128 



Having no special fund for even experimental pur- 

 poses, the work has necessarily been limited to a small 

 scale of ojDerations. In the summer of 1893 two ponds 

 were excavated. The upper pond was to be used for 

 experimenting in the direction of artificial propagation ; 

 the lower, and much the larger, pond was to be devoted 

 to pond culture. During the fall a stock of about 150 

 adult bass was collected from the Thornapple and 

 placed in these ponds. The fish carried well the fol- 

 lowing and subsequent winters, and also in the sum- 

 mer, although the temperature in the lower pond rises 

 to ninety degrees at times. No losses of any conse- 

 quence have occurred, except as a result of handling 

 during the spawning season. 



In the larger pond the fish have not been disturbed 

 during the breeding season. In the month of May, 

 1S94, ten beds were made in this pond, from which 

 32,000 fry were taken as they rose in schools. 

 This does not represent the number hatched, but the 

 number saved, as a part of some of the schools had 

 dispersed before it was discovered that they had risen. 



The following spring, or one year ago, this pond 

 was unproductive. Owing to extreme dry weather the 

 suppl3ang springs nearly failed at times, and the water 

 in this pond became stagnant and quite foul and roily. 

 When it cleared up a few beds were observed, and it is 

 quite probable that a few fish spawned notwith- 

 standing the unfavorable conditions, but if they did 

 the beds were undoubtedly cleaned out by a large 

 snapping-turtle that was discovered in the ponds at the 

 time. There is no doubt that turtles have a special 

 fondness for the eggs and fry, as by actual observation 

 two beds in the river are known to have been despoiled 

 in this way. 



The present season the shoal margin around the 

 upper end of this pond is literally "peppered" with 

 beds, and the outlook is most promising. There are 



