were destroyed by seals while in his nets. Similar instances of
relatively large numbers of salmon killed by seals might be given. With
salmon worth 20 to 50 cents a pound the loss of 10 or 12 salmon by
seals, in a total catch of 75 or 100, is a matter of importance to the
fisherman.




Evidences of results of propagation.

The opinion is now practically unanimous among the salmon fishermen of
Penobscot River and Bay that the artificial hatching of salmon by the
U.S. Fish Commission is producing beneficial results. About the same
arguments in support of their opinions are presented by all, and these
accord well in the main with the observations of other persons who have
given this matter attention:

(1) The opportunities for natural reproduction are exceedingly limited,
owing to the obstructions to the passage of the fish to their spawning
grounds in the headwaters of the Penobscot basin.

(2) The salmon that are naturally hatched are, even under the most
favorable conditions prevailing at the present time, not numerous
enough to keep up the supply of market and brood fish, with the
fatalities incident to the long residence at sea and to the passage of
immature fish down from the spawning grounds to the sea.

(3) The remarkable run in May and June, 1896, of fish of comparatively
small size that had apparently just reached maturity and the relative