REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF FISHERIES. 7 



and public, which indicates a growing popular interest in fish-culture 

 and a more widespread appreciation of the great benefits that come 

 from the utilization of small waters for the raising of food and game 

 fishes. In 1908 the number of applications for such purposes reached 

 8.284. against 6,346 in 1907 — the greatest increase so far recorded. 



NOTES ON CERTAIN OPERATIONS. 



New features of the- work. — The hatchery work in 1908, although 

 so largely concentrated upon increasing the output, was not without 

 new features. The yellow bass {Morone interrupta), prized as a 

 game and food fish in the Gulf States and the Middle West, was 

 added to the list of species propagated ; and in response to a growing 

 and insistent demand there were distributed in several instances a 

 brood stock of carp, which fish the Bureau has not been distributing 

 for many years. Some waters not suited to any other species 

 are suited to carp, and the purpose of the Bureau to supply this fish 

 for such waters, preferably by transfer from other waters, should 

 not provoke the criticism justly addressed to carp misplaced. 



The collection of cod eggs by the Norwegian method, introduced 

 about two years ago, has proved so satisfactory that it has superseded 

 the former method as far as equipment permits, and will in time be 

 generallj^ adopted. The essential feature of the NorAvegian method 

 is that the brood cod are kept in suitable inclosures and allowed to 

 spawn naturally, their eggs coming to the surface and being col- 

 lected automatically. This is a much less expensive and more effi- 

 cient way to obtain the eggs than was formerly practiced. 



To increase the effectiveness of the Bureau's distribution of fish 

 and at the same time to facilitate the office work, there has been estab- 

 lished a card-index system by which will be preserved all obtainable 

 data pertaining to plants of fish in the many thousands of ponds, 

 lakes, and streams that the Bureau has stocked. This information 

 will afford a complete fish-cultural history of the respective waters, 

 and will be invaluable as a guide in the allotment of fish on applica- 

 tion, showing readily what species are indigenous, what species have 

 been successfully introduced or have failed to survive, and what 

 species, by their habits or the habits of the fish already in the waters, 

 would be an unsuitable addition. 



Rescue of fishes from overfoics. — The collection of fishes from over- 

 flowed lands of the Mississippi Valley was successfully conducted this 

 year, but with increasing evidence of the need of more stations. 

 These collections are at present depended upon to supply desirable 

 pond and stream fishes to many applicants throughout all the Middle 

 West and the South, and there is much greater demand than 

 can be met. The deficiency, however, is not in the lack of obtainable 

 fish, for millions are left to waste. By reason of the remoteness of 



