[7] OPERATIONS AT WYTHE VILLE STATION. 799 



inflicted in the tierce fights they wage with each other daring the breed- 

 ing season. 



A general view of the series of ponds to the south of the hatchery is 

 given in Plate VI. The four ponds lying upon the slope immediately 

 below the hatchery are each 8 feet by 50 feet, and are reserved for the 

 larger trout which are being reared at the station to maintain the suc- 

 cession of breeders or for distribution after attaining considerable size. 



The eight ponds at the base of the hill, between the superintendent's 

 house and Tate's Run, are also appropriated to the rearing of trout for 

 distribution. All of these ponds have earth sides and bottom, and each 

 has an independent water supply and drainage. The series of four 

 large ponds on the opposite side of Tate's Run, near the railroad, is ap- 

 propriated to the pond culture of the carp and other species requiring 

 warm waters for their successful cultivation. The water supply for this 

 series of ponds is conducted from the springs in a 4-inch pipe, and, with 

 the view of securing the warming of the water as much as possible by 

 exposure 10 summer temperature, the water supply is reduced to an 

 amount barely sufficient to replace the losses by evaporation and leak- 

 age. The extent of surface exposed to the air and the presence of 

 abundant vegetation in the ponds are relied upon to maintain the water 

 in healthy condition. 



A series of six ponds, covering about 3 acres, has been constructed 

 iu the area of ground lying between Tate's Run and the series of carp 

 ponds. These are not shown in the general view of ponds in Plate VI. 



They have been constructed especially with a view to the breeding of 

 the red-eyes and the small-mouth black bass for distribution. The 

 water supply is drawn from Tate's Run, and carries into the pond an 

 abundant supply of food both for the parent fish and the young. 



(0) Capabilities of the station. — As now equipped this station may 

 safely be looked to to furnish each season 400,000 or 500,000 eggs of the 

 rainbow trout for distribution or for hatching and rearing. Equally 

 good results may be expected from the work with Eastern brook trout 

 in a year or two. 



The trout ponds at the station are of sufficient extent to permit the 

 carrying of 150,000 fish up to the age when they are of sufficient size 

 to permit their introduction with safety into open waters infested by 

 predaceous fish. The arrangements for pond culture are sufficiently 

 extensive and the results of such work well enough assured to enable 

 us to look with confidence to the Wytheville station to provide for all 

 demands for the streams and ponds of Virginia, ISorth Carolina, Ten 

 nessee, Maryland, and West Virginia. The distribution of trout fry 

 from this station has been conspicuous by the failure to secure appre- 

 ciable results in the improvement of the streams stocked. Rarely did 

 we find any evidence of success from such work, so far as it has come 

 under my observation. 



