14 HEPOl^T OF STATIC ROARP OF FISH COMMISSIONERS. 



The passage of this Act has made it unnecessary for the Legislature 

 to make any special appropriation for this work. Therefore, Ave have 

 effected a saving to the State of at least $2,000 per annum, besides 

 which the claimant receives the full amount of liis claim, free from cost 

 or unnecessary delay. 



SISSON HATCHERY. 



It is with much satisfaction that Ave refer to the splendid record made 

 at our most important station during the past two years. The Legisla- 

 ture of 1903 unanimously granted our request for an appropriation of 

 ^10,000, the reasons for Avhich Avere fully set forth in our last biennial 

 report. In this case, as in all others Avhich related to additional funds 

 Avith Avhich to further the interests of our work, Ave had vour cordial 

 and hearty support, and your approval of the bills after they had passed 

 through both branches of the Legislature. During the fifty-fourth fiscal 

 year we began to feel more than e\'er the scarcity of funds. The scope 

 of our Avork had greatly broadened and demands were made upon this 

 hatchery by sections of the State that had never before presented appli- 

 cations for fish. We have ever been proud of our Avork at Sisson, but 

 Ave had also taxed this station to its maximum capacity, and had not 

 the means Avith Avhich to make the simplest improvements or e\^en ordi- 

 nary repairs. AVe had there a most excellent force of trained hatchery 

 employes, Avhose experience and knowledge of fish culture have induced 

 other Commissions to seek their serA'ices. We Avere not able to make 

 them comfortable on the grounds, nor to compensate them fairly for 

 the efficient serAdces they Avere rendering. These unfavorable condi- 

 tions were relicA'cd by this appropriation, and our capacity for efficient 

 serA'ice to the State has been greatly enhanced. 



The purchase of land necessary for additional ponds, nurseries, and 

 buildings to meet the increased work of the station Avas made as soon 

 as the money became aA^ailable, on July 1, 1903. We Avere able to secure 

 twelve and one third acres of land bounding our property on the north 

 and Avest. Eleven and one half acres (more or less) on the west, 

 together Avith a most valuable right to 80 inches of Avater, Avere pur- 

 chased of F. J. Watson for the sum of $800. This land lies on a gentle 

 slope toAvard Spring Creek, Avhich is its Avestern boundary. It consists 

 of loam resting on a stratum of gravel, and could not be better adapted 

 to the uses of the hatchery. As the Avork of the Commission increases 

 and broadens, this land can all be laid out into additional ponds and 

 nurseries, Avhicli Avill insure an unfailing supply of eggs. Our Avork will 

 not then be interrupted as heretofore by storms and washouts in the 

 rivers, to which in the past Ave haA^e been forced to resort for the capture 

 of wild parent fish. We can then rest secure in the fact that the ponds, 

 Avith efficient care, Avill furnish a regular and sufficient svipply of eggs. 

 After the purchase of this land, buildings, ponds, and drains were built 



