26 
of fish, «iiul utilise waters, whether great or small, whicli are now 
idle. The Dutchman does this; and ho plants, so to S 2 )eak, his 
canals with fish, and when the fruit is ripe he turns it into money. 
Were it otherwise, why should we find so many Dutch jack, perch, 
tench, and eels in Billingsgate Market, all commanding considerable 
prices 1 
Whether, therefore, we look upon fish as an article of food, or as 
affording healthful sport at a cheap rate, it is nccessaiy that we should 
look to the cultivation of the waters. T had here intended to quote 
a letter from Mr. Edward Wilson upon “ utilising waters,” but I 
have not space for it. I do not wish to mutilate his admirable argu¬ 
ments. The best mode by wliich we can nmltiidy fish is by the 
artificial reproduction of them, a mode long jiractised by the Chinese, 
and of late in several parts of England. Many may bo inclined to 
laugh at the idea of hatching fish, but I beg to put forward an 
answer to them, which of all answers is the best—viz., that if pro¬ 
perly carried out “fish-hatching will pay.” Mr. Wilson tells us that 
“ the annual value of salmon alone to Scotland is no less than 
£800,000 per annum, and to Ireland £300,000. With j^roper care 
of tlie young fish there is no reiison why this large sum should not in 
time be doubled.” I have lately visited the salmon-hatching ponds 
at Stormonfield, near Perth, and was surprised at the facility with 
which this process is ciirricd out. This process is also going on at 
Lake Beaqjot, and other places in Canada. I have also an account 
of “ The French Piscicultnral establishment at Hiininge, near Basle,” 
by Mr. Thomas Asliworth, wliich is supplied by the water of the 
Rhine, and no less than five kinds of fish are principally ciiltiv'ated— 
viz., salmon, trout, ombre, chevalier, and Danube salmon. From this 
establishment the fish are sent all over France, and will in time pro¬ 
duce great national results. 
Wc have all of us heard of the attempts made to introduce salmon 
into Australia; within the last few months a sum of no less than 
£G00 has been sjient upon the object; it has unfortunately failed, but 
;Mr. Lloyd, the aquarium dealer, of Portlaiid-road, who has studied 
the subject of the transport of fish scientifically, says he is convinced 
that young salmon, if iiropcrly and scientifically watched during their 
long voyage, would arrive in safety. 
There arc many pemons living who can recollect salmon being 
caught in the river Thames, and not many days ago a siiawning fish 
was caught at Erith.- We hail the appearance of this fish with glee. 
If one comes, why not more? Why should we not assist nature, and 
hatch salmon artificially on the chance of restoring them to the 
Thames, though I myself, in common with several other persons, am 
