APPENDIX. 125 



obtained in regard to the length of time after the eggs are hatched 

 before molting. 



Another way in which liberated lobsters have been marked at Wick- 

 ford has been to punch holes in one or more flippers of the tail. As 

 there are five flippers the lobsters may be marked in a large number of 

 different ways. 



12. CONDITIONS MOST ESSENTIAL FOR THE LOCATION OF A REARING 



PLANT. 



The experience of the past ten seasons in the operation of the plant 

 at Wickford has made it evident that for the proper location of a 

 station for rearing lobsters, two conditions especially must be sought. 

 These conditions are quiet water and warm water. It is not essen- 

 tial in the least to have the station near the place where egg lobsters 

 are obtained most abundantly, for the lobsters may be shipped with 

 little injury. Shelter from storms and ocean swells is obviously a 

 very important factor. 



The plant described above, though evidently but a skeleton struc- 

 ture, is nevertheless capable of withstanding quite a heavy sea. It 

 has been subjected to some of the worst storms for years along the 

 coast and rode them out uninjured. The paddles ran in good order, 

 until in the midst of the storm the engine was shut down as a measure 

 of precaution. The seas often ran so high that many fry were swept 

 out of the cars. The greater the protection afforded by the location 

 however, the less danger will there be of accident. 



The temperature of the water is of paramount importance in order 

 to obtain the best results. Although it is possible to rear lobsters 

 with some success in cold water, the best results will be obtained with 

 water at a temperature of 65° to 75° F. This higher temperature 

 results in a more rapid development of the lobsters. This more 

 rapid development results, first, in a reduction of the expenses of 

 operating the plant, because of the less time required ; and second, in 

 a greater proportion of fry reared to the fourth stage, because in the 



