XXVI REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 
considered unreasonable, it was determined to transfer tlie equipment 
and sucli of the buildings as were necessary for the work of the Commis- 
sion to the breakwater constructed by the Engineer Department of the 
Government for the protection of the wharves and buildings of the 
Commission and the channel of approach from damage by floating ice. 
The necessary authority for such occupation was granted on request 
duly made to the Secretary of War, and the transfer of property and the 
equipment of the station completed in the spring of 1889. Certain of 
the property not required for use or which could not be removed was 
condemned by a board of survey, duly advertised and sold, and the 
proceeds, amounting to $374.65, covered into the Treasury. 
For the convenience of the work of distribution an auxiliary station 
was established at Havre de Grace in the canning house of Mr. S. J. 
Seneca. The first eggs were taken on April 15, 1889, and from that 
time to May 24 nearly 58,000,000 shad eggs were obtained, over 7,600,000 
eggs having been taken in one day. About 5,000,000 fry were hatched 
and planted near the station and 35,000,000 were distributed to other 
points. The difference in the number of eggs taken and the number of 
fry distributed represents the loss of eggs during incubation. 
FORT WASHINGTON STATION, MARYLAND. 
The operations at this station were again under the charge of Mr. S. 
G. Worth. The egg-collecting season began April 12, and continued 
until May 17. The total number of eggs taken was 58,233,000. The 
eggs were not measured until thirty- six hours old, so that the number 
stated represents impregnated eggs. Nearly one-third of the eggs 
were furnished by the Fish Commission seine at the station, an equal 
number was obtained from the fishing shores, and the remaining eggs, 
upward of 20,000,000, were received from the gill-net fishermen. A 
freshet suspended the egg-collecting for a week in the middle of the 
season. On the three days preceding the freshet, April 22 to 24, the 
daily average take of eggs was 4,500,000; but from April 25 to May 1 
only 2,922,000 were collected. Mr. Worth notes great gluts of eggs, 
8,368,000 on May 6, and 6,311,000 on May 7. During the seven best 
collecting days, an average of over 5,000,000 per day was secured. 
CENTRAL STATION, WASHINGTON, D. C. 
This station, with S. G. Worth as superintendent, is located in the 
Armory Building. Besides containing the offices of the Commission, 
this building is the scene of many other important operations. Shad 
eggs are received here from Fort Washington Station, to be hatched 
and distributed. Eggs of whitefish, salmon, and trout are hatched and 
forwarded to eastern waters. Carp, goldfish, and other species of the 
carp family, and various important foo*d-fishes of the Mississippi 
Valley, including catfish, black bass, rock bass, and crappie, are sent 
