PROPAGATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF FOOD FISHES, 19 3 1163 



FORT HUMPIIKKYS (VA.) SUBSTATION 



[CiiARLES W. BUKNHAM, Supcriiitoiulent] 



A total of 3,62t^),000 shad, eggs was collected and the 2,120,000 fry produced 

 therefrom were liberated on adjacent spawning grounds in the I'otomac River. 

 The shad spawning season of 1030 was one of the poorest ever known for tiie 

 collection of eggs in this field. A comparatively slight rainfall during the spring 

 caused the river water to become so brackish that hard crabs could be caught in 

 large numbers from the station wharf. Under such conditions the run of shad 

 was necessarily light and only a small proportion of the fish were ripe. From 

 a brood stock of approximately 24,700, yellow-percli eggs to the number of 

 88,920,000 were secured from which 80,050,000 fry were developed. All of these 

 were planted in the river at points where the brood fish had been taken with 

 the exception of 20,780,000 — the latter being used for stocking other waters, 

 chief among them being tributaries of the Potomac. Eggs of the yellow perch 

 are obtained by holding the adult fish in wooden crates in the river until they 

 spawn. The adults are then liberated and the eggs are collected and developed 

 in hatching jars. Any excess eggs left after filling the hatchery to capacity are 

 hatched in wire baskets anchored in the river. 



The most important improvement during the year was the installation of 

 electric wiring about the grounds, the wiring of all buildings, and the installa- 

 tion of electric lights therein. This work was completed during the month of 

 March, in advance of tlie season's fish-cultural operations. For the purpose 

 of holding up the earth embankment, a concrete wall, 3 feet high and 8 inches 

 thick, was built along the walk to the main buildings for a distance of about 300 

 leet. Considerable work was done on the road leading from the top of a 

 fcteep hill to the station buildings. A pond fed by water from a small spring 

 was formed by damming a ravine near the superintendent's residence. A lot 

 of brook trout 1% inches in length were installed in the pond as an experiment. 

 After remaining therein for a period of two months and receiving a regular 

 ration of beef heart they appeared, at the close of the fiscal year, to be in 

 excellent condition. 



EDENTON (N. C. ) STATION AND SUBSTATION 



[William S. Vincent, Superintendent] 



The propagation of commercial species was conducted as in former years, 

 but the results were considerably below the average. In the case of the shad 

 this was due partly to scarcity of fish in spawning condition in the single col- 

 lecting field available for the work and partly to the inferior quality of thfe 

 eggs secured. A large percentage of the mature females were found to be 

 overripe and, under such conditions, the eggs can not be fertilized. Only 

 about 3,000,000 shad eggs were secured, and all of the fry developed from them 

 were planted in the vicinity of the collecting ground at the mouth of the Chowan 

 River. Continuous adverse winds and cold weather during February prevented 

 a normal collection of brood yellow perch before the spawning season had 

 begun and only about 400 females with eggs could be obtained. These were 

 placed in one of the station ponds to spawn and produced approximately 3,000,- 

 000 eggs, the fry from which were utilized for supplying applicants and for 

 the restocking of local public waters. Unripe herring in vast numbers appeared 

 on the fishing grounds near the station some three weelis earlier than usual, 

 the run continuing for over a week. On account of the prevailing low tempera- 

 tures, however, but few of the fish M'ere in spawning condition, and only 

 30,000,000 eggs were collected. The 10,000,000 fry produced as a result of the 

 work were planted in local waters. 



A decided improvement was effected by the erection of a 6,000-gallon steel 

 water tank on a 12-foot tower for the storage of hatchery water and the 

 demolition of the old wooden tank. The latter had been in service for over 

 30 years, and on account of its prominent location, it detracted greatly from 

 the general appearance of the station. 



Weldon (N. C.) substation. — The striped-bass station at this point was opened 

 on May 1, and placed in condition for active operations. On account of low- 

 water stages in the Roanoke River, however, very little successful fishing was 

 possible and no eggs were available. The station was closed on May 17. The 

 moderate expense incurred in this field was partly defrayed by the North 

 Carolina Department of Conservation, in accordance with the practice of recent 

 years. 



