PROPAGATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF FOOD FISHES, 193 8 485 



The Bureau received a large quantity of eggs at a verj' small cost by 

 such cooperative an-angemeuts. A new electric-light plant was 

 installed. 



No major improvements were made at the Saratoga, Wyo., station, 

 and the output of fish and eggs was practicalh the same as during the 

 previous year. 



At the Spearlish, S. Dak., station, over 1,258.000 rahibow- and 

 610,000 brook-trout eggs were collected from station brood stock, 

 which is the largest collection ever made in the history of this unit. 

 This station was again the beneficiary of a W. P. A. project which 

 permitted the installation of several badly needed supply and drainage 

 lines and the installation of five additional hot-water heaters for heat- 

 ing the water utilized in the hatching of eggs as a means of shortening 

 the incubation period. N. Y. A. girls assigned acted in the capacity 

 of guides showing visitors about the station and explaining the 

 Bureau's work. 



NEW ENGLAND TROUT STATIONS 



The Nashua, N. H., station carried on its activities in a normal 

 manner and achieved an average production of three species of trout. 



Until the development of furunculosis the latter part of the year, 

 the National Forest, N. H., station had the most successful year in 

 its historv^ More than 14% million brook-trout eggs were collected, 

 of which number appioximately 10 million were shipped to State 

 conservation departments and other Bureau stations. Extensive 

 repairs and improvements were made with W. P. A. and C. C. C. 

 labor. New water-supply lines were laid and several new ponds were 

 constructed. A new electric generator was installed in the power 

 plant. New Hampshire and Vermont contributed funds for the 

 purchase of fish food in order that the fish could be reared to a larger 

 size before liberation in the waters of their respective States. Gratify, 

 ing results were obtained from the feeding of cheaper foods such as 

 blood, beef brains, pork melts, horse meat, ground fish, fish spawn, 

 and offal. 



The York Pond station is so laid out that isolation of disease, such 

 as furunculosis, is impossible. Accordingh', it was decided to destrov 

 all fish on hand and steiilize the entire plant. Chlorine was selected 

 as the most satisfactory and efficient agent for the purpose, and at the 

 close of the year this distressing but necessary project was under way. 

 None of the infected fish were planted, and if it is possible to eradicate 

 completely a furunculosis infection the measures taken at York Pond 

 will undoubtedly accomplish this result. 



The major activity at the St. Johnsbury, Vt., station was the hatch- 

 ing and rearing of brook trout. Approximately 1}^ million of this 

 species were handled and also several thousand landlocked salmon, 

 brown trout, and black bass. All three of the latter species were 

 furnished by the State of Vermont. New cement raceways and ce- 

 ment bulkheads to ponds were constructed with W. P. A. labor. The 

 hatchery foundation was also reconstructed during the year. 



The Pittsford, Vt., station continued its experiments in selective 

 breeding of trout. This season the breeders yielded eggs at the rate 

 of 1,369 per pound of fish, which is 37 percent over the accepted rate 

 per pound of trout. The general condition of the buildings and 

 grounds was greatly improved by W. P. A. employees. 



