The Washington times., 1904-05-17
PLANTING SHAD
IN THE POTOMAC
Work of Fish Commission
to Maintain Supply.
MATCHED BY THE MILLION
How the Roe Is Treated and Tiny Prod
net Set Free Down the
River.

5N.Ntu,tuu Sl2Q-
10000 yellow perch.
loco. 600 pike perch
This approximately represents the
stock of fish which the United States
Fish Commission has begun TO plant in
the Potomac River. Enormous as the
supply may seem, il viii fan a little be
low the average Of the past few years,
the cold weather having fnterfered with
the work at the hatcheries. This has
resulted in a delay Of several weeks In
placing the live product in the river
Millions of shad so tiny that they are
almost imperceptible to the naked eye
are being sent out from the Commission
every day for distribution along the Pc
tomac. In the past month about 80 Co.,
600 have been dumped into the river,
and within the next two weeks 20 600, OJU
more. now being Matched by artificial
means. viii be turned loose in the
waters.
Where They Are Hatched
The stock of fishes allotted to the
Potomac River by Uncle Sam is brought
10 life at the central station on the
lower side of che Commission building,
and at the hatchery at Bryan's Point.
Md, about seven miles below Alexan-
fishermen along the river front, and
after being prepared for Matching are
sent 10 the central station by the mil
lions
An interesting fact ia this connection
not generally known is that the roe of
one shad is made up of from 1900 to
1900 eggs. These are taken from the
fish by artificial means, and without
injuring it.
Work in Washington.
Upon reaching the main station in
Washington the eggs are placed in glass
jars in which two glass tubes are IN
serted. one of these tubes extends TO
the bottom Of the jar. and through it a
stream of fresh water is run constantly
The flow of water keeps the eggs in
motion.
At the end of three or four days the
eggs burst, and from them spring thu
tiny fish. at first so small that they
can scarcely be seen. and resembling
in appearance an insect such as a
gnat The new born fish are carried TO
the surface of the water in the jar. and
through the second glass tube are
drawn to large glass tank, when
stands nearby.
In this tank the fish are permitted to
remain Tor four or five days. and are
then taken in tin cans TO different points
alCnE the Potomac The cans are low
NftQ TO the bottom OF the river INC
top is Withdrawn, and they are turned
over. giving the thousands Of baby ash
theiI freedom.
Of TO the Ocean.
After gaining their freedom the young
fish gradually make their way to salt
water. where they remain until they
have reached their fun growth. which
usually requires three or four years
They then return TO fresh water in the
spring of each year to deposit their eggs.
Investigation by the Fish Commission
has shown that about 80 per cent Of the
fish Matched by artificial means live.
Thus out Of 100000 or more that viii
be planted in the Potomac this year,
orly 10000 will perhaps die or be de-
stroyed- Were the same 100000 10 be
hatcked by natural means, officials OF
the Commission maintain that only
about 10 per cent would be Matched and
grow into full-siZed shad-
The fish are planted in the Potomac as
far down as Pointers Rocks, Nd, about
foTty-seven miles below Washington.
Owing TO the traffic along the river
front they are not planted nearer the
city than Alexandria.
The Matching OF the 25000.0O0 yellow
perch eggs is something of an expert
mcnt and viii mark the first time that
this species has ever been planted in
the Potomac. The eggs were sent here
from lake Erie