PROPAGATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF FOOD FISHES, 1921. 



89 



plicants from time to time are favorable in character, no effort has 

 heretofore been made to condense such information into a tabular 

 form to indicate the general effects of the work. 



The system of card-indexing applications, inaugurated in 1917, 

 will in course of time ^ive such information. However, it is be- 

 lieved that a table classifying the results accomplished during sev- 

 eral 3^ears would be very useful in gi^ang the bureau and the gen- 

 eral public a concrete idea as to the value of the work that is being 

 done in the interior States. A table of this character would also be 

 invaluable when making assignments of fishes, as it would show 

 what species are most productive in a given region. 



The following is an explanation of the grades used in classifying 

 the results : " Excellent " means that the fish increased in size and 

 multiplied. " Good " is used Avhere the applicant was satisfied, the 

 fish attaining a large size, the number of fish apparently on the in- 

 crease. "Fair" means that the results are only ordinary, many of 

 the applicants merely use this word to express the results of the 

 phints. "Overflow" is used where the dam of the pond broke and 

 the fish escaped. This does not mean a loss of the fish, as in many 

 instances the statement is made that certain streams were stocked 

 by the breaking of dams. "Uncertain" is used where the applicant 

 is undecided as to results. Most of the reports classified under this 

 heading cover plants of fish made in large streams and lakes, where 

 it was found difficult to determine whether the fish furnished by the 

 bureau had actually produced results, owing to the waters being 

 previouslv stocked with the same species. "Poor" covers reports 

 which indicate that the plants were a failure. Failures are attributed 

 to a number of causes as follows: Not adapted to the waters; fish 

 received in poor condition; destroyed by snakes and other noxious 

 animals. Many failures are attributed to the severe winter of 1916 

 and 1917, when ponds froze to an unprecedented depth. In some in- 

 stances the fish were stolen. 



The following table shows the general results of planting fishes 

 during the fiscal year 1017: 



Genebai. Resxjlts, by Species, op Fish Plantings, Fiscal Year 1917. 



