494 
the shell fish. I do not think that any man here would 
get up and say he was competent to administer shell fish 
affairs. But we have one or two who understand forestry 
matters and several who know what is needed in fish aftd 
game matters. I propose that we suggest to the Governor 
the propriety of naming more than a single-headed Com- 
mission, and that we ask the privilege of naming a ma- 
jority representing our interests, from among our mem- 
bers." 
Mr. MacGregor was of the opinion that the League, the 
only one in the State which has devoted so much time 
and energy to the interests of fish, game and forests, 
might very properly try and impress on the Governor that 
it should be consulted in regard to the Commission. 
Mr. Mowry thought the Governor, being a sportsman 
himself, was in a mood to consider suggestions along the 
line. The Governor has recently called the Commission 
down on its policy in regard to certain matters, and said 
it was ridiculous that protectors should be cotppelled to 
hire guides to show them around in the woods. His 
theory as to protectors is all right, and why should it 
not hold good as to the Commissioners who appoint the 
protectors? I believe we should call the attention of 
the Governor also to the fact that we need more pro- 
tectors in the State, at least in the proportion of one for 
each county. We come together with honest hearts and 
good intentions for the purpose of protecting and prop- 
agating fish and game and preserving the forests, but we 
do not have adequate representation on the Commission. 
Now is the time for this Association to assert itself and 
make its position known. Mr. Mowry offered the follow- 
ing resolution, which was unanimously adopted : 
Resolved, That a communication from the New York 
State Fish. Game and Forest League be forwarded to the 
Governor of New York State to the effect that it is the 
sense of this convention of representative sportsmen from 
all parts of the State, that this Association should have 
the preference in the naming of candidates for appoint- 
ment as members of the Fish, Game and Forest Com- 
mission. That it is not expedient in our judgment to 
establish a single-headed Commission, from the fact that 
no single individual is competent or capable to administer 
the affairs of the different departments of fish, game, 
forestry and shell fish. These dift'erent departments re- 
quire men with special knowledge of the requirements of 
propagation and protection in the several lines mentioned. 
No one man can be found who is competent to properly 
care for these diversified interests, owing to their wide 
scope. It is recommended that there should be additional 
protectors appointed to the extent of at least one pro- 
tector for every county in the State. 
The following officers were elected for the ensuing 
3'ear: President, Robert B. Lawrence, New York City; 
Vice-President, W. E. Wolcott, Utica; Secretary, Ernest 
G. Gould, Seneca Falls; Treasurer, A. C. Cornwall, Alex- 
andria Bay; Legislative and Law Committee, Walter S. 
MacGregor, Syracuse ; Howard G. Wardner, Rochester ; 
David Tice, Lockport; W. S. Gavitt. Lyons; C. B. La- 
pham, Canandaigua; Auditing Committee, Aaron Mather, 
Honeoye Falls; G. W. Weaver, Lockport; Thos. D. 
Luiit, Dunkirk. 
Mr. Lawrence thanked the League for the honor con- 
ferred, and assured the members that he would do all in 
his power to increase the good feeling between the sports- 
men of the State, and to further the interests of the 
League. 
On motion of Mr. Kellick a vote oi thanks was ex- 
tended to the retiring officers. 
Prof. H. A. Surface, of Cornell "University, then ad- 
dressed the League at some length in regard to fish and 
game propagation. He said in part: "For four years 1 
have been giving time in the interests of fish and game 
near Ithaca. I believe that legislation should be based on 
a knowledge of the habits of the fish and game we desire 
to protect. The watchword of true sportsmen should be 
cultivation rather than protection alone, or rather- co- 
operation. The object of our association in Ithaca is to 
increase the supply of fish and game. If we desire an 
increase, then we should study the causes of reduction 
and what we can do to prevent them. In many places the 
haunts of the ruffed grouse have been destroyed. The 
bird must migrate to other places, change its habits or 
perish." The speaker alluded to the introduction of Eng- 
lish pheasants in this country, and said they had lived 
and thrived here. We should trj' and determine what 
kind of game laird can be introduced here after the grouse 
has gone the way of the wild pigeon, buffalo, etc. Thirty- 
seven years of legislative protection uncoupled with propa- 
gation has failed to increase the fish and game. While 
the present conditions are deplorable, would they have 
not been much worse but for the intelligent work of fish- 
culturists? Ther'e is not as much known about any fish 
in the State as there should be. We should know about 
the fish, their habits, etc., and the condition of the water. 
