REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 151 



-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 essential 

 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 

 structure, is nevertheless capable of withstanding quite a heavy sea. 

 In the summer of 1903 it was subjected to one of the worst storms 

 for years along the coast, and rode it out uninjured. The break- 

 water then in use was light and was carried away. The rearing 

 apparatus, however, was not damaged. 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 ran so high that many fry were 

 swept out of the bags. 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 expense 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 shorter 

 time there is less chance for death from cannibalism, parasites, and 

 injury. 



13. Cost of a Rearing Plant. 



The estimated cost of the simplest possible plant, consisting of 20 

 rearing bags, capable of turning out 500,000 lobsterlings in a season, 

 is as follows: 



