22 



male fish, and as early in the seaHOii as the 2'7th April, and 

 as late as the middle of May. The milt was used to fecun- 

 date the eggs of the shad, when milt shad could not he pro- 

 cured. The fact that milters arc found in April, would in- 

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

 with shad and other fish, the milters are found ripe in advance 

 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 locality, 

 procure the fish in their first abundance in February and con- 

 fine them until their eggs arc developed. Although practi- 

 cable for shad, this can be accomplished at no great cost. At 

 the Bucksport estaldishment, the Salmon are taken in the 

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

 and kept until ripe in the Fall, when the eggs are taken and 

 hatched. In this way we confidently hope to be able to pro- 

 cure and develop many millions of Rock during the coming 

 Spring. 



The White Perch — (Morone Americana. ') 



This excellent ]ian fish is well and fo vorably known in our 

 markets, it is still very abundant, but steadily diminishing 

 notwithstanding its great fecundity. The si)awning season 

 being somewliat earlier than the sliad, and diff'erent localities 

 required as well as modified hatching apparatus. We did 

 not feel warranted in incurring the additional expense 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 — {Mlcropterus salmoides.) 

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

 come so plentilul, and plays so important a part in the food 

 suppl}' of the interior of the State, that we refer to it among 

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

 that it ^\'\\\ be so constantly found in our markets, as those 

 fish which find their subsistence, and obtain their growth in 

 the sea, where they find an inexhaustible supply of excellent 

 food. But the bass fills, and well fills a long felt deficiency 

 offish food in the interior fresh water, occupying the middle 



