1100 EEPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHEEIES. [6] 



1. Eespecting the most suitable station for hatching, I would advise 

 on shore. It will require less men and less money to carry on ; the mat- 

 ters of temperature (equal) and light are more at our command. 



2. The best locality for a station is on the eastern shore. This is 

 explained by the prevalence of southerly and westerly winds, which 

 drive the fish to the eastward. The fact is apparent to the fishermen, 

 and this their explanation. In conversing with Mr. Smith he informed 

 me, " There exists no more favorable spot than at the mouth of Cherry- 

 stone Creek. There are several pound-nets in this locality, with a 

 light-house to serve as a station." Under the light- house proper are a 

 series of braces which serve to strengthen the structure, and on these a 

 floor is often laid, where the keepers raise plants, &c. Now, this floor is 

 just the thing, and canvas sides can be readily arranged, to raise or 

 lower at will. There is always a vacant room in the light-house. If 

 this place meet not with your approbation, by next summer a wharf is to 

 be built at Plantation Creek, on which a station could be erected. 



3. All the apparatus needed for the work would be a large tank, with 

 a hand-pump to fill it with water ; four men to stand watch and visit 

 the nets and secure eggs. And I believe that if the men are per- 

 manently there during the season, all the eggs necessary for the work 

 can be obtained. A superintendent will also be needed to direct move- 

 ments and institute changes, if necessary, in the working of the apparatus. 



As to the time of fishing the nets, this will depend alone upon the 

 convenience of the "run" boats that carry the fish to market. I might 

 add, the spawning of the fish begins about the middle of June and lasts 

 until the latter part of August, or such our observations taught us this 

 summer, and this also was the opinion of the fishermen themselves. 



Wood's Holl, Mass., August 23, 1883. 



