XXIV REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



The best results in batcbing were obtained witli the water at SS*^ 

 to 45° F. Towards the latter part of January, the temperature of 

 the water in the hatchery reached 34.p, causing a retarding and non- 

 uniformity in the development of the eggs. With a view of obviating 

 this difficulty, the Commissioner, who visited the station on February 

 18, directed the utilizing of the warm water from the condenser of the 

 boiler by arranging for its discharge through the main suction pipe to 

 the supply tank. By the use of valves, this discharge could be either 

 entirely cut oft" or regulated, which permitted the maintenance of a 

 practically uniform temi)eratare of the water furnished the hatchery. 

 The results of the season's work were considerably augmented by this 

 arrangement. 



It was anticipated that, as in previous years, a large supply of spawn 

 could be secured from the fishing grounds of Gloucester, but not till 

 the end of March, as the station was about being closed, were ripe fish 

 secured in any quantity. From this it would appear that there is no 

 uniformity as to the time the fish return to their spawning-grounds. 



Regarding the collecting of eggs in Ipswich Bay, Capt. Adams 

 reports : 



Daring the early part of December cod eggs were found ideutifnl among the net 

 fishermen in Ipswich Bay, and from day to day each spawn-taker took from one to 

 three millions, which appeared in good condition, but would nearly all die inside of 

 twenty- four hours, this being something new to our oldest spawn-takers even. 

 These eggs were invariably taken from live fish, which is always the case, and we 

 found that our work was being seriously injured. One experienced spawn-taker 

 took about three millions in the usual way, half of which died in three or four 

 hours, and before he landed with them at Kittery Point. Finally, a few vessels fish- 

 ing with trawls came iuto the bay, and Mr. Conley very soon found that eggs taken 

 from fish caught on trawls could be taken to Gloucester in good condition. As 

 soon as possible, the force was placed on the trawling vessels, aftec, which good 

 eggs were secured throughout the winter. Early in March, as the trawling vessels 

 began to leave the bay, the men were gradually returned to the net fishermen, and 

 this time they found good eggs. These being the facts, I mention them, hoping 

 that some good will be derived from them for future work. 



It may also be w orthy of mention here that our largest take of eggs in Ipswich 

 Bay during the past season occurred immediately after easterly storms. During cold, 

 ofl'shore winds codfish are supposed by the fishermen to be gradually nearing the 

 shores or beaches, the fishermen following them up with their trawls till an easterly 

 or onshore wind comes on, when the undertow starts them oft'shore again indouble- 

 qnick time and the ripe fish are attracted by the trawl baits. 



Woods Hoi.l Station, Massachusetts (John Maxwe^jt., Superintendent). 



The fish-cultural work at the station was commenced about the first 

 of November, and carried on till the close of the fiscal year. Atten- 

 tion was mainly given to the propagation of the cod, the flatfish, and 

 the lobster, some experiments being made with the sea bass and the 

 SCI p. Till the end of March the direction of the fish-cultural work 

 was under Mr. Alexander Jones, and from that time till the close of the 

 year under Superintendent Maxwell. 



