1904 DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES. 11 



experiei ice gained from year to year in handling and caring for the fish, the 

 loss in itransit has been considerably less than in former years, 98 per cent, 

 of the whole having been successfully transported, one carload of 5,0Q0 

 fingerlings from three to six inches in length, though eleven hours on the 

 road, h aving been carried a distance of over 200 miles, with a loss of but 

 five fish. The Department desires here to acknowledge its obligations to 

 the railway companies for the assistance at all times promptly rendered 

 by th eir employees, where water had to be changed, ice provided, and con- 

 nections made with a minimum of delay. Notice of the arrival of the car is 

 given by telegram as long ahead as possible, and, where conveyance by wagon 

 from the car to the water has to be made, full instructions by letter are pre- 

 viously given as to the best means to be adopted for handling and caring 

 for the fish in order to prevent injury and loss. Several points are some- 

 times reached with the one load. Applicants, in their desire for fish, should 

 bear in mind, in order that results may be mutually satisfactory, that 

 deposits should only be made in waters where the conditions are suitable for 

 their reception. The small-mouthed bass require a large food ran*™ cold 

 water, and water deep enough that it will not freeze to the bottom in the 

 coldest weather. Applications have come from many sections for bass to 

 be put into rivers which some years ago were noted trout waters, but in 

 which from increased temperature trout will not now thrive, and for this 

 reason any effort to restock with trout has been discouraged. Trout may 

 live for years in such water, but they will not reproduce in anything like the 

 same ratio as formerly. 



Rearing Ponds for Bass. 



If, however, it is considered of sufficient importance that the work of 

 restoring and establishing bass fishing in the rivers and small lakes of the 

 Province, as well as in the larger bodies of water, should be proceeded with 

 in a manner that will enable this to be accomplished more speedily, other 

 means for obtaining stock may have to be adopted ; the erection of pondi 

 for breeding and rearing bass is a subject which may profitably receive con- 

 sideration. There are many waters which it may be desirable to stock to 

 which a few cans of fry or fingerlings could be sent, but under existing 

 circumstances there is no certain means, except for a limited period, of ob- 

 taining these. Another advantage of rearing ponds is that the young fish 

 may be kept until of a size that when liberted in the waters to be their 

 future home they will be able to a greater extent to escape their natural 

 enemies than they would be if deposited in the fry state. The cost of con- 

 struction would be inconsiderable, and should not be an obstacle in the way 

 if on the whole it is thought the necessity for such ponds exists, and that it 

 is advisable they should be erected. The parent fish as at present taken 

 can only be secured for a short time; but it is believed that the period 

 might be extended with the adoption of other, though perhaps more expen- 

 sive, means of capture, namely, by hook and line. This is the method 

 used by some of the States, enabling the work to be carried on late into the 

 fall. 



Observance or the Law. 



It is pleasing to record that in the work of protection the Overseers are 

 receiving greater assistance and co-operation from the general public, par- 

 ticularly in the inland counties, where the immense benefits which good 



