REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. LXYII 



The ponds were built with plank sides and earth bottoms, all timbers 

 used ill the construction being of the best white oali, thoroughly soaked 

 in coal tar. In the lower corner of each pond was placed an outlet 

 pipe constructed of heavy oak timber, in the form of a letter L, the 

 short stem forming the standpipe in the corner of the pond. Aronnd 

 this was constructed a crib with guard-screens in front, and set in a 

 receiving-trough at the bottom of the pond. The ponds along Tate 

 Eun are protected against the ravages of liigh water by piling and stone 

 walls from (I to 7 feet high, running parallel to the ends of the ])Oiids. 

 Between this protecting wall and the end wall of the pond is a space 

 of 12 feet filled with earth, forming a strong embankment. 



The trout ponds are located on the north side of Tate Run and are 

 supplied with water from the spring. Those for the bass and crappie 

 are on the south side and receive their supplies from Tate Run, the 

 stream being tapped 1,.5S0 feet above the ponds and the water conveyed 

 through a 12-inch terra-cotta pipe laid with cement-mortared joints in 

 a ditch from 3 to feet below the surface and passing under the run 

 about midway between the intake and the ponds. 



A new residence was constructed for the sni)erintendent, the former 

 one having been condemned. This building was erected at a cost of 

 $2,828.50, and is a two story and cellar frame 56f by 53 feet It has a 

 stone foundation and contains a ])arlor, sitting- room, kitclien, bathroom 

 and bedroom on the first fioor and 4 bedrooms on the second Hoor. It 

 is heated by hot air. 



The hatching cai)acity of the station was materially increased by a 

 lO-foot addition to the east end of the hatchery, at an expense of about 

 $547. Considerable was also done toward the improvement of the 

 roadways on the Government property and in beautifying the grounds; 

 maple trees weiv planted around the spawning-ponds to furnish neces- 

 sary shade, and the old ice and storage sheds were removed. Additional 

 funds are needed to put the station in first class condition. The old 

 nursery, which is essential for carrying fry during the early stages, is 

 in bad condition and should be rebuilt. 



The rainbow trout commenced spawning i^ovember 10 and the season 

 continued until February 23, a period of 105 days. During this time 

 607,000 eggs w-ere collected from 742 female fish, 425 males being used 

 in fertilizing them. Of these eggs 465,000 proved good. As soon as 

 they were eyed 230,000 were shipped to other hatcheries. State fish 

 commissions, and foreign applicants and societies. The others were 

 retained and hatched during March and April. There was j)ractically 

 no loss of fry during the first few weeks, but in May the fingerlings 

 began to act strangely, darting and spinning around in the water in a 

 dazed manner, and the daily death-rate increased from 40 to nearly 

 1,000. This state of affaii-s continued until June, when the disease dis- 

 api)eared, and on counting the fish it was found that 132,000 remained. 

 These were carried to tlie close of the year without material loss. 



On January 7 a consignment of 51,000 eyed brook-trout eggs was 



