XXVI REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



iu fish-cultural work, and iu scieutific research. A number of papers 

 on timely subjects were read and discussed, and it is believed that the 

 personal meeting and interchange of views of those present will be of 

 value to the fishery interests. This Commission was represented by 

 Dr. Hugh M. Smith, Mr. W. de C. Kavenel, Mr. C. H. Townsend, Mr. 

 H. F. Moore, and Lieut. Franklin Swift, of the steamer Fish Haulc. 



As the Fish Hawk was on duty in neighboring waters she was directed 

 to remain iu Tampa Bay during the sessions of the congress and was 

 visited by many of the delegates; the vessel was equipped with hatch- 

 ing apparatus and aquaria, in which some of the native fish and crus- 

 taceans of the region were showu, and an exhibition of the methods of 

 deep-sea dredging was given in Tampa Bay. The Commission further 

 participated by exhibiting collections of oysters, ornamental corals, 

 and other products of American waters, and one of its fish transporta- 

 tion cars was also present. The proceedings of the congress and the 

 papers there presented, coveriug a wide range of subjects, were pub- 

 lished in the Bulletin for 1897 and also issued as a special document. 



During March, 1898, an exhibition, given under the auspices of the 

 New Eugland Sportsmen's Association, was held in Boston, Mass., and 

 at the request of citizens interested in the fisheries and in game, such 

 assistance as was practicable in making the exhibit interesting and 

 instructive was rendered by the Commission. 



NEW STATIONS. 



A final examination of the site selected for a fish- cultural station at 

 Spearfish, S. Dak., was made during the summer of 1897, and as it was 

 found that an ample supply of water would be available at all seasons 

 the site described in the last annual report was decided on. The pur- 

 chase of the land was consummated June 30, 1898, and the construction 

 of the station will be prosecuted during the coming year. 



During the summer and fall there was an investigation of the various 

 localities in New Hampshire suggested as suitable for a fish hatchery, 

 and a selection was made of land near the Nashua Eiver, about 1| 

 miles west of the city of Nashua. This site possesses in a greater 

 degree than any others examined in the State the requisites for a fish- 

 hatchery. An ami)le supply of water is obtainable from springs and 

 artesian wells, and the topography of the land is such that it can be 

 carried by gravity to the i^oints where it will be used. The property is 

 well suited for a favorable arrangement of buildings and ponds, and its 

 proximity to a city of considerable size, with railroad facilities and a 

 market for supplies, is of great advantage. The property was purchased 

 March 28, 1898, and on May 12, 1898, the work of construction was begun. 



At the new station at Erwin in Tennessee, the work has been con- 

 tinued, and a hatchery building, cottage for the superintendent, and 

 other buildings have been completed. Ponds have been excavated, the 

 wat('r-sui)])ly lines and drains built, and necessary roads laid out. In 

 November, although the work of construction was not comi^lete, two 



