THE FAIRPORT FISHERIES BIOLOGICAL STATION. 405 



conditions of their existence; and such conditions involve an unhmited variety of 

 elements. Before we can form a proper judgment of the possibilities of fishery develop- 

 ment or take any intelligent step for increasing the abundance of fish life we have to 

 know something of the favorable and the unfavorable features of the environment of 

 the fish, something of the enemies, the parasites, the competitors, the food elements, 

 and the minute forms upon which the prey of fish subsist ; finally, we are compelled to 

 study the chemical and the physical conditions of the streams or lakes or ponds. It is 

 a fair statement that the possibilities of effective service for the promotion of fisheries 

 are directly proportionate to the growth of knowledge of fresh-water biology, including 

 the environmental conditions. 



It is impossible for the Bureau alone to cope with a task thus outlined. Therefore, 

 in pursuance of the custom established since the beginning of the Fish Commission, the 

 Bureau not only manifests its sympathy with the excellent investigations pursued by 

 other institutions but invites to its laboratories for temporary periods the men of 

 technical skill and ability whose services it is not always practicable to employ. Par- 

 ticularly during the summer season, therefore, there are found in the laboratory a 

 number of temporary investigators, whose relation to the Bureau is upon one or another 

 basis. Appointments with stated compensation can be extended to a limited number 

 of skilled scientists who will engage upon problems selected or approved by the Bureau 

 as of immediate importance. The Bureau may direct the course of these studies and 

 the time and manner of reporting. There are other investigators who find in the labora- 

 tory the facilities necessary for the prosecution of their studies and who make applica- 

 tion for the occupancy of tables. To these, upon the approval of the application, the 

 Bureau is glad to extend its facilities freely, and the applicant enters upon his studies 

 without compensation or reimbursement of expenses, other than the free use of the 

 ordinary facilities. It is perhaps unnecessary to state that the Bureau gives due con- 

 sideration both to the equipment of the applicant and to the proposed subject of inves- 

 tigation. The relation in such cases is one of mutual benefit; the table occupant 

 receives privileges for which a substantial compensation might be necessary in some 

 institutions, and the Bureau finds its future practical efforts facilitated by the increase 

 of knowledge resulting from studies regarding the local forms or local conditions. The 

 advantages of association and coordination ii scientific work are too well known to 

 require emphasis. 



Some important phases of the work of the Bureau, including the operations of 

 mussel propagation, owe their origin to studies which were pursued primarily for 

 scientific ends but which were given practical effect through the volunteer or temporary 

 association of university men with the Bureau, involving relatively small demands 

 upon the appropriated funds. The general policy of offering judicious encouragement 

 to biological research was at the beginning the expression of a well-founded faith; at 

 the present time it is based upon the sure demonstration of experience. 



