REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. LXV 



In ponds 21 and 22, set apart for the reariug of carp for fish-food, 

 150 spawners were placed, and as soon as they commenced to spawn 

 (April 30) the spawning-beds were taken from the ponds and placed in 

 tanks connected with the bass ponds, so that the young carp could pass 

 freely into them as soon as they were needed. It is customary to intro- 

 duce them when the bass have attained a length of an inch, but as the 

 carp spawned much later than usual none were ready on May 16, when 

 the bass had attained the requisite size. It is estimated that over 

 000,000 young carp were turned into the north and south ponds. 



In May 2,700,000 shad fry were ajjain placed in the west pond, to be 

 held until September and liberated in the Potomac Elver. 



Aquarium, Central Station (L. G. Harron, in charge). 



During the summer, while the aquarium was closed, the interior of 

 the grotto was repainted and dusted with stone dust, in imitation of 

 Seneca stone. One of the nickel pumps used at the Omaha Exposition 

 was installed in place of the hard-rubber pump, which was worn out, 

 and a water motor was purchased to operate it in circulating the salt 

 water. Other minor changes were made, including repairs to several 

 of the large aquaria which had been broken during the summer. 



In the fall a new supply of salt water was brought from Chesapeake 

 Bay, near Old Point Comfort, and the usual collections of fishes and 

 other marine animals were made, 415 specimens, rei^reseuting 32 

 species, being procured and placed in the aquarium. Collections of sea 

 anemone, star-fish, and lobsters were also received by express from the 

 Gloucester, Mass., station. The majority of these specimens were kept 

 until June without difficulty, the success attained being attributable in 

 a large measure to improved facilities provided for the circulation of 

 the salt water. 



The ornamental fishes and species indigenous to this region, exhib- 

 ited in the large tanks on the main floor of the building, were carried 

 through the summer without difficulty. Special mention should be made 

 of the 3-year-old large-mouth bass, which have been in the aquarium 

 since they were taken from the ponds where they were hatched in 1897. 

 During the year 2 died and 4 were used for scientific purposes, leaving 

 24 of the 30 still on exhibition. During the fall consignments of trout 

 and salmon were received from Wytheville, Va., and Craig Brook, Me., 

 and proved a most attractive display through the winter mouths. On 

 June 1, the temperature having reached 71°, the trout were planted in 

 suitable streams in Virginia and Maryland. 



The principal food given the fish consists of round beefsteak and beef 

 liver, the fat and sinew being removed and the meat cut in small pieces 

 for the adult fish and ground in a meat-chopper for the small ones. 

 The diet of the marine animals is changed from time to time by feeding 

 chopped oysters or clams, fresh- water snails, and other Crustacea, which 

 form their natural food. Live minnows, small craw-fish, and angleworms 

 are provided in limited quantities for crappie and bass. 



F C 99 V 



