PROPAGATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF FOOD FISHES, 1921. Law| 
various species handled is maintained at all times and work of a 
strictly fish-cultural nature is under way throughout the year, 
whereas the fish-cultural work at certain of the hatcheries, especially 
those handling the commercial species, is seasonal in its character. 
The “combination” stations operated by the bureau are located at 
Erwin, Tenn.; Manchester, Iowa; Neosho, Mo.; White Sulphur 
Springs, W. Va.; and Wytheville, Va. Following is the aggregate 
output, by species, of this group of stations for 1921: 
Broo). tr Out s53 oop t st 1, 664,950 | Smallmouth black bass_—__ 112, 591 
GCranbie: 3. sp) 5 ocl > ahi 14, 382 Sunfish 22 sos17) ash t_prpays 62), 355 
Largemouth! black ;bass _i-,, 121,978 | Yellow perehoue 2. 222. - 5S 
Pike iperch +.) {2 fl 500, 000 ———_——. 
Rainbow. trout s-+---=.!_: 2, 583, 244 Totalis_j ui) alts ft 5, 154, 8938 
Rock: bassieais sess bse 95, 385 
ERWIN (TENN.) STATION. 
[A. G. Kenseckemr, Superintendent. ] 
The aggregate output of this station shows an increase of about 30 
per cent over that of the previous year. The spawning season of the 
rainbow trout began on November 8 and continued to January 27, 
the total egg collection amounting to 936,000, of which 822,000 were 
eyed. With the exception of 55,000 eyed eggs supplied to the State 
hatchery at Elkmont, Tenn., the entire lot was incubated in the 
Erwin hatchery. The losses were merely nominal, and the output 
of this species for the year amounted to 755,100, this number includ- 
ing 59,926 fingerlings derived from eggs transferred from the Neosho 
(Mo.) station. As an addition to the brood stock 10,000 steelhead 
eggs transferred from the Birdsview (Wash.) station were incubated, 
producing 9,300 fry. The year’s work with the rainbow trout indi- 
cates a very satisfactory improvement, both with regard to the pro- 
ductivity of the brood fish and the quality of the eggs secured. No 
brood stock of brook trout is maintained at this station, all eggs of 
that species handled being acquired by purchase from commercial 
dealers. During the year the 439,300 eggs thus acquired resulted in 
an output of 300,435 fingerlings. 
The spawning season of the smallmouth black bass began on 
April 13 and continued to May 28. Twelve nests were occupied, and 
10 of them were productive, though the percentage of fry hatched in 
each nest was small. The distribution of this species amounted to 
5,165 fingerlings, and it was estimated that upward of 3,000 were on 
hand at the close of the year. The outcome of the operations with the 
largemouth black bass was better, 65,980 of these being available for 
distribution, with approximately 10,000 on hand at the end of June. 
During the spawning period, extending from April 13 to June 1, the 
warm weather during the spring was followed by colder weather, and 
this was an important factor in reducing the output of both species 
of black bass. ‘The year’s distribution also included 17,200 rock bass, 
400 strawberry bass, and 20,350 sunfish, all fingerlings. 
