414 U. S. BUREAXJ OF FISHERIES 



The experiment was watched carefully to determine whether the 

 shells disintej^rated or would clog the screen and it was found that 

 the shells had disappeared within a week after the eggs hatched. The 

 benefits of this method are cited as being a reduction in the loss of 

 fry and a marked curtailment of the work involved during the hatching 

 season. It is pointed out, however, that at other hatcheries having a 

 colder water temperature, the egg shells might not as readily disinte- 

 grate and the system would not work as well. The volume of water 

 which was utihzed was the same as that employed with the older 

 method of using baskets. 



DISCONTINUANCE OF FISH-CULTURAL NOTES 



It has been decided to refrain from the further puV>iication of items 

 under the heading of Fisii Cultural Notes in the divisional report. 

 Since this is only issued annually, it is felt desirable that current fisli 

 cultural information be made more immediately available. With this 

 object in view a monthly leaflet or bulletin entitled "The Progressive 

 Fish Culturist '' vvill h? issued and circulated to the Bureau's employ- 

 ees and otliers interested. This will contain notes of recent current 

 developments in fish culture, methods, technique, and practices. 

 Developments and improvements in methods at the Bureau's stations, 

 therefore, will bo circulated so that they can be adopted elsewhere 

 without waiting for a period of a year or more. 



DISTRIBUTION OPERATIONS 



The decrease in the output of fish was reflected in a curtailment of 

 distribution activities both by the fish cars and by other means. 

 The distribution cars made 71 trips in delivering fish and carried an 

 average of 250 pails per trip. In making tliis distribution the cars 

 traveled 38,134 paid miles and 10,348 free miles. Detached messen- 

 gers made 74,516 paid and 15,762 free miles in delivering fish. The 

 number of miles traveled by distribution cars M-as less than one-half 

 that in 1933, wliile there was likewise a marked diminution in the 

 travel by detached messengers and station trucks. During 1934, 

 distribution by the latter means covered 38,526 miles. As heretofore, 

 the Bureau was the beneficiary of transportation without cost or at 

 reduced rates furnished by a number of railroads. 



The modification in distribution policy necessitated by the curtail- 

 ment of ap])ropriatioiis has residted in a considerable number of 

 unfilled applications, principally in sections at a distance from the 

 points of production. 



It has been the general policy to notify all applicants when fish are 

 available for distribution, advising them that they will be expected 

 to receive the fish at the hatchery or otherwise defray the costs of 

 delivery. Detailed arrangements for such deliveries are made with 

 the applicant directly by superintendents of the stations furnishing 

 the fish, and are not handled by the Washington office. It is imprac- 

 ticable for the headquarters oflice to make definite and specific 

 arrangements as to field deliveries owing to many conditions and cir- 

 cumstances wliich may arise. Wliere shipments to a given section 

 can be consolidated, the cost of delivery to the individual applicant 

 is kept at a low figure. After allowing adequate time for applicants 

 to make arrangements for receiving the fish the balance of the season's 



