132 
FOREST AND STREAM. 
tFEB. IS, 1902. 
it be in winter or summer, it is not difficult to predict the 
result. It is quite impossible with any means now at 
command to keep up the supply of fish in such small areas 
of water, if unrestricted fishing is permitted; consequent- 
ly, waters which might annually yield large quantities of 
fish, if the supply is reasonably conserved, become more 
or less barren, especially so far as the most desirable 
species of fish are concerned. 
It is the present policy of the Commission to add to 
the resources of closed ponds by stocking them each year, 
if possible, while they are closed, but this can effect no 
permanent good, if no limit can subsequently be put on 
fishing, for if such efforts result in filling ponds with fish, 
and that fact is known, as it is sure to be, the rush to 
catch as many as possible at the termination of the closed 
period will soon result in depletion, and thus the best in- 
tentions of the State will be defeated. 
Examination of Poods. 
The importance of bbtaining a few leading facts con- 
cerning the great ponds of the State will be apparent to all. 
Without such data it is impracticable to act intelligently 
in regard to stocking our inland waters. As is well 
known, fish, being cold-blooded animals, are dependent 
for comfort and even existence upon the temperature of 
the water in which they are placed. Certain species re- 
quire a low and nearly uniform temperature, and it would 
be a manifest error to put such into a pond having only 
comparatively warm water, in which it would be impos- 
sible for the fish to thrive or even to live. It is, there- 
fore, evident that the best-intentioned efforts may be de- 
feated, and public money may be expended to no purpose, 
if there is notSn the possession of the Commission knowl- 
edge of conditions which will make possible approximately 
correct conclusions regarding the proper action to take' 
in stocking a pond. It is one thing to stock a pond with- 
out any basis for estimating the result, which is for lack 
of knowledge fully as liable to prove a failure as anything 
else; and it is quite another matter to stock it with full 
information of its leading characteristics, and thus have 
reasonable assurance of success. It is unquestionably 
important to do whatever seems feasible to insure the 
increase of fish in our inland waters, and nothing, perhaps, 
can more surely lead to this than a knowledge of the 
conditions in our ponds and lakes which may influence the 
stocking of them. 
With this end in view, every opportunity has been im- 
proved by the chairman to continue the examination of 
ponds, and thus to supplement the work in this direction 
which was begun last year. 
Nineteen ponds were examined as to temperature, 
depths, bottom, etc., and seven other ponds were visited; 
but it was not practicable to make a complete examination 
of the latter, because boats were not available. In a 
majority of these cases, however, sufficient know ledge was 
obtained to serve the purpose of the Commission, so far 
as stocking the ponds is concerned; for most if not all of 
those visited and not fully examined are shallow, with 
water of relatively high temperature. 
Fishways. 
Much effort has been put forth in the examination of 
fishways built, rebuilt or repaired, under orders issued last 
year, and also in examining dams or other sites for new 
fishwavs. In many instances the chairman and superin- 
tendent of hatcheries have visited fishways or sites to- 
gether, and in other cases the examination has been made 
by one of them. 
Prevention -of Stream Pollution. 
The effort to enforce the law (Chapter 129, Acts of 
1890) for the prevention of stream pollution, which re- 
sults from the unrestricted discharge of sawdust into 
trout streams, has been- continued. In pursuance of this 
work, many mills and streams have been personally visited 
by the chairman. Among these were a number of mills 
the owners of which had been notified last year, but. as a 
result of a hearing held by the Commission, the enforce- 
ment of the orders was temporarily suspended until it 
was practicable for the chairman to visit the mills. The 
examination made indicated the desirability of prohibit- 
ing the discharge of sawdust from these particular mills, 
with one exception, and new orders were issued accord- 
ingly. One mill in the vicinity which had previously not 
received any attention was also examined, but its loca- 
tion and environment did not warrant any action, since 
the little stream it was located on was not a trout brook, 
and emptied into a pond about a quarter of a mile or less 
from the mill. 
Orders have been issued this year to twenty-four mill 
owners, and similar orders were issued last year to fifteen 
owners. Inasmuch as seme individuals or firms own 
more than one mill, the mills thus affected somewhat 
exceed in number the orders issued. Thus, in the period 
covered by this report the orders sent out applied to 
twenty-six mills at least, and forty-one mills have been 
stopped from discharging sawdust into streams in 1900 
and 1901. 
