62 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF FISHERIES. 



Atlantic fisheries dispute, opportunity was afforded for inspection 

 and study of certain fisheries and fishery industries of Holland, 

 England, and other countries bordering on the North Sea. 



Taking advantage of the attendance of an assistant as representa- 

 tive of the United States at the Fifth International Fishery Con- 

 gress, held in Rome, Italy, an investigation was made of the extent, 

 condition, and methods of the sponge fisheries of Tunisia and Tripoli. 

 The methotls do not differ essentially from those now employed in 

 the United States, and many of the problems presented are the same 

 as those confronting the industry in this country. Experiments 

 in sponge culture carried on at a Government laboratory at Sfax, 

 Tunisia, confirm experiments carried on by this Bureau in Florida, 

 although the present economic outlook is less promising. It is under- 

 stood that further work is to be conducted upon lines not divulged. 



MISCELLANEOUS ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS. 



NEW STATIONS AND IMPROVEMENTS. 



By authority of Congress 6.14 acres of land formerly leased by the 

 Bureau were purchased for the use of the Clackamas (Greg.) station. 

 This property is favorably located on the Clackamas River and is 

 already equipped with a hatchery and other buildings. 



Under authority of the act to provide for two or more new salmon- 

 culture stations on Puget Sound or its tributaries, land has been 

 acquired as follows: At Birdsview, Wash., where a substation had 

 been operated in connection with the Baker Lake station for several 

 years, a tract of 10 acres was purchased for $500, and 15 acres ad- 

 joining, needed to protect the water supply, was acquired for $600. 

 On the Duckabush River, a tributary of Hood Canal, 10 acres were 

 obtained at a cost of $250 ; and on the Quilcene River, also a tributary 

 of Hood Canal, 10 acres were acquired by condemnation proceedings. 

 Steps were at once taken to develop these properties, which are 

 chiefly for salmon propagation. Hatcheries and other necessary 

 buildings have been erected at Duckabush and Quilcene, and thes'3 

 stations are ready for eggs when the season opens. Work at Birds- 

 view is now in progress. 



At Fairport, Iowa, and Homer, Minn., construction has proceeded 

 satisfactorily, there having been built at the former station a large 

 settling reservoir, three cottages for employees, besides ponds and 

 water supply and drainage systems. At Homer two cottages, a 

 laboratory, and a pump house have been added to the plant, and the 

 station is ready for active fish-cultural and biological work. 



At the new auxiliary station at Holden, Vt., a dam was built to 

 form a natural reservoir, pipe line and ponds were prepared, and a 

 hatchery was erected. 



