34 REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 
be lessened, using, in the case of the lobster, the same methods 
which have been demonstrated to be effectual in the case of certain 
fishes. | 
It is a very general opinion, however, that the present method 
of carrying fry out to sea and putting them overboard within a 
day or two after they are hatched is objectionable in this respect 
—that no protection is afforded the fry during the early period of 
their life, when they are more in need of protection than before 
they are hatched or after this period. Although the imperfections 
of this method have long been recognized, it has been pursued in 
the absence of any known way of keeping the young lobsters in 
captivity until they have passed through these early stages. 
In 1898 a series of systematic experiments was begun at Wood’s 
Hole, under the direction of Dr. H. C. Bumpus, at that time di- 
rector of the scientific work of the United States Fish Commis- 
sion station, and a member of your commission. In 1900 the 
experiments were transferred from Wood’s Hole to the Wickford 
station of your commission, where they have been continued 
during the summers of 1900 and 1901. The station at Wickford 
has proved to be more favorable for the experiments, and the work 
has been facilitated by the cordial co-operation of the two com- 
missions. 
A record of the progress made at Wickford during the season 
of 1901 is recorded in the following pages. 
