XXXVI EEPORT OP COMMISSIONEE OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 

 5. — FISH HATCHING AND TEANSPORTATION CARS. 



Eeference has been made in previous reports to the important serv- 

 ice rendered the Commission by its two cars. 



Of these, ISTo. 1 consisted of a first-class baggage car formerly belong- 

 ing to the Philadelphia, Wilmington, and Baltimore Eailroad Company, 

 fitted up for the required service. It is 51 feet 2 inches long, without 

 platform ; with platform, 57 feet 6 inches ; total height from the track 

 to the topmost projection, 14 feet IJ inches ; total width, 9 feet 10 inches. 



The experience gained by using this car was subsequently utilized in 

 the construction of a second car for the Commission by the Baltimore 

 and Ohio Eailroad Company, and which contained many important im- 

 provements upon the work of car Ko. 1. 



The dimensions of car ]^o. 2 are 59 feet 9 inches in length between 

 the outer ends of the buffers ; height, 14 feet ^ inch from the top of 

 track to top of hood ; width, 10 feet. 



The efficiency of these cars and the service rendered by them in the 

 work of the Commission, both in the transportation of young fish and 

 in the hatching of eggs, render a third very desirable. Plans for this 

 have been prepared, and will be applied in the event of an appropria- 

 tion for the same being granted by Congress. Details in regard to the 

 uses made of these cars during the year will be found in the report of 

 .the distribution division. It may, however, be interesting to learn that 

 car No. 1 traveled during the year 31,993 miles in the distribution of 

 carp, salmon, and shad. The number of shad distributed was 6,715,000; 

 of herring, 5,550,000; of carp, 113,605 ; and of salmon, 450,000. 



6. — COURTESIES EXTENDED TO THE U. S. FISH COMMISSION. 

 A. — By the Government. 



As in previous years, I have the pleasure of acknowledging many im- 

 portant courtesies extended to the Commission by the various Depart- 

 ments of the Government, by railroad and steamboat companies, and 

 by individuals. Indeed, without the help thus rendered it would be 

 quite impossible to carry on the work on its present scale without a 

 very considerable increase in the appropriations. 



Treasury Department. — Secretavy^s Office. — Mr. Hobbs was au- 

 thorized by the Secretary of the Treasury on the 8th of August to dis- 

 burse the appropriation for the Wood's Holl buildings. 



Light-House Board. — The Light-House Board, May 28th, authorized 

 the further use of the storage building at Wood's Holl previously occu- 

 pied by the Commission. Instructions were given to the inspector of the 

 second light-house district to place a mooring for the Albatross in Great 

 Harbor, Wood's Holl, Mass. The Light-House Board has continued to 

 assist in taking ocean temperatures at about thirty -five of the light- 

 houses and light-ships most favorably located. 



