LXXII REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



United States Fish Commission on tbe McCloiul River, broufjlit back a 

 number of these lish, and took proper care of them until they became 

 mature. He then made the necessary arrangement to take their eggs, 

 and for several years this station, next to that on the McCloud, lias fur- 

 nished the princii)al supply. A considerable portion of the California 

 stock of eggs is sent to Northville and hatched out for distribution, 

 enough being retained to maintain the breed. In 1882, 45,000 eggs were 

 received February 2, and 40,000 February 20. Of this last lot only 

 393 were found to be dead. 



The eggs obtained from the Northville establishment entered into the 

 general distribution made by the Commission. 



The Wythevillc ( Va.) Station. — The better to hatch out eggs of the 

 mountain trout to supply the Southern Alleghauies with this desirable 

 species it was found to be necessary to establish a station specially for 

 the purpose of this enterprise ; one, of course, where an ample supply 

 of cold spring water could be readily obtained, and yet not too remote 

 from the city of Washington to be under constant supervision. This 

 station was found at Wytheville, Va., where several years ago the 

 State Commission had established, and successfully worked, a station 

 for the propagation of trout. 



Satisfactory arrangements were made with the Virginia State Com- 

 mission, through Colonel McDonald, to rent the station in question, at 

 the expense of the United States Fish Commission, and maintain it in 

 the interests of the same. 



In order to make the necessary improvements to carry out tbe work 

 on the scale contemplated, the services of Mr. C. E. Junkin, of the 

 Coast Survey, were secured in 1881 for the purpose of making a topo- 

 graphical map of the station. 



The actual work of the Commission at the station was inaugurated in 

 February, 1882, when 25,000 eggs of the Salmo irideus were received from 

 the i)onds at Baird, Cal. They were taken charge of by Mr. E. H. 

 Walke, who has for several years been associated with the United 

 States Fish Commission and the North Carolina State Fish Commission, 

 in the hatching of shad; and the station remained under his direction 

 until Mr. Seagle, its regular keeper, had acquired sufidcient familiarity 

 with the treatment of the trout to be able to care for them himself. 



Twelve thousand five hundred healthy fry were obtained from this 

 crop of eggs, a portion of which will be held for distribution to adjacent 

 localities when of sufficient size and the remainder kept for breeders. 



By planting young fish in streams in the immediate vicinity, and 

 gradually extending the range, it is hoped that, in due time, the whole 

 of the Southern Alleghany region can be supplied, and an extension se- 

 cured over a vast area of country. It is pro])osed to enlarge the station 

 by the construction of new ponds, which will, of course, admit of carry- 

 ing on the work on a much greater scale. 



