18 



make a thorough examination of the fisheries of this river^ 

 and report their condition, and if Bristol Avas found most ad- 

 vantageous, to establish himself there, and take advantage 

 of the first ripe fish. Bristol had been selected as a point for 

 our opeaations the previous year, as we found on examination 

 that a considerable number of fish were taken at that point. 



As the flat opposite to the wharf was found to be what the 

 fishermen term a "splash" or "shad wash," we hoped to 

 secure a good many spawners. The shad, spawning general- 

 ly at night, select shallow water, and in pairs, male and 

 female running side by side, come suddenly out of the water 

 as the female deposits her spawn, and the male ejects upon it 

 the milt. This causes a splashing, and the fishermen de- 

 nominate the locality as "splash" or "shad wash." They 

 are generally the most successful as localities for hatching 

 camps. A tabular statement of the operation conducted by 

 Mr. Chase is herewith submitted. We are under obligations 

 to Mr. W. E. Sunderland, the owner of the fishery, for the 

 many facilities whicli he rendered us in ])rocuring the spawn 

 from the fish taken in his seine. 



About the same time that Mr. Chase was located on the 

 Patuxent, we sent Mr. Alex. Kent to Coppage's Landing, on 

 the Chester, with the necessary equipments for shad hatch- 

 ing. A detail record of his operations will be found in Table. 

 We are under many obligations to Mr. A. Albert, and the 

 officers of the Chester River Steamboat Company for free 

 transjDortation of ourselves, assistants and stores, and for 

 many acts of courtesy. 



It Avill be seen by reference to the tables, sliowing opera- 

 tions at the several camj)S, that little or no success is attained 

 when the water continues below sixty degrees, and after it 

 had risen above eighty-three degrees, showing that the tem- 

 perature of the water exercises an important influence on the 

 development of eggs, which do not seem to be matured suf- 

 ficiently to be spawned, until the advancing spring has 

 caused a rise in the temperature of the water. Again, on 

 the increase of heat towards the middle of June, the eggs 

 were either found dead in the ovaries, and w^ithout the capa- 

 city for fecundation, or after impregnation, died in the boxes, 

 thus shortening the season in which oj^erations can be suc- 

 cessfully conducted. 



