PROPAGATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF FOOD FISHES, 1921. 89 
plicants from time to time are favorable in character, no effort has 
heretofore been made to condense such information into a tabular 
form to indicate the general effects of the work. 
The system of card-indexing applications, inaugurated in 1917, 
will in course of time give such information. However, it is be- 
lieved that a table classifying the results accomplished during sevy- 
eral years would be very useful in giving the bureau and the gen- 
eral public a concrete idea as to the value of the work that is being 
done in the interior States. <A table of this character would also be 
invaluable when making assignments of fishes, as it would show 
what species are most productive in a given region. 
The following is an explanation of the grades used in classifying 
the results: “ Excellent” means that the fish increased in size and 
multiplied. “Good” is used where the applicant was satisfied, the 
fish attaining a large size, the number of fish apparently on the in- 
crease. “Fair” means that the results are only ordinary, many of 
the applicants merely use this word to express the results of the 
plants. “Overflow” is used where the dam of the pond broke and 
the fish escaped. This does not mean a loss of the fish, as in many 
instances the statement is made that certain streams were stocked 
by the breaking of dams. “Uncertain” is used where the applicant 
is undecided as to results. Most of the reports classified under this 
heading cover plants of fish made in large streams and lakes, where 
it was found difficult to determine whether the fish furnished by the 
bureau had actually produced results, owing to the waters being 
previously stocked with the same species. “Poor” covers reports 
which indicate that the plants were a failure. Failures are attributed 
to a number of causes as follows: Not adapted to the waters; fish 
received in poor condition; destroyed by snakes and other noxious 
animals. Many failures are attributed to the severe winter of 1916 
and 1917, when ponds froze to an unprecedented depth. In some in- 
stances the fish were stolen. 
The following table shows the general results of planting fishes 
during the fiscal year 1917: 
GENERAL RESULTS, BY SPECIES, OF FISH PLANTINGS, FiscaAL YEAR 1917. 
- Increase and growth. 
Number 
Bpecies. of Excel- . Over- Uncer- 
reports. lent | Good. Fair. flow. tain. Poor. 
Catislts . oct cb aa-eseseyl 127 34 47 25 
BPMs Enos soc tee ek settee 5 2 1 Tel eecrer ee 
SHA es ess SS OEE ie | Soe eee AES. £28] eee he 
Wiitenshs.. . bess. <2--24-- 5. - 4 2 ol Ee ae 
Steelhead salmon.........------ 20 3 6 2 
Landlocked salmon........----- 28 8 15 3 
MamMbGW WOuUle se ce ost e « 589 157 224 98 
Blackspotted trout ........-..--- 288 101 151 26 
Loch Leven trout .......-.----- 6 2 fl Basa Se 
Brown trout 1 | | es ee Pes 
Lake trout 21 9 2] 
Brook trout 1,514 532 717 124 
Grayling 2 1 
STCETI Te eR Ce omer eS = ri ese = 2 ae a 
Crappie Oe 235 59 77 49 9 20 21 
Largemouth black bass.......-- 927 270 415 108 32 52 50 
Smallmouth black bass......--- 326 101 131 41 5 29 19 
12-75 ohio CSR EAS 2 Se oe 76 14 21 19 4 9 9 
PRNOSH goon, 62 ane. as se espace Sec 280 57 88 59 25 18 33 
(2, US: Ue 9 0 ae Rae es pa 97 43 19 11 1 14 9 
BY Gilg per Chi =: 222-52 20S 32 10 8 Ay sep rzst - 4 6 
VLD. ee Gee See Rae Gy (Be epee eeet 2 1 eee 7 1 
