LX REPORT OP COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



these, 2,200,000 fertilized eggs were deposited on the spawning-grounds 

 at Howells Cove and 5,475,000 were transferred to other stations, 

 3,765,000 being sent to the Bristol hatchery, which is operated by the 

 Pennsylvania Commission. These transfers were necessary, as the 

 apparatus on the vessel was inadequate for hatching all the eggs taken. 

 Howells Cove yielded the greatest number of eggs, 22,737,000 coming 

 from that field; Bennett's fishery yielded 13,551,000; the remainder 

 were obtained from the Cramer Hill fishery and gillers. 



As the term of enlistment of some of the crew expired in May, it 

 was necessary to employ seven additional men to assist in spawn-taking 

 and hatching. Dn June 3 the collecting was discontinued, but the last 

 of the fry were not hatched until June 8. On that date the fish-cultural 

 apparatus was dismantled, and on the 12th the vessel proceeded to 

 Woods Hole, where it reported to Dr. H. C. Bumpus. 



Battery Station, Maryland (Alexander Jones, in charge). 



A part of the temi^orary force was engaged on April 1 and the work 

 of fitting up the hatchery, overhauling the boats, machinery, etc., 

 commenced. By the 10th the station was in readiness for the recep- 

 tion of eggs, and when the first collections came in the force was 

 increased to 43 men, the largest number emidoyed. at this station in 

 many years. During the previous summer a number of minor repairs 

 were made to the buildings and launches, and the capacity of the 

 hatchery, which had been severely tested during the past two seasons, 

 was increased by the erection of a line of shelves along its sides and 

 ends, providing room for 180 additional jars, and giving the hatchery 

 an aggregate capacity for 50,000,000 shad eggs. This extension proved 

 insufficient, however, to accommodate the great numbers of eggs that 

 came in during the season, and a further enlargement was necessary. 

 A shed 10 feet wide and (iO feet long was erected on the south side of 

 the building, in which 8 tables, holding 224 jars, were set up. By this 

 means the capacity of the station was increased to about 70,000,000. 



The prospects at the beginning of the season were very unfavorable, 

 as the temperature of the water remained low, and fish were reported 

 to be very scarce down the bay. The first eggs came in April 19, and 

 collections gradually increased from that time until the 24th, when 

 16,845,000 were taken. The daily average was one to nine millions 

 until June 2, when the appearance of salt water terminated the work. 

 The total number of eggs reported was 185,058,000, though the actual 

 number received probably exceeded 200,000,000. 



The majority of the eggs are purchased from the fishermen, and as 

 many of them are dead when brought in, and as it is impossible to 

 always determine which are dead without the aid of a microscope, they 

 were not measured until they had been in the house from 12 to 24 hours. 

 This practically insured reporting only fairly good eggs. The regular 

 spawn-takers took 35,000,000 during the season; the remainder, except 

 1,700,000 transferred from the Fish HmvJc, were purchased from fisher- 

 men on the same basis as heretofore, at $20 per 1,000,000. 



