[5] DISTRIBUTION OF FISH FOR THE YEAR 1883. 1055 



The last car shipmeut of shad was made June 8 by car No. 1, in charge 

 of G. H. H. Moore, to streams iu Louisiana, 270,000 fry being deposited 

 in Pass Manchac, a bayou draining the waters of Lake Maurepas into 

 Lake Pontchartrain, and a like number in Bayou La Fourche and Ver- 

 milion Eiver. 



The work of shad distribution closed with a messenger shipment of 

 200,000 fry to the Hudson Eiver. These were planted in good condi- 

 tion at Van Wagner, N. Y., by Mr. W. F. Page, the messenger in charge. 



Upon the completion of the shad distribution, the Fish Commission 

 cars Nos. 1 and 2 were, as usual, refitted and repaired so as to be 

 ready for the opening of the carp work in October, and the messenger 

 force furloughed without pay, subject to call when needed. 



CARP DISTRIBUTION OF 1883. 



Preparation for this began October 21, J. F. Ellis and G. H. H. Moore, 

 messengers in charge, being ordered to duty, and directed to equip their 

 cars in readiness for immediate service. 



The actual work of distribution did not begin, however, until the last 

 of October, in consequence of the delay in drawing the ponds. The 

 first shipment was made October 30, car I^To. 2, in charge of J. F. Ellis^ 

 being dispatched to Louisville with 15,000 carp for the supply of appli- 

 cants in Kentucky. 



The distribution by express was made from the Exposition grounds 

 in compliance with the request of the Commissioners, who desired the 

 car and the methods of distribution to be made a part of the Govern- 

 ment exhibit. 



Apprehending an early closure of the waters in the i^^orthwest by ice^ 

 and consequent interruption of the work, should there be delay in send- 

 ing the carp, car No. 1, in charge of G. H. H. Moore, was dispatched 

 November 5 with 20,000 carp for the supply of all applicants in lowa,^ 

 Wisconsin, Minnesota, Dakota, Oregon, and Washington Territory^ 

 The liberal concession of free transportation over the line of the North- 

 ern Pacific between Saint Paul, Minn., and Portland, Oreg., which was 

 so generously afforded by Mr. Villard, the president, made possible this 

 work, so important in the interests of fish culture. 



The departure of car No. 1 for the supply of the Northwest and North 

 Pacific coast States was followed November 8 by the dispatch of car 

 No. 2 with 13,000 fish for the supply of applicants in Canada, Maine^ 

 New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Ehode Island, Connecticut, 

 New York, and Northern New Jersey. The distribution to New York and 

 New Jersey was made by express from New York City, Mr. B. G. Black- 

 ford, commissioner of fisheries for New York, as usual, affording every 

 facility for the convenience of the work. The distribution to the North- 

 eastern States and Canada was made by express from Boston. 



The experience of several seasons having demonstrated that a satis- 

 factory distribution of carp could be made only in the fall and early 



