Report of the Commissioner of Agriculture of the State of Georgia, year ending September 30, 1901

REPORT
OF THE
Commissioner of Agriculture
OF THE
STATE OF GEORGIA,
Year Ending September JO, IQOI.
0. B. STEVENS, Commissioner.
ATLANTA, GA. 1901.

REPORT
OF THE
Commissioner of Agriculture
OF THE
STATE OF GEORGIA,
Year Ending September JO, IQOI.
O. B. STEVENS, Commissioner.
ATLANTA, GA. 1901.

KEPOLU'.
To His Excellency, Allen I). Candler, Governor: In compliance with the law I beg leave to submit the following
report of the transactions of the Department of Agriculture for the fiscal year from October 1st, 1900, to September 30th, 1901.
CLERICAL FORCE.
The clerical force consists of the following named persons: R. F. Wright, Assistant Commissioner and General Correspondent; J. F. Johnson, Commissioner's Clerk; D. S. Newkirk, Bookkeeper and Re corder; J. T. Derry, Shipping and Mailing Clerk; E. H. Bell, Steno grapher.
Under the provisions of an Act approved Dec. 20th, 1899, which provides for the establishmen|; of quarantine lines for the protection of cattle in those sections not affected or partially affected with con tagious diseases, I took up the matter early in the year of 1900 with United States Government and with the authorities of the States of Tennessee and North Carolina. We agreed upon the line so far as it affected the State of Georgia.
Under the provisions of the Act just referred to, the sum of $500.00 was set aside from the fees arising from the inspection of fertilizers for the payment of four cattle inspectors in the counties of Rabun, Union, Fannin, and Towns. I, therefore, appointed and commis sioned the following inspectors, for five months each, at $25.00 per month: M. C. Canup, of Rabun................................................................ $125.00 J. W. Foster, of Towns................................................................ 125.00 A. J. Ledford, of Union.................. ............................................ 125.00 A. C. Griffith, of Fannin............................................................ 125.00
Making a total of $500.00 paid to cattle inspectors for the year 1901. In connection with this work we issued a number of bulletins, outlining the laws governing the quarantine regulations of this State, as a guide

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not only for the inspectors but also for the people generally. The

work of these inspectors was as faithfull}' and effectively performed

as could be expected under the circumstances. For more effective work the State is greatly in need of a veterinary surgeon.
We have been very materially aided in our quarantine work by the

Department of Agriculture at Washington. Dr. W. P. Ellenberger was detailed by the department and remained for several weeks of the sum

mer in North Georgia, cooperating with the inspectors and with this department in the suppression of the tick and in extending the free

area of North Georgia.

VETEKINAKY SUKGEON.

Having received, since entering upon the duties of my office, various

and serious complaints concerning the appearance of diseases among cattle and horses, and having, as stated in my last annual report, no

appropriation upon which to draw for the treatment of diseased ani mals, I again unite with the Georgia Dairymen's Association, and many

persons engaged in cattle and stock raising, in recommending that

a law be passed looking to the appointment of a State veterinary

surgeon.

PUBLICATIONS.

I have sent out through the weekly press--monthly, with a few ex

ceptions--six columns of printed matter, which has been published in

about 175 county papers. We have issued and distributed 20,000 copies of the commercial fer

tilizer bulletin, No. 38, of the season of 1900-1901, and also 5,000 copies of Bulletin No. 37 on Texas Fever and The Cattle Tick, in which are embraced the laws, rules and regulations concerning the quaran tining of cattle, so far, as they relate to Georgia; also 5,000 copies of

Bulletin No. 39, containing the laws regulating the sale of illuminat ing oils and other matters of information to inspectors, oil dealers and the general public. In addition to the above named bulletins, we have issued a number of smaller leaflets containing special instructions to

the inspectors of commercial fertilizers. In our last report we mentioned that we had about completed a
work on the resources and industries of Georgia, but that it was being

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held back for the purpose of obtaining the latest possible statistics from the census, bureau at Washington. This work, which we have called "Georgia: Historical and Industrial," is now in press and will be is sued at an early date, taking the place of the annuals for 1900 and 1901. It will contain in addition to a general description of the State, chapters on geology, the soils of Georgia; public roads, railroads and water transportation; agriculture, truck farming and horticulture; dairying and creameries; stock raising--including cattle, sheep, poul try, goats, horses and mules; seed farms, floriculture, irrigation and terracing; fish and game; manufactories of all kinds; education, benevolent institutions and religious denominations; State government etc.; and finally, sketches of all the counties with the most complete statistical report attainable of their varied industries.
In all cases we have given to agriculture that prominence which would be expected in a work issued by the Department of Agriculture.
AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION. Impressed with the fact that in no calling is there a greater demand for intelligent effort than in that of the farmer, I would again re commend that nature studies be made a part of the curriculum of all the public schools of Georgia and that they cover a study of soils; a study of plant life, including fruit culture and of insect life in its relation to farms and orchards; also a study of domestic animal life, especially in its bearing upon all farm stock.

