PROPAGATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF FOOD FISHES, 1923. 47 



divided between the Wytheville (Va.) and Erwin (Tenn.) stations. 

 From those retained 130,525,000 fry of excellent quality were hatched. 

 With the exception of 2,000,000 fry, which were forwarded to a fish 

 and game protective association at Phoenix, Pa., the entire output 

 of the station was returned to the spawning- grounds in tributaries 

 of the Potomac River. 



BUFFALOFISH. 



ATCHAFALAYA (LA.) SUBSTATION. 



\C. p. Culler, in charge.] 



The work of putting this substation in readiness for butt'alofish 

 propagation was taken up on January 17 by a force of detailed em- 

 plo3'ees under the immediate direction of the field foreman of the 

 Mississippi River rescue station. Eggs were taken from February 

 15 to March 5, but natural conditions in general were unfavorable. 

 The spawning of the fish was retarded and the egg supply curtsfiled 

 by the prevailing cold weather, and the quality of the eggs secured 

 was impaired by the abnormally low temperature of the water in 

 the hatchery, which at no time during the collecting season attained 

 56°. 



Probably because of the unusually high water stages and the low 

 temperatures prevailing, the fish deserted their customary spawning- 

 places almost without exception and sought new ones. On March 5 a 

 considerable rise in the Ouachita River resulted in flooding the sur- 

 rounding lowlands and polluting the hatchery water with the oily 

 and alkaline substances with which this river appears to be charged. 

 Under such conditions the run of fish in the Atcliafalaya immedi- 

 ately ceased and the entire stock of eggs in the hatchery was 

 killed. From that time to the end of the season all eggs taken were 

 fertilized and immediately returned to the spawning grounds from 

 which derived, the number thus treated — 128,114,500 — including the 

 bulk of the season's collections. The total output of fry amounted 

 to only 5,925,000, these being the product of the earlier eggs taken. 



In the course of the season an attempt made to incubate eggs in 

 water from the recently constructed artesian well at this station 

 resulted in failure, the eggs proving a total loss within 24 hours 

 after the test was started. The water appeared to be of an oily 

 nature and was verv roily. Its temperature at the well registered 

 72° F. 



Tlie experience gained as a result of two seasons' efforts on the 

 Atcliafalaya River would seem to demonstrate the advisability of 

 abandoning the present site and relocating the station at some point 

 where the quality of the water supply for the hatchery is more 

 suitable and dependable. It is believed that such a site can be 

 found in the section north of the Red River, and it is recommended 

 that an inspection of this territory be made in advance of another 

 spawning season. 



MARINE FISHES. 



At the stations engaged in the propagation of the marine fishes 

 the work during the year was chiefly concerned with the cod, pollock, 



88453—24 4 



