722 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



about 12 inclies square, w itli iiuiueious parliiious dividhig it into a uum- 

 ber of compartments. The wliole was placed at au incline, so that the 

 overflow of water from one compartment would run into the next lower 

 through a little groove at the top of the partition. Mr. Clark introduced 

 into each compartment a small wooden box with a wire-cloth bottom, 

 each to be placed at an angle with the bottom of the trough, with its 

 lower end under the little spout .that conducted the waste-water fi^om 

 the compartment above. With the box thus placed in a compartment 

 filled with water, the stream that was kept constantly running would 

 fall into its deepest part, and in this way create considerable current in 

 the water, the surplus gradually passing out through the bottom and up 

 around the sides on its way to the next compartment. 



"When the cod-fish eggs were introduced into these boxes they were 

 found to have an excellent motion ; but of the great amount of harbor 

 sediment and mud in the water much was retained in the boxes by the 

 wire screens and gradually collected on the eggs, causing them to sink 

 to the bottom, where they soon died. This apparatus, though seemingly 

 all that could be desired with clean water, was rendered useless by the 

 fine dirt that could not be kept out. 



The writer suggested a modification of the copper cone, so that the 

 water should escape near the top through an intermittent siphon, the 

 end of which should be incased in a large wh-e-cloth bag, to weaken the 

 strength of the current where it met the screen, and cause any eggs that 

 might be held agaiust the bag while the water was running to fall away 

 when it stopped. This apparatus, like that of Mr. Clark, was rendered 

 useless by the sediment in the water ; and in addition, there seemed to 

 be a corrosion of the copper, due to the action of the salt-water, that 

 proved injurious to the eggs. 



The Ferguson bucket, which consists of a cylinder of sheet-iron, with 

 a wbe-cloth bottom, getting a circulation of water by means of a slow 

 rise and Cjuick drop when partially immersed, was tried, with only indif- 

 ferent results. 



Captain Chester was at this time devising an apparatus which should 

 not only give a certain change to the water, but also partially keep 

 the sediment from the eggs. This apparatus is known as the Chester 

 bucket. It consists of a tin cylinder 18 inches in diameter and 24 inches 

 deep, with four rectangular openings, each 2J inches wide, extending 

 from near the bottom to within 5 inches of the top. These and the bot- 

 tom of the cylinder are covered with wire-cloth, to prevent the eggs from 

 escaping and the dirt from entering. 



On the outside of the cylinder, along one side of either opening, are 

 placed strips or pockets of tin, at an angle with the side, and extending 

 partially over the openings, so that the adjacent pockets face in opposite 

 directions. As the cylinder rotates on its axis, the water is forced in at 

 the two opposite openings and out at the others. 



Beneath the wire-cloth bottom are four more strips of tin, radiating 



