[25] PROPAGATION OF WHITEFISH AT NORTHVILLE, MICH. 577 
Canton flannel with a piece of the same material corresponding in size 
to the inside of the tray frames spread over the eggs; the trays were 
throroughly soaked in water before receiving the eggs, and a narrow 
margin left unspread so that no eggs came in contact with the frames; 
the flannel covers were similarly saturated in cold water and partially 
wrung out, but were allowed to retain all the moisture possible without 
dripping; the trays were then placed one above the other in two equal 
_lots for the two cases in which they were to be shipped, each lot resting 
on an inch board on which was spread a piece of wet Canton flannel, and 
having a second board and flannel on top for a cover (the Aonsoll of 
course, being on the under side of the cover), and all held to aihon 
by strips on the ends and sides tacked to the top and bottom boards. 
The packages were then removed to their respective cases and entirely 
surrounded with a 6-inch coating of fine, dry, hard-wood shavings, quite 
firmly packed in by stamping with the feet. This consignment of eggs 
was repacked and shipped to Germany by Mr. Mather. 
The following extract from a communication from Mr. von dem Borne 
to the Forest and Stream of February 17, 1881, concisely states the con- 
dition of the eggs on arrival: “The whitefish eggs recently sent over by 
favor of Professor Baird arrived almost without loss. They are very 
healthy, and are now developing in my hatching troughs.” 
MAINrE.—Reports from the two shipments of one-half million each to 
Maine are not so favorable. The first was packed precisely the same 
as those sent to Mr. Mather, with the exception of using trays twice as 
large, to carry twice as many eggs in the same number of cases, the 
latter being made larger to correspond. Notwithstanding the fact that 
‘whitefish eggs” was displayed in large letters on the covers of the 
cases, coupled with a special request to express messengers and em- 
ployés to exercise great care in handling, and to “keep this side up 
under all circumstances and place the case as far as possible from the 
stove in the car,” they were evidently subjected to rough treatment 
while en route, and were probably allowed to get too warm in the ear. 
Commissioner Stilwell wrote, January 12, in reference to their appear- 
ance when unpacked, that “the eggs had undoubtedly been roughly 
handled on the route, as they had been, apparently, rolled from one side 
to the other, and were piled together in the corners of the trays,” and 
that they were looking so badly that less than 40 per cent. could be 
saved. 
The second lot forwarded to Maine, packed in one large case, arrived 
in better shape than the first. The following letter addressed to I’. C. 
Hervey, to whose care this shipment was made, shows the manner of 
packing: 
‘¢ NORTHVILLE, Micu., January 19, 1881. 
“DEAR Sire: In accordance with instructions from the United States 
Fish Commission, I ship you per express to-day 500,000 whitefish eggs, 
and trust they will reach you in better condition than the former lot. 
They are packed as follows: The first ten trays on top have the flannel 
S. Mis. 29-———37 
