PROPAGATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF FOOD FISHES, 1930 1173 



NASHUA (N. H.) STATION 

 [Jambs D. DbRochbb, Superintendent] 



No important construction work was carriofl on during the year. 



The station was supplied with brook-trout eggs from the collections of 

 brood stock and by transfers from other stations, together with the purchase 

 of eggs and fry from commercial hatcheries. A heavy loss was experienced 

 with the brook trout from practically all lots during the fry stage. On July 1, 

 1929, 232,000 fingerlings were on hand, and all were distributed during the 

 year with the exception of 5,000 retained as yearlings. At the opening of 

 the year there were small lots of rainbow-trout and landlocked-salmon finger- 

 lings, which were also distributed. Small collections of smallmouth bass fry 

 and bullhead catfish were made from near-by waters for distribution. The 

 total distribution of all species was in excess of 315,000, with 210,000 remaining 

 on hand at the close of the year. In addition to the ordinary station work 

 there were established five cooperative rearing plants with fish and game clubs, 

 which were supplied with a total of 105,000 brook-trout fingerlings. While 

 the distribution fx'om these nurseries was not all that could be desired, it was 

 considered satisfactory for the first year's work. 



COMBINATION TROUT AND POND STATIONS 



While five hatcheries have facilities for propagating both the trout 

 and warm-water fish, in almost all cases the greatest production is 

 attained with the former and the output of bass, sunfish, crappie, 

 etc., is largely in the nature of a by-product derived from an addi- 

 tional utilization of the water supply after it has served its pur- 

 pose for the propagation of trout. It is quite evident that the suc- 

 cessful culture of pondfish must be carried on at a station specifically 

 designed for that purpose, but in view of the overlap of the habitat 

 of the cold water and warm water varieties, in many cases the dual 

 capacities of these stations serve an admirable purpose. 



ERWIN (TENN.) STATION 

 [A. G. Keesecker, Superintendent] 



A driveway was constructed from the hatchery to the new paved highway 

 that passes through the station grounds. After grading the new road it was 

 given a covering of railroad coal cinders. A new roof was installed on the 

 oflice building, this job requiring an entire sheathing over the main building 

 and the surrounding porches. The grounds were improved and protected by 

 building a concrete and gravel walk from the spring to the foreman's cottage 

 and constructing a fence along the new highway. The pond system was re- 

 paired by removing approximately 15,000 cubic feet of mud from the supply 

 canal on the lower grounds and 1,000 cubic feet from five of the ponds. In 

 making the fills necessary for the roadway 1,000 feet of earth were required. 

 This was obtained by excavating a sufliciently large space in the bank for 

 the building of a commodious storeroom or a garage. This space was lined 

 with a concrete wall built on three sides, and it is expected to complete it at 

 an early date. 



Between November 25 and February 25 eggs to the number of 797,722 were 

 taken from the station brood stock of rainbow trout. These eggs proved of 

 inferior quality and did not produce a satisfactory output of fry. Four hun- 

 dred thousand brook trout received by transfer were handled, and 50,000 of 

 the same species were incubated for private parties. The output of fish of 

 all species was somewhat smaller than that of the preceding year. The waim- 

 water fishes were produced in about the usual numbers. The station cooperated 

 with the Wytheville (Va.) station by furnishing it with fingerling rainbow 

 trout. Supplies of tadpoles were also collected and forwarded for the work 

 of the Chemical Warfare Service. 



