XXXVI REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



w. The Shad (Clupea sapidissima). 



During the season of 18SG over 90,000,000 shad fry were distributed. 

 Now, as the number of shad taken for market was less than 0,000,000 

 it will be seen that for every adult shad captured 15 young - shad, arti- 

 ficially hatched, were placed in tbe waters. As the cost of this pro- 

 duction and distribution was less than $20,000 the young lish were ob- 

 tained and distributed all over the United States at the rate of about 

 $215 for a million, or about 46 fry for a cent. In 1885, which showed a 

 great improvement over previous years, the rate was about 30 fry for a 

 cent. The total number of eggs collected and fry planted have also 

 greatly increased over tbe results of previous years, as from the begin- 

 ning up to and including 1882 the total number of young shad obtained 

 was only about 200,000,000, while in 1885 less than 85,000,000 fry were 

 sent out from the stations. 



Shad fry for distribution in 1880 were derived from the following 

 sources : 



From Battery Station, Susquehanna River 43, 77G, 000 



From Central Station, Potomac River 28, 151,000 



From steamer Fish Hawk ., 21,018,000 



From steamer Halcyon 310, 000 



T >tal 93,255,000 



The following statement shows the general planting summarized by 

 the streams or drainage basins in which the fish were deposited: 



To tributaries of Narragansett Bay 2,534, 000 



To tributaries of Long Island Sound 741), 000 



To Hudson River 2,312,000 



To Delaware River 21,018,000 



To tributaries of Chesapeake Bay 52, S3"), 000 



To tributaries of Albemarle Sound 1,990,000 



To tributaries of the Atlantic south of Albemarle Sound 4,183,000 



To Mississippi River and minor tributaries of tbe Gulf of Mexico 4,758,000 



To Colorado River, tributary of the Gulf of California 850,000 



To Columbia River basin 850,000 



Total 92,079,000 



The Fort Washington Station. — The first ripe shad was taken April 

 10. From that time until near the end of May the run of fish was 

 abundant and reasonably steady. The maximum number of eggs taken 

 in oue day was 3,503,000, on April 22; the period of greatest activity, 

 was from April 20 to 27, inclusive, when 1G,017,000 were procured, 

 being nearly one-half of the entire number obtained during the season. 

 In all, 30,302,000 eggs were collected. The number hatched and planted 

 from the station in waters near by, was 3,154,000. The number for- 

 warded to the Central Station was 33,208,000. 



The Central Station. — The number of eggs received alive from Fort 

 Washington was 28,283,000. Of these, 1,580,000 were transferred 

 to other stations, and the number of fry sent out to be planted was 



