annual Report—fish Culture. 
33 
FISH CULTURE. 
In my l^st report, I briefly alluded to this subject, mentioning 
a few parties who had taken a lively interest in this new branch 
of industry, and more especially in the artificial propagation and 
rearing of the common brook trout. I am happy to state that the 
interest then manifested has largely increased the last year in the 
production of this delicious article of food, and that the results 
have been entirely satisfactory. There are now several prominent 
fish culturists in the state; prominent among whom are Alfred 
Palmer, of Boscobel; T. C. Douseman, of Waterville; and the 
Richardson Brothers, of Big Spring. Trout culture is, I believe, 
a specialty with these gentlemen, and success has crowned their 
efforts. 
In this connection I wish to call the attention of our legislators 
and citizens generally, to the importance of utilizing the pure 
spring waters of our state for the propagation of the luscious trout, 
and to the equally important fact that our numerous lakes and 
rivers should be planted with more valuable varieties than 
now occupy them, and thus increase and cheapen a very desirable 
and healthful article of food for our people. 
An important move has been made the last summer by the fish 
commissioners of several of the New England States, in conjunc¬ 
tion with the United States Fish Commissioner, with a view to 
the propagation of a fish known as the Land Locked Salmon. 
This fish is found in the larger streams of the state of Maine, and 
in several of the ponds or lakes of that state, and is said to be a 
distinct and specific race of salmon, averaging from 2 to 5 lbs. in 
weight, and possessing ail the rich, excellent and game like flavor 
of the salt water salmon, although their average weight is much 
less. These enterprising fish commissioners have fixed upon 
Sebec Lake in the state of Maine, where they propose to erect 
atching houses and commence the rearing of this land locked 
salmon. 
A few hundred, or at most a few thousand dollars wisely and 
judiciously expended by the state would no doubt transfer these 
young salmon, or other choice table varieties of fish to our large 
3 
