432 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



percentage of loss being very small. But, to my surprise, on entering 

 the hatching-house on the morning of October 21, an immense number 

 were found to be dead. Every precaution had been taken, the water- 

 supply was perfect, and the troughs had been carefully and tightly 

 covered, yet for some days the loss was immense. However, in a few 

 days the mortality ceased, and but little trouble was afterward expe- 

 rienced. This lot of eggs was said to number 175,000, of which it is 

 estimated 130,000 were hatched. 



The last lot, said to number 250,000, arrived October 23. These were 

 treated similarly to the previous invoice, with the exception that, fearing 

 they might have suffered from rough handling at the hands of my as- 

 sistants, every egg was unpacked by my own hands. The result was 

 very satisfactory, about 200,000 spawn being safely hatched. It was 

 noticed that though the lots No. 1 and No. 2 were all hatched within a 

 few days after their arrival, lot No. 3 did not commence to hatch until 

 about two weeks after their arrival. 



The after-treatment of the young fishes presented no peculiar points 

 of interest. The loss of young was very small, and confined almost ex- 

 clusively to the crooked fishes. A full set of specimens illustrative of 

 the growth of these fishes will accompany this report. 



The method of packing the spawn was probably the best that could 

 have been devised under the circumstances. I would, however, propose 

 that in the next shipment the eggs be laid between folds of mosquito- 

 netting. This would greatly facilitate the operation of unpacking, which 

 with the simple moss is very tedious and severe. 



The following table will show at a glance the details of reception and 

 number of fishes hatched : 



By January 1, 1874, it was found that the number far exceeded the 

 estimate which I had previously made, and that though ample accommo- 

 dations for the hatching of fishes had been prepared, that the nursery- 

 troughs were entirely too small for the proper rearing of them. An ad- 

 dition of 20 feet was therefore made to my hatching-house, at a cost of 

 about $100. As this was done exclusively for the accommodation of 

 the California salmon, it is hoped that the Government will be willing 

 to defray at least a portion of this expense. 



