The Newtown bee., 1905-07-21
en Pages.
OUR NEIGHBORS. SMALL YOUTH BLACK BASS
 HATCHERY,

sa"
 AT LAKE WARAMAUG, NEW PRESTON.
 HI. W. BEEMAN IN REPORT OF STATE
 FISH AND GAME COMMISSIONERS.
 During the year 1901, repeated at temptS were made to secure a supply of the small mouth black bass for stocking purposes. Further investi- gation brought out the fact that while large numbers of the large mouth va riety were available for distribution the attempt to produce the small mouth variety had generally resulted in failure.
 It was finally decided to build hatchery at New Preston, near Lake Waramaug, where it was thought con- ditions were favorable for the work. Early in the spring of 1902 the con- struction of the hatchery was begun. In the following fall the work was so far advanced the ponds were filled, twenty-five adult bass secured ana wintered there.
 A AS AoAAO" "AAS CPAAAS UQO uhuu10uOu work about the ponds was completed, and everything made ready for the approaching spawning season. On May 10 when the water temperature had risen to GA degrees Fahr., the first pair of bass spawned and during the next four days, eight nests were duly occupied.
 The male bass alone prepares the nest. In the wild state gravelly bot tom is selected in a depth of from eighteen inches to three feet. All sand and sediment is cleared away, usually in circular form from two to four feet in diameter, the size of nest depending on size of fish. The nest is made concave, the fish sweeping with it's tail all sand and smaller pieces of stone to the outer edge, leaving the larger pieces near the center. The gravel is made perfectly clean and bright, and when this is finally accom- plished the nest is ready for the recep- tion of the female. The female takes no part in the nest building and may be a half mile away at the time. At the hatchery spawning boxes were de- signed to form acceptable nests, and afford complete control of the fry. The boxes proved very attractive to our bass, and at no time during the entire spawning period did they show the slightest inclination to build nests A1c0Wh0r0 "hon fhn ic pleted the builder is ready for a mate. Having secured female in spawning condition, the pair enter the nest and the eggs are deposited. Soon after spawning the female leaves the nest and takes no further interest in it. A few days later,' she is quite likely to accept the attentions of some other male and with him enter his nest, and again deposit eggs. The male fish is not wholly exempt from such fckle- ness. Having been deserted by his tirst'mate, he too is quite likely to pay his attentions to some other fe. male in spawning condition that happens near his nest. Sbe will final ly enter his nest with him and there deposit eggs, after which she in turn leaves and takes no further concern as to the future of her progeny. The male now deserted by his second part ner, is at liberty to take third should one in spawning condition appear, and she too will enter the nest and deposit eggs. Three times I have observed this triple mating at the hatchery, while double matings were of frequent occurrence. The eggs after being de- posited, soon become attached to the gravel where they remain until hatch ed.
 With the male we now have an ex- ample of parental watchfulness and care worthy of imitation. He takes entire charge of the nest, remaining just over the eggs, keeping up gentle | of the fins and tail, moving about over the nest in order to create | circulation of water which keeps the eggs clear of sediment. At no time after the first eggs are deposited, does the male fish leave the immediate vi- ;inity of it's nest. Should fish of any other variety, and particularly a male pass happen within the range of his vision, the intruder is immediately 1rfven away, and the parent fish at )nce returns to its duty. Should the intruder happen to be female in condition, and appear a few hours after the first female had depos- ted her eggs, the male is quite likely 'o entice her into his nest where she will spawn, and likewise a third fe- nale later. From twenty-four to thirty hours appears to be the limit within which male will give atten- ions to females in spawning condition. During this period he may have serv- d three different females and fertiliz- d nearly every egg, after which he 'ttends strictly to matching the eggs, nd protecting the brood.
 was able to observe two instances where the male was in the act of serv- ng two females at the same time. In ach instance both females deposited ggS. In the tail of one of these fe- nales, a fish of over four pounds , 7eight, had placed a silver ring s 'hich would enable me to identify her ( eyond all doubt. She first spawned ' 'ith Uncle Tom, the largest male in g he hatchery, on May "A, she being his ( 'cond female, he having already t oawned with another female the day l , tL