u 



of ova taken from an average spawner, at abont 20,000 cggs^ 

 and rarely estimates above 28,000 for the most prolific sliad,. 

 Mr. C. C. Smith, operating for the Connecticut State Com- 

 mission, estimates an average good epaAvner, at 50,000 ova. 

 We have not made a test of these estimates, and arc not pre- 

 pared to offer an opinion with reference to tlie disagreement/" 



We used wire cloth of twenty-two wires to the inch, instead 

 of tAventy, as Ave found that Avhereas tAvcnty Avircs to ihc incli 

 would confine and protect the shad egg, Avhich is about one- 

 tenth of an inch in diameter, that the young fish Avould es- 

 cape and become a prej?" to the nunicrous minnoAvs that SAvarm 

 around the boxes during the day. Jn estimating the spaAAm 

 taken during our operations last spring, avc folloAved the 

 method adopted by Seth Cxreen, preferring to be Avithin the 

 mark, and Ave believe that fully the amount estimated in tbe 

 tables Avere turned loose into the streams. 



The roe of the sliatl, as it is served on the table in a coui- 

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

 it is tlicn far from maturity, but it l)ecomes mature as the 

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

 ed from the general mass, the more mature eggs differing in 

 appearance, being more transparent, and losing their golden 

 liue, until Avhen ready to be spawned, the mass has lost its 

 compactness, and the eggs are all detached, and are not then 

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

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

 otlierAvise worthless eggs, from the fish en route to market, 

 l)y care and attention produces the numberless fry, Avhich in 

 in time Avill replcnisli the Avaters, Avhicli have yielded so liberal 

 a supply of food to our people in years gone by. During the 

 year, avc selected three intelligent men, Avhose occupations 

 had Avell fitted them for the various duties connected Avitli 

 fisli cidture, and carefully trained tiiem in handling and 

 transporting fish, and on the approach of spring secured the 

 services of Mr. Alex. Kent, Avhose experience in the propa- 

 gation of the iish of the salmon family, avcU fitted him to 

 take cliarge of a liatching camp, but to insure the success of 

 our operations, avc deemed it advisable to secure the services 

 of one Avbo liad had several years experience in liatching sliad, 



