100 EEPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF FISHERIES. 



should not assume a much more important r61e than heretofore in 

 the business of fur farming. 



At the end of the fiscal year 1917 four islands were under lease by 

 the Department for the propagation of fur-bearing animals. These 

 were Middleton, Simeonof, Little Koniuji, and Marmot Islands. The 

 lease of Carlson Island was canceled November 22, 1916, and Marmot 

 Island was leased for five years, beginning September 1, 1916, at $200 

 per year. Negotiations have been pending for the lease of Pearl 

 Island. 



MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS. 



SPECIAL CONSTRUCTIONS AND IMPROVEMENTS. 



No new hatcheries or laboratories were authorized during the 

 fiscal year but a number of special appropriations became available 

 for improvements at several stations, and construction work was also 

 in progress at various stations under former appropriations. 



At Key West, Fla., the site of the marine biological laboratory 

 authorized some years ago, a salt-water reservoir, 40 by 45 feet, has 

 been excavated together with a canal 210 feet long connecting the 

 reservoir with the open bay. The canal is to be provided with 

 gates, and an ample supply of pure sea water is assured. Part of 

 the foundation for the laboratory has been constructed, and plans 

 and specifications for a residence building and pump house with 

 provisional laboratory have been prepared and bids for their con- 

 struction have been solicited. An additional appropriation of 

 $25,000 has been made, but it is evident that, under existing condi- 

 tions, the amount provided is inadequate for the completion of an 

 acceptable laboratory. 



At the Louisville (Ky.) station, the construction work has included 

 six concrete rearing ponds 8 by 20 feet, an earth pond 79 feet square 

 for growing aquatic plants and minute animal food for young fish, 

 and supply and drainage pipes. With the exception of a fence, this 

 station is regarded as complete. 



At the Springville (Utah) station, a hatchery and a superintendent's 

 dweUing have been budt. The hatchery, 34 by 97 feet, contains 

 120 troughs, with ample oflice, storage, and other rooms. The 

 dwelling is a frame structure with 8 rooms and modern conveniences. 



The old wooden flume for supplying water to the Duluth (Minn.) 

 hatchery has been replaced by an iron pipe line. 



Bids within the limits of the several appropriations for a retaining 

 basin for brood fish at the Gloucester (Mass.) hatchery, for a lobster- 

 rearing plant for New England, and for two new steel fish-distribution 

 cars have not as yet been obtained. 



The title to the property on Block Island, R. I., selected for a 

 fish-cultural station as authorized by the act of Congress approved 

 June 23, 1913, was found, on investigation, to be somewhat involved, 

 and it was necessary, in accordance with the State law, to obtain 

 from the probate court of the town of New Shoreham permission 

 to seU the property. This was granted by decree of the court on 

 October 2, 1916. The Legislature of the State of Rhode Island, in 

 1909, ceded to the town of New Shoreham all control over the waters 

 within 1 mile of the shore of Block Island and granted the electors 

 of that town authority to enact ordinances to protect and regulate 



