The breeders get their eggs from Germany from Schuster in Freiburg, and
from Gloser in Basel; but complain always that the eggs are from too
young individuals, that there is always too much loss in transportation,
that the eggs are so weak that after the fish have come out there is
great mortality in the fry, &c.

In this month's "Economist" I published the results on the Penobscot,
and figured out that if breeders here set to work in the same style they
would get at least four eggs to one, at the same price, and be
independent.

We have an association here for promoting the fresh-water fisheries, of
which the principal salmon fishermen are members, and also several
gentlemen not in the business, including myself. In the December meeting
I told them all I knew about the Penobscot; and one breeder got a credit
for $200 for getting ripe salmon and keeping them in a scow till he had
what he wanted, and he has succeeded pretty well. Still this is only on
a limited scale. I want to put up larger pens and in the style of the
Penobscot. In order to do this I must know exactly what is done on the
Penobscot, and how.

What is the size of the pen, how large area, how deep? Is it above tidal
water? (This I take for granted.) What is the situation of the pond
compared with the river? What kind of failures were there, and the
probable reasons therefor? In short, I would like a complete description
of the place, with the history of it. I hope you will excuse my drawing
on you for such an amount, but as the United States is the authority in
practical fish-breeding, we are obliged to come to you.