We should know the natural range of the fish and where 
they can be successfully grown. Is there an abundance of 
food for the fish introduced, and if not, can it be supplied? 
Prof. Surface exhibited several preserved specimens of 
the lamprey and a live dogfish, which he said were enemies 
of the fish in Cayuga Lake. Lampreys live by sucking 
blood from fishes, and they kill more than all the fisher- 
men do. The lampreys should be exterminated, but how 
can it be done? They run up the inlets in May to spawn. 
I constructed a weir and killed 1,400 of them. Last 
spring we took 1,800 oft" the spawning beds with a hand 
net. As a result lampreys are now scarce in Cayuga Lake. 
For the propagation of fishes or the destruction_ of their 
enemies, we must have a knowledge of their habits. The 
new mode of culture will be to first introduce the natural 
food of the fish we desire to introduce before turning in 
the fish we seek to establish. We need the knowledge of 
the biologist. 
The unanimous consent of the convention was asked 
and given for the consideration of a proposed amend- 
ment to articles of the by-laws. Articles 17 and 18 were 
amended so as to provide that each club shall be entitled 
to two delegates at the annual meeting, and that the 
annual dues shall be $5 for each club. 
The Secretary was authorized to have 250 copies of the 
by-laws, as amended, printed. 
It was decided to have a committee on biology to 
further as far as possible the interests of the Leagiie, and 
the following committee was named : Prof. H, A. Sur- 
face, Ithaca; W. F. Wolcott, Utica; Geo. B. Wood, 
Syracuse; James Ann in, Jr., Caledonia. 
FOREST AND STREAM. 
Mr. Wolcott offered a resolution rqquesting each club 
in the League to urge the members of the Senate and 
Assembly in their respective districts to use their influence 
toward scuring an appropriation for the purchase of 
additional lands in the State forest preserve. Adopted. 
Mr. MacGregor, Protector Worts and Mr. Wood spoke 
briefly in regard to the desirability of having fishways in 
the Oswego, Oneida and Seneca rivers, and a resolution 
was adopted asking the Fish, Game and Forest Com- 
missioners to provide proper fishways. The subject of 
eel weirs was referred to the Law Committee to take such 
action as it deems advisable. 
Mr. Gavitt moved that the League recommend to the 
Legislature that a biological station be established in this 
State similar to that in Illinois, Adjoured. 
W. E. Wolcott. 
Utica, N. Y. Dec. 9. 
Merrimack County League. 
CoNCOHD, N. H., Dec. 6. — Editor Forest and Stream: 
Several of our members have been much interested in your 
editorials about the sale of game, so I take the lib- 
erty to send you under another cover a Concord paper 
with an account of our eighth annual meeting. 
Chas. B. Clarke. 
The eighth annual business meeting of the Merrimack 
County Fish and Game League was held in the banquet 
room of G. A. R. Hall last evening and was attended by 
a good representation from the membership. 
The meeting was called to order by President Bat- 
tles, who, after a few introductory remarks, called for the 
annual report of Secretary Clarke, who read the follow- 
ing, which was unanimously adopted and placed on file: 
To the President and Members of the Merrimack County 
Fish and Geanie League: 
Gentlemen: I gives me pleasure to present this, the 
eighth annual report of the business transactions of this 
league. 
'ilie executive committee have held meetings on the 
second Monday of each month (except during the sum- 
mer), which have been well attended. 
During the "year we have admitted five new members, 
and have lost by death two of our most valuable and 
influential members. I refer to Commodore George H. 
Perkins, of Webster, and Postmaster Walter H. Stew- 
art, of Franklin, the latter being secretary of the Web- 
ster Lake Fish and Game League. 
We have received and distributed during the year fry, 
fiugerlings and yearlings as follows: 
May g — 20,000 brook trout fry from the New Hamp- 
shire fish hatchery at Plymouth, of which 10,000 were 
planted in Bog Brook, Bow; 5,000 in Dolfe Brook, Hop- 
kinton, and 5,000 in Ash Brook, Concord, 
May 20 — 20,000 lake trout fry from the New Hamp- 
shire hatchery at Bristol, which were planted in Pena- 
cook Lake, Concord. 
May 20—225 yearling brook trout from the_ United 
States fish hatchery at St. Johnsbury, Vt., of which 125 
were planted in Farrington Corner Brook, and 100 in 
White Rock Brook, Concord. 
