Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-08-03
PROPAGATION OF FISH
REPORT OF CHESTER X. GREEN,
SUPERINTENDENT OF PONDS.
Shipment of Bass for Stocking Pur-
pOses-The Young a Prey
of Animals.

Superintendent Chester X. Green of the
government fish propagating ponds, near
the Washington monument, made an inter-
esting report today concerning the work
of Matching and preparing for shipment
of large-mouth black bass and crappie,
sometimes called bitter heads" The SUI
perintendent says there is such a striking
similarity in shape and color between the
Graphic and strawberry, or calico bass, that
the former are often mistaken by anglers
for the species of bass mentioned.
The Matching season for bass and crap
pie is ended, and several of the larger
ponds are now swarming with young fish
of sufficient growth for transportation. The
shipment Of bass, III lots ranging from 200
to 1900, usually continues until January.
Last season 65,oo0 large-mouth black bass
We're sent from the ponds to various points,
requsition from the fish commission.
superintendent Green says this season S
hatch has been unusually successful and
not less than the number recorded last sea-
son will be shipped this year. There are
a great many beds and young fry In the
ponds, he says, and the outlook Is hope
full He also expects that about 1000
young crappie will be distributed. The
crappie were first placed in the government
fish ponds in 1898. These fish are not so
game as bass but they are an excellent
pan fish and very prolific. They are In
digenous to the eastern states, from the
great lakes to Texas, and west of Kansas
and Nebraska. They thrive in rivers and
ponds.
Superintendent Green says there are some
crappie in the Potomac in this vicinity
as grown fish of this species are known to
have come into tho government ponds to
spawn early in he season. 1t Is under
stood that local anglers will have a lot
of the bass and crappie placed in the Po-
tomac this season.
Prey of Birds and Reptiles.
An interesting matter to which Mr.. Green
calls attention was the fact that predatory
birds, animals and reptiles prey upon the
young fish in the ponds under his charge.
The providers embrace kingfishers, bitterns,
cranes. fishhawks, an occasional gull and
the queer little fish ducks known as the
water witch or ''hell diver" besides
water snakes. minks and domestic cats.
Shotguns and .22-calibre rifle are kept
at the station with plenty of ammunition.
to be used in killing the predatory visitors
named.
The snakes swim about the ponds with
their heads protruding from the water and
Superintendent Green, who is a good shot,
has killed many of them with his rifle, it's
cartridges being loaded with fine mustard
seed shot. During the present season he
and his assistants have also killed with
the shotguns fifteen kingf1shers and three
bitterns. Besides, number of birds were
wounded and escaped to the Potomac fats
Mr.. Green says snakes have proved to
be very destructive and have eaten many
young fish. Domestic cats have been seen
to perch themselves on the lower walls
about the ponds, and when fish appeared
near the surface of the water the cat
would. by quick movement. shoot for
ward its paw and throw the fish from the
pond to the surrounding sward. Then,
after playing with it's prey for awhile,
pussy would devour It,