PROPAGATIOlSr AND DISTRIBUTION OF FOOD FISHES, 1921. 47 



distribution a small percentage of the fishes rescued from the Mis- 

 sissippi River overflows. In recent years the demand for bass has 

 increased, but funds have not been provided for increasing the pro- 

 duction of the species at the fish-cultural stations. This has re- 

 sulted in a tendency to draw more heavily on the rescue work to meet 

 the demands, until the number of bass so diverted in the fiscal year 

 1921 amounted to api')roximatel3'^ 43 per cent of the total number res- 

 cued. Any increased diversion of bass from this source is not ad- 

 visable, and unless other means are found for an increased produc- 

 tion of the fish-cultural stations a large number of applications must 

 of necessity remain unhonored. 



Of interest in connection with the fish-cultural work is the devel- 

 opment in recent years of fish and game protective associations in 

 practically all parts of the country. Composed as they are of the 

 leading citizens of the communities in which they reside, their influ- 

 ence for the protection and conservation of the natural resources is 

 of great benefit. Such organizations endeavor to obtain the services 

 of men experienced in stocking local streams with fish life, and in 

 many instances they maintain ponds at their own expense for the 

 purpose of rearing young fish obtained from State or Federal hatch- 

 eries to a larger size than would be otherwise possible before plant- 

 ing them in public waters. The intelligent cooperation resulting 

 from this movement is marked and is worthy of encouragement. 

 Another favoral)le influence exerted 1)V organizations of this charac- 

 ter is an increased respect on the part of the general ]iublic for the 

 State fish and game laws. It is the policy of nearly all such organi- 

 zations to favor better protective laws, to demand of their members 

 a strict observance thereof, and to urge the same line of conduct on 

 all others with whom they come in contact. 



Among the more important species propagated for the stocking of 

 interior waters are the catfish; rainbow, blackspotted, and brook 

 trout; crappies; largemouth and smallmouth black bass; rock bass; 

 and sunfish. The results accomplished with these species by the 

 various stations during the fiscal year 1021 are reviewed in the fol- 

 lowing discussion. Data -concerning the spawning seasons are given 

 on pages 73 and 74, and a tabulation of the amount and cost of fish 

 food used occurs on page 76. 



NEW ENGLAND SALMON AND TROUT STATIONS. 



RERKSIIIRE (MASS.) STATION. 



[William A. Casleu, Superintendent.], 



Fish-cultural work at this .station, which is located near the town 

 of Hartsville. Mass., was confined to operations with the brook and 

 rainbow trout. Between October 20 and November 10 brook-trout 

 eggs to the number of 133,500 were collectecl from brood fish in the 

 station ponds, and two lots of eggs, aggregating 322,500, were ac- 

 quired by purchase from commercial hatcheries. As the station fish 

 were old and somewhat imperfect through interbreeding, the quality 

 of their eggs was poor and heavy losses resulted, both during the 

 incubation period and at the time the fry were ready to take food. 

 A heavy loss was also sustained on one lot of the commercial eggs 

 100207°— 22 1 



