170 American Fisheries Society. 



get the fish into waters as soon as possible, frequently dump- 

 ing the entire consignment into one pool at some convenient 

 point such as a bridge or ford where the young fish merely 

 serve as food for a few larger ones. The importance of 

 carrying fish to the headwaters of streams where there is 

 plenty of natural food and immunity from enemies, and 

 depositing them in small lots in shallow spring-fed pools, is 

 not fully appreciated by all who make plants of fish. Fish 

 produced at great expense may be wasted by placing them 

 in unsuitable waters, or in suitable waters under adverse 

 conditions. The stations' output for an entire season may 

 be completely lost, so far as increasing the food supply is 

 concerned, by injudicious methods of transporting and plant- 

 ing the young fish. 



CONCLUSION 



Fish properly hardened and graded may be carried foran 

 indefinite time in suitable vessels, means being provided 

 for controlling the temperature, removing the sediment and 

 adding enough water to compensate for that removed. If 

 shipm^ent is made during warm weather, the melting ice will 

 aft ord a gradual change of water. 



From 10,000 to 15,000 individual applications are filled 

 annually by the Bureau of Fisheries. The distribution field 

 includes practically every state in the Union ; besides, ship- 

 meiits have been made to Central Mexico, Porto Rico and the 

 Canal Zone; and only recently a consignment of gambusia 

 was sent from Edenton, North Carolina to Palestine. 



Five years after plants of fish are made the results are 

 ascertained. This is the day of reckoning, for if the plants 

 have not been successful, "our sins will surely find us out." 

 Thoisands of reports are received — excellent 31 per cent, 

 good 24 per cent, fair 13 per cent, and only 14 per cent in 

 doubt Hundreds of letters are received testifying to the 

 remarkable success that has followed the stocking of 

 streans, lakes and artificial ponds that contained no fish 

 life pr.or to its introduction by the bureau. 



Thi distribution of fish is one of the most important 

 phases of fish-cultural work. It might be compared to the 

 dissemination of seed grain. The end and aim is to increase 

 the supply of desirable fish in streams and lakes. 



