BULLETIN OF THE UMTKH STATES FISH COMMI88ION. 369 



VoE. V, rVo. «B. Washington, I>. C. Sept. 98, 1885. 



ISO.-RBPORT Ol SHAD PROPAGATION ON Till: POTORIAC RIVBR 



BIRl.Xi THE SEASON 01< 1885. 



By MARSHALL McDONALD. 



Prior to the season of 1885 the work of collecting shad eggs od the 

 Potomac River was independently organized and under the responsible 

 direction of an officer of the Commission, specially detailed for that 

 service. The eggs collected were delivered at Central station in Wash- 

 ington, where they were hatched and from which they were distributed 

 to suitable waters by car and messenger service, in accordance with a 

 program approved by the Commissioner. 



In February I was placed in charge of the production of shad on 

 the Potomac River during the season of 1885, and was instructed by 

 the Commissioner "at the earliest possible moment to prepare the nec- 

 essary plans for the same, submitting estimates of the force needed, 

 their assignments and duties, and whatever else may be requisite to 

 make the estimates for the expenses." 



In obedience to instructions, I submitted the following program : 



"Program for the organization and conduct of shad-hatching operations 



on the Potomac River for the season of 18Sr>. 



•• I. The collection of eggs.— It is proposed to establish the 

 headquarters of the collecting force at Fort Washington. All eg 

 taken will be brought to this station and held there in circulation of 

 water, awaiting convenience of transportation to Washington by the 

 viver steamers. 



"To the equipment of the station already provided it will be neces- 

 sary to add a supply tank with a capacity of twelve or fourteen hun- 

 dred gallons, a steam pump aud boiler, and thirty hatching jars and 

 fixtures complete. The supply tank can be placed outside of the present 

 building, thus avoiding the expense of additional constructions. 



"The different sources from which eggs may be obtained are as fol- 

 lows : 



" [a) From the fishing shores: (1) By employees of the Commission, 

 stationed therefor the purpose. (2) By the purchase of impregnated 

 eggs at the rate of $20 per million. 



"(6) From the gi Hers : (1) By the purchase of impregnated eggs at 

 the established rate per million. (2) By employees of the Commission, 

 equipped and detailed for the purpose. 



"(c) From the Fort Washington seine, manned and operated by 

 employees of the U. S. Fish Commission. 

 Bull. U. IS. F. C, 85 24 



