220 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 



found us off our guard. This was not all. To our great alarm we found 

 that on very hot and dry days the brook which fed the troughs would 

 shrink by nightfall to one-half or one-fourth of its size in the morning, 

 owing to evaporation and leakage. However, we did not take enough 

 eggs this season to cause even this much-reduced water supply to 

 become insufficient, and we consequently did not suffer much from this 

 •cause ; but the climax of our troubles was reached when, one hot after- 

 noon, on trying the thermometer in the brook, we found that it stood 

 at 84° F., and on looking at the salmon eggs we found every one white 

 and dead. This was indeed a dark day for the young salmon-hatching 

 station. Still there was one hope left. We could perhaps obtain a few 

 more eggs before the last straggler among the breeding salmon had 

 deposited its spawn, and the cooler weather of the fall being now near 

 at hand there was some chance of the water not getting hot enough to 

 kill the eggs. On this frail hope and chance we went to work again, 

 although heavily handicapped in spirit and energy by this last almost 

 fatal discouragement. This time we succeeded, by hook and by crook, 

 by resorting to every possible means of securing spawning fish, in 

 obtaining thirty thousand more eggs. These were safely laid down, and 

 succeeded in running the gauntlet of all the dangers that threatened 

 them, and in sixteen days showed the welcome eye-spots. The sight 

 restored our failing courage. Half the battle was over. It was now 

 proved that salmon eggs could be procured and developed to the proper 

 stage for shipment. 



But a still greater difficulty loomed up before us ; this was to trans- 

 port the eggs alive from these foot-hills of the Sierras to the waters of 

 the Atlantic coast where they were wanted. I confess I had but a very 

 feeble hope that this could be done. However, it was attempted. I sent 

 50 miles to Mount Shasta for moss for packing, packed the eggs as well 

 as I could, and, wishing them a God-speed for their long journey, sent 

 them on the stage to the nearest railway station, from which the cars 

 took them more than 3,400 miles to their destination in New Jersey. I 

 did not expect to ever hear of them alive again, but in a week or two 

 came the joyful news that about a third of them had arrived on the 

 Atlantic coast in good condition. The other half of the battle was now 

 won ; it was settled beyond a doubt that the eggs of the Pacific coast 

 salmon could not only be obtained and matured for shipment, but could 

 be sent alive across the North American Continent. 



This is a summary account of the first beginnings of the United 

 States salmon-breeding establishment of California; but though it was 

 small and weak at first, it grew every succeeding year in strength and 

 efficiency, and soon in capacity and actual results eclipsed all other 

 similar establishments in the world. 



At the close of this report will be found a diary of the more important 

 events of its history, illustrating its growth and development from year 

 to year. 



