State Convention—F isn of Wisconsin. 
335 
duce as much food as an equal amount of good land ; and superior 
kinds of fish can be selected and a given number produced, just 
as you raise domestic animals ; for fish are remarkably susceptible 
of domestication. 
The natural supply of fish diminishes just in proportion as the 
country becomes settled. Insects, on the other hand, increase just 
in proportion to the cultivation of the soil. The Colorado potato 
beetle will illustrate this proposition. Until a few years ago 
but few entomologists had ever seen this beetle, and were not able 
to procure specimens for their cabinets. I collected insects in 
Wisconsin eighteen years before I saw a specimen of the Chryso- 
mela 10 lineata. Would that that those years might again 
return. 
If an invading army were to overrun the state and trample 
down and destroy crops and fruits to the same extent that the 
hosts of insects do every year, every man would fly to the rescue 
and the invading foe would be exterminated. Is it not strange 
how quietly we look on, with folded arms and see the work go 
on that will cost the producers millions of dollars? Wisconsin 
should have an entomologist to study the nature of the insects 
and the best mode for their extermination, and a fish commission 
to see that our beautiful waters are stocked with the best varie¬ 
ties of fish. 
/* 
Secretary Field asked whether, in his opinion, the inland lakes 
of Wisconsin could be successfully stocked with the salmon trout 
and other choice varieties of fish. 
Dr. Hoy said that he believed it to be entirely practical. 
Secretary Field said, will not the fresh water shark—the pickerel 
—destroy them in such numbers that their successful propagation 
would be impossible? 
Dr. noy said that many would be eaten by this rapacious pick¬ 
erel, but that a large supply could nevertheless be obtained, and 
this difficulty overcome. 