FERTILIZER FUND. The following is a statement of the Receipts and Disbursements for the season of 1900-1901:

DE.
To cash on hand, Oct. 1st, 1900 ......................................... To cash in hands of T. C. Little..................................... To sale of tags ............................................. .........................

.01
10.00 $54,064.74--$54,074.75

OR, By inspectors^salary and expenses.................................. By amount paid suh'dry freights................................... By amount paid for tags ....................................... ............... By expenses of office (express, bottles, labels, post
age on bu'letins, etc.) ................................................ By amount paid Treasurer ........................... ...................... By cash on hand .....................................................................

$14,959.85 99.98
2,524.25
443.50 35,547.19
499.98--$54,074.75

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REPORT OP STATE OIL INSPECTOR.
State of Georsia, Department of Oii.s.
Atlanta, Ga., May 30, 1001. Hon. 0. B. Stevens. Commissioner of Agriculture, Atlanta, Ga.:
Dear Sir:--Recognizing the immense good that our oil pamphlet, containing laws on the subject of oil and instructions in regard to the care of lamps, has done in the past, I feel that it is to the best interest of the Department and the State at large to issue a second edition of the same. You will note, as will the people of Georgia, with much interest that since the enforcement of these laws there has not been an explosion of a lamp in Geoi'gia, as is shown by investigation by our local inspectors at the different points, with the exception of one instance near Toeeoa, and upon investigation we found that this occur red previous to the using up of the oil that was stored at that point when these laws were put into effect.
We have noted a number of accidents caused by explosions of lamps in other States where laws similar to ours are not in effect. We publish herewith a few of these clippings.
BURNED BY A LAMP EXPLOSION.
Uniontown, Nov. 25 (Special).--While Mrs. Dr. R. M. Hill was sewing last night, at Farmington, the lamp exploded and the burning oil drenched her dress and rvrapped her in flames in an instant. She is seriously injured, and Dr. Hill was badly burned in an attempt to rescue his wife.
BOSTON WOMAN KILLED BY AN EXPLODING LAMP.
She Tried to Extinguish it by Blaming Down the Chimney, and it Burst. Boston, Nov. 26.--Mrs. Julia McIntyre, aged twenty-one, was fatally burned by an explosion of a lamp, which she attempted to extinguish bj7 blowing down the chimney last night. She died after ten hours of suffering.
DEATH FOLLOWS LAMP EXPLOSION.
Mamie Milan Was Burned to a Crisp in a Pillar of Flame and Her Mother Received Fatal Injuries.
Maueh Chunk, Dec. 8.--As a result of the exploding of a coal oil lamp, Mamie Milan, 14 years old, is dead, and the girl's mother is so badly injured and burned that her death is momentarily expected.
The Milans reside in East Mauch Chunk. The women of the house were sewing and Mrs. Milan knocked the lamp over. She asked her daughter to grasp the lamp, and as the child did her mother's bidding it exploded, complete ly covering and saturating her clothes with the oil, which instantly took fire.
In her fright and terrible agony the girl ran into the yard,-where her mother who followed, caught her and clasped her in her arms. At this moment the flames of the girl's clothing shot up as high as the second-story window of the house.
The body of the daughter was almost burned to a crisp and the mother was so severely injured by the flames that she cannot recover.

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This comparison should show conclusively the value of the present laws and their enforcement for the public safety of life and property. Our records show that from month to month the consumption of oil in our State is increasing; consequently there should be more care as to the quality of oil and the care of lamps in order to prevent accidents and get the best results. The value of our laws is shown by the inquiries we have received from other States in re gard to them, with a view to adopting similar legislation in regard to pro tection from the results of the use of dangerous oil in their States. We ask the co-operation of the public in maintaining the present standard of this Depart ment of the State Government, and we assure them that the local inspectors, as well as myself, will esteem it a privilege at any and all times to correct any errors that might occur. Dr. McCandless, State Chemist, will always cheerfully analyze any samples that are supposed not to come up to the standard, if our citizens will forward same to him.
Respectfully submitted, Glascock Barkett, State Oil Inspector.

