REPORT OP COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



23 



10 everything was in readiness for the collection of eggs. A new 

 10-inch water end was pnt on the large pump, increasing its capacity 

 to 4,000 gallons per hour, thereby adding materially to its effectiveness. 

 Steam launches Plover and Ganvashaclc w^ere overhauled and repaired, 

 and a new boiler and propeller put in the Plover. During the season 

 considerable work was done by the spawn-takers toward repairing 

 the buildings on the main island. The old hatchery was raised and 

 reblocked, and the old tank tower torn down. 



The temporary employees, consisting of spawn-takers, assistants in 

 hatchery, etc., reported for duty on April 20, and work was commenced 

 with a force of 35 men, as follows: 2 fish-culturists, 2 assistants in 

 hatchery, 2 machinists and 2 coxswains for launch, 2 firemen for main 

 boiler, 11 first-class and 12 second-class spawn-takers, 1 cook, and 1 boy. 

 Collecting continued until May 22, resulting in a take of 21,606,000 eggs, 

 from which 13,932,000 fry were hatched and distributed. In addition, 

 852,000 eyed eggs were i^lanted near the station. 



The catch of fish was fair at the beginning of the season, but it 

 dwindled and became so small by the middle of May that it was deemed 

 advisable to discharge all of the temporary force except a suf&cient 

 number to dispose of the fry on hand, hence all the spawn-takers and 

 other temporary men who could be spared were discharged May 16. It 

 was the original intention to keep the station open until June 1 to 

 receive eggs brought in by the fishermen, but they came in in such 

 small numbers that it was decided to close up all work on the 22d. 



The followdng table gives the number of eggs taken, fry hatched and 

 planted, period of incubation, and meteorological conditions: 



' Distributed as eggs. 



