LII 



REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



Carp. — The work with the carp was restricted to two ponds. The 

 brood stock continue in good condition. The number of yearlings dis- 

 tributed Avas 7,184, all to private ponds with the exception of 1,000 placed 

 in Shoal Creek near N'eosho. 



Golden ides. — The parent fish are in good condition, and occupy one 

 of the best ponds. No young were obtained from these fish last year, 

 and success with them at this station is doubtful. 



Goldfish. — The goldfish spawned (in pond No. 5, February 24, 1892) 

 freelj^ and frequently, only to have their eggs and fry killed by the 

 cold rains. The number for distribution in the fall will be small. The 

 number of yearlings distributed during the year was 3,576. 



Spotted or channel catfish {Ictalurus punctatus). — The want of suc- 

 cess with this fish during the previous year being thought to be due to 

 overstocking, but one-third, or twenty of the breeders, were retained 

 at the station. In May, 1892, they were quite active, and it is believed 

 have prepared several nests. Of the breeders, 30 were transferred to 

 the fish x^onds at Washington, and 27 to the Missouri Fish Commission. 



Shad. — On June 3, 1892, 700,000 shad fry were received from the 

 Gloucester Station, N. J. Their growth during June was satisfactory, 

 and the very large schools of them seen throughout the entire pond 

 excited the interest and admiration of the numerous visitors to the 

 station. These were for rearing and final liberation in Gulf tributaries. 



In January, 1892, a severe cold spell prevailed from the 17th to the 

 22d, the temperature falling to 22° F. On the 19th, pond No. 1, in 

 which is kept the brood stock of rainbow trout, froze over for the first 

 time. Unusually heavy rainfalls prevailed during April and May, the 

 total precipitation from May 3 to 30 being 11.12 inches. The disas- 

 trous effect of these rains, coming at the spawning time of most of the 

 pond fishes, is made apparent by the limited number of fish hatched 

 during this season. The following table exhibits the midsummer and 

 midwinter temperatures of the water in the pond: 



'Air, 73° in shade; cloudy and showery. 



t Air, 43°; clear, 



