American Fisheries Society. 133 
Mr. Atkins: I suppose that we did, but that matter was only 
looked at and no measurements were made that I can now recall. 
You do not know the volume of water that flowed to each 
trough ? 
Mr. Atkins: I cannot state it now. 
Q. Don’t you think that that is an important feature to con- 
sider in a control experiment ? 
Mr. Atkins: Yes, I do. 
Mr. Titcomb: I think these experiments are grand, and are 
bringing out some very valuable information. Some of you may 
not have read Mr. Atkin’s paper of last year in which he brought 
out the point that 1t was not necessary to begin the feeding of the 
fry immediately after the sac was absorbed or before. Mr. At- 
kin’s experiments demonstrate conclusively to me that there is no 
necessity of giving those fish any food until several days after 
they naturally would take it. I should conclude from the experi- 
ments that instead of giving food to sac fry in the later stages, 
as many do, it is a waste of food and not only a waste of food but 
it is apt to foul the water. You eliminate all that, and the con- 
clusion is reached that it is as well not to feed the fish for sever- 
al days after they are able to take food. 
Mr. Atkins: These experiments indicate that there is no 
advantage in feeding while in the sac stage, and it would be 
simply a waste of food and a pollution of the water, and we have 
another series of experiments in the same line going on this 
summer and so far as we have gotten with them they are telling 
the same story as last year’s experiments, and the last year’s ex- 
periments told the same story as some I tried once or twice be- 
fore, only less carefully; so I feel safe in saying that there is 
no particular hurry in feeding the fry; if they have to fast 
several days after they first wish for food, it will not be likely 
to do them any harm. 
Mr. Titcomb: How many days would you suggest, in a 
general way, should elapse after the sac is absorbed before 
you begin to feed—from what experiments you have made? 
