REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



49 



shade, but the trouble is most apparent during- and immediately 

 following very hot weather. It abates during cool daj^s, even though 

 the variation in temperature may not be more than four to six degrees. 



The young fish at this station are fed on beef liver and canned her- 

 ring roe, the beef to the brook trout and the roe to the rainbow trout. 

 The brook trout do not seem to be able to masticate the roe, but the 

 rainbows are especially fond of it, and it has proved a very economical 

 and nutritious food for them for a period of about six weeks, after 

 which time it has been found best to change their food to liver. 



Predatory birds and animals are exceedingly numerous and destruc- 

 tive in the summer months, and great numbers are annually destroyed. 



The following table shows the stock of fish on hand at the close of 

 the year: 



By an act of Congress $5,000 became available in March for the 

 completion of the station, new ponds, and other improvements, and 

 work was immediately commenced on the construction of three ponds 

 ranging in size from 1 to 2 acres, and these have been completed. 

 Another pond 1 acre in area, which had already been partially con- 

 structed, was completed. Various repairs and improvements were 

 made about the station buildings, roadwaj^s were constructed from the 

 hatchery to the main highway, and 50 shade trees were set out. Con- 

 tracts have been made for a substantial fence around the station prop- 

 erty, and at the close of the year it is in course of construction. 



Cold Springs Station, Georgia (J. J. Stranahan, Superintendent). 



Within the j^ear the construction work under the special appropria- 

 tion was of minor importance, but with it the station was practically 

 completed. There was erected near the station residence a woodhouse 

 16 b}^ 20 feet, a cabin was built for one of the laborers, and three 

 bridges were constructed across Cold Springs Creek. The drives, 

 walks, lawns, and embankments to the ponds were graded, and the 

 lawns and pond embankments seeded down. All rubbish and under- 

 brush were removed, so that the station presents a neat and attractive 

 appearance. The fish-cultural work was confined to the propagation 

 of the large-mouthed black bass, bream, crappie, and speckled cat-fish. 



The spawning season of the black bass extended over 110 days, and 

 this year the season began a full month earlier than in former years, 

 notwithstanding the fact that the temperatui*e of the water was cooler 



F. C. 1902—^ 



