PROPAGATIOX AXD DISTRIBUTIOISr OF FOOD FISHES, 19 2 8 383 



already tlistributed were from 80 per cent of the eggs collected, while 3.34 per 

 cent remained on hund at the close of the year. The brook-trout eggs purchased 

 from a commercial producer were unsatisfactory in that the losses of fry 

 amounted to about one-third of the total number. Suflicient tingerlings were 

 obtained, however, to meet the normal demands and to provide a small stock 

 for several of the rearing pools adapted to this species. 



Although the brood stock of largemouth bass was increased considerably, 

 only a limited number of fish was produced, because climatic conditions were 

 not right. Five thousand nine hundred fish produced in the previous year were 

 distributed. The conditions affecting the largemouth variety also militated 

 against a satisfactory production of the smallmouth form and likewise 

 retarded the development of daphnia, which is food for the young. Only about 

 '6.000 fish were distributed, but a number of fry were held over for distribu- 

 tion in the fall. A considerable number of rock bass were handled, as well as 

 limited quantities of sunfish and catfish. 



PONDFISH STATIOXS 



Some of the hatcheries in the Southern States again exceeded 

 previous records. Pond stations, however, are particularly suscepti- 

 ble to unfavorable weather, which has reduced the output in several 

 instances. The pond area has been extended and the water supply 

 improved wherever possible. 



Cold Spring (Ga.) Station 

 (Charles A. Bullock, Superintendent) 



A number of the ponds at this station were enlarged, some were consolidated, 

 while in others the old wooden overflows were replaced by a new device made 

 of concrete. Several hundred feet of concrete flume, 3 feet in diameter inside, 

 were constructed with the view of consolidating two of the ponds. A ditch 

 leading to a highway culvert had been washed out, and it was necessary to 

 construct a concrete flume to take its place. This flume is over 500 feet long, 

 and the inside diameter is 4i/^ feet. Leaks in the water-supply system made 

 other improvements necessary. Most of the station buildings were painted. 

 All ponds were heavily limed during the winter, and as a result there has been 

 a marked diminution in the growth of detrimental plants, and several of the 

 ponds, which had been virtually worthless previously, produced a number of 

 fish. While no new adult brood bass were secured during the year, the pro- 

 duction was kept up by the addition of some cull stock and some young fish 

 taken from the station rearing ponds. The year's output of largemouth bass 

 was slightly less than 300,000. 



The Harris substation was maintained as usual except that the former practice 

 of feeding the adult fish was abandoned. By drawing the ponds down quickly 

 and eliminating seining operations a very satisfactory production of bream 

 was secured and at a much lower cost as compared with previous years. Due 

 to the depredations of bass that escaped into one of the bream ponds, the pro- 

 duction of bream at the main station w^as small, the yield being about 53,000 

 from the two ponds devoted to that work. A similar accident reduced the pro- 

 duction of catfish, only about 7,000 fingerlings having been obtained from a 

 brood stock of 100 adults. 



Edenton (N. C.) Station 



(W. S. Vincent, Superintendent) 



A new wire fence was placed along the boundary of the station grounds 

 adjoining the new State highway, which connects the hatchery directly with 

 the town of Edenton. The electric-light line, formerly conducted under the 

 creek by a submarine cable, was replaced by a line carried along the new 

 highway. Considerable repairing of the station vessels was necessary to keep 

 them in running order. 



The fish-cultural work of the past season was quite successful, although the 

 pondfish work did not produce as good results as could be desired. Small ship- 

 ments of sunfish and crappie were made, but the bass work in the spring of 