Naturally there is more or less objection to the enforce- 
ment of this sawdust law, and it may not be wondered at 
that mill owners, who at best find their business not any 
too remunerative, cannot see that the maintenance or in- 
crease of trout in a brook is of sufficient consequence 
to warrant any action on the part of the State which may 
interfere with privileges that have been long enjoyed, and 
thus to cause them some trouble and expense. As a rule, 
the claim is made that there are no trout in the brooks, or 
at least not sufficient to justify any limitation or prohibi- 
tion of the discharge of sawdust; and occasionally the 
argument is advanced that the emptying of large quan- 
tities of sawdust into streams is most beneficial to trout, 
which thrive and grow more abundant because of it. It 
; s scarcely necessary to seriously consider the last-men- 
tioned claim. As to the other assertion, a single instance 
may properly be cited. 
Last year the statement was made that a cer- 
tain brook in the northern central part of the 
State, upon the bank of which a sawmill was lo- 
cated, was of little or no- practical value as a trout stream. 
From observations made by the writer a different con- 
clusion was reached, and orders were sent to the mill 
owner to take such means as were necessary to keep his 
sawdust out of the brook. It is believed that the order 
was faithfully observed. Early in last July two well- 
known anglers from a neighboring town caught in a. short 
time one day thirty-three brook trout, which ranged in 
size from nine inches to a weight of one and one-half 
pounds. Both of these men had fished the streams of 
Maine and New Hampshire, and one of them, who recited 
the above facts to the writer, declared neither of them had 
previously taken such fine strings of brook trout. It is 
quite within the possibilities that it would not have been 
practicable to secure such results the year previous, not 
far below the mill, and it is equally possible that con- 
siderable improvement to fish life may have resulted even 
in one year from keeping the stream free from pollution. 
The Salt Water League* 
New York, Feb. 9. — Editor Forest and Stream: I 
send herewith Assembly Bill 604. This bill was drawn 
on suggestions offered by netters, and it stands for the 
indorsement of anglers, net fishermen, bait and tackle 
dealers, boatmen, hand and line fishermen, railroads, hotel • 
keepers and those interested in any way in fishing. It 
gives all a fair show. It has been introduced in the Legis- 
lature by the Hon. Win. S. Bennet, and I hope every man 
interested will write to his Senator and Assemblyman, and 
also to the Fish and Game Committee at Albany, N. Y., 
indorsement the proposed measure. The bill reads: 
Sec. 77.— Nets in the tide waters of New York city and vicinity: 
Nets, other than nets used especially for catching lobsters, crabs, 
catching of eels by the use of eel pots; or the capture of minnows, 
killies, spearing, or shrimp, for bait by means of hand nets, shall 
not be used from Friday noon until Monday noon of each and 
every week. 
Nets used especially for catching lobsters, crabs, catching of 
eels by the use of eel pots; or the capture of minnows, killies, 
spearing, or shrimp, for bait by means of hand nets, shall not 
exceed thirty feet in length and four feet in depth. Pound and 
fyke nets shall not be used at any time, in the Atlantic Ocean, 
within the jurisdiction of the present city of New York, to three 
miles^ east and southeast of the boundary line of the present city 
of New York; nor in New York Bay, nor in the Hudson River 
to three miles north of the boundary line of the present city of 
New York, nor in the Harlem River, nor in the East River or 
Long Island Sound from Hell Gate to three miles east and north- 
east of the boundary line of the present city of New York. Nets 
other than nets used especially for catching lobsters, crabs, catch- 
ing of eels by the use of eel pots; or the capture of minnows, 
killies, spearing, or shrimp for bait by means of hand nets, shall 
not be used at any time in all adjacent bays, creeks, inlets, 
channels, narrows, kills, or confluent brooks within said limits, 
angling shall always be lawful. 
This bill speaks for itself, and there is no good reason 
why it should not become law at once. It took some time 
to get on the right tack, and at last here it is. Up-the- 
State legislators should help pass this measure at once ; 
for ask any of the Hudson River net men about the 
bill, and I predict they are all in favor of it, and why not? 
