Conservation Commission. 247 



In May, 1912, a gasoline engine and pump were installed to 

 pump water from a large spring underground to the hatchery- 

 building. We hope this water will be of great value during the 

 winter and spring, — providing a supply of pure cold water free 

 from the aquatic life so abundant in lake water and found so 

 injurious to the young fry. — Reported by Milo F. Otis, Fore- 

 man, Upper Saranac, N. Y. 



Bath Station. 



The hatching of brook trout, brown trout, rainbow trout and 

 lake trout eggs was more successful than in any former year, and 

 the number of fry and fingerlings distributed was greater than 

 ever before. The fish were freer from disease than for many 

 years, owing to the introduction of artesian and spring water un- 

 contaminated by sewage. 



The results of lake trout collecting in Keuka lake were disap- 

 pointing. Plenty of fish were taken; but most of them were 

 males. We did not see the usual number of yellow perch on the 

 lake trout spawning beds. — Reported by Henry Davidson, Fore- 

 man, Bath, N. Y. 



This station has suffered more than any other except Caledonia 

 from the effects of polluted water. Every serious disease except 

 goitre in brook trout has been overcome by eliminating the origi- 

 nal hatchery brook from the system of pond and hatchery cir- 

 culation. It only remains now to protect the great springs which 

 furnish the principal supply for the ponds and races. This can 

 be done by the purchase of five acres of ground surrounding the 

 springs. The property is now overrun by cattle, pigs and sheep, 

 and the pollution caused thereby is, in my judgment, a source of 

 trout disease. The station is growing in importance every year. 

 The yield in 1912 was more than 254,000 trout in excess of 1911, 

 and this can be still further increased by safeguarding the water 

 supply. 



Caledonia Station. 



The number of lake trout eggs obtained for this hatchery was 

 very small owing to the change in the law of some of the States 

 through which the shipment of eggs outside of the State limits 

 is forbidden. An arrangement has been made with a number of 

 fishing firms on Lake Erie by the Commission which we hope 



