DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES,

36
industry of the country, whose certificates will be found inserted in this report—..all
indicate that fish culture as pursued in Canada is active, progressive and successful
to the limit which it has reached. Yet I am fully convinced the enterprise has
not yet become sufficiently expanded, nor is it placed upon such a broad and satisfac
tory basis, as its importance demands, or it is destined to perform in replenishing the
niany waters of the country which have become so greatly exhausted by many years
of improvidence. I, therefore, fully endorse the sentiments of the leading fish cut.
turists of the United States, and the policy of that country when it is said that:
"Public fish culture is most useful when conducted upon a gigantic scale—its statia.
tical tables must be footed up by tens of millions. To count young fish by the thou.
sand is the task of the private propagator; and that the prosperity and wealth of the
sheries of the present day, are entirely under the control of the fish cultnrist to
sustain, or to destroy, and capable of immense extension."
The reports of the several officers in charge of hatcheries will be found appended
hereto.
This report is respectfully submitted by
SAMUEL WILMOT,
Superintendent of 11sh CuUure for the Dominion of Oanada.