REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



113 



lots of eggs, aggregating 463,500, were shipped to other points, as 

 shown by the following statement: 



With the exception of one package lost in a railroad accident while 

 en route to Green Lake Station, the eggs were received in gootl condi- 

 tion and were pronounced to be of high grade. No sphagnum moss 

 being available for the unexpected shipments, fine shavings of common 

 grades of sponge were used for packing the eggs on the canton-flannel 

 trays. It was found that a much larger amount of labor was required 

 to prepare it than sphagnum moss, but, its expansibility being more 

 uniform, the pack could be much more evenly effe(;ted and with greater 

 safety. Moreover, this material can be reused upon being subjected to 

 boiling. One pound is sufficient to pack 15,000 eggs, it not being used 

 in the outside packing emploj^ed to exclude atmospheric heat. 



The eggs retained for hatching and rearing were 74,700, which by 

 April 17 afforded 60,000 fry, then placed in pools for rearing. The eggs 

 being of different ages, the hatching was prolonged until March 26. 

 Losses in fry during the hatching process were 7,838, of which 6,051 

 were killed by the choking of an inlet pipe by a small fish. 



In May an epidemic occurred in 0!ie of the pools, about 8,000 fry 

 dying, but the mortality was soon arrested by applying salt and earth. 



Pond species. — In February preparations were commenced in antici- 

 pation of the spring spawning of pond fishes, the water areas being- 

 drawn and cleaned and all necessary materials brought together in 

 proper condition. In the four weeks succeeding April 10, constituting 

 the height of the spawning and hatching season, there was a rainfall 

 of 8.8 inches, accompanied by five severe hail-storms and three wind- 

 storms, the latter carrying bunches of moss and willow roots laden 

 with glutinous eggs out of tlie ponds, thousands of additional eggs 

 and young being destroyed by hailstones and raindrops. Owing to 

 the flooded condition of the large streams there was an influx of 

 F. R. 93 8 



