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THE PROPAGATION OF SMALL MOUTH 

 BLACK BASS. 



BY vSEYMOUR BOWER, SUPERINTENDENT MICHIGAN FISH 

 COMMISSION. 



At Cascade Springs, Kent County, near the banks 

 of the Thornapple River, is located an experimental 

 black bass station of the Michigan Fish Commission. 

 The present is the third and most successful season of 

 its operation. The water supply to the experimental 

 ponds is derived from spring sources, not far removed, 

 and is, therefore, too cold for bass work as it reaches 

 the ponds, but the supply is so limited in volume that 

 the area of pond exposure is sufficient to nearU^ equal- 

 ize the temperature with that of the Thornapple River. 



The Thornapple is well stocked with small mouth 

 bass. Their spawning beds are found all along in 

 front, and for a considerable distance above and below 

 our experimental ponds, thus affording an excellent 

 opportunity, in connection with the pond work, of 

 observing their natural spawning habits and the 

 results. 



This station was not established with any idea of 

 permanency, nor with the expectation of hatching any 

 considerable number of bass — the water supply is too 

 limited for that — but rather to acquire practical knowl- 

 edge by experience, experiment, and observation, so 

 that when funds are available for a large plant they 

 may be expended wisely and efiSciently. 



