66 FISH AND GAME. 



weather, and an abundance of shade was provided by as- 

 sorted groups of deciduous and evergreen trees. A duck yard 

 of 6 or 7 acres of marsh and upland, comprising grass, rushes, 

 bushes and various kinds of trees, was also enclosed, and a 

 suitable house for raising bantams was provided. 



The work at East Sandwich is as yet in its infancy, but its 

 favorable location and natural resources indicate that this game 

 farm is one of the best places in Massachusetts for the rearing 

 of quail and grouse. Under the able and efficient care of Mr. 

 Torrey it should develop into a most productive game-bird 

 hatchery. 



The Sutton Game Farm. - - Game bird propagation, which was 

 started upon the property of the Sutton fish hatchery in 1902, 

 has steadily assumed increasing proportions. In 1912 the ex- 

 perimental work of testing hatching methods and rearing new 

 species in order to comply with requests for advice from a con- 

 stantly increasing clientele interested in this work claimed 

 much attention. This work necessitated a corps of four 

 trained and several temporary assistants, as it is quite im- 

 practicable to attempt experimental work with an untrained 

 force, or even with a force subject to frequent changes. 



In 1912 a camp was established which provided living and 

 sleeping accommodations for the permanent employees and a 

 laboratory for investigations on bird diseases and for experi- 

 ments in rearing young birds. . In 1913 the construction work 

 was further extended by the erection of large pens for the 

 pheasants and mallard ducks, the latter being built upon the 

 brook. An additional area of 13 acres was purchased, which in- 

 cluded on the south a strip of pasture and upland suitable for 

 quail, while the lower part, sloping gradually to a brook, 

 afforded an excellent breeding place for ducks, as did also 

 another strip of swamp land on the east, the higher portion of 

 which was suitable for quail and pheasants. Adjoining the 

 eastern strip were several acres of hillside covered with under- 

 brush and a thickly wooded swamp well watered by springs, 

 forming an excellent covert for wood ducks. Steps were im- 

 mediately taken to render this land available by erecting 

 fences and pens. Six duck yards were supplied with running 

 water, and 10 acres of hillside were enclosed. In 1914 the im- 



