and asked him if he had any trouble about the wild trout being brought into the market. He said they had no trouble, and that trout are allowed in Utah to be put on the market the year around. The fish are not tagged but there are satisfactory provisions to take care of them.

I joined this association some years ago when it was not the power that it is today-this association is now a power in the United States-and a resolution from the Society will carry weight. I ask that the resolution be passed, for it will have weight with the fish and game commissioners of our states. I think the commercial trout men deserve to have the resolution passed.

PRESIDENT: We have a law of that nature in Michigan and it works very well. In fact it is in one way a measure of protection and for this reason: those who are in the business of raising trout cannot stand the competition of wild trout going on the market. A man who is raising trout cannot do so profitably unless he can get at least 50 cents a pound for them. Now, if wild trout are put on the market to any extent, the supply would soon exceed the demand and the trout grower would be put out of business. Any man that raises trout in private ponds is permitted to sell the year round under certain restrictions and so far as we know at the present time the privilege is not abused.

MR. MEEHAN: We have a law in our state that has worked well, and it has encouraged hatcheries of the kind that have been directly beneficial to the state at large. I believe such establishments are of benefit, and I believe it is within the province of this Society to encourage them, if they are properly regulated. If anyone would like to have the law of Pennsylvania on this subject, I will be glad to send it to him. The hatcheries are under strict supervision, and there has been very little trouble in enforcing the law.

DR. TOWNSEND: I just want to submit a word of information on this point which came to me yesterday. I was talking to Mr. Hazard, of Carolina, R. I., President of the American Fish Culture Company, and he said that

during the present year his fish hatcheries had put on the New York market over 30 tons of trout running about three to the pound. This is an important matter which is now under discussion.

MR. E. W. COBB, St. Paul, Minn.: There is one point that has not been touched on. Many commercial fish culturists have to get their fry into the ponds in February, and if they cannot market their fish in the winter they will be at a disadvantage. That will make a difference in the supply of commercial trout eggs. I do not know whether you can exactly call that a matter of protection, but it has given us our supply for the public streams, as the fish we have in the public hatcheries are principally from commercial trout eggs.

MR. HURLBUT: I think Mr. Cobb makes a mistake in that altogether. If we can have a market the year around we make preparations accordingly. Last year we put trout into the Boston market except for six weeks. This year we have overcome that difficulty and preparations have been made to put them in every week, because the people want them. We do not sell our female trout when the eggs are worth as much as the trout. You need not think the commercial man that gets his living out of his business will spoil his business by throwing away the eggs. I do not think any of us would do that. But it is a fact with us as commercial men that we have three females to every male in our ponds. That will be a fair average. If a man is careful and has his ponds adapted to it, and makes his preparations as in any other business, he will get along all right. As a matter of fact I can tell in advance our output in a year as well as in any business you can find. We have it down to that; and as I say, we make preparations. Of course unforeseen accidents may happen; but barring them, we put trout into the Boston market every week through the year. At my little place alone this open market makes a difference of from $500 to $1,000 a year.

I am talking to you from experience. Mr. Titcomb knows

my place; Mr. Bower and some of these gentlemen are acquainted with me and know what I have to work from; and if it is worth what I say to that small hatchery consider the advantages to everybody of an open market in New York, that will not require us to put trout in here against the law. The New York market is probably the largest market in the world for trout, but Boston is a good second.

MR. FULLERTON: We have a law in Minnesota allowing private hatcheries to market trout, but we have also a law, which has been upheld by the Supreme Court of our state, that the ownership of all game and fish is in the people, and that puts the burden on the man that has the trout. If we suspect a man he must show where the fish came from. I do not think Mr. Evans need be afraid in Ontario, if the burden is put on the other fellow. I believe this law is good and that the resolution should pass.

MR. LYDELL: I would like to ask some of the trout culturists what they would have to get per thousand for their eggs to make a living, provided they were not allowed to sell their trout; also if they were not allowed to sell their trout would the different state commissions or the United States Commission be able to get any trout eggs from them. Would it not be a fact that, if they were not allowed to sell trout, they would all discontinue operations, and thus put two-thirds of the fish commissions out of business as far as trout hatcheries are concerned?

MR. FOLLETT: That is a good point. My sympathies are with the private trout growers, and we all would like to offer them any assistance we can within reason.

The resolution was then unanimously carried.

PRESIDENT: The Secretary will now announce the next

paper.

ACTING SECRETARY: Dr. Bashford Dean, of Columbia University, New York City, will read an announcement of Dr. Nishikawa's success in causing the pearl oyster to secrete perfect and spherical pearls.

The paper was read and discussed.

A recess was then taken until 1.15 o'clock p.m., at which time the meeting was called to order by the President.

PRESIDENT: The first paper this afternoon will be "Reminiscences of Forty-one Years' Work in Fish Culture," by James Nevin, Superintendent Wisconsin Fish Commission, Madison, Wis.

Mr. Nevin then read his paper, which was discussed.

PRESIDENT: Anyone who has had an experience of forty-one years in fish culture can certainly lay claim to be one of the earliest pioneers. There is, however, a gentleman present whose experience antedates that even of Mr. Nevin. He has the distinction of being one of the first ten men in the United States, of whom only three or four are still living, who hatched fish by what is known as artificial propagation. For a great many years he has been very active in the affairs of this Society, one of its standbys and mainstays, and for more than thirty years he has been one of the most commanding and conspicuous figures in fish culture in the United States. I have the honor of introducing him in the person of Mr. Frank N. Clark, of Northville, Mich. (Applause.)

Mr. Clark then gave some extemporaneous "Personal Fish-Cultural Reminiscences," which will be found in proper order in the second part of the Transactions.

REMINISCENCES OF SETH GREEN

PRESIDENT: We have a number of communications here along this line from old-time members. Some of these letters are quite lengthy. I do not know whether you want them read or not. Here is one from Chester K. Green, son of the famous Seth Green. Will you have it read or read by title?

MR. MEEHAN: I think it would be well to read it, being from the son of one of the pioneers of fish culture.

The Acting Secretary then read the following letter: