112 REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 



to the edge of the canvas about the window. The screening was a 

 decided improvement over the scrim windows used in 1904, as it 

 allowed better circulation and was not so overgrown with diatoms. 

 It is probable that the fry obtained much of their fuzzy growths from 

 the overgrown scrim windows. 



ADJUSTMENT OF THE REARING BAGS. 



Improvements were further made in the handling of the canvas 

 bags. The vertical gas pipes which kept the bags down in the water 

 in previous years were discarded, and a haul-down post of 4 x 4 hard 

 pine was bolted into the corners of each pool. A hole was gouged out 

 in the lower end and a rope run through and spliced so as to leave a 

 free end. This end was fastened to the corner of the outer square 

 bottom-frame, which was of gas pipe as before. The top of the bag 

 was held up by ropes passed through the corners and the middle of 

 the sides. The bottom was pulled down by the haul-down ropes. 

 This method proved very satisfactory. 



A small float for washing the bags was made, which was very 

 convenient and useful. (Plates XIX, XX, XXI.) 



PLUGGING THE LOBSTERS. 



Various methods were tried for preventing the egg lobsters, when 

 placed in cars, from fighting. Plugging, as commonly employed by 

 the fishermen, was found to be the best method, and the injury 

 caused the lobster was of no importance. The plugs were removed 

 when the lobsters were liberated. 



BREAKWATER. 



The idea of using deep lobster cars for a breakwater to the hatching 

 bags was tried and proved very successful. Most all waves and 

 swells were effectually broken by them. 



HATCHING CRATES. 



Very few eggs were scraped from the lobsters this year. The 



