PROPAGATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF FOOD FISHES, 1936 375 



No construction work of any importance was carried on at the 

 Marion, Ala., station, but the output of bass was increased more than 

 100 percent over last year. A total of over 500,000 bass were handled 

 which, together with' the bream, constituted a hatch of more than 

 1,000,000 total. An unusually good growth was obtained for the 

 bream, a number being 4 inches in length when distributed. Some 

 research work was conducted through the assignment of an mvestiga- 

 tor to the Marion station but conditions were found to be unsatis- 

 factory for this activity and the program was discontinued at the close 

 of the year. 



The Edenton, N. C, station doubled its output of bream and 

 attained a normal yield of bass. 



By thorough cleaning of the brood ponds the production at the 

 Orangeburg, S. C, station was increased by approximately 125,000 

 fish. The "removal of the profuse vegetation was most effective in 

 securing this result. The superintendent cooperated in the develop- 

 ment of a small auxiliary located a few miles from the main station. 



In Texas both of the older stations, located at San Marcos and at 

 Forth Worth, operated in a normal manner with average results. 

 No major changes or improvements were effected. At the new San 

 Angelo, Tex., establishment fish were reared for the first time. Fry 

 were transferred from Fort Worth and San Marcos and reared during 

 the summer months, the total distribution amounting to 47,000 fish. 



Work at the new Uvalde, Tex., substation was actively under way 

 from September to the close of the year. The accomplishments 

 included partial completion of two residence buildings, garage, hold- 

 ing shed, and store room. An office and shop building was com- 

 pleted. Nine ponds were virtually finished and a number of others 

 carried well along. A considerable amount of clearing was accom- 

 plished; roads and walks were constructed and a pump installed to 

 provide the water supply from a driven well. 



At the Natchitoches, La., station a W. P. A. project was perfected 

 and work was started on the development of additional ponds. Six 

 new ponds, each of 2 acres area, were completed. The production of 

 fish was much more extensive than during previous years. 



The Tishomingo, Okla., station likewise surpassed the production 

 of the previous year. An interesting feature of the work here was 

 the production of channel catfish. 



MISSISSIPPI RIVER TERRITORY 



The headquarters for the work in the Mississippi Valley located at 

 La Crosse, Wis., is the center for a number of varied activities. 

 During the past year in addition to the hatching and distributing of 

 over 1,000,000 trout, the La Crosse station super\-ised the salvage of 

 over 47,000,000 fish from the overflow pools in the Upper Mississippi 

 Wild Life Refuge. 



Attention should again be called to the fact that upon completion of 

 the 9-foot channel project the characteristics of the pools to be formed 

 will be such that the rescue work will recede to approximately 5 per- 

 cent of its present proportions. Greater attention is being given to 

 the establishment of controlled, propagating ponds to provide a source 

 of fish in lieu of the salvaged stock. Three of such ponds were 

 operated during the year, and construction is under way at an addi- 