Sept. 14 — 4,000 landlocked salmon yearlings from the 
United States fish hatchery at Green Lake, Me., were 
planted in Penacook Lake. 
NoA^ 7 — 300 white perch yearlings were purchased by 
the league and planted in Penacook Lake. 
The past season has been one of the best in years for 
brook trout in this vicinity^ and although the drought of 
the past fall has undoubtedly killed some in the smaller 
brooks, tlie commissioners have laid down an extra quan- 
tity of eggs this fall to restock the brooks and make up 
the loss. 
During the summer months partridges were very 
plenty, but when the open season came on, Sept. 15, they 
were scarce and very Avild. 
This scarcity, I think, is caused by the pot hunters, 
who catch them with snares and traps, and the market- 
hunter, who spends all his time in hunting them, and 
smuggling them into Boston markets. Several of these 
so-called sportsmen, more properly called exterminators 
of ganie, have been caught and convicted through the 
untiring efforts of our efficient commissioner, Mr. Went- 
worth, of Hudson Center. , It is impossible to stop it 
entirely. 
The sportsmen of Massachusetts are making a great 
effort to stop the sale of game in markets, which is killed 
in that State. 
Then why do not we, as sportsmen of a sister State, try 
and stop the sale of game in our markets? 
Our law now forbids it being sent out of the State, 
and if these men who shoot and snare for the markets 
now do not have an easy market for their game they 
will, I think, find other employment. 
Deer are quite plentj-- around Concord and in the ad- 
joining towns, and with the exception of one or two 
laeing killed, are not molested. I find farmers in general 
are much pleased with seeing them around their farms, 
and in talking with one a few daj'S ago, who took pains 
to call and tell me there were three near his place, he 
said that rather than have one of them killed he would 
substitute a cow. 
Quail have been seen in flocks of ten to thirty within 
a few miles of this city, and some sportsmen have shown 
their true sportsmanship by not molesting them when 
they have seen them. It is proven that they will live 
in our climate, and in a few years, with buyirig a few 
dozen each 3'ear, we should have good shooting. 
The Mongolian pheasants which have been liberated 
by the league are reported to be multiplying in certain 
localities around here. Several flocks have been seen by 
local gunners this fall, which should encourage us to put 
out a few pairs each year. 
I wish to extend my thanks to the president and exec- 
utive committee for their kindly co-operation at all times. 
Respectfully submitted. 
Cha.s. B. ClarkEj Secretary. 
The treasurer. Moses Ladd, presented his report, which 
showed the league in a fair condition financially. This 
report, also, was adopted and ordered placed on file. 
Numerous remarks were made relative to the best lo- 
cations in the county for the further planting of fry. This 
subject brought out considerable discussion of a nature 
which will undoubtedly be beneficial to the work of the 
league. . . ...^ ^ ...,.4...,;^. 
'[Dec, 16, 1899. 
President Battles expressed a desire that game birds 
should also be considered, as there were hunters as well 
as fishermen in Merrimack County. He asked that the 
executive committee be authorized to purchase, if they 
saw fit, $25 worth of Western quail to be liberated next 
spring. On motion of Capt. Newhall the committee was 
so instructed. 
A committee of three was appointed by the chair to 
select a list of officers to be voted for to serve during the 
ensuing year. The committee made the following re- 
port, and these officers were elected by a imanimous vote: 
President, D. B. Newhall, Concord. Vice-Presidents, 
John M. Hill, Jacob H. Gallinger, Henry McFarland, 
Concord; W. H. Thompson, Pembroke; Samuel N. 
Brown, Penacook, Secretary, Chas. B. Clarke, Concord. 
Treasurer. Moses Ladd, Concord. Executive Commit- 
tee, Harley B. Roby, Frank S. Moulton, Frank Battles, 
William Horner, J. H. Morris. H. E. Conant, Dr. G. H. 
Parker, Ira C. Evans. Dr. I. A. Watson, Chas. P. Web- 
ster, A. B. Cross, S. S. Ford, John P. George, Concord; 
R. D. Morse, David Dudley, Penacook. ^ 
The subject of a banquet was brought up and the exec- 
utive committee was instructed by a vote of the league 
to make arrangements for a banquet in the near future. 
It is intended that this event ^hall take place before the 
close of the game season, and that the tables shall be 
bountifully provided with the appetizing fruits of the 
chase, as well as the delicacies of the culinary art. 
Harley B. Roby was given a vote of thinks for the 
use of his office by the executive committee during the 
year past, as were also the retiring officers for their 
painstaking and efficient services during the period of 
their incumbency. 
