KKPORT OK OOMMISSIONKU OK KISII AND KISUKKIKS. 



Stali'iiit'iil d/frci' Iniiisporldllon fiiniislicil hi/ ccrtiiiii nii/rodds — (loiiliiuiiul. 



11 



BIOLOGICAL INQUIRIES. 



The exYjeriments Avhich have betMi ctirriod on for .several years at 

 Lyniihaven, Va., to j)erfect. a method l)v which oysters can be fattened 

 and improved in flavor and food value are ineetino- with encourai>-ino- 

 success. Means have been found to supply proper food in sudicient 

 quantity and in a systematic manner, and it is believed in another 

 season it can be demonstrated that oysters can be fattened foi market 

 by simple economical means. This will make the industry far more 

 profitable than the present method of allowing the 03'sters to grow 

 under natural conditions, which is always uncertain and often will not 

 give the best results. 



Successful results are hoped for from the expiM-imental work cai-ried 

 on in Florida in raising sponges from cuttings. It is desired to dis- 

 cover methods wdiich will be available for the prtictical sponge-gi'ower 

 and which will permit the cultivation of sponges systematically and 

 assure the grower of regular mark(^ta))le crops. As Florida can now 

 supply only about half the demand of this country, and as the natural 

 sj)onge-grounds are rajjidl}' ])ecoming d(>plet(Hl, the undtM'taking is 

 watched with interest by prominent dealers. 



A systematic investigation of the carp in the (Treat Lakes, where 

 this species is very abundant, was undertaken on account of the dis- 

 favor in which it is held by man}' persons. Attention was given to 

 the food and feeding of the carp, its relation to other fishes, and its 

 food and market value. It is probable that th(» prejudice against this 

 fish. comes from a misapprehension and may be removed with a fuller 

 knowledge of the facts. Much information on the subject has been 

 obtained, and tht^ intjuiries will be continued another season. 



The supposed destruction of fish and ai)paratus by sea lions has 

 caused apprehension to the fishery interests of the Pacific coast, and in 

 some localities systematic efforts liave been made to kill off the herds. 

 A diversity of opinion has existed as to the advisability of this course, 

 for while the fishermen claim that grtnit damage was done, this was 



