REPORT ON THE PROPAGATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF 



FOOD-FISHES. 



By W. peC. Ravknel, Atisistnnt in Charge. 

 INTRODUCTION. 



Tlie work of the Division of Fish-Oulture, prosecuted on the same 

 general lines as in past years, is shown by the following abstracts of 

 reports of the superintendents of the various stations. The same sta- 

 tions were operated as in 1896, with the addition of those at Manches- 

 ter, Iowa, and San Marcos, Tex., which were completed in December. 

 The output of salmon fry was largely augmented by the establishment 

 of auxiliary stations at Battle Creek, Cal., on Salmon River, Oregon, 

 and the Little White Salmon, Washington, which were operated in 

 conjunction with Baird and Clackamas stations. During the year all 

 the stations in New England and on the Great Lakes, as well as those 

 at Wytheville and Quincy, were inspected by the Commissioner and the 

 assistant in charge of the Division of Fish-Culture. 



The shad work on the Atlantic Coast was also largely increased, and 

 steps were taken to investigate the rivers along the South Atlantic 

 coast with the view to the establishment of auxiliary stations. On the 

 New England coast, in addition to the operations conducted at Wo^ds 

 Hole and Gloucester, the Grampus and Fish Hawk were utilized during 

 May and June in collecting lobster eggs off the coast of Maine. The 

 crew of the Grampus also rendered material assistance in the cod work, 

 collecting eggs for Gloucester Station from fishing vessels at Kitiery. 



From the experience gained the past season it is believed that a 

 cod-collecting station can be advantageously established at Plymouth, 

 Mass., and if successful it will obviate the necessity of penning brood 

 fish at Woods Hole, materially reducing the expense of that station. 



During the fiscal year 586,144,000 fish and eggs, embracing 30 species 

 and 1 crustacean, were distributed from the following stations: 



Green Lake Station, Me. 



Craig Brook Station, Me. 



St. Jolinsbury Station, Vt. 



Cape Vinceut Station, N. Y. 



Gloucester Station, Mass. 



Woods Hole Station, Mass. 



Steamer Fish Hawk (Albemarle Sound, 



Delaware River, andCascoBay). 

 Battery Island Station, Md. 

 Bryan Point Station, Md. 

 Central Station, Washington, D. C. 

 Fisli Commission lakes, Washington, 



D. C. j Fort Gaston Station, Cal 



Wytheville Station, Va. ! Clackamas Station, Oreg 



Put-in Bay Station, Ohio. 

 Northville Station, Mich. 

 Alpena Station, Mich. 

 Duluth Station, Minn. 

 Manchester Station, Iowa. 

 C^uiiicy Station, 111. 

 Neosho Station, Mo. 

 San Marcos Station, Tex. 

 Leadville Station, Colo. 

 Bozeman Station, Mont. 

 Baird Station Cal. 

 Battle Creek Station, (!al. 



