(11) 



-finally wasted on the sein beaches, are only hatched and cared 

 for. 



The taking and hatching of the many millions of eggs 1; y the 

 United States Commission last season, was simply saving the 

 millions, not one of which would otherwise have produced a 

 fish, 



SHAD. 



Early in April, in compliance with instructions from you, I 



.repaired to the Albenrirle Sound, with a few assistants to work 



in conjunction with the United States Fish Commission, that 



-of the State of Maryland and that of Virginia. The gathering of 



ova which requires a special out-fit in the way of a steam launch 



.and a number of small boats and an efficient working force 



of ten to twenty men, and the hatching of the ova involving a 



great variety of equipments and a good working force to operate, 



were conducted entirely under the auspices of the United States 



Government and the State of Maryland. 



The United States Deputy Commissioner, executing tho 

 work, having an active force of distributing messengers 

 at comnicind hurriedly pushed all shipments possible, to tho 

 more southern States. He doing general Government work in 

 .which tlie whole country is alike interested, manifestly did his 

 duty in making an extended outlay of sevenal millions of shad 

 while tho weathor was yet cool. At length when the shad com- 

 menced spawing in great numbers the youtig fry accumulated 

 .faster than tho United Sates M/ossongors could 5-3 1 thorn' uwuv 

 .and then we were granted the right to take into the interior of 

 the State all we could. But, young shad, after ten days of age, 

 require food, and cannot be safely carriod, and further than 

 this, forty- two hours had to be consumed in making a round 

 trip to Frarfklin Virginia, on each shipment only seventy-five 

 miles distant. Hence it followed, that the groat bulk of fish on 

 hand had necessarily to bo consigned to immediate waters. To 

 get a larger number into more suitable points of release will re- 

 quire a standing force of not less than ten men who shall ba 



