PKOPAGATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF FOOD FISHES, 1923. 89 



demands of the immediate region, tlie management of siicii Held 

 M'ork to be under Federal supervision. With this object in view 

 two ponds have been constructed at New Braunfels, Tex., and funds 

 sufficient for the construction of a small hatchery plant at Medina 

 Lake have been contributed. Several other communities have ex- 

 pressed a desire to cooperate in lish-cultural work, among them be- 

 ing Fort Worth, where an abundant supply of water of good quality 

 is available. 



It is a matter of regret that the clear-water ponds at San Marcos 

 are not adapted to the culture of crappie, the popularity of which in 

 Texas is only second to that of the black bass. In an effort to re- 

 sj^ond in some measure to the urgent requests for this species the 

 bureau has for some time been introducing crappie in cattle tanks 

 belonging to stockmen located in various parts of the State, with 

 the understanding that a certain percentage of the young fish pro- 

 duced therein shall be available for its distributions. While some 

 success has been attained along this line the scheme is not an entirely 

 satisfactory one owing to the liability of many of the waters to dis- 

 appear entirely during the long periods of drought to which they are 

 occasionally subjected. 



For a number of years past water for the station ponds has been 

 supplied by the San Marcos Utilities Co. at an annual expenditure 

 of $500. The service was not entirely satisfactory and at the sug- 

 gestion of the company the agreement was terminated. A pump- 

 ing outfit was then installed by the bureau with the view of provid- 

 ing its own water supply and the results of the change have demon- 

 strated its advantages over the old plan. During the last six months 

 of the year the cost of keeping the ponds filled with water has 

 amounted to $150.90, showing a saving of practically $100 for the 

 period. It is also possible under the present arrangement to obtain 

 water at any time, whereas 24 hours' advance notice had to be given 

 the company under the former plan. 



TUPELO (MISS.) STATION AND SUBSTATION. 



[David Davies^ Superintendent.] 



The Tupelo station produced a record output of fry and finger- 

 ling fish, the total amounting to 492,940, or more than 100,000 in ex- 

 cess of last 3^ear's output. This record was attained in spite of the 

 heavy losses of eggs sustained late in March when a sudden cold 

 spell and a drop of 17° in the water temperature caused many of 

 the fish in the shallower portions of the ponds to desert their nests. 

 All of the increase consisted in black bass, the production of both 

 sunfish and crappie being somewhat smaller than in the previous 

 year. 



The new pond in course of construction during the past fiscal year 

 was completed during the summer and fall and the pond was used 

 for bass culture during the succeeding spring. This inclosure is of 

 rectangular shape and covers an area of 2.14 acres. A considerable 

 amount of repair work was done on the superintendent's residence 

 and all buildings on the station were painted two coats of lead and 

 oil paint, most of the work being done by the station force. 



