56 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF FISHERIES. 



on the initiative of the Bureau and under the immediate direction 

 of the various station superintendents. The fishes adapted for the 

 minor interior waters were largely planted on applications from 

 States, clubs, associations, and individuals bearing the indorsement 

 of Senators or Representatives. 



In the course of the year the fish-distributing cars traveled a 

 total of 138,717 miles, the paid transportation amounting to 122,778 

 miles. Although the output of fish was larger than ever before, a 

 material reduction in distribution expenses by messengers was 

 effected, through the systematic planning of the work with the view 

 of supplying all species without covering the same territory twice. 

 By this means the messenger travel of 645,721 miles in 1916 was 

 reduced to 554,597 miles in 1917. The average cost per mile for 

 movement of the Bureau's cars, based on data compiled for the 

 fiscal year 1916, was $0,144, including fares of the car crews. 



A new fish transportation car, for which Congress had provided 

 an appropriation of $20,000, was completed and put in commission 

 shortly after July 1, 1916. This car is of steel construction through- 

 out except for the doors and windows, and is equipped for carrymg 

 140 cans of fish. Its use has greatly facilitated the distribution 

 work, as it carries a load almost 50 per cent larger than the old cars. 



Small shipments of eggs have been made to foreign countries, in 

 response to official requests. Thus, there were forwarded to Canada 

 96,000 rainbow-trout eggs and to Japan 100,000 brook-trout eggs 

 and 101,000 rainbow-trout eggs. To the Canal Zone there were sent 

 2,750 fingerling, black bass, catfish, rock bass, and sunfish, at the 

 request of the canal administration. 



A detailed statement of the distribution and planting of fish is 

 published separately as a part of this report, and is available for 

 gratuitous distribution. This statement shows by States and local- 

 ities the number and age of fish of each species distributed during the 

 year. 



PROPAGATION OF THE PACIFIC SALMONS. 



The run of both red and humpback salmons in the vicinity of the 

 Afognak station was the largest that has occurred in that region smce 

 the year of the eruption of Moimt Katmai in 1912. In connection 

 with the run of the former species, it is noteworthy that Litnik Lake 

 was the only point in the ash belt where any number of redfish were 

 noticeable, and nearly aU the other lakes which they frecjuented before 

 the eruption were barren. Whether this run, consisting of indi- 

 viduals of an inferior size, was affected by remote influences or was 

 in part or altogether the result of the hatchery plantings is conjectural. 



Collections of red-salmon eggs extending from July 26 to October 

 18 amounted to 22,424,000, of which 4,678,000 were taken at Seal 

 Bay and 692,000 at Uganak Bay. To these acquisitions was added 

 a gift of 1,016,000 eyed eggs from the Karluk hatchery of the Alaska 

 Packers Association. §ome of the later eggs were more than seven 

 months in process of hatching, due to the fact that the water tem- 

 perature remained around 33° F. until after the middle of April, fol- 

 lowing a very severe winter. Fry began taking food late in April, 

 and 8,871,000 were on hand at the end of the fiscal year after 

 10,296,000 had been liberated. Freshened salt salmon, a by-product 

 of spawiimg operations, was fed with satisfactory results. Its prepa- 



