Conservation Commission. 181 



in warmer water. This experience proves to me that while the 

 artesian water might be made to do the work, it would never be 

 as successful as the warmer or lake water. 



There is little or no room on the present hatchery site for in- 

 stalling ponds for bass culture. I would repeat my suggestion 

 of last year that some favorable place for this work be secured 

 which would furnish a location suitable for keeping some of the 

 maskalonge to an older stage before liberating. These fish are 

 now all planted at the fry stage. 



The many needed repairs and improvements are under way 

 or completed. A new 18 x 24 ft. icehouse is finished and ready 

 for use. A new flagpole was raised near the shore of the lake 

 in front of the hatchery. The hatchery and engine-house were 

 given two coats of paint on the outside, and the inside of the 

 hatchery was varnished and put in good shape. The artesian 

 water system was changed so that it now runs through an open 

 trough outside of the hatchery before entering the hatching 

 troughs which we expect will overcome some if not all of the air 

 bubble trouble with the small fish. 



The jar or battery hatching system is changed so that we may 

 now use lake water exclusively. This water we find by experience 

 is much better for hatching the herring and maskalonge eggs than 

 the artesian water. Owing to high water and the lateness of the 

 season in disposing of brook trout we did not get the 500 feet of 

 8-inch wrought-iron pipe installed in place of the wooden flume 

 that furnishes water from the lake to the pumping station. The 

 contemplated new rearing ponds were not built, as they could not 

 be put in until the iron pipe was placed. I would recommend leav- 

 ing the installation of the iron pipe until warm weather and low 

 water. 



A new gasoline engine and rotary pump have been ordered 

 and are on the way for use in the coming season's work. The pump 

 is large enough to do the work of the three pumps now at the 

 station. We will keep these three as reserves which will place 

 the pumping plant on a substantial basis. 



I would recommend that seventeen double windows be fur- 

 nished for the lower floor of the hatchery. I would also suggest 

 the purchase of a power boat to be used for the maskalonge work 