They have everything to gain and nothing to lose. The 
fact is. and I know it to be true, that that is just the kind 
of a bill that is wanted, and they might want to extend 
the Hudson River clause. Of course this measure relates 
only to within the three-mile limit outside of the present 
city of New York. If this bill becomes law, I am sure 
nothing more will be wanted, as it covers all that was 
wanted on both the netters' and anglers' sides, and it will 
be the most perfect law on the game statutes. I hope all 
interested in fishing, especially associations, will lend a 
helping hand, as I am sure the Hudson River Netters' As- 
sociation will surely do its share in having it passed. It 
is the duty of all interested to do a little now toward : 
having it passed at once. Here is your chance. Do not 
shirk your duty ; you must be up and doing at once. 
Here we have a measure that was wanted for a long 
time, and I sincerely hope the Committee of Fisheries 
and Game will give it due consideration ; and justice to all 
will be done when their part is done by reporting it favor- 
ably to the Legislature. I assure them that many thous- 
ands of citizens will praise them for the part they have 
taken. 
The Jersey legislation will be almost upon the same 
lines as ours, and it is in good hands on that side of 
the river. At our next meeting of the League their dele- 
gates will be on hand to report. All who can come are 
most respectfully invited to attend. Do not forget the 
date, Feb. 19 at 106 West Thirty-first street. New York 
city, at 8 P. M. 
Following is a copy of a note being sent out by our 
president to members of the League: 
To Members of the League: 
The aims and objects of our organization having become so 
widely known, and the scope of our efforts so far reaching, I am 
more than pleased to inform you that the applications for member- 
ship have reached such proportions that efforts are making toward 
securing our own permanent meeting house. 
The aggressive advantages to be gained by such results are evi- 
dent to you. The social benefits to be derived by such a realiza- 
tion are limitless. The open door of welcome. The pleasant re- 
union of old friends. The reminiscences of days of sport and the 
attractiveness of such a home for all lovers of angling would with- 
out question add to the popularity of our League and* help fill 
our coffers. 
As this subject, as well as other questions of interest, will be 
brought before you for your consideration, I ask you kindly to 
give us your attendance at our next regular meeting, which will 
be held at Wall's Hall, 106 W. Thirty-first street. Wednesday, Feb. 
19, 1902, at 8 o'clock P. M. I respectfully ask that you forego all 
other social engagements for that evening, and come and see your 
old friends again and witness the zeal and energy of the officers 
and your friends in harness. I can assure you the evening will be 
well spent. 
Trusting that you will not be counted among the absentees, and 
that I may be accorded a renewal of your acquaintance and friend- 
ship, I remain, yours most respectfully, 
Al. Baywood. 
Let us hope that this appeal of our president has not 
been in vain. It will be the most important meeting in 
the history of the Protective League of Salt Water Fisher- 
men, now that the olive branch, which has been ex- 
tended, is about to be accepted by those who were killing 
the goose that lays the golden egg. 
T. BlEDINGER. 
Designing Competition. 
In view of the continued and increasing interest ill 
yachting, a designing competition will be opened in th« 
columns of Forest and Stream. In America the yacht, 
ing season is comparatively a short one, and such a com-; 
petition as has been determined upon will serve to stimu- 
late the interest in the subject during the winter months 
The competition is open to both amateur and professional 
designers. Three prizes will be given for the best del 
signs of a yacht conforming to the following conditions : 
I. A pole mast sloop. 
II. 25ft. load waterline 
III. Not over 4ft. draft (with centerboard hoisted) . 
IV. At least 50 per cent, of ballast outside on keel. 
V. 5ft. headroom under cabin carlins. 
All abnormal features must be studiously avoided ill 
the design ; and the construction, sail and cabin plan; 
should be of the simplest character. It was our idea ir 
laying out the conditions of the competition to make then 
simple as possible, so as not to hamper in any waj 
the designer, and yet convey to all that we wished tc 
produce a safe, comfortable cruiser on which two oil 
three amateurs could live with comfort for a period olj 
two or three months and cruise along our eastern sea-! 
board from New York to Halifax with safety. A center- 
board boat of moderate draft was decided upon, as sc, 
many more harbors would be accessible to a boat of that! 
type. 
DRAWINGS REQUIRED. 
I. Sheer plan, scale iin. = ift. — showing center oi 
buoyancy and lateral resistance. 