OILS.

I beg to submit to you the following reports of oils inspected for the year ending September 30, 1901:
Total number of gallons inspected ....................................... .. 6,190,447 Total amount of fees received ....................................................... 31,164.73 Total amount of commissions allowed inspectors as pro
vided by law................................................................ 19,571.79 Total amount received by State as required by law................ 11,593.60

There is a seeming discrepancy between this report and that of the Treas

urer, but this is accountable to the fact that the receipts for September in

spections do not reach the Treasurer until October of each year, therefore the

receipts of the Treasurer in October belong to September account of oil inspect

ed for the year preceding. I have no comments to make as the business of the Oil Department is in sat

isfactory condition.

Respectfully submitted, Glascock Barrett, State Oil Inspector.

s
REPORT OF THE STATE CHEMIST.
Hon. 0. B. Stevens, Commissioner of Agriculture of the State of Georgia: Deab Sib: We have now completed the analytical work of the season of
1900-1901- now drawing to a close, and you will find attached tables of an alyses of the various brands of commercial fertilizers sold in the State of Georgia during the past season. The number of tons of fertilizer sold in the State has been 478,847 compared with 412,755 tons the previous season, and 306,734 tons ten years ago, and 152,424 tons twenty years ago. The record shows that whilst there has not been a uniform increase in the consumption of fertilizers year by year, still, viewing the past ten and twenty years as a whole, the increase in consumption has been remarkable. The Georgia farmer is no fool/and his continually increasing consumption of chemical fertilizers, together with the increase of taxable values, demonstrate that they pay in the long run, and attest the good quality of the goods sold in the State in the most practical way possible. Xo one who understands the conditions of the trade can doubt for a moment that this gratifying result is due very largely to the careful system of inspection maintained by your department, the great number of samples taken by your inspectors in every quarter and corner of the State, and the subsequent rigid and impartial analysis of these samples in the laboratory. The number of brands put on the market have shown a gratifying tendency to decrease, being 640 as against 699 last season. The large number of analyses made over and above the number of brands includes analyses of brands specially taken at the request of farmers, and also of cot ton seed meals, kainits and muriates of potash, which have no brands.
VALUATIONS.
The prices of ammoniates during the past season mounted up to an average of 30 cents a unit more than last season, or to the rather high figure of $2.50 per unit. This, however, was offset to a certain extent by a reduction of 10 cents a unit in available pnosphoric acid from 70 cents to 60 cents a unit. The price-of potash remains the same as in the previous year at 85 cents a unit.
COTTON SEED MEALS.
In the case of cotton seed meals, I have continued the new method of val uing them adopted last season, viz: of calculating their ammonia content at the ruling rate of $2.50 a unit, and adding to the result $3.15 for upland meals to cover the value of the 1.8 per cent, potash and 2.7 per cent, phosphoric acid, which is the average content of these meals; in the case of sea-island meals $2.41 is added to cover the 1.5 per cent, potash and 1.9 per cent phosphoricacid which is the average content of these meals.
OILS.
Reviewing the work of the past year with reference to the oil inspection of the' State, I have to report that none of the oils which have come under my supervision or test have been of inferior quality. They have all proved to be of most excellent quality as illumijiants, and free from the excess of the

