4 i2 Wisconsin state agricultural society . 
priation, divided among the number of pounds taken, would not 
be anything like one cent per pound on the annual catch. 
“One hundred millions of fish” has a rather large sound, and 
is, in fact, a very large number of fish. But the white-fish yields 
about ten thousand eggs to the pound of fish, and one hundred 
millions could be easily obtained. No trouble would be found in 
obtaining more if necessary, but the difficulty in the operation 
would be this: In order to obtain and take proper care of so 
many eggs skilled labor must be employed, and very few skillful 
workmen in this branch of art could now be found. The limited 
operations of the various states which have engaged in the enter¬ 
prise of restocking their waters, and the numbers of private 
breeding-establishments, have added somewhat to the number of 
skilled laborers; but all such are in great demand, and men 
would have to be trained especially for the work. 
The white-fish spawn generally about the month of November. 
Naturally they cast their eggs in from 5 to 20 feet of water, over 
springs, if they can find them; or, if not, near the shore, on 
gravelly bottom. The female, when ready to spawn, may be seen 
swimming round with a half dozen males in close pursuit. When 
she is about to cast her eggs one of the males darts to her 
side; they press against each other, and the eggs and milt are 
emitted simultaneously. This may take place near the surface of 
the water or lower down ; but, wherever they may be, as soon as 
the eggs are thus spread broadcast, all the fish in the neighborhood 
start for them and eat up all they can find, while the parents 
themselves are not backward about taking their fair proportion. 
Only a few out of every thousand escape being eaten. I have 
found three thousand eggs in the stomach of one fish. Of those 
which remain, bv far the largest part are covered up by sediment, 
or fall into places where there is no change of water, and never 
produce fish. 
The method of artificial impregnation and hatching pursued 
with the white-fish eggs is very much like that in use for the eggs 
of the brook-trout. So many are taken at one time and in one 
pan that, as a measure of precaution, the pan is gently shaken at 
frequent intervals, in order to secure contact of the milt with all 
the eggs. This motion prevents the adhesion to the pan and to 
