experience, who fishes three weirs off the southern end of Whitmore
Island, states that in that part of the river the catch in 1896 was the
largest in thirty years, with the exception of one season. He thinks
there is no doubt whatever of the beneficial results of artificial
propagation, as shown by the maintenance of the supply when
obstructions to the passage of salmon to the upper waters must greatly
curtail natural spawning.

Mr. Joseph Hurd, of Winterport, has two weirs at Oak Point, which is
the upper limit of weir fishing for salmon on the west side of the
river; the nets are about 12 miles below Bangor; 25 salmon were taken
in 1895, and 60 in the following year. The catch was better in 1896
than in a number of years. Eight years before, Mr. Hurd took 140
salmon, which was the best season in his experience; since then the
fish have been decreasing until 1896. He thinks very few fish get to
their spawning-grounds, owing to dams and other obstructions in the
river above Bangor, and has no doubt the small fish which were so
conspicuous in 1896 were from the Government hatchery.

Mr. William F. Abbott, of Verona, who has two weirs on Whitmore Island,
caught 41 salmon in 1895, and 80 in 1896. He makes the following
statement:

"In my opinion, there would not enough salmon come into the river to
pay for building weirs if there had been no salmon artificially hatched;
and I hope the Government will continue to keep the salmon fishing up,
so it will pay to build our weirs. No person that knows anything about
it can doubt that it is a good thing for the fishermen."

Mr. Harvey Heath, of Verona, has two weirs on the eastern side of the