14 



ring perch and tlie j^ikes. However, a vt-ry large nuaiVnT of the 

 coarser v^arieties, including the carp, buffalo, suckers, white perch, 

 sunfish, etc., have also been distributed. The.se varieties have chiefly 

 been utilized locally, that is, they have been taken from the drying 

 pools and sloughs and put into the river or nearest deep water. The 

 fish moved in this way aggregate a very large number. No attempt 

 has been make to keep an accurate record, as they were moyed mostly 

 during the warmest weather, and no time could be taken for anything 

 else than hurried work from the place from which they were taken 

 to the points of planting, which was frequently a distance of half a 

 mile. 



The work of one daj^ opposite Meredosia will fairly exemplify the 

 catch and its disposition at the busiest seasons. From what is known 

 as the Trestle Ponds, which were left by the drawing down of several 

 ponds covering an area of probably 10.000 acres after the river has 

 receded within its banks, we took sixty cans of fish in one day. The 

 cans each held thirty gallons and were filled almost solidly with tish, 

 most of them channel catfish and sunfish. An estimate of 500 to the 

 can would be a conservative one, as several of the gang emi:)loyed in 

 the work estimated them at double that number. These fish were all 

 put into the Illinois river. But a very small proportion of the h.sh 

 taken were used for distribution, selections being made to send to 

 the points to be supplied. Only the public waters which were sup- 

 plied were taken into account here. During the season of 1894 and 

 1895 we delivered fish to 141 individual owners of ponds, and to 127 

 during the season of 1895 and 1896. In many instances these plants 

 were made on the application of individuals owning very tine, large 

 artificial or improved lakes and ponds, and a number of them were 

 for large lakes and preserves owned and maintained by clubs. Wo 

 have endeavored to make our distribution as equitable as possible, 

 and to that end informed ourselves of the needs of each section 

 supplied, so far as we could, 



