MANUAL OF FISH-CULTURE. 23 



SALMON-HATCHING AT BATTLE CREEK. 



While the mauuer of taking aud impregnating salmon eggs differs 

 but little at the hatchery of the United States Fish Commission at 

 Battle Creek, California, from that at other places, the magnitude of 

 the operations warrants separate description. 



This is now the most remarkable salmon-propagating station in the 

 world, the total number of eggs secured for hatching during the season 

 of 1S9G being 25,852,880, which is about 15,000,000 more than have 

 been taken hitherto at any one station. This phenomenal take of eggs 

 would have been still larger had not a flood w-ashed away the rack 

 and allowed the heavy run of salmon to pass upstream. 



This station is situated near the mouth of Battle Creek, a tributary 

 of the Sacramento, and although less than 40 miles below Baird station, 

 receives the fall run of salmon only, while at Baird this run is light as 

 comi)ared with the summer run. 



Immediately above its confluence with the Sacramento, Battle Creek 

 is deep and lagoon-like for a distance of 2i miles, and salmon gather 

 there in vast numbers before entering the shallow waters where their 

 spawning- grounds commence. At the head of the lagoon is a retaining- 

 rack similar to that in use at Baird, the fish being taken with a seine 

 just below it. 



During the heavier part of the run 500 or 600 are taken at each 

 sweep of the seine, the number at times being more than can be hauled 

 in. The first eggs were taken in 1896 on October 8, and collection con- 

 tinued until the breaking of the rack on l^ovember 23, at which time 

 the run of fish was still in progress. Five thousand "ripe" females 

 were taken, averaging 18 pounds in weight. No record was kept of the 

 males, as more could always be taken than were required, but those 

 retained were used day after day until exhausted. Male salmon out- 

 numbered the ripe females 3 to 1. 



Spawning operations are conducted upon a floating platform 24 feet 

 long and 12 feet wide, beneath which are nine compartments for retain- 

 ing the ripe fish, and which are accessible through hinged covers set 

 in the plank flooring. Projecting beyond this platform is another, upon 

 which the actual work ot strijiping the fish and caring for the i^ans is 

 performed. It is roofed with tarpaulin, and on three sides is inclosed 

 with burlap. 



The taking of spawn is performed by ten men. The method differs 

 but little from that at Baird, except in the manner of handling the fish 

 and the regular use of water in the spawning-pan. One pint of water 

 is placed in the pan before either the eggs or the milt. Two men take 

 the females from the comxjartments in dip nets and hold them until 

 taken out by the spawn-takers, not allowing them to strike the floor dur- 

 ing their struggles. The female is held by two men, one taking the fish 

 from the dip net by the tail, and the other by the head. The stripper 

 then comes between them as the fish is held over the spawning-pan and 



