XL VI REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



ently either because the fish did not ascend to the usual spawning- 

 grounds, or spawned in the deeper water under the ice. It is believed 

 that a large number of lake-trout eggs may be collected at this point 

 in the future by the use of fyke nets. This station is well equipped for 

 eyeing 800,000 trout eggs, and is regarded as one of the best fields in 

 the State for collecting brook and lake-trout eggs. 



At Darling Pond, Groton, the trap was put in on July 20, and kept 

 in place until November G. The temporary hatchery was opened on 

 September 1 and closed on December 31, during which time 682,248 

 trout eggs were collected, 83 per cent of which were transferred to St. 

 Johnsbury when they had reached the eyed stage. The results at this 

 station were very satisfactory, for although in the previous season 

 961,318 eggs were collected, only 23 per cent were saved — the loss 

 being apparently due to the improper handling of the eggs. During 

 the season, 5,000 trout were handled; of these, 1,734 were ripe females. 

 The temporary hatchery is an abandoned farmhouse, supplied with 

 about 45 gallons of spring water per minute, and can be operated eco- 

 nomically. The experience at Darling Pond would indicate that the 

 eggs taken from fresh-run fish are much stronger and yield a better 

 percentage of fry than those taken from fish that have been confined 

 for several weeks before they are ripe, as is necessary here. 



At Fairbanks Pond 78,547 eggs were collected by the employees of 

 the station, of which 70 per cent were hatched. Of the total number 

 collected 120,300 were shipped to applicants in Eastern States and in 

 Europe. The balance and an additional 200,000 purchased were held 

 at the station to be hatched and distributed during the spring. 



The brook-trout eggs hatched during February and March, with com- 

 paratively small loss, over 716,000 fry being produced; 561,000 of these 

 were planted in April, May, and June. The lake-trout eggs produced 

 14,000 fry, which in the spring were planted in Lake Dunmore and in 

 ponds at Derby. 



At the request of H. F. Hurlbut, of East Freetown, Mass., and of 

 Charles A. Hoxsie, of Carolina, E. I., 70,000 eggs collected from wild 

 trout were exchanged for the same number produced at their hatcheries. 



On February 23, 10,000 landlocked-salmon eggs were received from 

 Green Lake Station, only 50 dead ones being picked out on their arrival. 

 Of this shipment 9,900 hatched, and at the close of the year 9,138 fry 

 were on hand, which are held for distribution in Vermont waters. Of 

 100,000 steelhead- trout eggs received from Fort Gaston on March 23, 

 91,000 fry were planted during May and June. 



At the close of the year the stock on hand was as follows : 



Species. 



Calendar year in which hatched. 



1898. I 1897. 



1896. 



1895. 



Steelhead trout 



Rainbow trout 



Pacific salmon 



Brook trout 



Landlocked salmon , 



3,963 



""'.'.'. """776 



6,199 

 9,138 



