- REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 45 
The results of these experiments show that it is possible to rear 
the fry to the required fourth stage in comparatively large 
numbers and with a relatively small mortality. In the least 
successful experiment of those which were carried through, the 
per cent. which reached the fourth stage was sixteen; and of 
the others, the most successful yielded fifty per cent. In the 
experiments of previous years, the per cent. was probably not 
more than three or four at best, and usually only a fraction of one. 
The results, therefore, show conclusively that the principle of 
these experiments, namely, that the fry and their food should be 
kept constantly in motion, is correct. 
Of course, there is room for further improvements, both in the 
details of the apparatus and in the manner of feeding and other- 
wise caring for the larve, and probably the proportion reared to 
the fourth stage can be considerably increased. On the other 
hand, we do not hesitate to express the opinion that were twenty 
per cent. carried to this stage, the industry would be benefited ; 
in other words, that under natural conditions less than twenty 
lobsters out of every hundred live to reach this stage. If this 
opinion is correct, our results have already reached the stage of 
practical utility. 
The experience of the past summer has indicated many cautions 
which should be considered in the conduct of the future experi- 
ments. The larve do not thrive well if they are too densely 
crowded in small enclosures. Twenty-five hundred was a large 
enough number for one bag. It is necessary to use a considerable 
amount of care also in transferring the lobsters from one car to 
another. They should, as far as possible, be dipped up with a 
considerable quantity of water and gently lowered into the new 
enclosure, so that they shall not come in contact with solid bodies 
or left to stand densely crowded together in a small dish. 
In the previous report, mention was made of the effect of light 
upon the fry, and it has been found advisable to keep them in the 
shade, at least for the greater part of the time. At certain periods 
during the summer, there are great quantities of diatoms and 
