REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 103 



NORTHVILLK STATION, MICHIGAN (FUANK N. CLAKK, SUPEIUNTENOENT). 



The operations consisted largely in handling* eggs derived from brood 

 fish held in ponds. The Alpena Station, however, being operated under 

 the same superintendency, a certain amount of tlie work consisted in 

 handling eggs of lake trout and wliitefish. Improvements consisted 

 chiefly in procuring an additional water supply from a creek and the 

 construction of a new series of forty rearing-ponds, ten of the latter 

 being completed before the year closed. There was a slight increase in 

 the take of eggs and tlieir quality was excellent. Attempted transfers 

 of trout eggs to the trovernment of Japan were unsuccessful. 



At the beginning of the year young fish on hand, in i3rocess of rearing, 

 consisted of the following: Lake trout, 75,000; brook trout, 50,000; 

 Loch Leven trout, 70,000; Yon Behr trout, 64,000; total, 208,000. 



The fish remaining on hand October 24, by actual count, were as fol- 

 lows: Lake trout, 38,044; brook trout, 34,986; Von Behr trout, 14,265; 

 Loch Leven trout, 9,926; total, 97,821. 



In consequence of intensely cold weather, subsequent losses reduced 

 the numbers, those distributed being 23,600 lake trout, 19,900 brook 

 trout, 3,400 Loch Leven trout, and 150 Yon Behr trout. Some Avere 

 retained for brood stock. In November a portion of the yearling fish 

 were transferred from rearing-troughs to the new rearing-ponds. The 

 cold weather in January so injured these i)onds that it was necessary to 

 make repairs after the disappearance of ice. The distribution occurred 

 between January 24 and March 20. ^ 



Contributions to the World's Fair exhibit, Chicago, occupied quite a 

 portion of the time of the superintendent, live specimens of the various 

 trout mentioned, and of the black-spotted and rainbow varieties, of all 

 sizes and ages from fry to four years old, being furnished. In addition, 

 64 glass jars of eggs and young of the various species, from earliest 

 stages to 12 months' age, were furnished. Pike-perch eggs were also 

 collected and forwarded. 



In September, in advance of the egg-collecting period, hatching- 

 troughs, trays, and other equipment were overhauled and asphalted, 

 150 new trays being provided. 



Lake trout. — Between November 11 and 26 there were received from 

 the Alpena Station, in four consignments, 2,051,000 eggs of lake trout. 

 Their condition was only fair. Of these eggs, 955,000 were forwarded 

 by express shipment, as follows: 



