fish 
Commissioners, are notable examples of what can be accom- 
plished by intelligent and persistent efforts in the right 
direction, and no praise can be too great to bestow upon the 
glorious peninsular State for work already accomplished and 
the encouraging outlook for the future. Kenka. 
Detroit, April 27. 
New York Aquarium. 
The questions prepared by the Civil Service Commission 
for applicants for the post of Superintendent of the New 
York Aquarium were these: 
1. What is the object of an aquarium? 
2. When and by whom was the first fresh-water aquarium 
on the compensating principle established? 
3. When and where was the first public aquarium opened? 
4. How can the aquarium aid scientific research? 
5. How should an aquarium be decorated? 
6. How should aquarium accounts be kept? 
7. What experience have you had in aquarium manage- 
ment? 
8. What experience have you had in general administra- 
tion duties? 
9. What is the strength of glass? 
10. Name the constituents of a good aquarium cement. 
11. Describe the methods of circulating water in the "reser- 
voir system" employed in many aquaria. 
12. What materials are used for sea- water pumps and pipes ? 
13. How is the alkali of some cements in aquaria rendered 
harmless? 
14. How can salt water in the New York aquarium be kept 
suitably warm in winter and cool in summer? 
15. How is water filtered for the aquarium? 
16. Describe the methods of aeration in aquaria. 
17. What is the composition of sea water? 
18. To what are the saline and bitter tastes of sea water due? 
19. What ranges of temperature are found in the salt water 
off Battery Park approximately? 
20. What salt can be used in solution for making up the 
waste of natural sea water? 
21. When does sea water retain most oxygen? 
22. What is the cause of the yellowish discoloration of sea 
water in spring and summer? 
23. How many pounds of sea water can be contained in a 
tank 6ft. long, 5ft. wide and 3ft. deep? 
24. How thick should the glass be in a tank of the above 
dimensions? 
25. With 1ft. head how much water will flow through a lin. 
pipe, 1ft. long, in one minute? 
26. With 9ft. head how much water will flow through a lin. 
pipe, 100ft. long, in one minute? 
27. What advantage have shallow tanks and pools over 
deep oues for fresh-water animals? 
28. How should daylight be admitted into an aquarium? 
29. What are the best aquarium plants? 
30. Name some hardy aquarium animals. 
31. What marine fishes will live in fresh water? 
32. Name some fishes that will spawn in aquaria. 
33. How should living fish and other animals be trans- 
ported ? 
34. When and how can the eggs of the SalmonidcB be safely 
transported? 
35. Name the fishes of the salmon family and state their 
natural distribution. 
36. Name the North American fishes of the cod family and 
state their distribution. 
37. Describe the method of taking, shipping and hatching 
eggs of the shad. 
38. What uncommou kinds of fishes can be found in coast 
waters of New York and New Jersey? 
39. What are the principal families of fishes represented in 
fresh waters of New York? 
40. Can salmon be raised in the aquarium? 
41. How and what are sea anemones fed? 
42. What is the treatment of fish affected by fungus or 
parasites? 
43 Will fungus attack healthy fish? 
44. What parasite has been especially fatal to trout and 
other fresh-water fish, and how may it be destroyed? 
45. What foods are used for aquarium auimals? 
46. Has your experience been with large or small aquaria? 
47. Have you had experience in transporting fish for long 
distances? 
48. State how you propose to secure specimens for the 
aquarium if appointed superintendent. 
49. What varieties of fresh-water fish thrive best is cap- 
tivity? 
50. What varieties of salt-water fish thrive best in cap- 
tivity? 
51. What varieties, either fresh or salt water, will not live 
in captivity? 
52. Will the shad live in captivity? 
53. What conditions are necessary for the whitefish of the 
great lakes to live in captivity? 
53a. Explain your method of takiugawayinjurious matter 
thrown off by fish in respiration. 
54. What system will you have for aerating the water in 
tanks? 
55. What system of filtration have you adopted? 
56. Will you vary the temperature of the water in your 
tanks to conform with the habits of different fishes? 
57 What average temperature is required for the trout 
family? 
58. Will the natural temperature of New York Bay, salt 
water, suit the fishes of the Gulf of Mexico or fishes whose 
habitat is north of Cape Cod? 
59. Do you believe that the water in tanks should be con- 
stantly changed, or that its purity should be dependent on 
constant aeration? 
60. Will you rely in any degree upon vegetable growth to 
purify the water in your tanks? 
§;tme mid J^intf j$att$bftk 
Hawn vs. Hawn. 
Editor Forest and Stream: 
The Fisheries and Forestry Commission is beginning 
early to show its control by politicians. No game and fish 
protector in the State has shown greater fidelity and effi- 
ciency than Harrison Hawn; he has for a long time had 
the full confidence of the friends of protection throughout 
central New York, and they, without reference to politi- 
cal lines, petitioned and prayed for his reappointment; 
and at the first meeting of the Commission he was reap- 
pointed. But he was a Democrat! So at the next meet- 
ing his appointment was revoked, and his brother, Spencer 
Hawn, a Republican, appointed in his place. There is not 
a true protectionist in central New York, Republican or 
Democrat, who indorses the appointment. More than this, 
there is not one who does not believe that the cause of 
protection in this locality has received a severe blow by 
the change; that one of the most serious consequences 
will be the reopening of Oneida Lake to a multitude of 
seines, the undoing of the excellent work which has been 
done. 
