6 REPORT OF COMMlSSIOjNER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [4] 



At 11.45 a. m. lowered the oyster-dredge on the banks off the mouth 

 of Magothy River, where several schooners were dredging. Worked 

 about forty-five minutes, averaging about 1 bushel of marketable oy-s- 

 ters to 15 of dead shells, the bank having been pretty well dredged out. 

 At 12.40 p. m. started for Annapolis, arriving at 1.35 p. m. 



On the 21st steamed out with a party of the Maryland legislature 

 and trawled and dredged in the bay to show them how the work was 

 carried on. 



On the 22d left Annapolis, and on the 23d arrived at Washington. 



On the 30th coaled ship. From this date till the 10th of April we 

 remained at the navy-yard, making preparations for the hatchiug sea- 

 son. On the latter date, proceeded to Quautico, Va., and made fast to 

 the railroad wharf. 



From the 10th of April until the 10th of May we remained at this 

 port engaged in hatching, with results as shown by the accompanying 

 table. On the latter date proceeded to Washington, and made fast to 

 the wharf at the navy-yard. On the 11th of May sent to the Armory 

 for transportation 2,000,000 young herring and 600,000 young shad. On 

 the 12th put overboard alongside of the ship 23,000 young shad. On 

 the 14th received from the Fish Commission steamer Lookout, 40,000 

 shad eggs which were placed in cones. On the 16th transferred to 

 Master W. C. Babcock, U. S. K, 200,000 young shad for transportation. 



On the 22d we left Washington for Havre de Grace, Md., arriving 

 at noon the following day. The vessel was moored at the pier at Battery 

 Station, and her boats, with spawn-takers, sent to the various fishing 

 grounds. Active preparations had been made during the season to haul 

 a seine for the purpose of taking shad and other fish, and confining them 

 in an iuclosure until ready for spawning. The first haul was made on 

 the 20th instant, and the fish turned into the pool. Such of the crew of 

 this vessel as were required, were detailed to assist at the seine-hauls 

 and the steam cutter was frequently used for towing the seine-boat. 



Hauls were made daily, and the fish transferred to the pool, where a 

 small seine was hauled usually once a d ay, and the fish examined. Those 

 that were in condition for spawning were turned over to the spawn- 

 takers, and the unripe fish were returned to the pool. 



About 700 shad were placed in the inclosure during the season and 

 subjected to the rough handling of the small seine and manipulation 

 of spawn-takers once a day for three weeks or more without apparent 

 injury; it was observed, however, that wounds did not heal, but became 

 covered with fungus. 



Although the experiment was made too late in the season to demon- 

 strate the practicability of procuring spawn in that manner ; it was 

 clearly shown that, with careful handling, shad could be penned for a 

 considerable j)eriod. Quite a number remained in the pool after the 

 close of the hatching season, and subsequently began feeding ; at least 

 that was the supposition, as four were taken with a hook and clam bait 



