[27] PROPAGATION OF WHITEFISH AT NORTHVILLE, MICH. 579 
eggs in the refrigerators—arranged practically the same as those in- 
tended for shipment—although exhibiting fungous growth a few days 
after dying, in a temperature of 32° or 33°, exerted no baleful influence 
on the live eggs within a much longer period than that occupied in 
making this shipment—due to the very slow formation of fungous 
growths on dead eggs out of water, in the temperature above noted. 
From the reports of the careless handling and treatment which the 
cases of eggs had evidently undergone at the hands of express employés, 
it was very obvious that but little heed was paid to the precautions 
conspicuously lettered on the cases; and concluding that a special 
order from the superintendent of the express company would be more 
effectual, a personal interview was held with that courteous official, Mr. 
J. S. Hubbard, with the result of receiving his indorsement to the fol- 
lowing, which appeared on all subsequent shipments; and by his in- 
structions the Northville agent was required to attach a duplicate te 
the way-bill accompanying each consignment: 
‘6 To express messengers and employés : 
— “You will observe the following regulations in regard to the care and 
handling of cases containing fish eggs: 
‘“¢Place the case as far as possible from the stove in the car. 
“The case must never, under any circumstances, be overturned, but 
kept right side up with care. 
“Do not delay or detain, but forward as expeditiously as possible; 
but where detention for any length of time is unavoidable, as in case of 
accident or non-connection of trains, place the eggs in a room contain- 
ing no fire. 
“This order must be countersigned by Frank N. Clark, superintend- 
ent United States fish hatchery, Northville, Mich. 
“J. S: HUBBARD, 
“6 Superintendent American Express Company.” 
‘¢ Countersigned: 
} 
“Superintendent United States Hatchery.” 
Thereafter but one instance of carelessness in regard to rough hand- 
ling of the cases was reported (second lot to Maine), but protection 
from too great a degree of warmth was not secured in every instance, 
for which, however, messengers could not be held accountable, their 
whole duty having been performed when the eggs were placed as ‘far 
as possible from the stove in the car,” a point not necessarily removed 
from too great a degree of heat for the safety of the eggs. 
MINNESOTA.—Eggs shipped in one case of ten trays, 25,000 to the 
tray, packed as usual. A communication from Commissioner Sweeney 
in reference to these eggs contains the following: 
“The eggs came on the 15th instant and were, except two trays, in 
good order. These two trays were frozen, and we feared all the eggs 
were killed that were on them, but now they are hatching very freely, 
and the frosted ones seem as vigorous and forward as the others. The 
