XXXVIII REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



of satisfactory results, tliougli it is impossible to estimate the number, 

 owing to tlie habit of the fish of keeping close to the bottom of the 

 ponds. 



Golden ^'flff.s,— The number of this species raised was 3,400, the distri- 

 bution of whi(;h was commenced in the early part of November, 1891. 

 On April 13, 1892, they spawned in two ponds, and the prospect for an 

 early and fair result was good. The eggs, however, had been depos- 

 ited on the water plants near the surface of the water when one night's 

 frost, making ice one-half inch thick, killed them all. 



Goldfish.— E2iv\Y in May, 1891, the ponds were well stocked with 

 healthy brood fish. The temperature of the summer of 1891 was lower 

 than for several seasons, making the water too cool and causing a 

 scarcity of live food. Efforts to replace this by artificial means met 

 with no good result, a large number of the fish dying, and the sur- 

 vivors being unthrifty. Many also failed to attain their golden color. 

 The product was about 10,700. Immediately after the emptying of the 

 ponds in the fall they were carefully cleaned, especial care being taken 

 to destroy all injurious fish, crustaceans, and vermin. Early in April, 

 1892, 10 ponds were stocked with the brood fish, partly with the Japanese 

 and partly with the ordinary variety. Spawning began May 8 and on 

 May 18 and 19 a few additional spawning beds were placed in the dif- 

 ferent ponds. The low temperature of the season, however, as in the 

 case of the carp, greatly retarded the growth of the young brood. 



Shad. — In April, 1891, there were placed in the west pond (6f acres 

 surface area) 2,054,000 fry of the shad. They thrived marvelously well, 

 finding abundance of suitable food about the water- grasses [Baphnia, 

 Cyclops, etc.), and in July quantities of Gamm.arus pidex. Constant 

 care had to be given to freeing the pond from obnoxious weeds, intro- 

 duced and disseminated by the great flood of 1889, and which greatly 

 interfered with the proper growth of such plants as were advantageous 

 to the culture of the fish. As illustrative of the density of the vegeta- 

 tion caused by the overflow mentioned, from the one i:»ond where the 

 shad were reared not less than 600 and from the north pond some 400 

 cart loads of these weeds were removed. Their rapid growth and early 

 decay rendering the water unwholesome, necessitated their prompt 

 destruction. The result of the rearing of the shad was very gratifying, 

 and in November, when they were released in the Potonuic River, a 

 very large percentage of the fry had reached a length of from 3 to 4 

 inches. An extremely conservative estimate of the number released is 

 not less than 1,000,000. On May 9 and 10, 1892, consignments of fry 

 aggregating 1,989,000 were sent from Central Station and i^laced in 

 the west pond. 



Blade hass.—Af^ before indicated, during this year was inaugurated 

 the first systematic eflbrt at this station for the propagation of the 

 black bass. In the fall of 1891 there were received from the Neosho 

 Station 173 specimens of this fish, which were i)laced in the north pond. 



