426 U. S. BUREAU OF FISHERIES 



WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS (W. VA.) STATION 

 [Edw. M. Haynes, Superintendent] 



The results of the trout propagation work at this station were 

 generally successful, the j-^ear's output of fingerling trout being the 

 largest in its history. Three species were handled — brook trout, the 

 product of eggs purchased from commercial fish cultuvists, rainbow 

 trout derived from eggs taken from brood fish produced in the station 

 ponds, and Loch Leven trout resulting from eggs shipped from the 

 Meadow Creek (Mont.) field station. It would appear from past 

 experience that a brood stock of brook trout can not be successfully 

 maintained at this station, while rainbow trout, on the other hand., 

 have always been reared without difficulty in ponds of almost any 

 description, and the fish appear to be uniformly healthy. In addi- 

 tion to the brook- trout eggs purchased by the bureau, 750,000 com- 

 mercial eggs of this species, the property of the State of West Virginia,, 

 were incubated. The entire stock was developed with a loss of less 

 than 4 per cent, and during the spring the fry belonging to the State 

 were called for and distributed by State employees. The Loch 

 Leven trout eggs were received in good condition and produced 

 healthy, active fry. While the fingerlings are of somewhat slower 

 growth than those of the rainbow or brook trout the losses appear to 

 be lighter, and it is believed this species will prove well suited to many 

 waters of West Virginia that are not now productive of either the 

 rainbow or the brook trout and are too cold for bass. 



Some of the eggs received from commercial hatcheries were packed 

 by the bulk method and the remainder were shipped on trays. 

 After years of experience with both methods the conclusion has been 

 reached that tray shipments produce the best results. When shipped 

 by the bulk method, there is apt to be considerable indentation and 

 loss, especially if the eggs are somewhat overdeveloped. 



This station has never attained any marked degree of success in 

 propagating the small-mouth black bass, as their nesting is always 

 interfered with by unseasonable weather during the spring. The 

 past season was no exception, and in addition to unfavorable cli- 

 matic conditions the work was handicapped by an inadequate brood 

 stock. 



During the year the small obsolete rearing ponds Nos. 7, 8, and 

 9 were converted into one large cement pond, and the remaining^ 

 ponds of the series — 4, 5, and 6 — were filled in, graded, and sown to 

 grass, greatly improving the appearance of the reservation. Minor 

 improvements were made to a number of the other ponds, and an 

 asbestos shingle roof of the diagonal type style was placed on the 

 superintendent's cottage. It is believed these shingles will give bet- 

 ter service than cedar shingles. 



WYTHEVILLE (VA.) STATION 

 [C. B. Grater, Superintendent] 



During the year the water supply to the bass ponds was changed 

 by placing the inlet about 50 feet from the outlet. After heavy 

 rains the flow into these ponds is always roily, and with the inlet 

 located as formerly, at the upper end of the system, the sediment is 



