28 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF FISHERIES. 
In continuation of its practice of cooperation with State authori- 
ties, and in accordance with the authorization and direction of Con- 
gress, the Bureau has during the past fiscal year conducted a survey 
of the Apalachicola Bay, Fla. The steamer Y’ish Hawk and qualified 
assistants from the central office were engaged in the investigation, 
the purpose of which was to determine the extent of the natural 
oyster beds and of the bottoms suitable for the production of addi- 
tional quantities of oysters through methods of culture. 
In addition to utilizing the services of its permanent assistants in 
such efforts, the Bureau has engaged the temporary services of quali- 
fied investigators at one of its laboratories in attacking problems of 
vital importance to the welfare of the oyster industries. Among 
these problems there may be mentioned that presented by the condi- 
tion known as “ greening,” which, to a more and more serious degree, 
is manifesting itself in certain important oyster regions with the 
effect of rendering the oysters unmarketable. Other investigations 
relate to unsolved problems of propagation and of fattening of oys- 
ters. 
The possibilities of a higher development of oyster culture on the 
Pacific coast are receiving attention, and the Bureau has engaged the 
temporary services of an investigator whose studies are now directed 
to acquiring the necessary knowledge of the life history and condi- 
tions of development of both the native and the introduced Eastern 
oysters. 
Although these investigations have not yet reached a stage justify- 
ing a published report, the progress is so encouraging as to demand 
the continued application of available means to these investigations. 
It has been urgently recommended that special and adequate provi- 
sion should be made, so that the success of the efforts of the Bureau 
may not be contingent upon the use of temporary agents who can 
devote but a few weeks of the year to studies that are of vital im- 
portance to a national industry. 
THE HOME FISH POND. 
In certain phases the fisheries have already passed from the condi- 
tion of exploitation of natural resources to one of at least partial de- 
pendence upon methods of artificial propagation, and yet, in this coun- 
try at least, the principle of communism largely controls. <A striking 
exception is elsewhere alluded to in connection with the important 
industry of oyster culture, or commercial oyster farming. There are 
many evidences of increasing interest in the rearing of fish in small 
ponds on the farm. Whatever may be said of the commercial possi- 
bilities of such a practice, there is no question but that a desirable and 
convenient addition to the food supply of the home may thus be pro- 
vided with inconsiderable expenditure of money or labor, and with 
collateral advantages that are not insignificant. In every way pos- 
sible the Bureau places its accumulated experience at the disposal of 
the persons interested. It desires to do more than this, however, and, 
through the only one of its biological stations that is suited to the 
purpose, it is attempting to conduct experiments and investigations 
that will bear directly upon the practical problems confronting the 
