11 



within the limits of the State. Vioi'. Baird generously agreed 

 to furnish the men and means to operate two hatching stations 

 on the Potomac. To enahle us to select proper localities, and 

 make the necessary preliminary examinations, he secured 

 from the Secretary of the Navy, the detail of the U. S. Steam- 

 tug Triana, Capt. L. S. Cook, commanding, and invited the 

 Commissioners for Virginia, just appointed, to accompany us. 

 On the 29th of April we sailed from the Washington Navy 

 Yard, Prof. J. W. Milner, Dep. U. S. Commissioner, repre- 

 senting Prof . Baird; Mr. T. B. Ferguson, the Maryland Com- 

 mission; and Messrs. Eobertson and Moseley, that of Virginia. 

 We examined the fisheries on the Potomac, and then ascended 

 the Patuxent, as far as Bristol, examining the fisheries on that 

 river. We found Freestone Point, lying between Powell's and 

 Nealjsco Creeks, admirably adapted for shad liatching; being 

 an excellent shad fishery, the ripe fish apparently selecting 

 the extensive flats at this ])oint for spawning, and Powell's 

 Creek furnishing a safe harbor for the hatching boxes, pro- 

 tected as they would be from the north and north-west winds. 

 The railroad, with a regular station at the creek, furnishing 

 easy communication with Washington. It was therefore de- 

 cided to commence o])erations at that ])oint, having obtained 

 j)er mission from Mr. Jacob Faunce, to procure the spawn from 

 the 'ripe fisli taken in his seine. Moxley's Point was also 

 selected as a suitable location for a second camp. This fishery 

 is located at the mouth of the Piscataway Creek, and operated 

 by J. Skidmore. The success of the U. S. Commission at 

 Jackson's City two years previous, indicated that as a proper 

 point later in the season. We are indebted to the U. S. Com- 

 missioner for the details of the success of his operations, as 

 shown in Table "A." 



In visiting the several fishing shores during the fishing 

 season, we explained the object of the commission, and when 

 ripe fish could be obtained, illustrated the manipulation of 

 the spawn; we found the fishermen hopeful of the results to 

 be obtained. As it may be a matter of much interest to 

 those who have not had an opportunity of seeing our opera- 

 tions, we give a detail description of the process, and the 

 kind of a])paratus used. W^e are indebted to the Report of the 



