[5] PEOPAGATION OF PENOBSCOT SALMON IN 1879-'80. 725 



ing ruled so much lower than usual as to probably offset any saving we 

 may make in other directions hereafter. 



3. — A DISASTROUS SUMMER. 



We had for the most part rather favorable weather, and the fish did 

 not suffer much in capturing or transporting. The loss was, however, 

 greater than used to be at Bucksport. Thirty-two salmon were found 

 dead in the inclosure, and it is possible that a very few died and were 

 not found. The most of these dead fish were found between June 30 

 and July 10 — not any of them after the latter date. This goes to show 

 that the fish died, not from anything deleterious in the inclosure, but 

 from injuries received in transitu, although some of them were free 

 from any external injury. There were many injured about the eyes, 

 which may well have occurred in the cars. Mr. Buck's note-book has 

 the following item about these fish : 



"Some of these fish seemed to be in perfect condition when found; 

 some had lost only an eye; others were badly chafed and "bruised." 



After the 10th of July the deaths had apparently ceased, and things 

 went on prosperously in preparation for a yield of a million of eggs. But 

 disappointment awaited us. 



On the 17th and 18th of August a very heavy fall of rain occurred, and 

 caused a high freshet in Dead Brook. Such an event was unexpected; 

 yet we supposed we were ready for any such emergency. When the brook 

 began to rise the men in charge watched carefully at the upper barrier, 

 which, being at a narrower and shallower place, bore the brunt of the 

 onset, and intercepted all the stumps, logs, brush, and other floating 

 debris which were borne down from above. So long as this barrier was 

 kept free and all the rubbish removed from the stream it was thought 

 that the lower barrier, standing in deeper and wider water and a very 

 gentle current, must surely take care of itself over night. But danger 

 lay in an unsuspected quarter. The quiet water within the inclosure 

 supported a dense growth of water- weeds, and a rise of two or three 

 feet and a considerable increase in the strength of the current tore 

 these from their roots and bore them down against the lower barrier, 

 where they were arrested. In the course of the night so much of this 

 material had accumulated as to close all the interstices as by a thick 

 mat. The water, being thus impeded, rose above the barrier to such a 

 height that the racks could no longer withstand the pressure, and they 

 burst open, letting out all the salmon that chose to go. 



It was at first hoped that while the freshet lasted the salmon would 

 all be trying to ascend the stream, and would therefore, for the most part, 

 remain in the inclosure until repairs were effected; but it afterwards be- 

 came evident that most of them must have gone out of the gap dining 

 the few hours that it remained opened. Some of them were even taken 

 in weirs four miles down the river within four days after the disaster. 

 The full extent of the loss was not ascertained until the spawning time 



