92 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



Bryan Point Station, Maryland (S. G. Worth, Superintkndknt). 



Preparations for tl'e opening were made by Mr. L. G. Harron, super- 

 intendent of aciuaria, but his services being required in connection with 

 the maintenance of aquaria at Chicago, he was ordered away early in 

 the season. From that time the immediate supervision of the station 

 was under W. T. Lindsey, custodian, tlie superintendent being detained 

 at the general office in Washington by temporary assignirient. 



The cold of the winter preceding was almost unprecedented, and a 

 poor fishing season followed. The running of ice iu the Potomac 

 seriously damaged the temporary wharf, and it was necessary to rebuild 

 in the month of March. The river shore was not clear of ice until Feb- 

 ruary 0. Employees were again quartered iu tents, furnished by the 

 courtesy of Gen. Albert Ordway, commanding the District of Columbia 

 militia. The tents were ready for occupation April 1). The adoption of 

 tent quarters became necessary on account of lack of buildings, but 

 their use during three consecutive seasons has demonstrated that they 

 are more desirable than one large building. Each tent accommodates 

 two sleeping berths, and as the spawn-takers are usually paired off, and 

 come in from their work at all hours of the night, it is found that by 

 having sleeping quarters subdivided those who arrive early are less 

 disturbed in sleep; moreover, from a sanitary standpoint it is found 

 that tents are greatly to be preferred. As the weather is sometimes 

 quite harsh during the shad-hatching season, even so late as in May, 

 the tents were provided with heating stoves made of sheet iron, which, 

 with the necessary piping and chimney pots, cost less than $2 each. 

 By using shavings and finely split wood the tents could be warmed and 

 made comfortable within two or three minutes' time. 



On May occurred the most severe freshet since 1889. Prior to this 

 day the fishermen had a favorable outlook, the first gill fishermen 

 having commenced operations as early as March 27, catching at that 

 time 12 fish at a drift, and on March 31 some capturing as many as 22 

 at a drift. The results, however, were poorer than in some years. The 

 seine operated by the Fish Commission was put overboard April 14, but, 

 like all other fisheries, it was rather unproductive of eggs. The total 

 results for the season were only 8,870,000. The eggs from all sources 

 between April 17 and May 22, are shown iu the statement below: 



Bryan Point seine 939, 000 



Cliajinian seino 958, 000 



Tulip Hill seine 083, 000 



Stony Point seine 512, 000 



Gill iisbcrmen 5, 778, 000 



Total 8, 870, 000 



Following tlie practice inaugurated more than ten j-ears ago, eggs 

 collected were transferred to Central Station, Washington, D. C, for 

 hatching, consignments being made in crates by the Mount Vernon 

 ami Marshall nail Steamboat Company's line, the April shipments 

 amounting to 3,023,000, and those of May to 5,847,000. 

 In consequence of the poor success met with by commercial fisher- 



