494 U. S. BUREAU OF FISHERIES 



Some years ago Doctor Kendall undertook to bring order out of 

 the prevailing inconsistencies and attendant disorder as pertained 

 to the chars and collected specimens from everj^where possible, far 

 and near. The leaders of various Arctic expeditions were im- 

 portuned to bring as many specimens as conditions permitted, but 

 very few were obtained from any one locality. However, in the 

 long run, with a few from here and there, a good many specimens 

 have come to hand. The few specimens from scattered localities 

 furnish links, which in time others may be able to unite in a more 

 continuous chain, but it never can be complete, for many links are 

 irretrievably lost through neglect. The fish are extinct, and, in one 

 instance at least, there is not a preserved specimen in existence. It 

 is the purpose of the present work on the chars to place all available 

 links in the sequence that the study of them seems to indicate. 



INVESTIGATIONS IN AQUICULTURE 



Investigations in fish culture and related problems were consider- 

 ably extended during the past year. This was made possible by an 

 increase in the personnel and in the facilities for experimental work. 

 These investigations include studies pertaining to all phases of fish- 

 cultural activities. Naturally special attention is paid to problems 

 relating to hatchery operations, but the work is by no means confined 

 to this field. It is becoming more and more evident that fish-cultural 

 activities must be extended to include the welfare of fish after they 

 leave the hatchery. This necessitates a thorough knowledge of con- 

 ditions in the waters in which fish are to be planted so that a scientific 

 stocking policy can be developed which will insure an adequate 

 return for the labor and money expended in fish-cultural operations. 

 It is becoming apparent also that in many instances much can be 

 done to improve conditions in natural waters so that they will sup- 

 port a larger fish population than at present. Owing to limited 

 personnel it has been impossible to devote much attention to these 

 larger problems in the past; but with the increased facilities now 

 available, it is hoped to place more stress on work in this field. 



The fish-cultural stations at Fairport, Iowa, Pittsford, Vt., and 

 Leetown, W. Va., which are operated primarily for experimental 

 purposes, will serve as headquarters for investigators who will not 

 only devote their time to carrying on investigations at their respec- 

 tive stations but will also conduct field studies in the streams and 

 lakes of the surrounding territory. 



It is not intended, however, to limit investigations to these experi- 

 mental stations, but investigators will be stationed at hatcheries in 

 various parts of the country where they will carry on experiments 

 and studies dealing primarily with local problems. These investi- 

 gators will also be available to render assistance to both Federal and 

 State hatcheries in their respective territories. 



The activities of the Fairport station are almost entirely confined 

 to the study of problems connected with pond-fish culture, while 

 those of the Pittsford station are limited to trout culture and its at- 

 tendant problems. The new station at Leetown, W. Va., is designed 

 for work with both trout and the so-called warm-water fishes; but, 

 owing to insufficient funds to develop the pond system, the work for 



