[29] THE SPANISH MACKEREL. 42 
oh) 
probable that many ripe fish can be secured. The number of eggs in 
the mackerel is also greater than that of most species to which the 
Commission has thus far turned its attention; while the number obtain- 
able for hatching purposes greatly exceeds that of either the shad, 
whitefish, or salmon. 
The short time required in hatching is also a strong point in favor 
of the artificial propagation of the mackerel. As has been said, with 
water at 84° F., but eighteen hours elapse from the time of the fertili- 
zation of the egg till the young fish comes from the shell; whiie the 
average time required for the development of the shad is about four 
days, and that for the codfish is fully six times as long. Thus five lots 
of mackerel can be hatched out in the time required for one lot of shad, 
and thirty-two lots in that required for one of codfish. In this way the 
Commission would be enabled to hatch a larger number of fish in a 
shorter time and with a smaller force. 
18.—RELATIVE MERITS OF DIFFERENT LOCALITIES FOR THE ESTAB- 
LISHMENT OF A HATCHING STATION. 
A number of localities are more or less suited for the establish- 
ment of a hatching station, in case such a step should be thought ex- 
pedient; the principal ones are: Mobjack Bay, on the western shore 
of the Chesapeake; and Cherrystone, Puncoteague Creek, Onancock, 
and Crisfield, on the eastern shore. 
The principal point in favor of Mobjack Bay is that the pound-nets 
are more numerous in that vicinity than in any other part of the Chesa- 
peake; the catch, however, averages only 150 mackerel daily to the 
pound, and a majority of the nets are taken up in July, while few, if 
any, remain after the lst of August. Another objection is the lack of 
a harbor affording comfortable anchorage for a hatching steamer in the 
vicinity of the fishing grounds. 
At Cherrystone the pound-nets, though less numerous than at Mobjack 
Bay, are larger and catch a greater number of Spanish mackerel, the 
average daily yield being from 500 to 600 to each pound, while the fish- 
ing season lasts throughout the entire summer. On account of the 
large yun of mackerel along this shore fewer pounds would have to be 
visited, and the work could be accomplished with a smaller force. There 
is also an excellent harbor with 9 feet of water at mean low tide; this 
being quite free from impurities, a condition very necessary to the suc- 
cessful prosecution of the work. 
Both of the places mentioned are, however, open to the same ob- 
jection, for, being situated near the mouth of the bay, they are some- 
what removed from the principal spawning grounds. The water is also 
much colder than further up the bay, and, for this reason, would be 
less suitable for hatching purposes. Colonel McDonald, who visited 
Cherrystone some time after our return to Washington, found the same 
difficulty in securing ripe fish that has already been mentioned. He 
