56 
BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 
in each as originally apportioned. The total number that died after October 27, how- 
ever, was 18, and on November 15 a sudden rise in the river broke open box No. 1 
and 30 fish escaped. The total loss, therefore, was 112 dead and 30 escaped. The 70 
which were left were spawned. Of this number, 36 were females and 34 males; to 
this number should be added 8 females and 8 males taken from the gill nets at Mapleton ; 
these 86 (44 females and 42 males) were spawned at different times between October 
26 and November 15. The total number of eggs taken is stated by Mr. L. E. Bean to 
have been 217,000. 
An examination of a great many of the fish which died showed that some had 
received internal injuries which probably caused their death. Others which showed 
no internal injuries exhibited severe bruises which doubtless hastened their death. 
Particular pains were taken with the fish in Box No. 4. Care was taken in 
handling them when they were first placed in the box. The box had been constructed 
with unusual care by making it smooth inside and placing the boards close together, 
so as to admit but little light, and it was anchored at Mapleton in a secluded place 
where the fish were subjected to the minimum amount of disturbance. As a result, a 
higher percentage of success was attained with this box than with the others. With 
Nos. 1, 2, and 3 the principal factors which were detrimental were the following : 
1. Too many fish were put in each, resulting in too close crowding. 
2. The interspaces were too wide, thus letting in too much light and making the 
fish more restless. 
3. The rough surfaces on the inside of these boxes caused injuries to the fish 
striking against them. 
4. Some of the fish were not handled with proper care when placed in the boxes. 
5. During the interval between the arrival of these boxes at Mapleton and the 
spawning of the fish they were kept in a place where the fish were subjected to some 
annoyance. 
If the fish in these three boxes had been treated with the same care and attention 
as was bestowed upon Box No. 4, it is quite certain that the measure of success would 
have been greatly increased. Of the 217,000 eggs taken Mr. Bean reports that he 
hatched and successfully liberated 180,000. 
Conclusions . — -These experiments seem to demonstrate that it is entirely practi- 
cable to retain salmon intended for spawning purposes for a period of at least six 
weeks in properly constructed live-boxes, but in order to operate Siuslaw hatchery 
with the best results, particular attention should be given to the following details: 
1. The boxes should be constructed with as much care as possible. They should 
be made smooth inside. No interspaces should be left in the top nor in the upper third 
or half of the sides and ends, and those elsewhere should not exceed 2 or 3 inches in 
width. It is also desirable that the boxes be made 6 to 8 feet deep instead of 4^ feet. 
2. It will prove advantageous to get as large a proportion as possible of the fish 
desired toward the close of the run, as they will be more nearly ripe and will not have 
to be kept so long in the boxes. It is also believed that these fish are not so restless 
in the boxes as are those caught earlier in the run. 
3. The fish should be handled carefully when placing them in the boxes, so that 
they may not receive any serious bruises. 
4. Too many fish should not be placed in any one box. In our judgment each fish 
should be allowed at least 20 cubic feet of space. 
