REPORT ON INQUIRY RESPECTING FOOD-FISHES AND THE 
FISHING GROUNDS. 
By Barton W. Evermann, Assistant in Charge. 
OUTLINE OF THE WORK. 
A large part of the work of this division during the fiscal year 1904 
consisted in the continuation of investigations already begun with ref- 
erence to the biology and culture of various animals of economic 
importance, including principally the oyster, the commercial sponges, 
the blue crab, and the diamond-back terrapin; studies of the fresh- 
water fishes of Maine and of the biology of the small lakes of northern 
Indiana were also continued. Several new inquiries were instituted, 
those of especial importance being an investigation of the Alaska 
salmon fisheries, a biological survey of the coast of California in the 
vicinity of San Diego and in Monterey Bay, and experiments in the 
culture of the green turtle. Various fresh-water lakes in western 
Washington and the waters of the Gila River basin in Arizona were 
examined with reference to their physical characteristics and the possi- 
bilities of fish culture. The investigations dealing with the diseases 
of fishes were pursued with reference to a number of special phases, 
as well as those already studied. 
THE OYSTER. 
Experiments in oyster fattening at Lynnhaven, Va.—¥or a number 
of years, as may be seen by reference to preceding reports, the Bureau 
has been engaged in an endeayor to develop a practical method of 
fattening oysters. It is the custom of many growers to transplant 
their oysters, shortly before putting them on the market, to beds 
where the natural supply of food is luxuriant and oysters rapidly 
fatten. In many localities such favorable places are few or entirely 
lacking, and the oysterman is compelled to put inferior stock upon the 
market and thus forfeit the full measure of profit. 
The experiments which have been carried on by the Bureau under 
the direction of Dr. H. F. Moore and in the immediate charge of 
Col. W. W. Blackford, of Lynnhaven, Va., are intended to develop 
81 
F. C. 1904A-——6 
