XXVI.-REPORT ON THE PROPAGATION OF PENOBSCOT SALMON 



IX 1883-'84. 



By Charles G. Atkins. 



The work at the Penobscot Station in Bucksport and Orland was con- 

 ducted in all respects after the methods of former years. The collection 

 of breeding salmon was commenced June 7 (about the usual date) and 

 completed June 30. The total number purchased was 431, of wbich 2S 

 died in the transporting cars before reaching the inclosure. The 

 salmon were larger than ever before experienced at this station. They 

 averaged 18 pounds in weight. Those taken by other fishermen 

 in all parts of Penobstot Eiver and bay were of similar size, which is 

 entirely unprecedented in the history of the salmon fishery of this river. 

 The salmon purchased by the station averaged 13.04 pounds in 1882 j 

 16.55 pounds in 1881 ; and 13 pounds in 1880. 



During the summer the mortality was unusually great, 133 being 

 found dead, and three more unaccounted for at the end of the season. 

 The original number inclosed having been 403, the percentage of los& 

 was therefore 34. In 1882 it was but 24 percent. ; in 1881 it was 29 per 

 cent., and in 1880 it was but 14 per cent. It will be seen that we have suf- 

 fered great losses in the years when the salmon were large, and the heav- 

 iest loss of all is experienced in the present year when they are the largest 

 ever known. It may be added that it has been a matter of common 

 observation at the Penobscot Statix)n since its inception that the large 

 salmon are much more susceptible to injury from handling than the 

 smaller specimens. However, this does not touch the first cause of the 

 mortality in the inclosure, which it now seems probable, is connected 

 with high water temperature. In support of this view may be men- 

 tioned the fact that the deaths in the cars, during transportation, 

 always occur during very warm weather, when the temperature of the 

 surface-water becomes much elevated. 



Of the 403 salmon originally impounded, but 267 remained, and came 

 to hand at the breeding season. . The crop of eggs would have been a 

 small one had it not been for two circumstances : 1st, the extraordinary 

 size of the fish ; and 2d, the unusual proportion of female fish, of which 

 there were 207 out of 403, or 78 per cent., the highest percentage ex- 

 perienced. 



The spawning operations occupied from October 29 to November 7. 



[1] 1007 



