216 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 



was then filled nearly half full of water and in it were placed 22 carp, from 

 2 to 3 inches long. This was at 4 p. m, on the 15th of ^November; they 

 remained in this water until 9 a. ni., 10th. The water was then poured 

 entirely off, and the bucket filled about half full of fresh water. The 

 fish remained without further change of water or attention until 4 }). m., 

 when an entire change was made, and the bucket of fish shipped by 

 express to Eugene ]>lackford, Fulton Market. A card of instructions 

 attached was as follows : 



" Professor Baird wishes to ascertain if these carp will go to j!!^ew York 

 and return to Washington without change of water, or other attention 

 than to keep as cool as practicable. Will Mr. Blackford examine the 

 fish immediately upon arrival and verify their condition, and return 

 thein by first express to Washington, D. C. Don't make any change of 

 water before reshipping, unless the condition of the fish seems to be 

 bad." 



The fish arrived safely in New York at 9 a. m. on the 17th. Mr. 

 Blackford telegraphed : 



" Fish arrived in good order. Kettle one quarter full of water; will 

 return by evening train." 



At the same time he wrote : 



"Kettle of carp arrived at 9 a. m. Fish all alive and looking well. 

 Kettle only one-quarter full of water ; either leaked oiTt or slopped over 

 from careless handling. I have sent them back on the Express that 

 leaves to-night. I have not added, or changed the water; in fact, done 

 nothing but attach a tag to the kettle and send it back. I have no 

 doubt they will reach you all right in the morning." 



The fish returned to the Smithsonian, at 11 a. m. on the 18th, all look- 

 ing strong and well, and but little more than a pint of water in the 

 bucket. In this they remained, without change, until 9 a. m. the 20th, 

 when they were all alive but apparently weak. A change to fresh water 

 immediately revived them, and they were soon as strong and vigorous 

 as ever. 



These fish had now been in less than 4 pounds of water for 89 hours, 

 and had gone to New York and returned to Washington, sul^iect to 

 the rough handling which express packages usually encounter, no pre- 

 cautions having been taken to secure unusual care or attention in trans- 

 mission. 



The result of the experiment was so encouraging that it was deter- 

 mined to try a shipment of 750 fish in buckets. The details of this ex- 

 periment were intrusted to W. F. Page, a messenger of intelligence, 

 judgment, and long experience. The result of the experiment he thus 

 re})orts : 



" The carp were put up in twelve C-quart pails, 50 carp to each pail, 

 and the pails packed in a crate measuring 20" x 30" x 18". I also had 

 an extra 4-(piart pail, which I will here state received the same atten- 

 tion (that is, no attention) as the 0-quart pails and gave the same re- 



