REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF FISHERIES. 9 



1907 numbered 6,346, which is 540 more than were received in 1906. 

 The number of applications has grown steadily during the past few 

 years. 



The distributions in 1907 required travel amounting to 83,840 

 miles by the Bureau's six cars, and 263,196 miles by detached mes- 

 sengers — a total of 347,036 miles — of which 11,826 for cars and 

 80,816 for messengers were furnished free of charge. The operation 

 of the new interstate commerce law and the railroad rate laws of 

 various States will seriously increase the cost and difficulty of the 

 Government's distribution of fishes. Where formerly railroads 

 granted free transportation to cars and messengers, or charged but 

 a moderate rate, it has become necessary in some States to pay full 

 fares, and in the detached messenger service to ship the fish by 

 express, while it is an unsettled question whether or not the mes- 

 sengers will be admitted to the express cars to care for the fish. 

 The effect of these laws has already been felt, and indicates that the 

 cost of transportation of fish during the next j'ear will be practically 

 twice what it has been heretofore. 



STATIONS. 



New stations and improvements. — The hatchery and other build- 

 ings at Yes Bay, Alaska, were completed and the station put in full 

 operation in 1907. This makes the number of the Bureau's perma- 

 nent stations 34, besides which numerous auxiliaries were in operation 

 during the season. Another hatcheiy in Alaska will be located on a 

 plateau on the east side of Litnik Lake, Afognak Island. A stream 

 emptying into the lake near by will afford an ample water supply, 

 taken from a point above some rapids 10 feet higher than the lake and 

 about 1,200 feet distant. Material and supplies have been purchased 

 and shipped, labor employed, an old cannery near at hand repaired to 

 serve as a temporary storehouse, a sawmill set up, and the cutting of 

 logs for lumber begun. The construction of the hatchery was thus 

 well under way at the close of the fiscal year. 



At Craig Brook, Me., the antiquated and unsuitable structure for- 

 merly in use has been replaced by a new one-story frame hatchery, 

 32 feet by 70 feet, with basement and attic. The new building con- 

 tains suitable storage and work rooms, is heated by steam, and will 

 accommodate 14 double troughs, 13 feet long by 2 feet 8 inches wide, 

 holding 1,600 trays, with a capacity for 10,000,000 brook- trout eggs. 



A new salmon hatchery has also been constructed at Battle Creek, 

 Cal. The building is of wood and is 142 feet' long by 58 feet wide, 

 and contains 192 troughs 15 feet long. The water power at this sta- 

 tion has been increased by raising the dam at the head of the supply 

 ditch. 



