15 



tenth (if an inch iii diameter, that the 3()Uiiji; iisli would es- 

 cape and Leconie a prey to the numerous minnows that swarm 

 around the boxes during tlie day. In estimating the spawn 

 taken during our operations last spring, we followed tlie 

 method adopted by Seth (xreen, preferring to be within the 

 mark, and we believe that fully the amount estimated in thp 

 tables were turned loose into the streams. 



The roe of the shad, as it is served on tlie table in a com- 

 pact solid mass early in the season, is a most delicious relish, 

 it is then far irom maturity, but it becomes mature as the 

 season advances, and the eggs become larger and more de- 

 tached from the general mass, the more mature eggs differing 

 in appearance, being more transparent, and losing their gol- 

 den hue, until when ready to be spawned, the mass has lost 

 its compactness, and the eggs are all detached^ and are not 

 palatable. When the roe has readied this stage of develop- 

 ment, it is ready for the fish culturist, who by taking these 

 otherwise worthless eggs from the fish en route to market, by 

 care and attention produces the numberless fry, which in time 

 will replenish the waters, which have yielded so liberal a 

 supply of food to our })eople in years gone by. During the 

 year, we selected three intelligent men, whose occupations 

 had well fitted them for the various duties connected with fish 

 culture, and carefully trained them in handling and transport- 

 ing fish, and on the approach of spring secured the services 

 of Mr. Alex. Kent, whose experience in the propagation of 

 the fish of. the salmon family, well fitted him to take charge 

 of a hatching camp, but to insure the success of our opera- 

 tions, we deemed it advisable to secure the services of one 

 Avho liad had several years ex]>erience in hatching shad, as the 

 treatment of the spawn is somcAvhat different from that of 

 those fishes with wliich those in the employ of the Commis- 

 sion had been exercised. The proposition contained in the 

 following was therefore made to Seth Green, under whose 

 skillful guidance several men had been made expert in shad 

 hatching : 