9
napthas or light oils,, which render kerosene oils so dangerous to life and property in many other States. Beading the report of our State Oil Inspector, Mr. Barrett, and noting the various instances he gives of the destruction of life and property by exploding lamps in other States, we cannot but congrat ulate ourselves and the people of the State upon the new oil law which is now operative in (ieorgia and which drives the inferior grades of oil across her borders. The excellence and efficiency of our law has been recognized by other States, and application has been made for eopies of our law by the authorities of the States of Arkansas, Virginia, North and South Carolina, with a view lo (lie change of their oil laws and toe introduction of the Georgia law.
1 congratulate vou upon the thoroughness of the system of oil inspection you have inaugurate!,, and upon the efficiency of the inspectors you have ap pointed to carry out the same.
Since writing the above, three lots of oil have been detected by your Ininspected at Cornelia, one at Criliin. and one at Augusta, Ga. In each ease the comjjanies, viz., the Wilburine Oil Company, the Atlanta Oil Company, and the Standard On Company, appealed from the decisions of the local In spectors to me. In each case there was no doubt of the inferiority of the oil. and I was enabled to sustain the local Inspectors. The State Inspector, Mr, Barrett, then rejected all of these oils and ordered them shippped out of the State.
ONE OF THE NEEDS OE THE DEPARTMENT.
In considering the growing importance of the dairy and cattle industry of Georgia, one of the most urgent needs forced on the attention of the observer is the necessity for taking some steps to prevent the development and spread of tuberculosis among the cattle, and as a consequence among the people. It has been fully demonstrated that the disease of tuberculosis, or, as is commonly known, consumption, is one and the same in both man and the lower animals, and is communicable from one to the other. The dried sputum of consumptive patients is literally tilled with the bacilli of tuberculosis. These germs are blown about by the wind, and being inhaled by cattle or persons predisposed to the disease, develop, grow, and soon produce a well-marked case of the disease in those who have been so unlucky as to inhale them, whether man or the lower animals. The more delicate and highly bred cattle, such as Jerseys, Guernseys and Hoi steins, are much more susceptible to the disease than the cheaper and hardier breeds. When once a cow has developed a case of tuber culous, she becomes a dangerous center of infection, as the milk of tuberculoeulous cattle is charged with the-germs of the disease, and is likely to produce it in such susceptible persons as consume the milk.
Drs. Stalker and Niles seperated. three healthy.'calves from their mother and fed to them the milk of tuberculous cows. They fed the milk raw to two of the calves, and cooked the milk given to the other i the calf fed on the cooked milk, in which the germs had been destroyed by tlie beat remained healthy, the two others developed tuberculosis. Tlie meat 01 tuberculous an imals will also spread the infection unless it. is thoroughly cooked before eating.

TUBERCULIN TEST.
It is now comparatively easy to diagnose the disease in cattle by means of tuberculin, rhis substance is prepared by extracting tuberculjn. This sub stance is prepared by extracting tuberculous matter and then thoroughly ster ilizing the extract. It is injected into the suspected animal under the skin, and if the animal is tuberculous, a rise in the temperature of the animal fol lows. This test is now much relied on, but should be applied by a competent veterinarian, and thus usea will enable him to separate the healthy from the diseased cattle in a.herd. Such cattle should be at once destroyed, thus re moving the cause of further infection to the cattle of the neighborhood, and a source of deadly disease to the human beings who consume the milk or eat the underdone flesh of the affected animals. The department needs the ser vices of a good veterinary surgon, who could be of great value to all the live stock interests of the State, and incidently do so much to save many valuable human lives.
MORE RECENT VIEWS ON TUBERCULOSIS.
Since writing the above, news has come from London that the celebrated physician and bacteriologist, Dr. Koch, made the announcement at the Tuber culosis Congress, that as a result of more recent study and experiment his views about tuberculosis had undergone a great change, ale now declares that cattle are not susceptible to infection from the germs of human tuberculosis, he having demonstrated this to his own satisfaction. He also declares his belief in the converse theory that human beings cannot take the disease from drinking the milk or eating the flesh of tuberculous cattle. This theory, how ever, owing to the difficulty of experimenting on human beings, he has not been able to demonstrate by experimental proof.
VIEWS AT VARIANCE WITH DR. KOCH'S.
Many eminent physicians, however, including the famous Lister, take issue with him and continue to assert their belief in the proposition tWt the milk and flesh of tuberculous cattle are a direct menance to the health and lives of those consuming them. Be this as it may, until the proposition has been demonstrated and proved beyond peradventure one way or the other, sensible people will continue to use every possible means to avoid infection with this terrible disease from tuberculous cattle. Apart from this, for the sake of the cattle themselves and the dairy and beef interests involved, everything possible should be done toward stamping out the disease. Besiaes tuberculosis, Texas fever, anthrax, glanders, rabies, milk-sickness, foot and mouth disease, acti nomycosis or lump jaw, are some of the other dangerous diseases in which the services of a competent and really scientific veterinarian could be of the greatest value to the Commonwealth of Georgia.
In conclusion, sir, it is scarcely necessarily for me to do more than remind you of the valuable services of the Assistant Chemists, Messrs. B- G. Williams and Jos. Q. Burton, as their work as been in daily evidence before you. I only wish to remind you that their salaries are very meagre, and that they do more work for less pay than any other State officials, We have already lost

I
a very valuable man on this aecount in Mr. P. L. Hutchinson, and I hope that you will interest yourself at the next session of the Legislature in en deavoring to secure for these faithful workers an increase of pay somewhat commensurate with their services. Thanking you and Captain Wright, your valuable assistant, and all the other employees of your department for their kind and harmonious co-operation with me in the work of the past year,
1 am. very respectfully, John M. MoCamu.ess, State Chemist.

