PROPAGATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF FOOD FISHES, 1923. 91 



it ceased, the eggs apparently having become immune. Of the 

 50,000 fry realized from this lot 3,000 were supplied to an appli- 

 cant in New Jersey. The balance was held with the view of making- 

 observations as to their feeding habits, rate of growth, etc. The 

 young fish eagerly took and appeared to thrive on a diet of pulver- 

 ized beef heart, but in early May they began dropping off, the water 

 temperature having become too warm. The last remnant of this 

 lot survived until May 27, at which time they had attained a 

 length of 1 inch. 



A creditable display of adult fresh-water fishes was maintained 

 during the early part of the fiscal year, but a few individuals in- 

 cluded in a fresh lot of fishes brought in from outside sources were 

 found to contain the parasite Ichthyophthirius. No heavy losses from 

 this cause occurred during the winter, but with the rising of the 

 water temperature in the spring the parasite multiplied rapidly 

 and soon became so numerous that a large number of the fish were 

 practically devoured by the ravages of the organism. Efforts 

 directed toward the extermination of the affection through the appli- 

 cation of strong limewater solutions were made and this work was 

 progressing favorably at the close of the year. 



Part 2.— DISTRIBUTION OF FISH AND FISH EGGS. 



[E. C. I'^EARNOW, Superintendent of Fish Distribution.] 

 BRIEF REVIEW OF THE WORK. 



The output of the bureau's stations (see table, p. 9) for the fiscal 

 year ending June 30, 1923 (4,314,859,029 fish and fish eggs), was 

 distributed throughout the States and a consignment of eggs of the 

 black-spotted and rainbow trouts was sent to the Territory of 

 Hawaii. Shipments of fish eggs were also made to the Governments 

 of Canada, Argentina, Czechoslovakia, Germany, and the Nether- 

 lands. Approximately 90 per cent of the net output consisted of 

 fish and fish eggs of commercial species which, except in instances 

 where the eggs were shipped to State fish commissions (see table, 

 p. 9()), were planted in waters where the egg collections were made. 

 The species handled in this manner were shad, glut herring, white- 

 fish, cisco, salmons, pike perch, yellow perch, striped bass, cod, 

 pollock, and flounder. The principal species available for stocking 

 interior waters are as follows: Black-spotted, brook, and rainbow 

 trouts, catfish, largemouth black bass, smallmouth black bass, rock 

 bass, crappie, and bream. While only one-tenth of the bureau's 

 output is diverted to inland waters, the importance of maintaining 

 a supply of food and game fishes in the waters of the interior States 

 is attaining greater significance with the increased cost of food and 

 the desire of some 7,000,000 of the population for the wholesome 

 recreation of fishing. The importance of this phase of the bureau's 

 work is recognized by the leading railroad companies, which, in 

 many instances, furnish transportation at a reduced rate for the 

 movement of the bureau's distribution cars, and grant special 

 courtesies to distribution employees carrying living fish in baggage 

 icars. 



