404 BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF FISHERIES. 



Cumberland, the Illinois, and the Fox Rivers have been reported upon as well as various 

 streams in Oklahoma, Missouri, Minnesota, and South Dakota, and Caddo Lake in 

 Texas. 



Yet other studies have related to the methods and condition of the mussel fishery, 

 and the essential measures of protection and conservation of the resources both in 

 mussels and in fish. 



INVESTIGATION OF FISHES, WITH REFERENCE TO H.^BITS, PROPAGATION, AND ENVIRON- 

 MENTAL CONDITIONS. 



The operations of fish propagation with experimental ends in view has been alluded 

 to on a previous page. Two fundamental objects are the encouragement of fish farming 

 and the laying of a surer foundation for the intelligent conservation of the public fish 

 resources. Problems which are now receiving especial attention are: The possibilities 

 of promoting the abundance of fish food in artificial ponds; the proper association of 

 species of fish for best results in pond culture; the study of the migrations, habits, 

 and food of fresh-water fishes ; the effect of artificial improvements or developments in 

 the course of streams upon the abundance or distribution of fishes; and the propaga- 

 tion and rearing of buffalofish, an important commercial fish that is diminishing in 

 abundance. It is thought that the station is now in a position to direct some effective 

 attention to these significant problems, although its activities under present conditions 

 can not be nearly so broad as the importance and the complexity of the problems 

 would justify. 



During the past year buffalofish, from eggs artificially fertilized and hatched in 

 the laboratory, were reared in the ponds of the station under varying conditions. The 

 results at the close of the season were most encouraging as regards the percentage of 

 survival under the least favorable conditions of food supply and crowding and the 

 rate of growth under better conditions. From 180,000 fry planted first in a small new 

 pond and subsequently removed to a new pond of i acre extent, barren of vegetation 

 and with only the scant natural food supply in a pond of this kind, about 50,000 finger- 

 ling buffalofish were obtained in the fall, having a length from i to 6^4 inches. Where 

 a small number were placed in a small pond with good growth of vegetation, an average 

 length of more than 6 inches resulted. About 19,000 of the buffalofish were retained for 

 further growth under experimental conditions. 



Other experiments are being conducted with such food fishes as the bass, bream, 

 crappie, and catfish. While the progress of these investigations is satisfactory, it is 

 yet too early to announce definite results. 



ASSOCIATE OR TEMPORARY INVESTIGATIONS. 



From the description of the equipment of the station, it is manifest that the 

 laboratory and the ponds, as well as the natural environment, afford unusual facilities 

 for the investigation of problems of biology. It is the policy of the Bureau to encour- 

 age the use of its facilities by competent investigators for the promotion of biological 

 studies. Every step of the endeavors of the Bureau for the promotion of fishery 

 interests shows the essential need of more knowledge than is now possessed. We do 

 not know enough either of the habits and development of economic forms or of the 