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REPORT OF THE STATE ENTOMOLOGIST.
Atlanta, Ga., October 1, 1901. Hon. 0. B. Stevens, Chairman of the Georgia State Board of Entomology:
Sir: I have the honor to submit to you the following brief statement of the work of the department of Entomology during the present year. This year has been one of considerable activity in this department. The rapid in crease in the orchard and nursery interests during the past few years, and the consequent increase in our duties and the problems facing us has more than kept pace with the development of the department since its creation in 1898. As defined by law the duties of the Entomologist are largely of the nature of police work, with the object of excluding from the State insects and fungous diseases of plants not already present, and of preventing the further spread, so tar as possible, of such as have a foothold here. Tliis class of work requires a large amount of time, but it is by no means the extent of the Entomologist's duties. There are many problems concerning the successful treatment of the many pests of the orchard, field and garden which are naturally brought to him for solution. Many of these have been studied in other sections of the country, but under climatic conditions that make the results of doubtful value here, and some of them are of a local nature and have consequently been al most overlooked by scientists elsewhere. It has therefore been the aim and object of the department to devote as much time as could be spared from the more strictly defined duties to investigations of this sort, and though some little has been done, much more remains yet to do.
To summarise briefly, the work of the year has been on the following lines; (a) Inspection of nurseries. (b) Enforcement of the regulations against the importation of infested or diseased plants. (c) Inspection of orchards. (d) Experiments with insecticides and fungicides. (e) The investigation of injurious insects and plant diseases in general. (f) Correspondence.
INSPECTION OF NURSERIES.
'this is one of the most important duties of the year, as it is largely through the nurseries that our most dangerous pests are disseminated. The annual in spection for 1901 began on the 19th of August, and will be completed by the 1st. of November as required by law. In the course of it every nursery in the State, large and small, (in all numbering above SO ) will be visited, and when ever found free from the pests and diseases designated as dangerous by the hoard, certificates will be given to that effect. Whenever San Jose scale is found all infested stock is ordered destroyed, and the remainder only allowed to be sold under special restrictions, and after having been subjected to thor ough fumigation under our direct supervision.

l.i
ENFORCEMENT OF THE KEC I'LATJONS AGAINST THE IMPORTATION OF INFESTED OR DISEASED STOCK.
Every effort is being made to guard against the introduction of the San Jose scale into sections of the State now free, and vigorous supervision is main tained over the shipments into the State of nursery stock grown outside. A twelve page bulletin has recently' been issued to nurseryunen interpreting such sections of the law and rules of the board as apply to the growing and selling of stock in the state. Official tags were issued last year to 7(1 nurseries out side the State, and the indications are that there will be a very much larger number of applications for tags the present season. In addition to our require ments. before admission, we make a point of inspecting stock after its entry, especially in cases around which, for any cause, suspicion lingers. If scale i. found the trees are condemned, and the tags issued to the offending par ties recalled. Last year about 30.000 trees were thus destroyed.
INSPECTION OF ORCHARDS.
In continuation of the work in the nurseries the orchards of the State are visited as generally as the time will permit. It is intended that eventually every' orchard of commercial size shall be inspected, and wherever scale shall be found such treatment as seems most advisable will be enforced. This is an affair of collossal magnitude when the size of the State and the rapid growth of the orcnard interests in certain sections are taken into account. It has therefore been found advisable in a few cases to employ deputy inspectors to locate the scale infested orchards in certain of the larger fruit growing cent ers. A circular of information upon the San Jose scale, and the methods in use to keep it in check was issued last winter and distributed among those interested.
EXPERIMENTS WITH INSECTICIDES AND FUNGICIDES.
During the past year much spraying has been done, and many experiments have been carried on under the direction of the department. The use of kero sene in the treatment of the San Jose scale has been attended with continued gratifying results. Crude petroleum has been experimented with quite ex tensively and found equally efficacious, but owing to the uncertainty of its composition, somewhat less safe. Tn the control of the peach leaf-curl very satisfactory results have followed the treatment recommended. The results of the treatment for the brown rot have been somewhat less satisfactory, though proving that the disease could be controlled, and there is need for considerable more work in this line. It is intended during the coming season to carry on extensive spraying experiments against this destructive disease.
THE INVESTIGATION OF INJURIOUS INSECTS AND PLANT DISEASES IN GENERAL.
The study of the San Jose scale and a few other pests of primary importance has left little time to devote to others of less magnitude, many of which are,

