24 



of Rock, but could not lind a single ripe female, and instruc- 

 tions were given Messrs. Chase and Kent to observe this fish 

 closely. They however met with no better success. We found 

 many ripe male fish, and as early in the season as the 27th 

 April, and as late as the middle of May. The milt was used 

 to fecundate the eggs of the shad, when milt shad could not 

 be procured. The fact that milters are found in April, would 

 indicate that they spawn about that time, or perhaps later, as 

 with Bliad and other fish, the milters are found ripe in ad- 

 vance of the roe-fish. 



We deem it of the greatest importance, that the time of 

 spawning be accurately determined, and if possible the char- 

 acter of spawning beds, etc. To enable us to procure the 

 ova and increase this fish, we propose to select a suitable lo- 

 cality, procure the fish in tlieir first abundance in February 

 and confine them until their eggs are developed. Although 

 impracticable for shad, this can be accomplished at no great 

 cost. At the Bucksport establishment, the Salmon are taken 

 in the shore seines in the Spring, transferred to a fresh water 

 ])ond, and kept until ripe in the Fall, when the eggs are 

 taken and hatched. In this way we confidently hope to be 

 able to j)i"0cure and develo}) many millions of Rock during 

 the coming Spring. 



The White Perch — {Morone Americana.) 



This excellent pan fish is well and favorably known in our 

 markets, it is still very abundant, but steadily diminishing 

 notwithstanding its great fecundity. The spawning season 

 being somewhat earlier than that of the shad, and difterent 

 localities required as well as modified hatching apparatus. — 

 We did not feel warranted in incurring the additional ex- 

 pense of a separate hatching station. We however made a 

 successful experiment in hatching them, and are satisfied 

 that they can be greatly increased by artificial propagation. 

 The Black Bass — {^Ikroj^terns Salmoides.) 



Though of recent introduction into our waters, it has be- 

 come so plentiful, and jdays so important a part in the food 

 supply of the interior of the State, that we refer to it among 

 the native fishes. The black bass has not, nor is it likely 

 that it will be so constantly I'ound in our markets, as those 



