XXX 



REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FliSH AND FISHERIES. 



hatclied eu route to distant waters. The fry were uuusually strong and 

 stood transportation well, due, to some extent, to the low temperature 

 of the water during- April and part of May. 



The temperature from April 15 to April 30 was much below that of 

 any previous season recorded at the station, averaging 49° F. The 

 take of eggs, however, was about the same as in 1889 and 1890, when 

 the average temperature during corresponding jjeriods was 57° and 

 56°, respectively. 



The catch of shad at the head of the bay was the best for several 

 years, particularly with gill nets between Battery and Pools islands;- 

 and but for the two freshets during the season, the one occurring on 

 May 7, when the fishing was at its best, and the other on May 20 and 

 lasting for eight days, the number of eggs collected w^ould unquestion- 

 ably have been greater than in any previous year, possibly excepting 

 1888. 



Apr. 21 

 A.pr. 22 

 Apr. 23 

 Apr. 25 

 Apr. 26 

 Apr. 27 

 Apr. 28 

 Aw. 2» 

 Apr. 30 



May 

 May 2 

 May 3 

 May 4 

 May 5 

 May 6 

 May 7 

 May 8 

 May 9 

 May 10 

 May 11 

 May 12 



Fisb stripped. 



Male. Female, 



Number of 

 egga. 



282, 

 106, 

 63, 

 761, 

 733, 



1, 101, 

 4, G43, 

 5,071, 



2, 949, 

 1, 673, 

 4, 767, 



g] 637*, 



1, 455, 



1, 346, 



101, 



257, 



766, 



863, 



879, 



1, 299, 



Noon tem- 

 peratures. 



Air. Water.' 



May 13 

 May 14 

 May 15 

 May 16 

 May 17 

 Mavis 

 May 19 

 May 20 

 May 21 

 May 22 

 May 23 

 May 24 

 May 25 

 May 20 

 May 27 

 May 28 

 May 29 

 May 30 

 May 31 



Fish stripped. 



Male. Female 



Number of 



eggs. 



2, 316, 000 



2,771,000 

 331, 000 

 2,721,000 

 2, 379, 000 

 1, 153 000 

 198, 000 



3,000 



526, 000 

 100, 000 

 225, 000 

 529, 000 

 610, 000 



53, 556, ( 



Noon tem- 

 peratures. 



Striped bass were caught in large quantities during the early part of 

 the season, and efforts to obtain their spawn were made, but without 

 success. Occasionally a ripe female is found, but only about once in 

 six years are both sexes found together in condition for spawning. Sev- 

 eral attempts were made to impregnate the eggs of the shad with the 

 milt of the striped bass, but unsuccessfully. In every instance observed 

 by Mr. Kavenel eggs so treated have failed to hatch. 



The title to Battery Island was vested in the United States by deed 

 from Mr. T. B. Ferguson, Ibearing date of July 11, 1891, and the con- 

 sideration therefor passed July 15, 1891. 



