LXXII REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



from that time to October 14, a total of 2,179,0()() being secured from 

 the 427 females handled. During the season the salmon appeared in 

 such large numbers below the rack that the Indians often captured 

 two and three at one cast of the spear; many were also observed above 

 the rack, having ascended before it was constructed. 



In view of the fact that the work of construction at this point was 

 not undertaken until September 15, when the spawning season had 

 already commenced, the results secured were considered excellent. 

 Had the station been established earlier in the season, there .'♦eems 

 little doubt but that seven or eight million eggs might have been col- 

 lected. The lands on which the station is located are owned by an 

 Indian, Joe Thomas, and steps are now being taken by the Govern- 

 ment to lease it. The total cost of o])erating at this point, including 

 construction of hatchery and outbuildings, amounted to $2,288.27. 

 The hatchery was a rough wooden structure without a floor, lighted by 

 skylights above and unglazed windows in the sides and ends. It was 

 equipi^ed with 50 troughs, and the water supply was obtained from a 

 brook a short distance away. The other buildings consisted of sleep- 

 ing quarters and a mess-house for the employees. At the close of the 

 collecting season the trough room was found to be insufficient, and 

 additional troughs were erected outside for holding the fry. 



Owing to heavy rains on November 15, the water in the brook from 

 which the supply was obtained became so muddy that it was necessary 

 to discontinue using it and to take the supply from the lumber com- 

 pany's flume. During this time the men were obliged to work niglit and 

 day to keep the screens open and a supply of water flowing through 

 the troughs. Snow commenced falling early in November, and by the 

 28th the thermometer had fallen to 13° above zero. 



Mr. Sauerhoff was detached from the station on January 18 and J. A. 

 Tolbert left in charge. The fry were all liberated between January 7 

 and February 15 in the Little White Salmon near Ohenowith, Wash. 

 At the close of the season the apparatus was stored in the bunk-house, 

 and, as the grounds on which the station is located are liable to floods, 

 the hatchery was weighted down with stone and placed in charge of a 

 watchman, who was permitted to occupy the mess-house. 



SiusLAW River Station, Oregon (L. E. Bean in charge). 



Upon the recommendation of Dr. S. E. Meek, who was engaged in 

 investigating the salmon streams in western Oregon, tlie Commissioner 

 authorized the reopening of the hatchery on the Siuslaw Kiver at 

 Mapleton on a small scale. The owner tendered its use to the Commis- 

 sion without rental, and the fishermen agreed to furnish the necessary 

 adult salmon on the fishing-grounds, about 26 miles below ]\Iapleton, 

 free of expense. An effbrt had been made to operate this station in 

 1895, but no results were secured, as the fish were all captured several 

 miles below the rack by seines and gill nets. This season it was deter- 



