12 
For a number of years various states have tried to increase the 
bird product through the medium of game farms, where it was hoped 
birds could be bred in large quantities and distributed over the State. 
Wherever this method has been tried it has been found to be very expen- 
sive without being effective. Illinois tried the game farm plan, and 
while as good results were had as in any other state, it was found the 
results did not warrant the cost. With less money than it costs to 
maintain a game farm, one hundred reservations may be maintained in 
different parts of the State; and the output from these reservations will 
exceed the product of a game farm. The plan originated and put in 
operation in Illiois is being copied by other states. The indications 
are at present that the Illinois system of bird reservations will come into 
general use throughout the country. 
teliable reports received from every county in the State indicate 
that there will be more game birds in Illinois this year than there have 
been for a number of years. We have been able to eet a reasonably good 
estimate of the condition of birds in the State because of our organiza- 
tion, which covers all parts of the State. Our deputy wardens are 
required to note from time to time the conditions of game in the terri- 
tory they cover, and to report conditions as they find them to the dis- 
trict warden, who in turn makes a report to the commission. In this 
way we get a reliable report from every county in the State. From 
these reports we find there has been a marked increase in quail in all 
those counties of the State where there is sufficient cover for these birds. 
The law regulating the killing of quail has been rigidly enforeed, with 
most gratifving results. 
The fisheries branch of the department has been materially de- 
veloped during the past year, although there is much work under con- 
templation that it is impossible to complete, owing to the small appro- 
priation made for this character of work. 
At Spring Grove there was built last fall a two acre rearing pond 
for black bass. This pond is so built that a good portion of it is 
shallow, furnishing an abundance of food for young fish. There is 
sufficient deep water for winter protection. 
The fry are put into this pond from the large breeding pond soon 
after they are hatched, and part of them are taken out in the fall when 
they are large fingerlings. The rest are for distribution in the spring 
as yearlings. 
For the most part artificially hatched fish of all kinds are distributed 
in the fry stage. This’ is unsatisfactory as a very large proportion of 
these are either destroved by other fish or die from natural causes before 
they adjust themselves to their new surroundings. Fingerlings above 
three months old are better able to take care of themselves when they 
are placed in water new to ee Better still for distribution are 
yearling fish. At that age bass, for example, are quite independent and 
are able to dodge their enemies. 
These facts are well known to the fish culturists of the Federal 
Government and the various states. But they have not made provisions 
for taking care of fry until they are able to better care for themselves 
in strange waters. 
