448 EEPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



of pains and labor to be conveyed to the spot. The middle portion of 

 the stream or inlet is generally the freest from the smaller fry. 



When the locality is selected, the temperature equalized, and a boat 

 provided, there is nothing more to do than to lift a can over the side of 

 the boat, dropping it upon its side into the water, and while the boat is 

 leisurely pulled up stream the young fish are allowed to slowly escape 

 from the can. Scattering them along a considerable distance is thought 

 to be the best for them, as they make less attraction for predatory 

 fishes when widely distributed than when concentrated in a large 

 school, and, as they are probably not gregarious while so young, they 

 are not likely to collect together immediately. 



(22/.) Facilities required from the railroads. — The necessities and con- 

 veniences required in the transporting of young shad are peculiar, and 

 different from all other freightage. Fish-eggs, when properly packed, 

 are shipped with safety without an attendant, requiring only that the 

 express messenger follow the few instructions lettered on the outside 

 of the can or box. Young trout and salmon are occasionally shipped 

 short distances in the same way, the water having been reduced to a low 

 temperature, so that the resi)iratory action is lessened and frequent 

 changes of water are not required. 



The shad are found to withstand confinement in a small quantity of 

 water with much less endurance than other species that have been ex- 

 perimented with. There is very little tenacity of life in the mature fish 

 when removed from the water, and attempts to preserve male fishes for 

 "milters" from one seine-haul to another, have been failures, even 

 where they were confined in an inclosure through which the water of 

 the river circulated. A temperature sufficiently low to retard resi)ira- 

 tion does not work to advantage with the shad, and experimenting 

 with reference to favorable temperatures has proven that a range 

 between about 62° and 78^ is the only one suited to their welfare, 

 while (55^ and 72° are better limits. Frequent changes of water are 

 required, necessitating hurried visits to pumps and hydrants when the 

 train stops, and it is sometimes necessary to procure and use ice; so 

 that it will be seen that experienced attention is required and too much 

 time occupied in the care of the fish to permit the work to be given into 

 the hands of messengers usually having sufficient to occupy their time 

 in their regular duties. 



The amount of room afforded, the facility for getting out and in, and 

 the less rigid enforcement of regulations as to access to tlie car, to say 

 Bofhing of the liberality frequently extended in passing the freight 

 without charge, makes the baggage-car the only suitable place for the 

 trans|)()rt;iti()n of shad, or for any species of fishes for long distances. 



The, inconvenience of carrying large cans of water in the car because 

 of tlie slopping, will probably suggest itself to some, but experience has 

 proven th;it with a little care theie is no necessity whatever of wetting 

 the bottciii of the car, even around the si>ot where the cans are placed. 



