REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 53 
The spawning season of the rainbow trout extended from Novem- 
ber 25 to January 13, the collection of eggs amounting to 262,600. Of 
these, 146,900 were eyed, producing 135,800 fry; 100,000 eggs were also 
transferred from Wytheville and yielded 84,300 fry, giving a total of 
220,000 young trout, 130,000 of which were distributed during the 
spring. At the close of the year there were 141,233 on hand. 
The eggs were of much better quality than those of the previous 
year, which was attributed to the fact that the adult fish had been 
kept in a pond provided with a raceway, thus obviating the necessity 
for seining them, as had been customary in previous years. The fry 
were fed in the usual way, first on herring roe, then on beef liver, 
and on liver and mush as they increased in size. They were trans- 
ferred from troughs to the rearing-ponds as soon as they commenced 
taking food, as experience shows that they are more liable to diseases 
of various kinds when retained in troughs. The loss was heavy in 
June, though lighter than in previous years. 
During the winter 100,000 eyed brook-trout eggs were purchased 
from dealers in Massachusetts, and 92,295 strong, vigorous fry were 
hatched from them. These did well until they commenced to feed, 
when heavy losses were experienced. In May 10,000 of the fry were 
planted in local waters and the remainder, 25,000, were retained for 
the fall distribution. 
The stock of black bass was increased during the fall by the receipt 
of 54 adults, giving a total of 60 brood fish. These nested in the new 
ponds, and while it is impossible to correctly estimate the number of 
fry resulting, it is believed there were over 5,000 on June 30. Large 
numbers of predatory birds, animals, and reptiles were killed on the 
grounds during the year. 
In addition to the land already owned by the Government, a tract 
of 40 acres was acquired during the year, and a half acre was leased 
for a period of fifty years for the purpose of controlling the water 
supply from its source to the end of the system. A great deal of work 
was done during the summer with the appropriation of $5,000 made by 
Congress for the construction of bass ponds and other improvements. 
The new tract was inclosed by means of a wire fence 5 feet high. The 
posts to which the wire was fastened were of oak, set 25 feet in the 
ground and tarred, the exposed part being painted with oxide of iron 
and eapped with blocks an inch thick, making them as nearly water- 
proof as practicable. On this tract seven ponds of different dimen- 
sions and depths were constructed (Nos. 33 to 39). A watchman’s 
tower was also erected on the ground between ponds 35 and 36, to be 
used for storing equipment and for the shelter of the watchman during 
inclement weather. An office was. erected for the superintendent 
between the hatchery and residence, 14 by 22 feet, the hatchery was 
ceiled and varnished, a number of changes were made in the method 
of supplying water to the various ponds, and a large number of maple 
trees were set out on the reservation. 
