Annual Report of the Division of Fisheries and Game (1920-1933)

>> "*>*- Public Document No. 25

(Efjp (Sommanttiralttf of fflassarljuBrnB

ANNUAL REPORT

Division of Fisheries and Game

Year Ending November 30, 1932

Department of Conservation

[Offices: 20 Somerset Street, Boston.]

Publication of this Document Approved by the Commission on Administration and Finance 1M. 2-*33. Order 7498 ^ CONTENTS

General Considerations .

• -> Personnel : ,, ,

Finances . Revenue* ....-• Conventions and Meetings . Activities of State and Local Organizations Education and Publicity Acknowledgments • Sutton State Fish Hatchery Fund (formerly Merrill Pond

• System Fund) .

Montague State Fish Hatchery Fund . Sunderland State Fish Hatchery Fund (formerly Amherst Fish Hatchery Fund) Other Gifts Enforcement of Laws ..... Legislation New # Recommendations for New Legislation

Biological Section ....•• Stream Survey .

Supervisor of Fish and Game Permits and Claims Deer Damage Claims .... Exhibits and Lectures Permits ...••• Wild Birds and Animals Statistics of Game and Fur-bearing Animals taken Water Fowl ..... Pheasants ..... Deer ..... Wild Cat Bounties .... Reservations ..... - . tha'a Vineyard. .Reservation Mar( Fenifee Island Sanctuary..- Other Sanctuaries ..'....* Public Fis-hing and Hunting Grounds

Inland Fisheries \*'

: . :GrJiai P.6i(& # StoejCed:^\Gfc|ed Breeding areas in Ponds and Streams

Propagation of Fish and Game Fish Hatcheries and Game Farms—General East Sandwich State Fish Hatchery Montague State Fish Hatchery

Palmer State Fish Hatchery . Sandwich State Fish Hatchery Sunderland State Fish Hatchery Sutton State Fish Hatchery Work of the Salvage Units Salvage Unit No. 1 Salvage Unit No. 2 Miscellaneous Salvage / /

PAGE Ayer State Game Farm 36 Marshfield State Game Farm 37

Sandwich State Game Farm . 38 Wilbraham State Game Farm 39

Fish and Game Distribution 40 Marine Fisheries .... 44 General ..... 44 State Inspector of Fish 44 State Supervisor of Marine Fisheries 47 Enforcement of Marine Fisheries Laws 48

Shore Fisheries . 48

Lobster Fishery . 49 Lobster Fishery Statistics 51 Sea Crab Industry 52 The Mollusk Fisheries 52

Starfish Extermination . 52

Shellfish Permits . 54 Clam .... 54 Quahaug 54 Fishways 54

Bounty on Seals . 55

Note of Appreciation . 55 Appendix ..... 56 A Practical Method for the Disinfection of Fish Ova against Furunculosis ...... 56

DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION

Commissioner, WILLIAM A. L. BAZELEY, Uxbridge DIVISION OF FISHERIES AND GAME

20 Somerset Street, Boston, Mass.

Director, Raymond J. Kenney, Belmont. Chief Fish and Game Warden, Carl G. Bates, Natick. ;Fish and Game Warden Supervisor, (Propagation) Forrest S. Clark, Holden.

J Fish and Game Warden Supervisor, (Law Enforcement), Lloyd M. Walker, Shrewsbury. Biologist and Supervisor of Distributions, J. Arthur Kitson, Boston. Supervisor of Fish and Game Permits and Claims, Orrin C. Bourne, Melrose. State Inspector of Fish, Arthur L. Millett, Gloucester. State Supervisor of Marine Fisheries, Zenas A. Howes, Quincy. Biologist and Statistician — Marine Fisheries, Earnest W. Barnes, Roslindale. Head Clerk, Miss L. B. Rimbach, Medford. P.D. 25