The Trout of Mountain Streams* 
Is there anything in existence more charming, more 
beautiful, inore replete with the harmonies of woodland, 
than the splashing, gurgling, joyous, swiftly flowing brook, 
its waters ever redolent with the chill of snow-clad hills, 
ever sparkling in its cold clear purity? Now its course 
dashes over rocks, that break into frosting foam the 
wealth of never ceasing waters. Again it spreads itself 
into a soft flowing stream, as it twines in serpentine coils 
through meadows. Then, bending bush growth bedecks 
its borders. Onward, ever onward it rushes, until lake 
or ocean welcomes its coming. Here is indeed the fitting 
nursery for the development of that rainbow spotted, rest- 
less, clever young life we know and love to call the trout. 
Even the tiny specimens that scarce seem as large as the 
line, show the characteristics of the race. Their birth- 
days alone mark increase in weight, agility and keenness. 
Erratic in every mood are these fish, from the birth to 
the death. No man has learned, none will ever know, how 
to account for their various tendencies, which overthrow 
all reasonable theories, or manage to put together a inenu 
card that will always excite their appetite. Generations 
of lovers of the sport come and go, and yet the question 
never is settled, and for this very reason will these illu- 
sive specimen of the finny tribe, always remain a joy to the 
true sportsman. Much has been written, much more will 
be written, by able admirers, and yet the humble attempt 
of the individual may be excused, when zeal of admiration 
is the incentive. 
Many and varied have been the means and devices em- 
ployed in the capture of these royal beauties. In laoyhood, 
when financial embarrassment was a ruling factor, a 
common hook and line, a pole cut from the young tree, 
and a large worm were enough to give joy to lads who 
even then became skilled in finding out the shady places, 
the deep pools and other cunning hiding spots; or with 
the shortened line could crawl near to a narrowing brook 
and carefully, softly drop the bait, and one would quickly 
be taken before the biter realized it was not a simple 
dainty morsel, and so became a captive. While perhaps 
the charm, the freedom and enthusiasm of this procedure 
never lose their fascination, yet as one grows older, with a 
keener wish for more arttistic skiii, the interest; is 
heightened by more delicate methods. In early spring- 
time, alluring artificial little flies are not the tempters 
that later in balmier air they become; and productive of 
better results is the small line bait, a worm and a single 
hook, or at times, a worm caught up by a set of three of 
the smallest hooks, on one gut, at intervals from each 
other, giving the worm an appearance as if he were 
crawling through the water, and good sport in the taking 
of a fish, as only one of the small hooks can hold him. 
As a rule, a cast ahead is made, as the stream is waded. 
How almost unconsciously is picked out what appears to 
be favorable resting localities. How careful one becomes 
in the approaching, how careful not to disturb and to be 
sure to be well hidden, for no fish swims that can so 
readily and easily be startled into sudden flight as the 
trout, quietly lying in the deeper 'water where the shadow 
of the rock gives protection, or where tall grasses sway a 
feeling of security about him. Casting is done so that the 
bait drops without any noise into the right spot, whether 
the wading be up or down stream. Many people have 
decided views about this matter, but in reality the ex- 
treme care used is the important factor. In quick, splash- 
ing streams where at the foot of a hillside run the stream 
quiets in intensity, flies can be cast, into the seething froth 
itself, and receive marked attention, even if the fisherman 
stands on some stone that gives a sure foundation. An- 
other time, without being seen, the flies must be gently 
fluttered into a pool, where all will be taken well and the 
creel soon filled. A recollection of earher days be- 
comes vivid at this moment, where a shelf of jutting rock, 
deep in the water, gave a footing, a rest for my back, 
against the broad boulder, as I stood immersed to the hips 
in water, that to-day would be my death from its cold- 
ness. I snapped out side casts, until my basket could not 
contain another one of the little fighters. ^ 
In a stream not broadly stretched in its width it is 
better to use but one small fly, waxing the wings so it 
will remain on the surface : and often a sudden dash 
means the striking of a large fish, one requiring patience 
and skill before a landing is accomplished. One always 
finds that each and every trout born in these tumbling, 
chilling waters is full of fight to the last, and often they 
outwit all endeavors in the attempt to capture, In the 
broadening stream that, strengthened by additional sup- 
plies, grows proudly into something more like a river, 
where from the bsinjcs fishing cannot readily be done, the 
