PROPAGATION AND DIgTRTBUTION OF FOOD FISHES, 1023. 75 



from stock collected for the Springville (Utah) hatchery. From 

 this combined stock 649,250 fry were hatched, nearly 89^ per cent 

 of the eggs handled, and the output for the year consisted of 445,545 

 hngerlings Nos. 1 and 2 with 30,400 still on hand at the end of the 

 year. 



Owing apparentlj^ to some peculiarity of the water supply, a dis- 

 ease of the gills has long been persistent among the brook trout 

 held at this station and the many attempts to eradicate it have not 

 thus far afforded much relief. In continuation of past efforts along 

 this line a system of long narrow ponds with earth bottoms was re- 

 cently constructed and provided with a good flow of water, plant 

 growth, and other conditions in simulation of nature so far as might 

 be possible. AVhile the environment thus provided has not proved 

 particularly eifective in overcoming gill disease, it has been found 

 that the ponds are much better adapted to the work of trout rearing 

 than are the old rearing ponds on the reservation. 



In addition to trout culture, operations were conducted with the 

 smallmouth and largemouth black bass and the rock bass, though, 

 with the exception of a few thousand fingerlings of the latter, no 

 fish of these species were distributed. Judging from the large num- 

 bers of fry observed in the ponds the results of the nesting season 

 of the black basses were successful, but the actual outcome of the 

 season at the close of the year was uncertain, the ponds not having 

 been drawn down at that time. 



The nesting of the rock bass did not meet with a large measure 

 of success. The actual number of young fish of this species on hand 

 at the end of June could not be determined, but it is doubted if the 

 yield of fingerlings will justify the time and labor expended in their 

 production. It is believed the brood fish have almost outlived their 

 usefulness and steps will be taken to replace them with younger 

 fish in advance of the next spawning period. 



Owing to the necessity of conducting all operations on a reduced 

 allotment no construction work other than minor repairs and im- 

 provements could be undertaken. However, in recognition of the 

 importance of protecting the station against a recurrence of last 

 year's disastrous flood preparations were in progress toward the 

 end of June for the erection of a cement dike to run parallel to the 

 streams running through the eastern end of the reservation, the 

 actual work of construction to be undertaken in July. As planned, 

 this barrier will extend approximately 2^ feet above the level of the 

 ground and from 12 to 18 inches beneath the surface. It will be 7 

 inches in thickness, with a terraced embankment, to be filled in on 

 the side nearest the hatchery. 



NEOSHO (MO.) STATION AND SUBSTATIONS. 



FFred .1. Foster, Superintendent.] 



The scope of the work at this station was considerably enlarged 

 during the year by extending its activities into new fields — in one 

 case by the lease of property suitable for pond-fish culture, and in 

 others by effecting agreements for the conduct of trout-cultural 

 operations on a cooperative basis with private fish-culturists. One 

 of the results of such extension has been the establishment during 



