[3] DISTRIBUTION OF CA.RP. 945 



Young carp furnished hy the Druid Rill Park ponds from the crop of 1879. 

 1879. Cai-p. 



Nov. 4. For the Virginia Commission 250 



10. To Messengers Ellis and Schuermann 1,000 



12. Returned to Druid Hill Park ponds 1,000 



13. For Pierre Lorillard, Jobstown, N.J 50 



13. For Milton P. Pierce, Wenonah, N.J 30 



Dec. 4. To Messenger Ellis 580 



y. For the Virginia Commission to H. B. Nichols 375 



8. To Messenger Hamlen 500 



16. For Hon. J. W. C?8ey, Milford, Del 40 



20. To Messenger Ellis 600 



Total 4,425 



With the productiou of several thousand young carp for distribution 

 in the fall of 1879, to applicants distributed through most of the United 

 States, the Commission was confronted with a new problem regarding 

 the best method of placing them in the hands of applicants. Mr. T. B. 

 Ferguson was placed in charge of this work. Substantially the same 

 method was adopted which had been in use in the distribution of shad. 

 This consisted in the use of a large wooden-bound tin can nearly filled 

 with water. The cans were of two sizes, 5 and 10 gallons. The tin 

 cans, when filled with water, were considered suitable for transporting 

 50 to 100 carp. Lots of from 100 to 500 were placed in the requisite 

 number of cans and sent to State commissioners, Congressmen, and 

 others who had agreed to receive them at central points and distribute 

 them. Messengers of the Commission usually accompanied the ship- 

 ments, and were instructed to change the water at convenient intervals. 

 Nearly one-half the carp of 1879 was transferred in bulk to tho.se per- 

 sons in various States. Lists of persons to be supplied therefrom were 

 forwarded with the fish, and the applicants notified by mail to apply in 

 person or by representative to those who had undertaken this work. 

 Many applicants in Maryland and places within easy reach of Balti- 

 more and Washington were notified to come for their fish. Of course 

 there was considerable expense attending the use of so large cans, 

 weighing GO pounds or more, and the sending of messengers to accom- 

 pany each shipment. These expenses were borne in part by the United 

 States Commission and partly by the State commissions. 



In many cases, where a single applicant was to be supplied with but 

 15 or 20 fish, it was impossible for the carp to be accompanied by an at- 

 tendant. Then packages were forwarded by express, suitable notice of 

 the arrangements having been given in advance. In these cases the 

 same 5 and 10 gallon cans were used and the recipient permitted his 

 choice of paying the cost price of $2 for the can, or of returning it by 

 express. Usually there was no opportunity for the change of water in 

 the cans while in express transit. However, there were not many losses 

 for the lack of it. But the express charges often came to several dol- 



S. Mis. 46 60 



