REPORT ON THE PROPAGATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF 

 FOOD-FISHES. 



By W. de C. Ravenel, Assistant in Chan 



INTRODUCTION. 



The work of the division was uuder the direction of Dr. T. H, Bean 

 until May 23, when he resigned to accept the superintendency of the 

 Aquarium in Battery Park, New York. The vacancy was filled by the 

 appointment of W. de C. Eavenel, who had been in charge from October 

 to May, while Dr. Bean was engaged in inspecting the various stations 

 and in preparing plans for the exhibit at the Cotton States International 

 Exposition, he having been appointed representative of the Commission 

 on the Government board of management. 



In addition to the usual work of the division, which consists of the 

 general direction of fish-cultural work, including the propagation and 

 distribution of fish from the various stations, arrangements were per- 

 fected for the purchase of a carload of eastern oysters in JSTew York 

 and the shipment of same by express to South Bend, Wash., for plant- 

 ing in Willapa (Shoalwater) Bay. They were delivered in excellent 

 condition and transplanted on suitable grounds, under direction of Mr. 

 C. H. Townsend, assisted by Hon. James Crawford, fish commissioner 

 of Washington. Efforts were also made to increase the salmon output 

 by operatiiig the hatchery on Siuslaw Eiver, and rainbow-trout eggs 

 were collected at Mammoth Spring, Ark. The Exposition work, which 

 devolved on Mr. Eavenel at the resignation of Dr. Bean, included the 

 construction of an aquarium larger and more elaborate than any ever 

 before undertaken by the Commission, besides the selection and prepa- 

 ration of various forms of apparatus to be used in illustrating the 

 work of the Commission. 



INSPECTION OF STATIONS. 



During the month of October Green Lake Station, Maine, was in- 

 spected by Dr. Beau. He afterwards visited Leadville, Colo. ; Neosho, 

 Mo. ; Quincy, 111., and Putin-Bay, Ohio, and submitted reports on the 

 work of the stations at those places, with recommendations as to 

 improvements. The results at the Gloucester Station, Massachusetts, 