£tjc Commontucaltf) of jffla**aci)U*ett£(

ANNUAL REPORT The Director of the Division of Fisheries and Game herewith presents the sixty-seventh annual report. GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS Recognizing the rising public demand for a decrease in the cost of government the Division has bent its every effort during the year to accomplish this purpose. The details of these accomplishments will be found, under proper headings, throughout the report. The decreased size of this report is in keeping with this policy, and much of the material heretofore included in the report has been omitted in order that the statute whereby only a brief summary of the year's work is required, could be strictly complied with. The material heretofore printed in the report is available at the headquarters of the Division for those who are particularly interested in those subjects. Starting on the basis of an appropriation of approximately $24,000 less than that for the fiscal year 1931, the Division has continued its work without the curtailment of its activities. The entire work of the Division has been divided into seven distinct bureaus, and the various activities have been reallocated to place each within the scope of the proper bureau. The effects of this reorganization have already become apparent, but the results in later years in increased efficiency and economy are likely to be impressive. The propagation and distribution of fish and game has been kept abreast of previous years, and the following pages of the report will indicate that in some cases the distribution has surpassed that of any past year. A new policy was established whereby no additional land will be purchased until all of the present game farms and fish hatcheries have been brought to a point of maximum production, as it appears inadvisable to increase the overhead of any branch of the propagation work until full returns can be obtained from the plants now in operation. For all practical purposes five of the six fish hatcheries have been developed to their capacity, and development work will be concentrated on the sixth hatchery during the coming year to compass the same result. At least two of the game farms have possibilities of expansion if that becomes advisable. Despite every effort to cut the operating cost of the Division, sufficient money has been spent on repairs and replacements to offset depreciation and maintain the lands and buildings in proper condition. The economies effected have not only offset the decreased appropriation, but have resulted in a substantial saving of money which has been applied to the purchase of fish and game from private breeders. From the private game farms throughout the State there were purchased 2,703 pheasants, the total number of privately reared birds meeting the biologist's requirements as to quality, that could be located in the State. This represented the purchase of the entire surplus output of this industry. In a like manner, a total of 212,000 fish were purchased from the commercial fish hatcheries. In some cases the entire surplus of the hatchery was purchased and distributed in suitable waters. Thus the Division has gone through a year in which the loss of revenue has been considerable, with a record of accomplishments surpassing that of previous years. In addition, it has contributed its small share toward the assistance of private business in the Commonwealth by using funds derived from economic readjustments of the work, for the purchase of P.D. 25 5 fish and game which would otherwise find no market. This has resulted in a stabilization of the private propagation of fish and game in the State, and is a direct benefit to the sportsmen whose funds are used in the con- duct of this work, as more fish and game has been liberated in the waters and covers of the State than ever before in the history of the Division. The limited scope of the work which available funds will allow the Division to do in the field of marine fisheries has not made it possible to effect the same amount of savings in that branch of the work. Never- theless, every effort has been made during the year to secure the best possible results from the funds provided for the marine fisheries activities, and no effort will be spared in the future to secure a high degree of efficiency in that work regardless of the amount of money available to finance it. The marine fishing industry has felt the reaction of the world- wide economic disturbance, and wherever possible the Division has lent its aid to assist in restoring the century-old and valuable industry. To that end the Division will continue its every effort.

