PEOPAGATION OP STURGEON IN GERMANY. 
85 
REPORTS OF OPERATIONS DURING 1886 . 
[From Circular No. 4, 1886, of the German Fishery Association, Berlin, September 28, 1886.] 
We are pleased, to state that good news has been received relative to the artificial 
propagation of the sturgeon, and that the experiments made in Schleswig-Holstein 
have proved successful, 
“How long do the young sturgeon which have been artificially hatched remain in 
the mouths of our rivers “! ” and “After how many years do these fish return from the 
sea to the nets of our fishermen "? ” These are important questions, and letters respect- 
ing that subject were addressed to Mr. von Stemaun and to Dr. Pancritius. The 
answer received from the latter gentleman is given below, Mr. von Stemanu replied 
to our jocular request to obtain for us, in 1887, 10,000,000 young sturgeon, as follows: 
“ This year has greatly encouraged us, and we shall surely reach the desired 10,000,000 
young sturgeon in 1887.” He continues: “As far as could be observed during the ex- 
periments in sturgeon culture made in 1879 at Fraueu-Beidenfleth, the young sturgeon 
remain in the mouths of the rivers. During the years 1883 and 1883 many sturgeon 
measuring half a meter in length were observed and caught in the lower part of the 
river Stbr, this being accounted for by the hatching work of 1879.” An old Gliickstadt 
sturgeon fisherman has said regarding this year’s hatching, “ We ought to have known 
this fifty years ago and we would now have plenty of sturgeon. But if people want 
to reap all the time without ever sowing, evil results must follow.” 
We are very glad to see that the Schleswig-Holstein fishermen, who for a long 
time have been our faithful followers and co- workers in the matter of salmon culture, 
have now also become enthusiastic in the cause of sturgeon culture. With respect to 
what is being done with reference to this species we feel that it is our first duty to 
use the money intrusted to us in increasing the supply of .standard food products. 
We give below the preliminary report of sturgeon culture made by the Central 
Fishery Association of Schleswig-Holstein and the letter of Dr. Pancritius. 
PRELIMIXART REPORT ON STURGEON HATCHING IN 1886. 
The many failures which followed the extensive experiments made in 1883, ’84, 
and ’85 to obtain, impregnate, and hatch sturgeon eggs in the Elbe and Eider had led 
us to discuss the question as to whether it was advisable to spend any more time and 
money on sturgeon culture. The strong encouragement and aid given us by the Ger- 
man Fishery Association overcame our scruples, however, and in the month of May, 
1886, extensive and careful preparations were made for beginning a new series of 
experiments. Hatching apparatus was distributed, the fishermen were properly 
instructed, and we placed ourselves in direct relations with the sturgeon fishermen 
and dealers. 
Many willing hands worked with us in this deserving cause, and in future special 
reports we intend to acknowledge our indebtedness to each of our co-workers without 
whose services it would have been impossible to obtain such favorable results. 
On July 5 the first mature spawning sturgeon was brought to Gllickstadt. A 
milter was in readiness, the eggs were successfully fertilized at once, and July 8 fully 
200,000 young sturgeon were placed in the Elbe. July 15 another lot of eggs were 
fertilized, from which 50,000 embryos were obtained. 
