REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 111 
Owing to the quantity of work in the distribution service these fish 
could not be liberated with sufficient promptness, and the following 
losses occurred: Brook trout, 100; tench, 3,872; black bass, 204; rock 
bass, 548; goldfish, 553; carp, 36; total, 5,313. The losses among rain. 
bow yearlings were very small, they being held in rearing-ponds under 
normal conditions up to the time of delivery to car messengers. 
The 3,500 brook-trout fry brought over were diseased and continued 
to die until the last of September, when the survivors suddenly com- 
menced growing rapidly, and those remaining for distribution were in 
fine condition. 
The distribution of rainbow trout occurred between December 23 and 
March 31, the deposits being made chiefly in Missouri, Arkansas, Texas, 
Kansas, Illinois, and Iowa. The tench were shipped between Decem- 
ber 3 and March 20, being placed chiefiy in the waters of Missouri and 
Texas. Black bass and rock bass were liberated between January 19 
and March 15, these being sent chiefly to Kansas and Missouri. 
The distribution was as follows: Rainbow trout, 38,684; brook trout, 
1,000; tench, 14,855; rock bass, 9,000; black bass, 1,968; carp, 634; 
goldfish, 937; golden ide, 10; total, 67,088. 
In addition, 200,000 fingerling shad were liberated in waters tributary 
to the Gulf of Mexico. Their number could not be ascertained except 
by estimate, owing to the fact that these fish can not be successfully 
handled. They were the product of 700,000 fry sent from Washington 
in the preceding June. In preparing for their release the hatchery 
branch was in October cleared of shoals, drifts, and aquatic plants for 
three-quarters of a mile to a point where it empties into Hickory Creek. 
Early in November, when the branch was swollen by rain water, the 
6-months-old fish were allowed to pass through open gates. They were 
some hours in escaping, a continuous silvery mass. These were the first 
ifingerling shad planted in waters tributary to the Gulf of Mexico. 
The pond which contained the shad was infested with crawfish, 1,750 
‘pounds being removed and destroyed between August 3 and October 
31. These were estimated to be 70,000 in number. By some unaccount- 
able means black bass of the large-mouthed variety were also present. 
In preparing for receipt of the shad the pond had been drawn in Novem- 
ber, 1891, and the bottom exposed for three weeks, and in the following 
‘April the process was repeated, all water connections with black-bass 
ponds having been broken and an independent supply being estab- 
lished. On August 3, the intruding fish being observed, a hook and 
line were brought into use, and on the first day 5, averaging 15 pounds 
each, were caught, and by October 31 the catch had reached a total 
of 152. It is believed that they burrowed in the mud, surviving the 
absence of water during the two periods mentioned. It is not detinitely 
known that the black-bass lived imbedded in the mud during these 
periods, but the indications point to the correctness of this supposition. 
A large amount of material was furnished for exhibition at the 
