REPORT. 



To the Honorable the General Assembly of the State of Rhode Island and 

 Providence Plantations, at its Januarij Session, 1904: 



The Commissioners of Inland Fisheries herewith present their 

 annual report for the year 1903: 



The work undertaken by the commissioners during the past year 

 may be tabulated as follows: 



First. The stocking of our ponds and streams with suitable 

 fresh-water fish, through the distribution of eggs and fry. Page 13. 



Second. The collection of definite data respecting the times of 

 arrival and departure of various food fishes, and the preparation of 

 statistics of exportation. Page 14. 



Third. The location of fish-traps within the waters of Narragan- 

 sett Bay, and the collection of statistical data bearing upon their 

 ownership. Page 16. 



Fourth. Further investigation of the red-water plague. Page. 22. 



Fifth. The continued examination of the physical and biologi- 

 cal conditions of the waters of the Bay, begun in 1898. Page 23. 



Sixth. A continuance of the survey of the shores of the Bay, for 

 the purpose of determining those portions which are most pro- 

 ductive of young seed-clams. Page 27. 



Seventh. A continued investigation of the life-history of the clam. 

 Methods of artificial propagation and cultivation. Page 28. 



Eighth. Preliminary inquiry into the natural history of the Pad- 

 ler Crab (Callinectes hastatus), and the soft-shell crab industry 

 in Rhode Island. Page 69. 



Ninth. Experiments in lobster-culture. Page 74. 