Personnel The outstanding change in the personnel of the Division was brought about through a desire to increase efficiency in the propagation and distribution of fish and game. Heretofore it was customary for the Director to personally supervise the operation of the four game farms and six fish hatcheries, in addition to the general direction of the many other activities of the Division. It became apparent during the year that it was physically impossible for a Director to give the necessary supervision to this work and at the same time carry out the other functions placed upon that office by the statutes. In the distribution section of this report will be found a discussion of the change in the distribution policies, whereby all of the distribution work is at present carried on by the warden force. These two factors resulted in the assignment of Fish and Game Warden Supervisor Forrest S. Clark to a new position covering the supervision of propagation work at the fish hatcheries and game farms and the distribution of stock throughout the State. The operation of the fish hatcheries and game farms, together with the actual distribution work which is to be done by the wardens, will, in the future, be under the personal direction of Supervisor Clark. By reason of this change while the biological section will continue to lay out a general distribution program, based upon its increasing knowledge of the biological conditions throughout the State through its survey work (recorded elsewhere), the actual distribution work will be carried on by Supervisor Clark and the warden force. This readjustment will relieve the Director of the incidental details in connection with the operation of the fish hatcheries and game farms, resulting in more time for the general activities of the Division, particularly those relating to marine fisheries, and at the same time will make it possible to standardize the practices at these plants, which should result in a reduction of the overhead expense as time goes on. Warden Lloyd M. Walker of Maynard was appointed, provisionally, as Fish and Game Warden Supervisor to succeed Supervisor Clark in the direct charge of the warden force in the field. No addition was made to the warden force as a result of this change, as the position of warden-at-large was abolished and Warden Henry M. Parlee was assigned to the Maynard district left vacant by the promotion of Warden Walker. Upon the establishment of an eligible list for the position of "Field Agent, Division of Fisheries and Game," the provisional employment of William L. Osterhout in that position was discontinued, and Arnold E. Howard of Lowell, was appointed permanently to the position as of Feb- ruary 1. 6 P.D. 25 Finances The revenue of the Division, as shown in the following tables was ma- terially reduced during the fiscal year as compared with that preceding. The greatest item of loss was in the sale of sporting and trapping licenses, which showed a net reduction of $20,164.10. This was undoubtedly the direct effect of the economic conditions which existed during the year. For the same reason the revenue received from the prosecution of fish and game law violators was reduced by $2,936.95 under 1931, despite the fact that the warden force prosecuted more cases than in the preceding fiscal year. The financial condition of many of the defendents compelled the courts to suspend the fines or place the defendants on probation, with the above result. Under the provisions of Chapter 272, Acts of 1932, a new license statute will become effective on January 1, 1933. This statute will eliminate the sporting licenses which have been in effect for the past seven years, and will restore the system of separate hunting and fishing licenses. It will further provide a uniform rate for non-resident hunters or fishermen to replace the present sliding or reciprocal fee which has been a source of much confusion during the past few years, and has resulted in an unfair tax upon many of the non-resident visitors. It is difficult to forecast the effect of this new license system upon the revenue of the Division, but it is evident that there will be a further drop in revenue unless the separation of the licenses will result in increased sales. Nevertheless the legislation has brought about a worthwhile change in the license system, and has reestablished it upon a fair basis which is likely to meet with popular approval.

The new scale of prices is as follows : For resident citizens—sporting, $3.25; hunting $2; fishing, $2; minors between the ages of fifteen and eighteen, and women, fishing only, $1.25; trapping, $5.25; minor trapping, $2.25. No charge to a person over seventy. Non-resident citizens—sporting, $15.25; hunting, $10.25; fishing $5.25, minors between the ages of fifteen and eighteen, fishing only, $2.25; trapping, $15.25. For non-resi- dents owning real estate in Massachusetts assessed for taxation at not less than $1,000, members of any club or association incorporated for the purpose of hunting, fishing, or trapping (provided the corporation owns land in Massachusetts equal in value to $1,000 for each member), the fees will be the same as for resident citizens. :

P.D. 25 Appropriations and Expenditures

Balances Apppropri- Balances. Expendi- Balances to State ations transfers tures to 1933 Treasury

Part I (Revenue for 1931, $308.- 633.94) - - - Salary of the Director $4,500.00 $4,500.00 - — Office Assistants, Personal Services 15,140.00 14,987.18 152.82 $143.93 13,311.40 $416.50 521.03 Office Expenses . 14,105.00 - 963.63 - 36.37 Education and Publicity . 1,000.00 Enforcement of Laws — Personal Services 73,010.00 — 71,987.81 1,022.19 32,135.58 107.50 6.302.74 Expenses . . . . 38.345.00 200.82

Biological Work : — 9,130.11 — 169.89 Personal Services 9,300.00 — 1,925.00 1,026.35 2,949.50 1.85 Expenses - Propagation of Game Birds, etc. 130,880.00 504.12 128.434.20 2,949.92

