REPORT. 



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

 Providence Plantations, at its January Session, 1905: 



The Commissioners of Inland Fisheries herewith present their an- 

 nual report for the year 1904: 



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 10. 



Second. The collection of data and statistics relating to the com- 

 mercial fisheries. Page 12. 



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

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

 ownership. Page 18. 



Fourth. The continued examination of the ph}'sical and biologi- 

 cal conditions of the w^aters of the Bay, begun in 1898. Page 25. 



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

 the purpose of determining those portions which are most produc- 

 tive of young seed-clams. Page 26. 



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

 Methods of artificial propagation and cultivation. Page 28. 



Seventh. The efforts to prevent the illegal taking of short lobsters. 

 Page 32. 



Eighth. Experiments in lobster culture. Page 33. 



In addition to the report upon the work included under these head- 

 ings, a revised list of members of the Fisheries Commissions or De- 



