Conservation Commission 317 



sufficient to bring the bass to a proper size for distribution as 

 fingerlings. The fingerling bass at Linlithgo will also feed upon 

 thin strips of white-meated fish, usually suckers from which the 

 scales have been removed. In spite of all efforts the percentage of 

 bass carried from the fry stage to fingerling age is always small, 

 and serious losses occur during the season on account of bass 

 enemies, low water, and excessive growth of algae. 



Occasionally, as will be seen from the statements given by 

 Foreman Miller and his predecessor at the Oneida station, young 

 bass disappear from a rearing pond very mysteriously. At one 

 time a fine lot of bass were placed in a small pond near the 

 hatchery at Constantia, and nearly all of them were missed sud- 

 denly. When the pond was emptied it was found that worms 

 and crawfish had bored through the ground from Frederick creek 

 into the bass ponds, making small tunnels through which the fish 

 escaped. 



The later work of fish distribution was very greatly hampered 

 for the want of the fish car Adirondack which was broken down 

 in mid-summer and sent to the shops for repairs. These neces- 

 sary changes were so extensive that it was impossible to make 

 them before the season closed. 



Our State, and this is true of practically all the east coast 

 States having shell fisheries, has done nothing in the way of ex- 

 periments in the artificial culture of oysters and other shellfish. 

 The United States Bureau of Fisheries has investigated the ar- 

 tificial culture of oysters during many seasons, and has now de- 

 veloped methods which are successful from a scientific point of 

 view, but which are not yet capable of adoption for commercial 

 advantage. It is to be hoped that this matter, so important to 

 our Commonwealth, will soon receive the consideration which it 

 merits. 



Hatchery Expenditures. 



Maintenance fund $60,013 45 



Official salaries 4,000 00 



Graded employees 9,495 00 



Total $73,538 45 



