18 REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 



Some progress was made toward overcoming a difficulty which is 

 always encountered in rearing lobsters, namely that of the growth of 

 parasitic organisms upon the shell. These fuzzy growths interfere 

 with the movements of the swimming fry and with their feeding and 

 molting. Since the growth consists mainly of plant organisms to 

 which copper is fatal, experiments were made, at the suggestion of Mr. 

 Barnes, the superintendent of the station, with copper paint on the 

 inside of the cars. By this expedient, and by proper shading of the 

 cars from the direct rays of the sun, the cleanest, healthiest, and larg- 

 est lobsters ever seen at the station were obtained. The cars so 

 painted were much more easily cleaned, as comparatively little 

 growth and silt accumulated upon the sides and bottom. 



One of the opportunities for further improvement of the rearing 

 methods lies in the matter of the feeding the fry. A great number 

 of experiments has been tried in previous years with a great variety 

 of food, of which beef seemed to be the most satisfactory. Last year 

 eggs were given a thorough trial. Paradoxical as it may seem, eggs 

 are the cheapest food which has been found at all satisfactory. The 

 eggs used are not of the freshly laid and strictly gilt-edged variety, 

 but are broken eggs sold by the gallon. These were scrambled with- 

 out the use of grease and then finely ground and^beaten up into fine 

 particles. There is no waste, and therein is the economy. The fry 

 are extremely fond of this food, and its bright color in the water 

 attracts their attention. They seemed to thrive upon this diet as 

 well as upon that of meat. Maggots were also tried as food and 

 seemed to be fairly satisfactory in the case of the older fry. The 

 maggots remain alive in the salt water for many hours, and living food 

 has its advantages. 



The total output of bottom stage lobsters was 178,542, which was 

 considerably less than that of the year before, and, though much 

 greater than that of any other station, it was nevertheless a great 

 disappointment. The season opened most auspiciously. The equip- 

 ment and preparation for the work were more nearly complete than 

 ever before, and throughout the season greater care than ever was 



