FOREST, FISH AND GAME COMMISSIONER. 3II 



There is no reason why the Cold Spring Harbor station should not be 

 placed in a position to furnish all or nearly all of the brook trout eggs 

 required for the use of the stations of the Commission. All that is necessary 

 to bring about this desirable object is to introduce an increased water 

 supply for the lower ponds, which can be done by siphoning it from Jones 

 pond. Negotiations are now in progress with the owners of this property, 

 and when in proper shape an agreement will be submitted for your approval. 

 It is believed that this water can be obtained without expense, and it can 

 be introduced at a very moderate cost, say not exceeding $200. 



The Oneida hatchery is now very well fitted up for extensive work 

 with whitefish, pike perch, black bass and other valuable fishes. All of 

 the bass ponds but one are now in use and the transformation of the ground 

 covered by ponds is really marvelous. The great increase in the number 

 of young black bass furnished for distribution in 1909, the enormous growth 

 in the output of pike perch and the good beginning with blue pike, 

 are sufficient evidences of the activity at the station. There are 

 still certain practical difficulties in the way of black bass culture, and 

 especially for the artificial rearing of the small mouthed bass, which 

 is the one most esteemed by the angler and by other persons as well. The 

 old idea that bass could not be successfully taken when nearing their spawn- 

 ing condition and transferred to artificial spawning beds has been thoroughly 

 exploded, both at Constantia and at Bemus Point, where the gravid bass 

 are collected from the lakes when almost at the point of spawning, placed 

 in the ponds, and continue their functions just as if nothing extraordinary 

 had happened. The Oneida station could be made very much more effective 

 by the purchase of the Southwell mill property adjoining the State land. 

 T understand that this property has recently been offered for a very small 

 sum. If this were added to the State property, it Would place the Oneida 

 station in the very front rank for capacity and efficiency. A new hatchery 

 should be built near the bridge which crosses Scriba creek nearest to its 

 mouth and the old building could then be utilized for the storage of nets 

 and other apparatus used in such abundance at Constantia. The present 

 little building in which the nets are stored is not half large enough for the 

 purpose. The Oneida station has very many claims to consideration. The 

 black bass and pike perch are present in Oneida lake in very great numbers, 