It is discouraging to men who work and spend their 
money for the propagation and protection of fish to see 
the State itself opposing their efforts and wasting the large 
appropriations which are made for a good purpose, but 
really prostituted to politics. 
A majoritv of the present Commission was selected by 
Thomas C, Piatt weeks before the law authorizing its ap- 
pointment was passed. It was intended that it should 
have political force, the needs of protection being a 
wholly secondary matter. President Davis was appointed 
at the request of Lieut. Gov. Saxton solely because of his 
political influence; he has never been known as having 
the slightest acquaintance with the work which he is ap- 
pointed to perform at an annual salary of $5,000. Com- 
missioner Weed was recommended by ex-Senator Miller. 
He is a lumberman and is to have special charge of forest 
preservation. 
It is not too much to say that the Commission is unfor- 
tunately constituted if there was any desire in the making 
of it to have it popular with the friends of protection. 
They had hoped for better things, and still hope that poli- 
tics shall not bury its work out of sight, but at the same 
time fear that such will be the case. 
The appointment of Mr. Cheney as .fishculturist and 
Mr. Annin assistant, are worthy of strong commendation; 
their work will be faithfully and well performed, that of 
propagation, but with little or no protection propagation 
cannot accomplish mtich. But let us wait and see what 
we shall see. H. 
Syr ac usb, May 10. 
Michigan Laws Enforced. 
Detroit, Mich., May 7. — When it was announced, at 
the time of the appointment of Mr. Osborne, of Sault Ste. 
Marie, as State Game and Fish Warden, that there would 
be a rigorous enforcement of the game and fish laws, and 
prompt prosecution of any violations thereof, there 
was a strong conviction in the minds of those who know 
Mr. Osborn that this was no idle claim. Results have 
justified this conviction. From the State Game Warden's 
report for the month of April, it appears that there were 
fifty-five arrests and forty-two convictions; ten cases were 
continued for further hearing, and in one the jury dis- 
agreed. Out of the whole number there were but two 
acquittals, while the amounts collected in fines and costs 
was $507.35. 
Ten of the arrests were for violation of the game laws, 
and forty-five for violation of the fish laws. This seems 
to be the kind of prosecution that prosecutes, and if there 
is any virtue in the application of the provisions of the 
law for the punishment of evil-doers, we ought to see 
some benefit upon this excellent enforcement of these laws. 
There is no doubt that it is badly needed in Michigan, 
and even now fishermen who ought to have more regard 
for the decencies, let alone the majesty, of the law, boldly 
assert that they will fish with nets when and how they 
please, regardless of game and fish laws or the wardens. 
Well, they would do wisely if they obeyed the old Ger- 
man's advice and "look a leedle oudt alreddy." F. H. 
Ontario Game Laws. 
Belleville, April 29. — The following amendments were 
made to the Game Law at the last session of the Legisla- 
ture: 
The prohibition against killing or taking moose, elk, 
reindeer and caribou has been extended five years longer, 
namely, until November 1, 1900. 
The open season for deer has been changed. It is lim- 
ited to the first fifteen days of November. 
The limit as to number of ducks that one person may 
kill in a season has been abolished. 
Sportsmen from the United States who pay the $25 li- 
cense will be, so far as the power of the Legislature ex- 
tends, allowed to take home with them the two deer each 
which they are allowed by law to kill. The Dominion 
authorities, however, control the export of game, and the 
law at present forbids it. 
The Deputy Game Wardens have been given power to 
act as constables. 
Mr. Edward Tinsley, of Hamilton, has been appointed 
Chief Game Warden for the province. R. S. B. 
That Maine Game Law Bungle. 
Augusta, Me., May 4.— Editor Forest and Stream: In 
your last issue you seem to have considerable misgiving re- 
garding the manner the Legislature framed their game 
laws. Without question, the law relating to close time ou 
partridges could have been worded better. Still the effect 
would, I have no doubt, have been the same. As the law 
reads, "between the firnt days of December and September 
twentieth," it must meau and be so construed, between the 
first dny of December, for the "first days" of December can 
be none other than the two days commenciDgs the month. 1 
have no fear as to the construction the court would put upou 
it if the question comes before them. 
Under the head of "Another Bungle" you refer to the 
"moose law," which says that "forfeits not less than one 
hundred dollars and be imprisoned thirty days." Thepenalty 
is, "forfeits not less than one huudred nor more than three 
hundred dollars" — "and be imprisoned thirty days." If the 
word "shall" had been used as suggested, it would have, 
been imprisonment at the discretion of the court — "shall' 
