802 EEPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



supply of youug fish comes mainly from the hatching station on the 

 McCloud Eiver, and that consequently that supply must be kept up. 

 If this is neglected the Sacramento will be depleted of salmon, and the 

 efficiency of the salmon hatching station on the McCloud will be very 

 much impaired, if not entirely destroyed. It accordingly becomes im- 

 perative on the part of the United States Fish Commission to return to 

 the tributaries of the Sacramento a certain number of young salmon 

 annually, say from 1,000,000 to 2,000,000, to maintain its own existence. 



As the California fish commission will cheerfully pay the cost of hatch- 

 ing the salmon allowed for this purpose, I cordially recommend that 

 this be done every year. 



In concluding, I will say that the reports from the parties receiving 

 salmon eggs from the McCloud station last year were extremely satis- 

 factory in regard to the condition of the eggs on arrival at their desti- 

 nations. With the exception of a small lot sent to the New York Aqua- 

 rium, I believe the loss in transportation did not exceed 2J per cent. 

 Even the eggs which were sent eight thousand miles and across the 

 equator to New Zealand and Australia, arrived in fine order and with 

 very slight loss. 



In confirmation of the above statements, I take the liberty to present 

 the following letters received from several gentlemen to whom California 

 salmon eggs were consigned last year and the year previous: 



Office of Fish Commissioners, State of Minnesota, 



Saint Faul, October 9, 1876. 

 Dear Sir : The salmon eggs assigned to our State came safely on the 

 5th, and were m fine condition, for which accept our thanks. 

 Very respectfully, 



E. O. SWEENY, 



Chairman Fish Commission. 



Livingston Stone, Esq., 



United States Fishery, Bedding, Cal. 



New Hope, Pa., October 9, 1876. 

 Dear Sir : I received the 75,000 California salmon eggs on Thursday 

 last ; they were in splendid order, there being only 1,800 dead eggs in 

 the lot ; and have only lost since 112 eggs. 

 Truly yours, 



. J. B. THOMPSON. 



Livingston Stone, Esq. 



