190 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [2] 



The force of the Commission station at Fort Wasliingtou consisted 

 of the following: One spawn-taker in charge; 5 first-class sjiawn-takers 

 (including 1 seine captain and 1 seine-mender); 2 apprentice spawn- 

 takers; 1 cook, and a boat's crew of 3 men furnished by the U. S. Navy. 



A regular mess was organized, the men being quartered in the bar- 

 racks on the hill. Steam launch No. 68, loaned by the Navy Depart- 

 ment, was completed at a cost of $500, with the understanding that 

 it was to be available hereafter during the fishing season on the Poto- 

 mac River. A seine-boat hired for $50, six bateaux, and the necessary 

 furniture, comi^leted the outfit. 



The force was so organized that each man had a specified duty to per- 

 form, a particular spawn-taker being designated for each shore; two of 

 the first-class spawn-takers were detailed for the seine, one acting as 

 captain and the other as seine-mender; in addition to their duties as 

 such they collected the eggs from the fish taken in the seine. The seine 

 was increased in length by 10 fathoms ; afterwards a back of 15 fathoms 

 1-inch mesh was added, m.iking it 125 fathoms long and 40 feet deep, 

 2i-inch mesh. 



It is a decided advantage to the Commission to have the men quar- 

 teretl in one place ; they are better housed, more economically fed, and 

 are constantly under the direction and supervision of the person in 

 charge. Being on the fishing shores only during working hours, there 

 is little or no time for difficulty with the seine-haulers. I have yet to 

 hear the first complaint of bad conduct on the part of the spawn-takers 

 during the jjast season. A copy of the daily returns from the hatchery, 

 showing the condition of the eggs taken the previous day, was furnished 

 each man, so that ai constant watch was kept as to the exact quality of 

 his work. 



Great numbers of shad being reported in the river early in April, on 

 the 7th instant the station was fitted for service; on the 9th commenced 

 hauling the seine, finding the first ripe female shad on the 11th; the 

 first shad eggs, 45,000 in number, were taken on the 14th at a tempera- 

 ture of 50<^ F., which was too low for their successful development. 

 The season oi)ened with clear, pleasant weather; ver}' high tides occurred 

 on April 12, 13, and 28 ; the temperature of the water rose slowly and 

 gradually from 48° F. on the 11th to 03 F. on the 30th, remaining be- 

 tween 64P and 74° F. during the entire month of May. The river was 

 clear during the mouth of April, but on the 10th of May severe rains 

 caused a freshet and current, making the fishing very bad. 



The general conditions of the river this year have been more favorable 

 than in the preceding one, but the number of fish taken in the Upper 

 Potomac is far below the average. It seems difficult to account for 

 this, and, until the reports of other rivers are given, no one can form an 

 opinion. The reports from the Delaware and Hudson are much more 

 favorable than usual, showing that some local condition, probably the 

 low bay temperature, affected the movements of the shad and herring. 