Special : for Improvements and additions at Fish Hatcheries and _ Game Farms 15,095.00 5,517.1s 13,882.66 6,729.52 Damages by Wild Deer and Wild — Moose ..... 5,700.00 - 5,578.80 121.20 Establishment and Maintenance of Public Fishing and Hunting - 11,823.49 — Grounds . . . . . 23,567.38 11,743.89

Part II (Revenue for 1931, $45.00) - ~ 20.05 Protection of Wild Life . . . 2,400.00 2,379.95

Part III (Revenue for 1931, $9,- 073.70)

Marine Fisheries : Sale and Cold Storage of Fresh - Food Fish 17,100.00 24.57 17,032.86 91.71 State Supervisor of Marine Fisheries : Personal Services 8,700.00 _ 8,698.50 - 1.50 Expenses .... 4,600.00 292.36 3,945.40 475.00 471.96 Enforcement of laws relative to Shellfish, etc. Personal Services 17,545.00 _ 17,533.00 - 12.00 — Expenses . 10,700.00 43.21 10,530.78 212.43 Purchase of Lobsters 9.500.00 181.77 5,992.60 — 3,689.17 Purchase of a Boat 3,500.00 - 3,500.00 - - Improvements on Fishways — 140.00 137.30 — 2.70 Fishways on Parker River _ 25.38 6.03 — 19.35 Extermination of Starfish, etc. 15,000.00 - 8,711.20 6,288.80 -

$398,045.00 $31,667.07 $388,072.38 $25,840.81 $15,798.88 P.D. 25 Revenue

Following is the revenue accruing to the State Treasury for the period of the fiscal year, from the activities of this Division.

Part II Part I Produced by Produced by those who en- Part III the hunters, joy wild life Produced by anglers and but do not the marine trappers hunt, fish or fisheries trap

Part I Sporting and trapping licenses ($276,558.30 less $288.00 refunded on account of overpayments in 1931, less $26 invalid check, and less $50 over- payment in 1932) $276,193.50

Rent, sales, etc., at stations . . . . . 512 00 Sale of shiner permits ...... 420.00 Sale of game tags . . . . . 85.10 Sale of confiscated goods 94.50

Sale of miscellaneous goods ; miscellaneous items 48.25 Sale of gunning stand permits 932.25 Fines turned into State Treasury as a result of

inland fish and game law violations . 7,800 00

Part II Nothing Nothing Part III Lobster license fees ...... $5,490.20 Crab meat license fees ...... 315.25 Sale of lobster meat permits ..... 670.00 Sale of lobster rules ...... 9.25 Lease of clam flats ...... 15.00 Miscellaneous sales ...... 1.00 Fines turned into State Treasury as a result of marine fisheries violations .... 2,582.80

Total Revenue, $295,169.10 . . . . $286,085.60 Nothing $9,083.50

Detail of Receipts from Sporting, Trapping and Lobster Licenses

Total Gross Fees to Net Return issued value clerks to State

Resident Citizen Sporting ($2.75) 102,101 $280,773.25 $25,345.75 $255,427.50 Resident Citizen Trapping ($5.25) 451 2,364.75 112.25 2,252.50 Non-resident Citizen Sporting ($10.25 and upwards) 471 6,843.25 116.75 6,726.50 Non-resident Citizen Trapping ($10.25) 2 20.50 .50 20.00 Non-resident Citizen Sporting ($3.25 and upwards) ...... 1,065 5,203.05 263.75 4,939.30 Non-resident Citizen Trapping ($5.25) 5.25 .25 5.00 Alien Sporting ($15.25) . 1185 2,821.25 46.00 2,775.25 Alien Trapping ($15.25) 3 45.75 .75 45.00

. . Minor Trapping ($1.25) . 513 637.25 127.75 509.50

Minor Sporting (fishing only $1.25) . 3,210 4,012.50 799.25 3,213.25

Duplicate Licenses (50c.) . 1,289 644.50 — 644.50 Resident Citizen Sporting (Free) 5,065 — — — Totals, sporting and trapping licenses SI 14,356 $303,371.30 $26,813.00 $276,558.30 Deduct overpayments (on account of 1931

licenses, $288.80 ; on account of 1932 licenses $50.00; invalid check, $26) 364.80 $276,193.50

