MANUAL OF FISH-CULTUEE. 223 



with nets and lines by commercial fishermen; the average number of 

 eggs to a fish is from 200,000 to 250,000. The period of incubation is 

 somewhat shorter than that of the cod, being 9 days at 43° and 6 days 

 at 49°. About 5 days are required for the absorption of the yolk-sac. 



The haddock ranges from Delaware northward, and is, as a rule, very 

 abundant on the "banks'' lying off the New England shore. In its 

 habits it is similar to the cod, frequenting the same grounds and being 

 caught at the same time. Its average weight is about 4 pounds and 

 the maximum under 20 pounds. The fishery is very extensive in Mas- 

 sachusetts, most of the catch being landed fresh in Boston. The 

 annual yield is about 50,000,000 pounds, worth $1,115,000. 



The artificial propagation of haddock has been conducted chiefly at 

 Gloucester, where as many as 30,000,000 eggs have been collected in a 

 single season. The eggs are about -^ inch in diameter, and are quite 

 delicate and tender. The spawning time extends from January to 

 June. The average production of eggs per fish is about 100,000. 



The eggs are slightly glutinous and have a tendency to form into 

 small lumps during hatching. At a mean temperature of 37° they 

 hatch in 15 days, and at 41° in 13 days. The yolk-sac is absorbed in 

 10 days at a temperature of 41°. 



The tomcod or frostflsh {Microgadus tomcod) has been extensively 

 propagated by the New York Fish Commission. It is a small but 

 excellent food-fish, found along the Atlantic coast from New York to 

 the Bay of Fundy. It is most abundant in early winter, when it 

 approaches the shores and ascends streams for the purpose of spawn- 

 ing. It rarely exceeds 10 or 12 inches in length. 



THE GUNNER. 



The eggs of the cunner or chogset {Ctenolabriis adspersus) are of the 

 same size and character as those of its near relation, the tautog, and 

 are deposited during the same season. In water having a mean tem- 

 perature of 56° F. they have been hatched in 5 days, in the tidal cod-jar. 

 On account of the small size, great abundance, and comparatively 

 little commercial value, the propagation of the cunner has not been 

 regularly undertaken. 



THE SCUP. 



The scup {Stenotomus chrysops) is a rather important small food fish 

 found along the Atlantic coast from Cape Ann to South Carolina; it is 

 most abundant In southern New England. It spawns in June. The 

 eggs are gV inch in diameter and hatch in 4 days at a mean tem- 

 perature of 62° F. 



THE SEA BASS. 



The eggs of the sea bass (Centropristes striatus) are of the same size 

 as scup eggs, are deposited in June, and hatch in 5 days with the 

 water temperature 59° or 00°. The sea bass is an important food-fish, 



