Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-12-11
The STATE HATCHERY
ON M|SQU|TO STREAM
ii. AT LAKE M0x|E

No doubt many readers of the Journal
and scope of the work being done by the
II State fish hatcheries distributed over
Maine, but for those who are not posted
on this subject, O. short article on the
results obtained at State hatchery num-
Der 8, at Lake Moxie, may be of inter-
est. This hatchery is in charge of Ralph
jackson, and consists Of q large two
story house. the lower floor Of which
contains so long tanks, through which
water from the Mosquito stream runs,
and in these screens are kept for the
fertile eggs and trout. At present the
room contains 100000 eggs and about
1000 yearling trout which are waiting
to be stripped of the eggs.
The upper floor is furnished very
costly, and Mr.. and Mrs. jackson here
make their home. One of their most
priced possessions is fine library
which contains a large variety Of
standard works on number of sub
jects. and particularly interesting be-
cause it contains large amount of in
formation concerning the proper care of
fish in a domestic state. Mr.. Jackson,
who is thoroughly in love with his
work. states that about 80 per cent Of
all eggs which he handles are Matched,
and that he very seldom loses fish.
Below the hatchery building the
stream runs through five successive
concrete pools. each about IS feet long
and IL feet in width, each bit lower
than the one preceding It, and the pools
now contain about 5000 yearling trout
which run from seven to II inches in
length. and 5000 fingerlings. The lower
pool is sort of spawning bed, a bit
larger than the others, and the bottom
is covered with fine white sand.
1t is remarkable sight to watch the
Ash at feeding time, they fairly fly out
Of the water as Mr.. Jackson taps on the
side of the dish which contains the
chopped liver. herring. or mackerel
which is fed to them. The fish which
are raised at the hatcheries are shipped
to the ponds and lakes all over Maine,
being taken in large cans which con-
tain many thousands of the small fry,
and the Maine Central Railroad allows
them to be shipped free Of charge. as
the propagation of the trout and the
betterment of the fishing does much to
increase travel over their roads.
The scenery surrounding the hatch
cry at Mosquito is very beautiful To
the north Mosquito mountain is distant
only mile, and Lake Moxie, with Bald
mountain on its eastern shore, is di-
rectly in front Of the hatchery; while
numerous other large mountains are in
plain view.
Mr.. Jackson Is at present very busy
with the fish, as stripping is now in
progress, and he stated last Friday that
he expects to have more than 100000
fertile eggs at the hatchery in a short
time. When one considers that a slight
Jar on a tray containing eggs will de-
stroy the entire trayful, it can readily
be seen that the work requires careful
attention. The hatchery mascot, strange
as 1t may seem, is an enormous coon
cat which pays no attention to the
thousands of speckled beauties which
temptingly display themselves in the
shallow tanks. This cat follows Mr.
Jackson through the woods for miles
just as a dog would do. She is an ex-
cellent swimmer and does not mind the
wetting in the least but never attemnts
to capture a trout. having been instruct.
cd to the contrary. The spring fishing
at Mosquito is as fine as can be found
in the State. and the hatchery il we'll
worth visit.