XXXVI EEPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



large scale, operations were commenced mucli earlier in the season than 

 usual, and at a southern station, in Albemarle Sound. The barges used 

 by the Maryland commission in its work in 1877 were x>urchased and 

 thoroughly equipped by the United States Commission, and towed by 

 the revenue-cutter Ewing, in command of Captain Fengar, to Norfolk, 

 whence a private tug carried them to Avoca, a plantation and fishing 

 landing of Dr. W. R. Capehart, situated near the mouth of the Chowan 

 Eiver. The Maryland steamer Lookout was also employed in the serv- 

 ice by an arrangement with Mr. Ferguson. 



In addition to the Lookout, a steam-launch, furnished by the Navy De- 

 partment, rendered essential aid in visiting distant landings for the col- 

 lection of spawn and in transporting young fish from the station to the 

 steamer for shipment via Franklin to various portions of the Southern 

 States. 



The work commenced about the 1st of April, with the benefit of 

 every possible aid from Dr. Capehart, and up to the 1st of May about 

 10,000,000 eggs had been secured ; the largest number taken in any one 

 night being 1,605,000, on the 15th of April. The shipments of fish to 

 remote points began on the 11th of April, amounting in all to about 

 5,000,000. These were distributed in part by the United States Commis- 

 sion, and in part by the fish commissioners of Maryland, North Caro- 

 lina, and Virginia,, who were fnrnished with what they could well trans- 

 port to waters within these States. 



A remarkable feature of the fishery season on the North Carolina 

 coast consisted in the unprecedented number of alewives, or fresh-water 

 herring, captured at various landings, as many as 400,000 having been 

 taken at one haul. The glut of these fish was so great, that at one time 

 they were sold at 50 cents per thousand ; indeed, it became necessary 

 to stop using the seines ten days earlier than usual on account of the 

 difficulty of handling so many fish. 



Mr. Ferguson, having been appointed one of the Commissioners to the 

 Paris Exhibition, was obliged to leave Avoca before the close of the sea- 

 son, and the work was then continued by Mr. Milner and his assistants. 

 On the 2d of May the station was closed, and the barges and launches 

 were towed to Norfolk by the revenue-cutter E. A. Stevens. At Nor- 

 folk the Ewing again took charge of the tow and reached Havre de 

 Grace with her charge on the 11th of May, where the hatching work 

 was resumed under direction of Mr. Frank N. Clark — Mr. Milner, how- 

 ever, having general supervision. 



The station selected this year at Havre de Grace was the same as that 

 used in 1877, namely, a sheltered harbor between Spesutia Island and 

 the western shore. The work was prosecuted on four barges and aided 

 by two navy launches, a second one having been furnished for the pur- 

 pose by the Navy Department. The steamer Lookout was dispatched 

 to the Potomac for the purpose of collecting eggs of shad and hatching 

 them on that river. 



