LII REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



put was increased by tlie transfer of 13,5()2 from Central Station and 

 234 from Quincy, 111. The output of rock bass was 11,485 yearlings 

 and 70 adults reared at the station and 2,550 yearlings transferred from 

 Neosho. 



Bainboiv trout — The l)rood stock at the station in iSTovember con- 

 sisted of 1,623 fish from 4 to 8 years old, 700 three-year olds, 515 two- 

 year olds, and 1,200 yearlings. The spawning season commenced on 

 IS^ovember 6 and continued until February 5, during which time 770,440 

 eggs were collected from 984 fish, 620 males being used to fertilize them. 

 Of these eggs 245,000 were assigned to State fish commissions, foreign 

 societies, and private applicants; 52,000 were transferred to other sta- 

 tions of the Commission; and from the balance 365,000 healthy fry were 

 hatched. During March and April 120,000 of these were distributed 

 to applicants in Virginia and Tennessee; the remainder were placed in 

 troughs in the hatchery and in outside ponds to be reared for the fall 

 distribution, the losses to the close of the fiscal year amounting to 

 63,038. 



During the early stages of the existence of the fry their diet consisted 

 entirely of canned herring roe and salted cod roe, but from May 1 to 

 the close of the year a mixture of liver and mush was given to them. 

 After an experience of two years, fish roe, either salted or canned, is 

 considered far superior to the usual liver diet for small fry. Of the two 

 preparations the canned roe is preferable. 



There were no unusual casualties until June 23, when the water 

 supply to one of the ponds was obstructed for several hours, resulting 

 in the loss of 327 two-year old fish. 



Quinnat salmon. — On December 31, 5,000 quinnat salmon eggs were 

 received. They hatched between January 8 and 12 with slight loss, 

 and on May 28, when the fry were transferred to the ponds, the loss 

 from the time of hatching amounted to less than 200. They grew very 

 rapidly after being released in the ponds, and at the close of the year 

 were about 4 inches long. 



Black bass. — To increase the output of the station, 59 adult small- 

 mouth black bass were transferred from Put-in Bay in October. They 

 were kept in one of the spring-fed ponds until April 14 when tliey were 

 transferred to the spawning-ponds, which had been prepared with 

 artificial nests. Owing to the unusually cool and cloudy weather they 

 did not commence nesting until late in May, and at the end of June 

 only two nests containing eggs had been found. 



Bock bass. — Early in April 145 adult rock bass were placed in the 

 spawning-ponds. These were also afl'ected by cool weather, and though 

 they commenced nesting early in May very few eggs were noticed at the 

 close of the year. 



Crapxne. — Of 104 crappie transferred from Quincy Station in October, 

 there remained but 46 the following spring. These were in excellent 

 condition, apparently, but so far they have shown no indications of 

 si)awning. 



