REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. LI 



tion means may be discovered to overcome this difficulty in the propa- 

 gation of this species. 



On February 11 a package of rainbow trout eggs, consigned as 20,000, 

 were received from the Wytheville Station. These eggs, Mr. Page 

 reports, were the largest ever seen by him and in fine condition. When 

 counted, however, there were found to be but 14,538, the discrepancy 

 being probably due to the consignor's using a measure established for 

 eggs of normal size. On June 30, 1892, the number of fry on hand that 

 were produced from these eggs was 12,000; from those taken at the 

 station, estimated, between 25,000 and 28,000. 



During the breeding season a continual warfare was waged among 

 the breeding males. Every eftbrt was made to stop the fighting, but 

 it was ineffectual, and the loss among them averaged about 10 a week. 



The season of distribution was from January 14 to March 2, 1892, 

 during which there were sent out 11,110 yearlings (product of season 

 of 1890-91) and 14 fish two years old. 



BrooTc trout. — On March 27, 1892, there was received from Mr. James 

 Annin, jr., of Caledonia, N. Y,, a consignment of 8,000 eggs of the brook 

 trout. These were in good condition on arrival, the loss en route being 

 218. The eggs hatched with reasonable loss, but the fry produced were 

 weak and puny, and the death rate among them very high. At the end 

 of the year there were but 1,500 alive and in very j)oor condition. 



From the fry brought over from the previous year there were avail- 

 able for distribution 6,327 yearlings, which were shipped from the sta- 

 tion between January 28 and March 12. 



Vo7i Belir trout. — From the 25,900 eggs of this species received from 

 the North ville Station in the spring of 1891, there were produced by 

 November 1, 1891, actual count, 15,200 fish, and 10,222 were distributed 

 between December 17 and March 17, 1892. 



Black bass. — Of the stock of breeding fish, 175 three-year olds were 

 sent to Washington in December, 1891, leaving but 33 at the> station. 

 Owing to the continued cold rains and cloudy weather the bass were 

 somewhat late in spawning. Immediately after hatching and before 

 the schools had dispersed, the fry were netted and transferred to 

 another pond. It is estimated that the number availablefor distribution 

 in the fall of 1892 will be about 2,000. The distribution of y earlin gs was 

 commenced November 27 and ended February 8 5 7,384 fish were shipped. 



Bock bass. — The number of yearlings distributed was 9,374 ; of 3-year 

 olds, 2. 



Crappie, — Of this species 95 yearlings and 14 breeding fish were dis- 

 tributed. 



Tench. — The gratifying results attained the previous season in the 

 propagation of the tench made it desirable to increase the work during 

 the present year, and 40 of the largest fish were reserved and added to 

 the brood stock, and an additional pond, two in all, assigned to them. 

 The number of yearling fish available for distribution was 26,432, which 

 were shipped between November 9 and February 8. 



