6 DISTRIBUTION OF FISH AND FISH EGGS^ 1917. 



the Bureau's stations until they have attained the size of fingerlings. 

 It is the aim of the Bureau in all cases to allot a sufficient number of 

 a given species to fonn a brood stock for the water area described, 

 and those interested in the lake or stream so stocked are rehed upon 

 to see that the fish are afforded proper protection by the restriction 

 or prohibition of fishing until a sufficient length of time has elapsed 

 for them to reproduce, a period which will vary from two to three 

 years, according to the species furnished. 



Fry or very young fish can be shipped in much larger numbers 

 than those of the fingerhng sizes. A 10-gallon transportation can 

 will safely carry from 2,000 to 3,000 fry of the trouts or black basses, 

 from 500 to 1 ,000 one-inch fish of these species, and of those 2 inches 

 long, from 100 to 300. It has been calculated that the varying num- 

 bers of the different sizes stated have practically equal value for stock 

 purposes, as the losses in open waters from natural causes are in 

 about the ratios indicated. 



Some of the commercial species propagated — whitefish, pike perch, 

 white perch, and shad, which are distributed only as fry — are so 

 small that as many as 100,000 can be carried in a 10-gallon can. 



Fish intended for apphcants are carried to destination in specially 

 equipped railroad cars belonging to the Bureau, or in the regular 

 baggage cars attached to passenger trains, an experienced messenger 

 accompanying them for the purpose of aerating the water en route. 

 The only expense the appUcant is put to in connection with the trans- 

 action is that of transporting the fish from the railroad station des- 

 ignated in the apphcation to the waters in which they are to be 

 hberated. Some days in advance of an intended delivery the con- 

 signee is notified and given detailed instructions regarding the 

 reception and care of the fish after they are turned over to him. He 

 is notified again by wire a few hours before the arrival, in order that 

 he may meet the train and receive the consignment, which will be 

 handed to him from the car by the messenger. 



Diu-ing the fiscal year ended June 30, 1917, the Bureau received 

 1 1 ,208 applications from individuals and associations for fish to stock 

 pubhc and private waters. Requests for blanks upon which to sub- 

 mit applications for fish should be addressed to the Commissioner of 

 Fisheries, Washington, D. C. 



