PROPAGATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF FOOD FISHES. 1921. 65 
spawning season. Hence, the total number of brood fish of this 
species on hand at that period did not exceed 200. The smallmouth 
black bass were first observed to be spawning on March 28, when 12 
nests were noted, and 38 nests had been occupied by April 8. By the 
end of the third day fungus had entirely destroyed the eggs on the 
first 12 nests, and only a negligible number of fry was produced from 
the remainder of the first spawning. Spawning was resumed on May 
6 and 7, when 12 more nests were occupied. From this spawning 
the total output of smallmouth black bass, amounting to 26,500 fry 
and fingerling fish, was obtained. No satisfactory explanation for 
the failure of the early spawning is at hand. The long interval be- 
tween the spawning periods observed this season is unusual. In 
previous years it has rarely exceeded one week. In addition to the 
smallmouth black bass, smaller numbers of the largemouth black bass 
and rock bass were distributed. 
ORANGEBURG (S. C.) STATION. 
[GEORGE W. N. Brown, Superintendent. ] 
At this station a new pond, approximately 1 acre in area and sup- 
plied with water from springs at the head of the small cove in which 
it is built, was completed and stocked with bass. The output. con- 
sisted of 204,675 largemouth black bass, 300 crappie, 500 rock bass, 
and 14,200 sunfish (bluegills), all of fingerling size. A small number 
of sunfish carried over from the previous year were distributed in con- 
nection with the current season’s hatch. The station has also a small 
stock of the spotted catfish (/ctalurus punctatus), and it was esti- 
mated that approximately 1,000 young of the species were on hand 
at the close of the year. 
SAN MARCOS (TEX.) STATION. 
[Mark Ritpy, Superintendent. ] 
The distributions from this station for the year 1921 included the 
following species: Largemouth black bass, 257,715; catfish, 70,000; 
crappie, 5,904; rock bass, 320; sunfish, 74,872. The San Marcos 
station has for a number of years been successful in producing goodly 
numbers of fish for distribution at a cost that compares favorably 
with that at any other station. Local conditions seem particularly 
suited to the purpose, and, unlike the conditions at all other stations, 
it is not necessary to supply artificial food for either the young or the 
adult fish. The output for the year 1921 was curtailed by fluctuating 
water temperatures during the spring and, further, by the ponds 
- overflowing on two occasions, an occurrence that is caused by the 
unsatisfactory method of street drainage. To augment the produc- 
tion of fish beyond the capacity of the station ponds it has been 
customary to stock privately owned ponds or “ tanks” with fish, with 
the understanding that the bureau shall have the privilege of taking 
a reasonable number of the progeny for distribution. Very satis- 
factory results have been obtained by this method, particularly with 
the crappie. 
