REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF FISHERIES. 57 



gations of tlio natunil mussel resources of the streams and of the 

 conditions in respect to the possibility of their improvement were 

 made in Oklahoma, Arkansas, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Illinois 

 during the year. As the preparation of full reports involves the 

 examination of much material and data, the Bureau has recently 

 ado])ted the policy of issuing on completion of the field work a brief 

 summary of the facts of immediate importance to the mussel fisher- 

 men and the button manufacturers. New sources of supply of pearly 

 mussels have been opened up through the Bureau's investigations. 



INVESTIGATION OF THE CHESAPEAKE BASIN. 



At intervals during the year research has been conducted into the 

 growth and life histories of the shad, herrings, and other food fishes 

 of the Chesapeake Basin in order to acquire data on which to base 

 recommendations for the increase and improvement of the fish 

 suj)i)ly. Chesapeake Bay, by reason of its physical and biological 

 characteristics, and its location with respect to the great centers of 

 poj)ulati()n, is the largest producer of sea food within the territorial 

 limits of tlie United States and is exploited to a degree which requires 

 careful administration for the preservation of its resources. 



Inquiries conducted m the upper part of the bay showed that con- 

 siderable quantities of mature and immature food fishes were used 

 in the production of fertilizer. This abuse is especially prevalent 

 in Maryland, the fish being disposed of to vessels from Virgmia, in 

 which State the laws agamst the practice are strmgent. 



WORK AT BIOLOGICAL STATIONS. 



The activities of the Fairport, Iowa, station have been epitomized 

 in connection with the description of pearl-mussel investigations. 



The Beaufort, N. C, laboratory was in operation with a full force 

 of permanent and temporary investigators and assistants durmg the 

 summer of 1911. During the remainder of the year work was car- 

 ried on by the permanent personnel, particularly in the continuation 

 of experiments in the breeding and culture of diamond-back terrapin. 



The Bureau has now a brood stock of terrapin from various locali- 

 ties between Chesapeake Bay and Texas, and about 1,700 young 

 hatched in captivity. Little difficulty has been encountered in 

 hatching and raising the young, and although the experiment has 

 not yet been of sufficient duration to show final results, the rate of 

 growth and the small expense of feeding and care give every promise 

 of the early development of a commercially profitable industry. 

 Operations on a large scale and the undertaking of similar economic 

 work with other aquatic food animals is prevented by the lack of a 

 fish and terrapin culturist who can devote himself to the experiments, 

 unhampered by other duties. 



