114 REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 



SUMMARY OF RESULTS. 



To briefly summarize the results, it may be said that as many 

 fourth stage lobsters were reared during the summer of 1905 as in 

 all the previous years combined. Over 103,000 lobsterlings were 

 counted out of the rearing bags. The estimation which is usually 

 made, that one fourth stage lobster is equivalent to 1,000 in the first 

 stage, would make the results of the season's work equal to turning 

 over of 103 million newly hatched fry. 



The percentage from individually counted lots carried through 

 from the first to the fourth stage surpassed that of all other years for 

 similar numbers. In 1901, 50 per cent, was obtained from a counted 

 lot of 1,000 fry, all of which were at least two days old. This season 

 48.2 per cent, was obtained from 20,000 which were counted out just 

 after they had hatched. A number of lots gave a percentage of over 

 40. These results were obtained in spite of the fact that a great deal 

 of attention was turned from the regular work of rearing to various 

 lines of experiment. 



LIBERATION OP TAGGED LOBSTERS. 



The total number of tagged lobsters (Plate XXV) liberated in 

 1905 was 385. Sixty-two of these were caught and the tags returned. 

 Page 115 contains a table giving the data in regard to them. It is a 

 rather significant fact that 13 of these were caught in the first seven 

 days of freedom. One was caught within 24 hours, after having 

 travelled a distance of four miles. Another lobster, liberated at 

 the same time, travelled 11 miles in five days. It is further to be 

 noted, because of its bearing on the question as to how soon the 

 lobsters molt after their eggs hatch, that one tagged lobster was 

 captured after having been free for 59 days. The egg lobsters 

 retained in the cars at the Station do not, as a rule, begin to molt 

 earlier than the last of August. 



