780 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OP FISH AND FISHERIES. 



but I tliiuk not a very great number. It cannot be silpposed that all 

 the breeding salmon passed up in that brief space so early in the season. 

 Yet during a whole month thereafter the net continued in ijlace and 

 still no great number of fish to be seen anywhere ; and during the whole 

 season but two fish were seen in the lock, where they were wont to be 

 taken plentifully. Evidently this was a year of scarcity. 



The freshets demonstrated the insufficiency of our fixtures. Had there 

 been no greater rise of water than testimony led us to expect, our barrier 

 would have remained secure to the season's close. But the season's ex- 

 perience has given us new light on this point, and in future it would be 

 unwise to risk the result of a season's work on the chance of such fixtures 

 being able to stand in the current of Crooked Eiver. 



I do not doubt that some efficient means of taking Sebago salmon in 

 Songo or Crooked Kiver could be devised after jiossibly some more un- 

 successful experimenting 5 but unless there were some better reason 

 than now exists with myself to expect a good run of fish, the prospect 

 of success would hardly justify the risk. 



In conclusion, I will merely add that I made several visits to the 

 scene of operations early in the season, and myself fixed upon the main 

 points in the schedule for operations. The plans formed were well car- 

 ried out by Mr. Buck and his assistants, and such matters as were left to 

 his discretion were judiciously managed. 



I present Mr. Buck's diary and weather record, which will be found 

 to contain many interesting details. 



G.— H. H. BUCK'S DIAEY AT SONGO LOCK, 1878. 



August 22, 1878. — Commenced working on behalf of Sebago salmon- 

 breeding establishment. Took from Penobscot establishment about 

 726 feet of chain, 570 pounds of netting, corks, 1 car for transportation 

 of fish alive, 1 punt, 1 pair oars, trays for eggs, 1 shovel, 1 hoe, and 2 

 net-bows. 



August 23. — Proceeded to Portland on steamer City of Eichmond. 



August 24. — Through courtesy of J. Hamilton, superintendent of the 

 Portland and Ogdensburgh Eailroad, was enabled to get everything to 

 foot of Sebago Lake. As the steamer could not delay, left the freight, 

 and arrived at Songo Lock at 3 p. m. 



August 25. — Think the water below the lock is more than a foot lower 

 than upon the 14th. It is reported to have fallen f inch per day lately. 

 Above the lock it is apparently at the same height as upon the llth. 

 Selected as a permanent mark to which to refer tjie height of water 

 above the lock the lowest block of granite in the upper end of the wing 

 at the north end of the dam. Selected as a water-mark below the dam 

 the top of the largest of a groui) of stones on the east side of Songo 

 Eiver, below the junction. 



August 26. — Made partial survey of the premises, and sent sketch to 

 Mr. Atkins. Freight came to hand, with exception of one tent. 



