444 EEPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



necessity in their model is the shoulder arched in toward the neck 

 of the can ; this, when the water fills the can quite up to the neck, has the 

 tendency to confine, or, as I have heard it termed, " to bind " the water 

 and prevent the violent splashing that a large area of surface would 

 be subject to, and that would be of great iujury to the delicate young fish. 



A piece of rubber-hose about twice the length of the can to be used 

 as a siphon when drawing down the water in the cans of fish prepara- 

 tory to replenishing them with fresh water. 



A tin tube the length of a can and about two inches in diameter, 

 one foot of the lower i^ortion being made of perforated tin, is to be 

 used with the siphon, the tube hanging from a hook, soldered to its 

 ui)per end, to the mouth of the can and the rubber-siphon beiug put 

 down inside of the tube draws the water from within it, the perforated 

 tin preventing the young shad from being drawn through, though the 

 water has easy access. 



The rubber-tube should not be more than three-fourths of an inch in 

 diameter, as a larger siphon would create too strong a current through 

 the perforations, and lodge and injure the young fish against the sides 

 of the tube. For the same reason it will be seen that an attachment 

 of perforated tin tube to the bottom of the rubber-pipe, though a 

 simpler instrument for the purpose would be injurious, as a much less 

 current is created through the orifices in the large area of a tube of 

 wide diameter than one having a small one. 



A couple of tin pails for carrying away the stale water and obtaining 

 fresh water from pumps and hydrants, a thermometer to observe tem- 

 peratures of the water on the fish, and a tin dipper, completes the simple 

 apparatus required for the successful transfer of young shad. 



{22b.) The care of the fish. — The care of fish while transporting them is 

 an essential part of the art of fish-culture, and often requires more skill 

 and judgment than the propagation of young fish. 



The shad are perhaps the most delicate and most liable to loss of any 

 fish handled in this country. Many who have been successful ^ith salmon 

 and trout have failed entirely when attempting to transfer shad even for 

 short distances. Still, their proper care and treatment is a very simple 

 matter. The first essential is continual attention. For any long dis- 

 tance there should be two persons in attendance, relieving each other at 

 intervals of several hours ; and on no account, no matter how flattering 

 the conditions of the young fish may be, should they both lie down to 

 sleep at the same time. 



From 12,000 to 24,000 are safe numbers for a fifty-quart can when 

 carried from ten hours to three days, if good water can be afforded as 

 often as once in two hours. For a trip to California, occupying from 

 six to eight days and with several days without a supply of fresh water, 

 5,000 to the can would probably be as many as it would be advisable to 

 carry. 



