98 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



Wythkvili.k Station, Virginia (George A. SEAfiLE, SurEHiNTEXOENT). 



This station is the property of the State of Virginia, but is operated 

 by the TJnited States Fish Commission. During- the year improvements 

 were made, chiefly in the nature of repairs, funds applied thereto being 

 furnislied by Dr. J. T. Wilkins, commissioner of Virginia, and hibor by 

 regular emploj^ees. The repairs were applied mainly to the rearing- 

 ponds, broken embankments being overhauled and new piling introduced 

 where necessary, and bottoms tamped with clay or (cemented. Eight 

 ponds were thus repaired. Water connection was established between 

 the spring and the nursery building, the piping being extended to the 

 railroad siding, where Fish Commission cars receive the product of the 

 station for distribution. 



The fish brought over from the preceding year in i^rocess of rearing 

 consisted of rainbow trout in troughs; black bass, rock bass, carp, and 

 goldfish in ponds, where they had been hatched by natural methods. 

 In September the rainbow trout were culled, the various sizes being 

 placed in sej^arate apartments. These were counted in October in 

 advance of distribution. In September nearly 12,000 were sufibcated in 

 the nursery building by accident, the supply gate having been tempo- 

 rarily shut off and forgotten. The distribution of this species was taken 

 up j^^ovember 16, and continued until February 14. Applicants in Vir- 

 ginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, Georgia, Pennsylvania, and 

 Maryland were supplied. The number delivere<l to cars was 79,547. On 

 account of depreciation in the quality of brood stock, 4,000 were retained 

 to be reared for spawn-taking purposes. 



Black bass distribution occurred between November IG and March 

 10, 1,433 being furnished to applicants in Virginia, North Carolina, and 

 Alabama. Of this species, 400 ^ere received from car No. 3; but, being 

 attacked by fungus, only 135 were available for distribution. A few 

 were retained in order to increase brood stock. 



The distribution of other species was effected on lists furnished from 

 Washington, consignments being chiefly to adjoining States already 

 referred to, transportation being made in tin pails. The movement of 

 these fish took place between November 15 and March 10, the principal 

 deliveries of all kinds taking place before the end of December. 



The number furnished for distribution was larger than ever before, 

 being as follows: Rainbow trout, 79,547; black bass, 1,433; rock bass, 

 13,050; carp, 5,168; goldfish, 5,990. 



Contributions were made for the World's Fair exhibit, consisting of 

 alcoholic specimens of eggs and embryos of the various species, and 

 also si)ecimens of destructive insects and larva?. 



Rainbow trout. — In the absence of new brood fish to make up 

 deficiencies in old stock, the egg collections were somewhat inferior, 

 and losses were heavy on ac(iount of the large percentage of hard or 

 glassy eggs. The i)resence of eggs of this character having been 

 previ(msly observed, efforts were made this season to determine the 

 cause, and accordingly Dr. R. R. Gurley, of the Division of Scientific 