H
none the less, of great economic importance. A considerable number of notes have, however, been collected incidentally, and enough to show that in many cases there is quite a radical difference between the habits of a given species here and in other sections of the country, where they have been more exten sively studied; as an extensive knowledge of these is necessary before we can intelligently proceed to the attack, it may be seen that the field for investiga tion is a broad one. The same applies with even greater force to the fungous diseases, many of which are new or very little known anywhere. We have naturally given special attention to the enemies of the peach, and wherever possible to those of the pecan. Contrary to general belief this latter tree is attacked by many pests which are sure to make themselves apparent if groves are to be established on a large scale, and preparation should be made in ad vance for their reception. Many notes have been collected also upon the anthracnose of cotton, and a few experiments begun with a view toward its ultimate control.
CORRESPONDENCE.
This forms no inconsiderable item in the year's work. Hundreds of letters have been written in response to requests for information of all kinds relating to insects, plant diseases or the general treatment of the orchard. It is of great value in showing the direction in which our energies are most needed, and the work of the year is somewhat directed by it.
ADDITIONS TO THE WORKING FORCE.
The Department has been fortunate in securing the services of Mr. W. F. Fiske, who was appointed Assistant Entomologist February 15, 1901, and be gan work March 20th. Without competent assistance the Department could have no longer satisfaetorily coped with the increasing demands for its ser vices. Also local deputy inspectors have been employed for a few days at a time to do special inspection work in cases of emergency.
THE FUTURE POLICY OF THE DEPARTMENT.
It is proposed to continue the lines of work that have already been inaugu rated and to extend the investigation work as rapidly as possible. At present, however, the regular police duties as prescribed by the law consumes prac tically all of our time. It is hoped that eventually the State may be divided up into sections of several counties each and that a horticultural agent or deputy inspector may be provided for each such section.
Respectfully submitted, W. M. SCOTT, State Entomologist.

REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF FISHERIES, STATE OF GEORGIA.
Hon. 0. B. Stevens, Commissioner of Agriculture-. Herewith I submit a report as Superintendent of Fisheries for the year end.
ing September 30, 1901. The work of this division has moved along smoothly and without friction,
with the law-abiding people within our State. Some arrests have been made, and the parties convicted of violating our fish and oyster laws, along the Atlantic Coast. Fish Wardens in the several Counties report in detail the good effects of their work.
The distribution of Spotted Cat, Bream, Black Bass and other varieties of fish in the waters of our State is yielding substantial results. I am en couraged by the successful experiments on the Pacific Coast by the United States Commission of Fish and Fisheries in the hope that the waters of our State, which are tributary to the Gulf of Mexico, may yet be the home of the Shad. Young fish have already been supplied in these waters.
Experience so far has proven that the best varieties of pond fishes for the waters of our State are in the order named, to-wit: Spotted Cat, Bream, large mouth Black Bass.
The United States Commission of Fish and Fisheries has been very kind in furnishing our people with information concerning fish culture, and very liberal in the distribution of young fish.
Most States of our Union have "closed seasons" against catching fish, and I am of the opinion that the majority of our people will endorse my recom mendation that the State of Georgia should enact laws prohibiting the use of the seine in catching and fire-arms in shooting fish during a part of the "bedding" or "spawning season."
With the seine at spawning time, each pair of fish caught causes a loss of from two to ten thousand eggs, and almost as destructive when drawn over the beds or nests of the fish and covering with mud or silt the eggs and young fish. With hook and line, I am of the opinion, that no restriction is desired further than is already given to land owners.
The use of the gun at spawning time by shooting the fish is a very great source of destruction, and is becoming more common each season.
The United States Fish Culture Station, located at Bullochville, Meriwether County, Georgia, and presided over by that universally courteous gentleman, Hon. J. J. Stranahan, is a most interesting place to visit, and very instructive to those who desire information in regard to pond building and fish culture.
I confidently report progress of a substantial character during the past year.
The expense of the Department for the year has been forty-five dollars and sixteen cents, as shown by itemized statement attached hereto.
Respectfully submitted, A. T. DALLIS,
Superintendent of Fisheries, State of Georgia.