XXIV 



HAYEK DE GKACE STATION. 



This Station was placed under the immediate charge of 

 Mr. John S. Sannders of Baltimore, who had obtained 

 considerable experience in shad work during his employ- 

 ment by the T. S. Commission in North Carolina, in the 

 seasons of 1878-9. 



The barges, to which reference has hitherto been made, 

 ha\dng been remodled and placed in thorough order dur- 

 ing the time they were laid up at Baltimore, I directed 

 that they should be transferred to Spesutie Narrows, a 

 convenient and central locality, from which the large fish- 

 eries and the gillers could readily be reached. The 

 entrance to this harbor had been dredged by the Engin- 

 eer Department, to allow safe passage for the steam 

 launches. During the early portion of the season, while 

 the haul seines were being operated on Spesutie Island 

 and on the Floating Batteries adjacent, these fisheries were 

 visited daily and eggs obtained fi^om them, as well as 

 from the gill-nets which were drifted on the flats. 



An extended drought, with a prevalence of south-east- 

 erly winds, caused the salt water to back up the bay, and 

 the water became so brackish in Spesutie Narrows as to 

 endanger the eggs. It was, therefore, found necessary 

 on the 30th day of May to remove the barges from this 

 locality to a point above Ha^Te de Grace, between Wat- 

 son's Island and the Cecil County shore. This change of 

 location in the midst of the season no doubt contributed 

 materiallv towards lessenins: the results obtained at this 

 station. 



Particulars of the work conducted under the supervis- 

 ion of Mr. Saunders will l^e found in his report and jour- 

 nal which are herewith submitted. 



