12 KEPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 



but are expensive and to some extent wasteful. A careful series of 

 experiments was conducted last season with various foods, viz., 

 clams, liver, and beef, to determine their relative value as food for 

 the young lobsters from the first stage to a stage considerably later 

 than the fourth. The general results of these experiments indicate 

 that shredded beef is, on the whole, a more suitable food, and less ex- 

 pensive than clams. Besides the lobster work, other operations have 

 been actively conducted by the staff at the Wickford laboratory. 

 Records of the temperature and density of the water; of the jDlaces 

 in the Bay where clams have set; of the arrival and departure of 

 fishes; and data regarding the occurrence of the young of various 

 fishes like squeteague, menhaden, tautog, etc., have been collected 

 and placed on file for future reference. 



In connection with the improvements in the equipment of the 

 Wickford station it may be mentioned that a houseboat has been 

 built by the member of your Commission in immediate charge of the 

 station, at his own expense. This floating residence is anchored in 

 the vicinity of the laboratory in Mill Cove, Wickford. 



Your Commission has employed three deputies to assist in the 

 enforcement of the laws. Two of them have devoted their time ex- 

 clusively to the enforcement of the lobster law. While it is and al- 

 ways will be impossible to prevent entirely the unlawful taking of 

 short lobsters, the enforcement of the laws at the hands of the Deputy 

 Commissioners has resulted in preventing immense destruction of 

 young lobsters which in a year or two will come to maturity. 



Discussion of the legislation in regard to the protection of lobsters 

 has been frequent of late in this and neighboring states, particularly 

 in regard to the proposition which Dr. Field of the Massachusetts 

 Commission of Fish and Game has ably set forth to the effect that 

 the old rather than the young lobsters should be protected bj^ the 

 law. 



Yovu- Commission does not accept this view of the case. That 

 large lobsters produce more eggs than small ones, no one can, of 

 course, deny, but it must not be forgotten that for the increase of the 



