376 U. S. BUREAU OF FISHERIES 



tional one. Plans have already been prepared for additional ponds to 

 be constructed as W. P. A. projects, with an ultimate objective of 

 over 400 acres under water. 



The Homer, Minn., station was continued in operation as a base for 

 rescue work, and also as a center for overhauling and repairing equip- 

 ment, boats, trucks, etc. 



A limited amount of W. P. A. work was performed at the Lake Mills, 

 Wis., station, resulting in some improvements to the ponds and 

 grounds. An unfavorable spawning season apparently reduced the 

 production of pond fish, less than 50,000 having been secured. Several 

 hundred thousand trout were produced for stocking waters which can 

 be most readily served from this hatchery. 



At the Rochester, Ind., station, work was under way during the 

 greater part of the year on the construction of additional ponds as a 

 W. P. A. project. Three ponds were carried to various stages of 

 completion. A fairly successful production of bass and other species 

 was secured and distributed by the State of Indiana. At the same 

 time an auxiliary station at Argos, about 20 miles from Rochester, was 

 being developed, likewise under W. P. A. auspices. This will comprise 

 5 ponds fed by flowing wells, and 1 building. The drought affected 

 the water supply at the Rochester station necessitating a distribution 

 of the fish earlier than would be preferred. 



Activities at the Fairport, Iowa, station were along routine lines, 

 with the production of pond fish running close to normal. In addition 

 some 900,000 fish were salvaged from nearby, overflowed areas, and 

 carp and buffalo eggs were obtained from nearby commercial fisheries 

 and w^ere replanted in local w^aters after fertilization. 



AQUARIUM 



The Bureau of Fisheries Aquarium is located under the main lobby 

 of the Department of Commerce Building. 



Its display consists of about 1,600 specimens of some 54 species of 

 aquatic animals. Stress is laid particularly on the fresh water game 

 and food fish, and on the most common predators. The greatest single 

 attraction was the seasonal miniature hatchery. Biology students in 

 and near Washington made regular visits when the eggs were hatching. 



Cooperation with other public aquaria in the exchange and supply 

 of specimens was a feature of the work. The Aquarium w^as used as a 

 base for the distribution of fish for the stocking of public waters. A 

 special effort was made to develop more natural habitat conditions in 

 the decoration of the tanks. Considerable success was achieved in 

 the study and control of surface parasites on fish which seemed 

 especially prevalent in this territory this season. 



The aquarium has, in brief, served as a most interesting show room 

 or "sample room" for demonstrating the products of the Bureau's 

 hatcheries. 



DISTRIBUTION OPERATIONS 



The number of applications supplied this year shows a considerable 

 increase over 1935, which is probably accounted for largely by the 

 growing use of trucks for making deliveries. Truck mileage was nearly 

 double that of the previous year. 



The distribution cars engaged in the delivery of fish to applicants 

 and transfers between hatcheries this year made 75 trips and carried 



