26* REPOET OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



of the laud, by Mr. Charles G. Atkins, the assistant in charge, tlie work 

 was begun under the joint auspices of the United States Fish Commis- 

 sion and those of Massachusetts and Connecticut. Maine participated, 

 in the benefits of the enterprise, under the State law which requires one- 

 fourth of all the eggs taken from fish within her borders during the 

 close season to be hatched out and turned into the waters. 



Between the dates of October 25 and November 25, 1,055 males and 

 1,571 females were secured and impounded. From these 1,077,500 eggs 

 were taken and impregnated, of which 068,500 were distributed to the 

 subscribers 2)ro rata, in February and March, 187G ; while 205,000 were 

 introduced into Grand Lake Stream, on account of the State of Maine. 



The operations during the year 1876 were continued under the same 

 general principles and at the same locality as in 1875, the eggs being 

 sufficiently ripe to be taken on the 6th of November, and the season 

 lasting until the 22d of November, 530,000 eggs being obtained from 

 272 males and 749 females ; and 12,500 eggs in addition were obtained 

 from adjacent waters. Owing to various causes beyond the control of 

 Mr. Atkins a number of the eggs secured proved unproductive, and 

 only 460,000 serviceable eggs were distributed. Of these 145,000 were 

 sent out by the United States Commissioner, 200,000 by Massachusetts 

 and Connecticut, and 115,000 were placed in Grand Lake Stream. The 

 commissioners of the States mentioned, as usual, received the eggs, and 

 after hatching them out distributed them to localities within their own 

 borders. The distribution on the part of the United States Commission 

 will be found in the tables in the appendix of the i)resent report. 



The Wliitcfisli. 



There is no species of American food-fish superior in economical im- 

 portance to the whitefish, and its multiplication in localities especially 

 favorable to its growth is deserving of the utmost effort. It is to this 

 species especially that the attention of the State commissions border- 

 ing on the great lakes has been particularly drawn, those of Ohio, 

 Michigan, Wisconsin, and of Canada, being alive to its importance. 

 The utmost elibrt has been put forth to secure an abundant supply of 

 eggs, and after hatching them out to introduce the young fish into ad- 

 jacent waters, the total expenditure by the States in this direction being 

 nearly equal to the appropriation for the United States Commission, 



The fact that the States are so active in this direction has rendered 

 it less necessary for the United States Fish Commission to take any 

 special action in the matter. Its efforts have therefore been confined 

 merely to securing a sufficient supply for distribution to ajipropriate 

 localities outside of the region of production, especially to the State of 

 California, where there are numerous lakes suited to the growth of this 

 fish, and which are now destitute of anything corresponding to the gen- 

 uine whitefish, Coregomis alhus. 



Arrangements have usually been made either with the States or with 



