REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. LXVII 



imperfect fertilization and to other causes, was 23 per cent of the total 

 number taken. Of the eyed eggs, 190,000 were shipped to foreign 

 applicants and transferred to other stations; the remaining 124,000 

 were hatched at the station. 



In April and May all of the fry on hand were transferred to Erwin 

 Station, Tennessee, in order that the work of remodeling the ponds and 

 making additions to the hatchery might be commenced. 



In the spring the adult black bass and rock bass were placed in the 

 spawning-ponds, but, owing to their poor condition, it is doubtful 

 whether any results will be secured. 



At the close of the season the stock of fish on hand was as follows: 



In the fall the volume of water flowing from the spring decreased to 

 such an extent that a loss of 800 two-year-old rainbow trout was sus- 

 tained. As it was believed that the water escaped through subterra- 

 nean passages, an effort was made to stop this waste by making a cut 

 in front of the spring and filling it with stone and cement. At some 

 points it was necessary to dig down 15 feet. The holes and sides were 

 then tightly packed with clay, and the ditch filled with stone laid in 

 cement. The wall thus formed was 4 feet thick at the bottom, 2 feet at 

 the top, and capped with a cut stone 6 inches. As a result an increase 

 of 100 gallons of water per minute was obtained. 



The title to the station property having been satisfactorily adjusted 

 during the winter by the legislature of Virginia, the appropriation of 

 $10,000, made by Congress in 1896, became available in March. The 

 work of repairing and remodeling the ponds was at once commenced, 

 and by the end of June nineteen ponds had been constructed and the 

 old residence removed. 



Erwin Station, Tennessee (S. G. Worth, Superintendent). 



On August 4 Mr. S. G. Worth, who had been appointed superintend- 

 ent of the station, took charge, relieving Mr. W. F. Hill, who had been 

 in charge of the construction. Work on the hatchery, dwelling, and 

 ponds was pushed vigorously during the summer, and on October 20 

 the hatchery building was turned over to the Commission by the 

 contractors. During the fall the troughs were constructed and placed 

 in position, and in December the water supply was turned on in the 

 hatchery. The large ponds at the station having been completed in 

 November, arrangements were immediately made for collecting wild 

 brook trout from streams in the vicinity for brood stock. 



