REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. XXV 



Through the courtesy of the management of the Norfolk and Western 

 Kailroad Company, the hatchery is now regarded as a flag station for 

 all local freight trains. 



Fort Washington Station, Maryland. 



This station was in charge of Mr. S.G. Worth and was operated under 

 about the same general conditions as in the previous year, and the 

 result of the season's work exceeded the most successful preceding 

 season by 21,000,000 eggs, being the largest ever known there. 



The hatchery building being very small, it was supplemented early 

 in the season by a 14-foot army hospital tent adjoining, and used for 

 storing needed apparatus and material. 



An important feature was the successful operation of the automatic 

 hatching jars with their tops oil'. The manipulation proved easy and 

 advantageous, as very nearly all the eggs were transferred to Central 

 Station, Washington, before the hatching period was reached. In 1887 

 there were seven expert spawntakers, while this season there were six 

 and two apprentices, and the increased volume of work was probably 

 due to a more complete organization. New territory was covered in 

 the direction of Alexandria, and a considerable number of eggs were 

 secured in the vicinity of Fort Foote. 



The eggs were kept in the jars thirty-six hours before being shipped 

 to Central Station, the line of the young shad being perfectly plain to 

 the naked eye. Daily shipments were made, and, as usual, the eggs 

 were placed on wire trays covered with cheap, loosely woven cotton 

 cloth. The shipments of eggs to Washington during 41 days amounted 

 to 70,249,000 eggs ; during 22 days the shipments were 1,000,000 to 

 3,000,000 eggs daily, and were in charge of Capt. P. T. Yeatman. 



The increase over the season of 1887 was more than 33 per cent. The 

 launch Blue Wing was an important factor in the prosecution of the 

 work, and her crew made a gain of about 7,000,000 eggs from the gill 

 nets. 



Operations began the second week of April and closed June 2, and 

 in that time, the work having been entirely confined to shad, 81,177,000 

 eggs were taken. 



Battery Island Station, Maryland, W. de C. Ravenel, Superintendent. 



SEASON OF 1887. 



The season opened May 1. Some eggs were taken prior to this 

 date, but owing to the low temperature of the water the development 

 was not normal, and but a small percentage hatched. 



Owing to dissatisfaction on the part of the fishermen, the large seine 

 attached to the station was not operated during the season. It was 

 deemed good policy to rely upon the fishermen for our supply of eggs, 

 and the result justified the expectation. 



