1094 KEPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [4] 



the proportion impregnated at 92.9 per cent. Total losses before divis- 

 ion 9^ per cent, — about the ordinary rate. 



The eggs were shipped in the customary method — packed in wet moss^ 

 inclosed in dry moss — and sent down to Princeton, 12 miles distant, in 

 the afternoon ; thence by stage 28^ miles to Forest Station, the next 

 forenoon; this part of the journey occupying about 5J hours, during 

 which the cases of eggs were exposed, with little or no protection, to the 

 wintry blasts. 



Excellent success attended the transportation, with a single excep- 

 tion. A case containing 32,000 eggs, addressed to Mr. Brackett, at 

 Winchester, Mass., packed in an experimental manner, which proved 

 to be less efficient than our ordinary mode, was partly frozen on the 

 way, and 8,000 eggs lost. The temperature of the air at the time this 

 package started on its 28^-mile ride in the open air was 20 degrees be- 

 low zero. In 22 other packages (including all save three, which were 

 not reported on), the entire number of dead eggs on unpacking was re- 

 ported at 1,806, being three-tenths of one per cent., or three in one 

 thousand. 



An attemjit was made to economize in bulk, and thereby in freight 

 charges, by the use of asbestos felt in place of moss, but it was found 

 that bulk for bulk it was in no wise superior, while at the same time 

 it was far heavier and more costly. The experiments tried in this con- 

 nection gave results indicating that, considering only the question of 

 bulk, the best material to save from freezing was wet moss ; but if the 

 weight and consequent freight charges be taken into account then the 

 best material is dry moss, which is exceedingly light and as efficient as 

 an equal thickness of asbestos felt or building-ijaper. 



The division of the spawn available for shipment, pro rata with the 

 contributions made by the several parties, was as follows : 



United States received 311,750 



Maine received 64,500 



Massachusetts received 107,500 



Connecticut received 107,500 



Ifew Hampshire received 53,750 



The distribution of the share of the United States will be seen in 

 detail by referring to the subjoined schedule of shipments of eggs. 



The hatching of spawn retained (215,000) was accomplished with the 

 insignificant loss of 212 eggs, and of the young fish but 1,691 died ; 

 213,097 young fish were planted in Grand Lake, scattered along shore 

 as usual. 



The hatching of the transported eggs and the planting of the young 

 fish were in most instances accomplished with less than the usual mor- 

 tality. A schedule is subjoined showing the details of the planting. 



4. — Extracts from diary. 



Grand Lake Stream, August 3, 1881. — The season has been very 

 rainy here. The lake stands at 3 feet 11 inches on our gauge. The 



