BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 163 



ing of 400,000 eggs; the first in charge of a special messenger, and the 

 two hitter by express. The first underwent a loss of 97 per cent, but 

 the two latter, packed in accordance with my suggestions, suffered a 

 loss of only 3} per cent." 



It will be seen from this experiment here given in detail that the old 

 and tedious method of transporting shad fry, which are delicate in the 

 extreme and very difiicult to transport, must soon give way to the trans- 

 portation of the eggs instead, which will prove in every respect more 

 satisfactory, as smaller loss will be incurred and the cost in money and 

 labor much reduced. If we can succeed in collecting eggs at George- 

 town, as above proposed, they can be easily shipped to Columbia, where 

 a central station will be located, and from which point all the principal 

 rivers in the State are in easy access. 



We planted from the hatchery on Edisto Biver 725,000 shad in that 

 river; 300,000 obtained from the United States Fish Commissioner, 

 and shipped by myself from Washington, were planted in the Catawba 

 Kiver at the Charlotte, Columbia, and Augusta Eailroad crossing; and 

 350,000, obtained from the same source, were shipped in the Govern- 

 ment car and planted in Congaree River at Columbia, besides other 

 shipments made by the United States Fish Commission to the head- 

 waters of Savannah River. 



HATCKERY ON EDISTO EIVER. 



Although the number of eggs taken at this point is small, never 

 before having exceeded the take of this year, which was a little more 

 than one million, this is probably the most available location in the State 

 for a shad station. The water is clear, and in nearly every bend of the 

 river there are sand-bars which are natural spawning-grounds for all 

 fish coming to maturity before having i^assed this point in the river; 

 and could we have the advantages of haul-seines along the river in the 

 several seining-holes, used in former times, we would, I am confident, 

 catch many more fish in ripe or mature condition than it is possible 

 to do with the gill-nets. The mature fish tarry around their favorite 

 spawning-places and are not captured with the immature ones which 

 travel with the tide as soon as it begins to flood, at which time the nets 

 are set. This season we have taken more eggs than in any previous 

 year, owing, in part, to more favorable weather, and partly to the fact 

 of our having a larger corps of faithful assistants. We were enabled to 

 attend every net fished on the river whenever fished, regardless of cold, 

 rain, midnight hours, and many other disadvantages under which we 

 labored. The fishing was all done after dark, and at nightfall the men all 

 left camp, some going 2 or 3 miles up the river, and others a like dis- 

 tance in the opposite direction, and others at their posts at interme- 

 diate points, all subjected more or less to hardships, and some remain- 

 ing all night in open boats on the river, subjected often to rough and 

 disagreeable weather. 



