LXII REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



was transferred from Cape Vincent, N. Y,, and the necessary water and 

 steam connections were made during the winter by the engineer in 

 charge. In addition to these improvements, a sea wall 140 feet long 

 was built along the north side of the hatchery to protect it against the 

 encroachments of the river. 



In March preparations were commenced, under the direction of Mr. 

 L. G. Harron, for fish-cultural work. A part of the force was taken on, 

 and the steam launch Blue Wing, which had been rebuilt during the 

 year was placed in commission and transferred to the station. Tents 

 were erected as usual for the accommodation of the crew, and by April 

 15 the station was ready for the reception of eggs. A few eggs came 

 in on the 15th, 16thj and 17th, but the full force was not taken on until 

 the 18th. The personnel, including the crew of the steam launch Petrel, 

 which was also utilized for this work, consisted of 20 spawn-takers, 6 

 assistants in hatchery, 1 clerk, 8 men for the launches, 2 firemen, and 

 2 cooks. Operations were much interfered with throughout the season 

 by severe storms and unseasonable weather. Heavy northeast gales 

 occurred on April 20 and 27, accompanied by snow and rain, which 

 stopped all work for several days. The laying of submarine mines on 

 some of the best spawning-grounds in the vicinity of Forts Washing- 

 ton and Sheridan also curtailed collections considerably, and the estab- 

 lishment of the blockade at Fort Washington made it impossible to 

 secure any eggs between there and Alexandria, as the launch was 

 unable to go up and down the river at the proper times. The catch of 

 fish was small, but the work was pushed so vigorously that by May 26 

 the total collections amounted to 08,724,000, nearly as many as were 

 ever taken on the river. Of these, 4,448,000 were sent to Central Sta- 

 tion; from the balance 47,306,000 fry were hatched and planted in the 

 Potomac Eiver between Broad Kun and Occoquan Creek. 



At the close of the season the temporary force was discharged, the 

 station dismantled, and the launches transferred to other points. 



With the experience gained this year it is believed that the collec- 

 tions at this station can be very materially increased and the work can 

 be much more economically conducted with the new hatchery. 



The following table shows the maximum, minimum, and mean tem- 

 peratures of air and water from April 15 to May 25, inclusive: 



Central Station, Washington, D. C. (J. E. Brown in charge). 

 As usual, all of the product of the Fish Commission ponds was dis- 

 tributed through this station, and consignments of lake trout, brook 

 trout, Loch Leven trout, rainbow trout, and landlocked salmon eggs 

 were transferred from other stations and hatched here, to illustrate 

 the fish-cultural methods employed by the Commission. 



