American Fisheries Society. RAT 

a total of about 325,000,000—and the other on the St. Clair 
river. The 325,000,000 collected in Saginaw Bay were taken 
under circumstances similar to those under which Mr. Downing 
collected his—from the boats of the fishermen. Out of 197,100,- 
000 green eggs we succeeded in eyeing but 21,150,000, about 10 
per cent. ‘The percentage of eyed eggs has always been low in 
Michigan, but I think never before so low as this. 
We want better eggs from Saginaw Bay; for even larger 
quantities can be taken there than in Lake Erie. 
After completing the work at Saginaw Bay, I sent the force 
to Robert’s Landing on the St. Clair river. There they sue- 
ceeded in getting 17,500,000 eggs, and of that number we eyed 
11,250,000, about 70 per cent. These eggs were treated exactly 
the same as the Saginaw Bay eggs and by the same crew, up to 
the time they were ready to transfer to the station. From the 
Bay City headquarters they were moved by wagon and rail to 
Detroit to the hatchery. From St. Clair river they were taken 
by row boat to the dock, and there put on the steamer for De- 
troit. Eggs were taken the same way and handled in a similar 
manner with the exception of the transportation, and in one case 
we got less than 10 per cent and in the other 70 per cent of 
eyed eggs. 
Various ideas have been brought out as to how matters can be 
improved. I have suggested that we establish an eyeing station 
at Bay City, thinking possibly it might be an advantage. Some 
believe that the Saginaw Bay water is detrimental. Mr. Down- 
ing I think is of that opinion. The water in the St. Clair river 
is of course very much clearer than it is in Saginaw Bay. The 
probabilities, however, are that before we establish an eyeing 
station on Saginaw Bay, I shall ask the commissioner to send a 
scientist to that point when we establish the field station next 
spring, to see if we are actually getting eggs that are all right. 
First we must see if it is the eggs that are not right, or the 
milt that is not right, or the water that is used. This low per- 
centage of eyed eggs must be increased. That there is no use of 
the Bureau taking large quantities of eggs and only getting 10 
or 12 per cent of them eyed is evident. We hope to do something 
to better conditions, and I think that probably the first thing 
to do is to look into the matter thoroughly with the aid of our 
