96 REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 



fully distributed at many distant points, where they will no doubt exer- 

 cise a very important function in connection with the stocking of the 

 rivers of the Atlantic and Gulf coasts with shad. 



The calls upon the Commission for the German carp have continued 

 to increase, and have been met as far as the stock at command would 

 allow. Twice the number of fish bred in the ponds in Washington 

 could have been disposed of had they been in our possession. 



The two cars constructed expressly for the purpose of transporting 

 the fish to different parts of the country have proved extremely serv- 

 iceable; and Congress authorized the building of a third car, which 

 will be available in the early part of 1885. This contains many improv- 

 ments over the others, and will be of great value in the work of the 

 Commission. 



The distribution of eggs of the Penobscot and land-locked salmon 

 from the stations in Maine has been satisfactory, as in former years, 

 the i)roduct of the stations being forwarded to such points in the United 

 States as promise to be the most suitable. 



In no year since the establishment of the Commission have there 

 been so many eggs of whitefish taken at the two stations in Michigan, 

 about one hundred and fifty millions being the actual yield. This fish 

 is growing in favor, and there are numerous demands for it. 



A large increase has been made in the distribution of the California 

 trout, a fish that promises to be of great service in localities Avhere the 

 common brook-trout of the Eastern States cannot be maintained in 

 proper condition. 



The usual annual Bulletin of the United States Fish Commission has 

 been published, making the fourth volume in the series. It contains 

 many interesting communications which are very much sought after. 



In previous reports mention has been made of the seacoast station at 

 Wood's Holl, a point specially adapted for carrying out the work of the 

 United States Fish Commission. 



After having devoted a number of years to the improvement of the 

 river fisheries of the United States, especially those of the salmon, 

 shad, whitefish, &c., attention was turned to the fish inhabiting the 

 ocean, with a view of determining the x>ossibility of multiplying them 

 to a profitable degree. The first experiments in this direction were 

 mostly made at Gloucester, Mass., in the winter of 1878-'79, and were 

 so satisfactory, in spite of the inclemency of the winter weather, dur- 

 ing which the work is carried on, that it was determined, as soon as a 

 suitable site could be obtained on the south coast of ^N^ew England, to 

 prosecute the work there on a large scale. 



Wood's Holl combining all the requirements in a greater degree than 

 could be found elsewhere, the first subject to be taken into considera- 

 tion was that of acquiring the ground on which to erect the buildings. 

 This was done by the liberality of several citizens of Massachusetts, 

 and of the Old Colony Eailroad Company, supplemented by contribu- 



