REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. XXVII 



large ponds and six rearing-pouds w^ere ready and the fish-cultnral 

 operations had begnn. 



On December 20, 1897, an act passed by the Virginia legislature was 

 approved authorizing the transfer of the station at Wytheville from 

 the State of Virginia to the United States. In accordance with an act of 

 Congress approved June 8, 1896, the purchase was made March 5, 1898, 

 and the preparation of plans for permanent improvements was begun. 

 New buildings will be erected, the pond system enlarged, the water 

 supply increased, and the efficiency of the station generally improved. 



An item in the deficiency bill approved July 19, 1897, called for an 

 investigation in the State of Georgia to select a suitable location for a 

 fish-cultural station. A preliminary examination was made in the 

 summer and fall of 1896 in the vicinity of Macon, as well as in other 

 parts of the State. A number of localities were visited by agents of 

 the Commission and a report was made to Congress January 5, 1898, 

 showing that of all the sites examined. Cold Springs, near Bullochville, 

 Meriwether County, is best adapted for the purpose required, having 

 an abundant supply of clear, cold water, good railroad facilities, and 

 land easily available for necessary constructions. Furthermore, the 

 owner of the property is willing to donate the land to the Government 

 for a fish-cultural station, as required by the act authorizing the survey. 



On account of the importance of the blueback or sockeye salmon 

 {Oncorhynchus nerka) in the Puget Sound region, the Commission has 

 had under advisement the establishment of a hatchery for the propa- 

 gation of that species at some point on the northwest coast. As exten- 

 sive spawning-grounds of the blueback were known to exist at Baker 

 Lake, Oregon, and as a hatchery had been successfully operated there 

 by the State of Washington, a preliminary examination of the lake 

 was made. It was found that an ample supply of eggs of the sockeye 

 could be obtained and that the natural conditions of the locality were 

 favorable. 



At the request of citizens interested, an examination was made of the 

 streams in the vicinity of Arkadelphia and Hot Springs, Ark., to 

 determine on the advisability of establishing a hatchery, but no suit- 

 able location was found. 



MISCELLANEOUS. 



The new constructions and surveys mentioned above have been under 

 the direction of the architect and engineer, Mr. H. von Bayer, who has 

 continued the supervision of the repairs and alteiations at the stations 

 necessary to maintain their efficiency. Besides the routine work of 

 this office, various charts, maps, and plans, to illustrate the reports of 

 the Commission have been prepared there. 



As there have been laws passed in many States requiring the erection 

 of fishways wherever a dam is constructed, this office has been fre- 

 quently called upon for advice, and plans and descriptions of fishways 

 have been asked for. In order to be prepared to readily answer those 



