162 American Fisheries Society 



For the work of separating the eggs I use a wooden 

 bucket in which is fitted a wire screen on which the live 

 eggs can be quickly removed after the dead ones have 

 been skimmed off. When I have everything ready I re- 

 move the trays from the hatching trough and let the 

 water drain off so as not to dilute the salt solution. Then 

 with the aid of a feather I remove the eggs from the tray 

 into the solution. If the density is right, the live eggs 

 settle at once to the bottom while the dead ones remain 

 at the top and are quickly removed. The live eggs are 

 then returned to the tray. Three or four days before I 

 intend to use the salt I wash the eggs by shaking the 

 trays, in order to turn all the dead ones white that I pos- 

 sibly can. Even then there will be some that will not 

 turn at this time, so that after using the salt solution it 

 may appear that one is not getting results, but careful 

 observation will show that all have been removed that are 

 near the danger line of fungus. 



The time consumed in handling the eggs is not deter- 

 mined by the number of dead ones removed, but by the 

 time required for handling the trays, putting the eggs 

 into the solution and replacing the good ones in the trays. 

 I found that nine trays of 5,000 eggs each could be 

 handled in 36 minutes. Where the condition of the fer- 

 tilization of the eggs required the removal of 66 2/3% 

 before the hatching was over, I proved that one man can 

 do more work in one day than six can accomplish by 

 picking the eggs out one at a time. And the eggs are 

 left in better condition, for all the sediment is removed, 

 even that which the shaking and washing will not re- 

 move, and the eggs are left perfectly clean and clear. 



If a mistake is made in handling the eggs in the salt 

 solution, they cannot be handled again the same day, for 

 they will not separate again until they have been for some 

 hours in fresh water. 



Care must be taken to have the salt solution the same 

 temperature as the water of the hatchery, to avoid in- 

 j ury to the eggs. 



