488 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



healthy existence of salmon. Between the 28th day of June and the 

 13th day. of August, 1873, there were only five days when the water at 

 the bottom of the pond stood below 70° Fahrenheit, and on one occa- 

 sion, July 31, it rose as high as 76° Fahrenheit. Not only did no sal- 

 mon die during this heated term, but at the succeeding spawning-sea- 

 son they came out in perfect condition, and yielded eggs of the highest 

 degree of health and vigor. 



The weather has been less favorable to spawning-operations than in 

 1872. There was less rain, and the water in the pond and brook was at 

 a lower stage in 1873 and still lower in 1874. One of the results was 

 that the salmon found the descent into the brook more difficult, a^d 

 were more reluctant to try it. We were therefore compelled to resort 

 more to pounds and seines for catching them. These were so far suc- 

 cessful that a larger proportion of the salmon were caught than the first 

 season. In 1873, the number unaccounted for was 111, quite a serious 

 loss; but, in 1874, this number was reduced to 40, which is a very satis- 

 factory result. 



The process of spawning was conducted in the usual way, the dry 

 method of impregnation being exclusively employed with the usual suc- 

 cess. In 1873, a careful examination of the eggs showed the rate of 

 impregnation to be 97 per cent. The following year the examination 

 was less thorough, but indicated about the same rate. There was no 

 material variation in the season. Spawning began in 1873 on the 27th 

 of October, and in 1874 on the 31st of October. Each year the most of 

 the eggs were taken before November 20, but small lots as late as the 

 first week in December. 



3. — DEVELOPMENT AND DISTRIBUTION. 



In the winter of 1873 and 1874, the development of the eggs proceeded in: 

 a manner highly satisfactory. Up to the time of distribution, there were 

 taken out, by count, 160,903 white eggs, or about G£ per cent, of the 

 entire stock. Since the unimpregnated eggs amounted to only 3 per cent., 

 or 73,000, and some remained among those that were sent away, it is 

 probable that about 100,000 of the white eggs had been impregnated. 

 The cause of this death of impregnated eggs is not well understood. 

 Rough handling will cause it, but when handled in the most careful man- 

 ner there is still a percentage of white eggs. The shipment of the eggs 

 was commenced February 11, and closed March 30. Including those 

 retained at Eueksport to be hatched for the State of Maine, there were 

 distributed 1,300,000 eggs on account of the United States Commission, 

 and 991,G75 on account of the several States interested, making a total 

 of 2,291,075. If to this sum we add the total of the bad eggs rejected, 

 160,903, we find the original number to have been 2,453,038. At the 

 time of taking them, however, they were estimated at only 2,321,934. 



In 1874 and 1875, the eggs gave no si gn of any defect until packing 