II. Half breadth, scale iin. = ift. 
III. Body plan, scale iin = ift. 
IV. Cabin plan, scale iin. = ift. 
V. Sail plan, %\n. = ift., showing center of effort 
The sails should consist of a jib, mainsail, spin- 
naker and balloon jib. No topsail will be carried; 
A table of offsets and an outline specification must 
accompany each design. The drawings should be care-* 
fully drawn and .lettered. All drawings should be made 
on white paper or tracing cloth in black ink (no colored' 
inks or pigments should be used). The designs must 
bear a nom-de-plume only and no indication must be' 
given of the author. In a sealed envelope, however, the 
designer should inclose his own rtamr and address, to- 
gether with his nom-de-plume. All designs must be re- 
ceived at the office of the Forest and Stream Publishing 
Company, 346 Broadway, New York City, not later thar 
Feb. 28, 1902. All drawings will be returned, but postage 
should accompany each. 
The Forest and Stream reserves the right to publish 
any or all the designs. 
The prizes offered are as follows: 1st prize, $25.00; 
2d prize, $15.00; 3d prize, $10.00. Mr. Theodore C. Zerega 
offers an additional prize of $10.00 for the best cabin plan; 
Honorable . mention will also be made of meritorious 
designs. 
Mr. Clinton H. Crane, of the firm of Messrs. Tams. 
jLemoine & Crane, has kindly consented to judge the] 
designs and make the awards. Mr. Crane's professional 
standing is so high that he needs" no introduction, and 
every confidence will be put in his ability and fairness. 
"What d'yer call de dog?" 
" 'E used to be called Gerald, but Vs 'ad so many fits 
that now I calls 'im Fitz Gerald." — Ally Sloper. 
All communications intended for Forest and Stream should 
always be addressed to the Forest and Stream Publishing Co,, and 
not to any individual connected with the paper. 
The competition for a 25ft. waterline cruising sloop, thel 
announcement of which has appeared in our columns foi 
some weeks past, is now drawing to a close. Feb. 28 being 
the day fixed when all drawings must be in our hands, m 
order to acquaint those who have not already become in 
terested in this matter, we will again say that the object 
of the competition is to educate amateurs as well as pro 
fcssionals in the science of yacht designing, and to give 
them an unusual opportunity of securing a criticism or 
their own work by one of the best known naval architect? 
in the country, Mr. Clinton H. Crane. There are many 
amateurs who are more or less interested in the mysteries 
of yacht designing, and many of them have turned out 
creditable productions, but without the assistance of some 
capable instructor their work is often along unscientific! 
lines, and they do not make progress because they do no' 
get proper advice on important points. The yachtsmar 
who has a knowledge of the designing, construction and 
rigging of boats is greatly benefited in the sailing and 
handling of them, and it goes without saying that a grasf 
of the fundamental principles of boat designing helps the; 
amateur designer to work intelligently. Amateurs whe 
have given the subject of the designing and rigging ol 
yachts careful study have occasionally worked out some 1 
valuable improvements to which the naval architects have 
given consideration and sometimes adopted. There are 1 
many men interested in this subject who live in place; 
of small size and who are out of reach of good libraries 
and who have no good examples from which to work, an 
it is through the medium of the yachting journals that 
these men can keep posted with what is going on in the; 
yachting world. In this way the yachting papers becomi 
something of a public benefactor. The designs publishec 
in them are from the hands of the ablest men, and ir! 
almost every instance the boat built from them turnec 
out to be successful, whether as a racing, or a cruisinj 
craft. A number of our naval architects located in th 
Eastern cities have received orders from men in the mpsi 
remote parts of the world for designs of yachts, and ir 
many instances the order can be traced to one of the 
yachting papers in which the yachtsman has seen a desigr 
that met his requirements. With the large number oji 
excellent designs that have been published in recent year!) 
and the valuable amount of data to be had, there is nc 
reason why the drawings sent in should not be of a high 
order. We have had many letters from possible com 
petitors, and the success of our plan is already assured' 
The conditions governing the competition should be close, 
ly adhered to. as those who do not conform to the rule; 
will be barred from receiving a prize. It is not well tc 
wait until the last moment before sending in drawings, a 1 , 
the postal service is not over good, and express is mud 
safer, as packages are subject to considerable delay. 
All drawings should be at this office on the day men 
tioned above. The number of competitors in this compej 
s 
