106 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 
September field preparations were made for anticipated collections of. 
eggs from the commercial fishing-grounds on Lakes Huron and Michi- 
gan. These preparations were continued until late in October, in the 
meantime repairs being made to hatching-troughs, tanks, egg-trays, 
and spawn-taking outfit. In November a night watchman, second 
assistant, and others to comprise the spawn-taking force, were tempo- 
rarily employed. Severe storms prevented the collection of the usual 
number of eggs. 
Whitefish.—The first eggs were received November 8, consisting of 
256,000, the total by November 30 amounting to 25,040,000. The 
losses while hatching were: November, 320,000; December, 1,180,000; 
January, 660,000; February, 240,000; March, none. 
On the 22d of February 6,000,000 eggs were transferred by express 
freight to Northville Station for reshipment to the Duluth establish- 
ment. The eggs retained, 16,640,000, commenced to hatch April 17, 
continuing slowly until April 20, when, the water turning cold, very 
few additional ones hatched until the 25d, there being about 7,000,000 
out by the end of the month. The last to leave the eggs came out | 
May 8. The fry proved to be of excellent quality, and between April | 
27 and May 23 there were liberated 16,640,000. 
Lake trout.—Eggs of this species were collected during November to 
the amount of 2,550,000, all being transferred to the Northville Station 
prior to November 30, in express freight consignments, as follows: 
323,000 on November 11; 678,000 on November 17; 870,0000n November 
22; 180,000 on November 26; total, 2,051,000. The shortage represents 
the loss. The majority were taken near Thompson, Lake Michigan, 
but 250,000 obtained from Lake Huron by means of tugs operating 
from Alpena were best in quality. 
The water temperature November 1 was 42° F., and on November 30 
it had fallen to 35°. From this date until April 13 it ranged from 32.5° 
to 33°, On April 19 it was 41°, on the 22d 38°, advancing after that 
date gradually to 41° on the 27th. From this date a gradual rise was 
experienced until May 27, when it was 56°. By the first of June the 
_ equipment was stored to await operations of the next fall. 
DULUTH STATION, MINNESOTA (R. O. SWEENY, SR., aND S. P. WIRES, 
SUPERINTENDENTS). 
R. O. Sweeny, sr., resigned the superintendency April 15, 1893, and 
S. P. Wires, foreman of Alpena Station, was appointed acting super. 
intendent. On June 10 Mr. Wires was made superintendent. 
In July the high temperature and generally unfavorable condition of 
the gravity water supply from Lester River rendered it impracticable 
to hold the young lake trout brought over from the preceding year, 
numbering 843,000. The surface of the water on the streams and lake 
was covered with a yellow powder, which on the lake was seen in 
areas 100 yards wide, 2 miles long, and 2 inches thick, consisting of the 
pollen of the flowerless plants of the family Lycopodiacee. On July 12 
