REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF FISHERIES. 43 



its production of rainbow-trout egjjs; tunl by improved methods of 

 han(llin<]: the fertility of rainbow-trout eggs at the Neosho station 

 increased 40 per cent. 



The 1920 output of smaUmouth bhu'k bass was slightly less than 

 in 1919. At nearly every station where this species is propagated 

 the same adverse weather conditions prevailed, resulting in a retarded 

 spawning, the loss of many of the eo;gs in the first spawning, the 

 abandonment of nests b}' the parent hsh, and the killing of eggs in 

 later layings by sudtlen fluctuations in temi^erature. The only sta- 

 tion at Avhich an increased protluction of smaUmouth black bass 

 occurred is Ix)uisville, which distributed over 100,000 fry and finger- 

 lin<rs, and had 'its most successful season. 



The propagation of largemouth black bass was adversely influ- 

 enced by the same conditions that affected the smaUmouth species, 

 although the aggregate output was larger than in the previous year. 

 Both the Orangeburg (S. C.) and the San Marcos (Tex.) stations 

 had an especially successful season, and the latter had the best year 

 in its history. From Orangeburg the production of largemouth 

 bass was 241,765, notwithstanding a considerable loss of fingerlings 

 from cannibalism, owing to the inability to secure capable assistance 

 in promptly remoA'ing the young fish from the ponds containing 

 adults. As an innovation in the distribution of pond fishes, 5,400 

 sunfish were held through the winter at Orangeburg Avithout undue 

 loss, made an excellent growth, and were planted in spring. In re- 

 sponse to the large demand for sunfish in the Southern States, an 

 effort is being made to increase the output of this species as fast as 

 possible. The bluegill — the largest, and in many localities and in 

 man}' respects the most desirable of the sunfishes — is being substi- 

 tuted as brood stock for the other and smaller species. 



In Texas there has been a call for pond fishes in excess of the 

 production of the one station operated in the State. To meet this 

 demand, plans were made to increase the production of fish of the 

 species most called for. With this in view, the lease of a parcel of 

 land, desirable for pond construction and conveniently located for 

 the distribution of the output, was secured from the city of Xew 

 Braunfels. The lease included a supply of water from the city 

 reservoir. About two years ago, following a period during which 

 the San Marcos station was closed, the Texas Legislature enacted a 

 law giving suitable protection to bass, crappie, and other food and 

 game fishes during their spaAvning period. The absence of such a 

 law in the State was the important consideration in connection with 

 the closing of the station. By a ruling of the attorney general of the 

 State this laAv was practically annulled during 1920, and the fishes 

 propagated by the Bureau are again left without adequate protection 

 at a time when such protection is most urgently needed, viz, their 

 period of mating, nesting, egg laying, and guarding the young. Any 

 effort to increase the output of artificially reared fishes under these 

 circumstances seems ill advised. 



The value and importance of vegetation in pond culture have long 

 been recognized, and much time and effort have l)een devoted to the 

 production of luxuriant growths of aquatic plants in fish ponds. The 

 intelligent control of this growth is also of importance, and this can 

 not be successfully accomplished without more exact knoAvledge of 



