REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. XLV 



to open the statiou two weeks in advance of the usual time. Mr. L. G. 

 HaiTon was detailed to assist the superintendent in field work. 



Special attention is called to the fact that although immense numbers 

 of shad were taken in March, the catch during' the spawning period 

 (April 15 to June 30) was much smaller than that of any year since 

 1887, and this accounts for the poor results secured. A few rij)e fish 

 were found as early as April 2, but the regular collections did not com- 

 mence until April 14. The following table shows the daily collections 

 of eggs and the source of supply : 



Over 90 per cent of the eggs were from the lower river, whereas only 

 about 15 per cent were obtained from that field the previous year. As 

 the daily collections were very small, half of the temporary employees 

 were discharged on May 15, and most of the remainder on the 29th, 

 sufficient force being retained to dismantle the station and care for the 

 property. On April 20 the daily shipment to Central Station was 

 frozen, though the eggs were closely covered with oil-cloth and placed 

 on the forward deck of the launch, where they were exposed to sun- 

 light. This is the first instance of shad eggs freezing on the trays 

 during the spawning season. A system of temxDerature observations, 

 embracing 25 miles of spawning territory, was inaugurated on April 

 20, and it is thought, by continuing the work from season to season, 

 that valuable deductions may be made as to the spawning habits of the 

 shad. During May an etibrt was made to ascertain the extent to which 

 young shad were frequenting the spawning-grounds at Stony Point. 

 Tlic .station was closed on June 7. 



Following are the mean temperatures of air and water for March, 

 April, and May: 



