388 BULLETIN OP THE BUREAU OF FISHERIES. 



and 1913, and opened for general investigations June 15, 1914. In response to the urgent 



request of local organizations, there was held on August 4, 191 4, a formal celebration of 



the opening of the laboratory, with exercises of dedication. The attendance of some 



5,000 persons, the sympathetic addresses by men of prominence in public life and by 



scientific men of established repute, and the presentation of a memorial tablet," were 



regarded as manifestations of an unusual public interest and a gratifying indorsement 



of the purposes of the Bureau as expressed by this new endeavor. 



The equipment and the several phases of activity of the station are briefly described 



under several heads, but it is not found practical to separate in description the practical 



and the experimental aspects either of the propagation of mussels or of the fish-cultural 



operations. 



EQUIPMENT OF THE STATION. 



BUILDINGS AND PONDS. 



The main laboratory building is about 100 by 50 feet, with two complete stories, 

 besides a finished half story and a basement (pi. Lxxv). The building includes oifices 

 for administration, six laboratory rooms, a museum, a preparation room, a photographic 

 room, a library, storerooms, packing room, eleven dormitory rooms, dining room, kitchen, 

 and bathrooms. The laboratory is provided with steam heat, with filtered water service 

 throughout, and with running river water in the basement. A fume chamber with 

 proper vent is built in the chemical laboratory and there are many sinks, tanks, and 

 aquaria where required. The several floor plans are shown in text figures i to 4. 



There is also a tank house which is a one-story building, 25 by 50 feet, located near 

 the laboratory (pi. Lxxvi). Nearly all of the tanks in the laboratory and tank house 

 are of concrete of light but substantial construction, and painted concrete floors gen- 

 erally are found where water is used. 



An important building is the boiler and pump house on the river bank about 700 

 feet from the laboratory. Other necessary buildings are the boat and net house, the 

 temporary laboratory, the storehouse and carpenter shop, the shell-testing plant, the 

 barn, and five cottages affording living quarters for members of the regular staff 

 (pi. Lxxvii, fig. 3 and 5).* 



Up to the present time there have been constructed 17 earth ponds, the largest of 

 which is a little over an acre in extent. They are intended primarily for rearing fish 

 which constitute a reserve stock for use in mussel propagation and for experiments 

 in the propagation of fish and mussels. The larger units generally have a depth of 6 

 feet in deepest portion. The total acreage of earth ponds is about 7 acres. There are 

 also 14 small concrete-lined ponds with a combined area of about 4,800 square feet. 

 The concrete-lined ponds are designed for retaining fish or for experimental work relating 

 to the growth of mussels or to other problems as they maj' arise. (See map following 

 P- 405-) 



THE WATER SYSTEMS. 



Two systems of water are used. The crude river water of the Mississippi at this 

 place contains the necessary elements for the life of fish and mussels, and after standing 

 in the earth ponds, under the active influence of sunlight and vegetation, it develops a 



a In memoo' of J. F. Boepple, founder of the f lesh-water pearl button industry and late shell expert of this station, pre- 

 sented by those who have built an important industry upon the foundation so well laid by Mr. Boepple. 

 b other ponds are in construction (May, r<)»6.) 



