548 REPOET OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



e^ft's froui heavy jarring ; rubber or cloth bumpers oa the sides of the 

 box prevent lateral swaying and jolting. A cover is fitted to the inner 

 box, which may then be covered with sawdust to the level of the higher 

 outer one, when the cover of this is to be slint down. Tlie outside wooden 

 box is fitted with handles and with a tight lid on hinges, which may be 

 locked. Small anger-holes are bored through theouter or pacldngbox and 

 air may be admitted to the whole interior of the egg-case through the tube 

 refeired to in the bottom, the cups being pierced with small holes, so 

 that when in place they are directly over circular openings in the trays 

 and a. communication of air is established throughout. 



The eggs may be packed in moss, in tlie ordinary manner, in the cups 

 which experience seems to prove to be the best manner for long jour- 

 neys. 



The method of Mr. Atkins in shipping salmon-eggs packed in moss, 

 but with pieces of mosquito-netting laid above and below the eggs, is a 

 great convenience in uuijacking them, and could just as well be applied 

 in the cups. This, though less simple than the ordinary egg-carrier, is 

 sufficiently simple for practical purposes, and possesses most important 

 advantages for carrying eggs long distances and over rough roads, the 

 small area of surface within the boxes i)reventing any tendency of the 

 eggs to slide together at one side ; the square boxes resting in trays are 

 put together in much more compact form than the cylindrical boxes 

 embedded in moss, and the springs beneath the boxes of eggs are of 

 course an important addition. 



Mr. Clark believes the hatching-apparatus in the refrigerator to be as 

 well adapted for the carriage of eggs as for hatching them. 



The use of surface or brook water in anj^ permanent establishment 

 seems to have been first employed by Mr. Samuel Wilmot, of i^ew Ca«. 

 tie, Canada, the greater number of hatching establishments using 

 spring-water. 



In the hatching of white-fish, Mr. Clark has contended for the use of 

 brook-water in preference, because of its lower and evener temperature 

 throughout the winter, and the consequent retardation of the hatching 

 of the fish which he has contended is an essential provision in nature to 

 *:heir welfare, and that the hatching them two months or more previous to 

 the natural time under artificial conditions is a mistaken method that 

 will not result in the maturing of any considerable numbers of the cold 

 waters in which they are released. Though this view has not been es- 

 tablished by practical observation, yet it raises a question of consider- 

 able importance that merits a full discussion of its character and bear- 

 ing on the practical work of fish-culture. A few extracts from a letter 

 of Mr. Clark to the board of fish-commissioners of the State of Michi- 

 gan, will advance his arguments in favor of brook or surface waters in 

 preference to spring-water. Mr. Clark began his experiments withi 

 white-fish in 1869, hatching a small percentage of the eggs he pro- 

 cured : 