Resident Citizen Lobster ($5.00) 1,120 $5,600.00 $168.00 $5,432.00 Non-resident Citizen Lobster ($5.00) 12 60.00 1.80 58.20 Resident Citizen Crab ($5.00) 65 325.00 9.75 315.25

Totals, marine licenses 1,197 $5,985.00 $179.55 $5,805.45

A considerable increase is noted in the number of licenses sold at the office of the Division, as it becomes more generally known that licenses maybe issued there. The increased sales represent not only the sportsmen's appreciation of the added convenience, but also their desire to give the Division the advantage of saving the 25c issuance fee. "

P.D. 25 9 Conventions and Meetings

Director Raymond J. Kenney attended the following meetings: Eigh- teenth American Game Conference, in New York City, December 1 and 2, 1931. Advisory Council: Marine Section, January 14; inland section, Jan- uary 22. Business at these meetings was confined to a discussion of State- wide conservation policies. Director Kenney attended the meeting of the New England Game Con- ference, held under the auspices of the Massachusetts Fish and Game Association at Boston, January 23. He presented a paper, "Laying the Foundation for Wild Life Administration in Massachusetts. New England Fish and Game Commissioners' Association, January 23. This was the first meeting of the association, which was formed during the New England Game Conference with Director Kenney elected as Secretary. Its purposes, as set forth in the by-laws, are "the vigorous promotion of cooperative efforts between the several New England States and the Commissioners or Commissions thereof in breeding, feeding and protecting fish and game in New England" and "it shall also promote cooperation between the United States Bureau of Biological Survey and the United States Bureau of Fisheries and the several New England States." The second meeting was held at Hartford, Conn. March 26. This meeting confined itself largely to a discussion of plans for uniting the New England states in an effort to secure a satisfactory modification of federal migratory bird regulations. The third meeting was held in New York City on November 29, during the session of the American Game Conference. At this meeting plans were discussed for the New England Game Conference, to be held in Boston early next year, and the general fish and game conditions throughout the New England states were can- vassed by the commissions. Hearing before the Senate Committee on Wild Life Conservation at Washington, D. C. April 4-6, at which time and place the Director represented the several New England states and presented a brief on the migratory bird conditions in New England and recommendations for the regulations to be applied to migratory birds for this section of the country. (For a more complete account, see Water Fowl). International Association of Game, Fish and Conservation Commis- sioners September 19-20, and American Fisheries Society September 21-22 at Baltimore, Md. At these meetings Director Kenney read papers entitled, "Combination Licenses versus Separate Licenses," and "Com- bating the Starfish Menace on Massachusetts Shellfish Grounds." American Game Conference, held under the auspices of the American Game Protective Association in New York, November 28-30. This is the one annual conference in the country that brings together the heads of the State divisions and others interested in the wild life resources of the nation. Director Kenney presented a paper, "How to provide Public Fishing Waters." A number of meetings of fish and game clubs throughout the State were attended, giving preference to the County League meetings, all of which were visited at least once during the year. Local clubs were visited as far as time would permit.

Activities of State and Local Organizations

The Council of Sportsmen's Clubs of Massachusetts held meetings at

Worcester January 3 ; at Greenfield May 8 ; and at Bryantville October 2. The fish and game organizations of the State, despite the fact that they have had the backing of only a small proportion of the licensed hunters and fishermen in the State, have been of great benefit to the Division in carrying out certain functions. The county leagues have cooperated to the fullest extent in holding meetings for county-wide surveys upon :

10 P.D. 25 which the distribution of fish and game is based in accordance with the details given under Fish and Game Distribution. The local fish and game clubs have assisted in the actual distribution of the fish and birds, and this cooperation has been greatly appreciated. The decreasing revenue of the Division, together with the increasing demands of the hunters and fishermen, makes it self-evident that the Division alone cannot do all the things which are necessary to maintain good hunting and fishing conditions in the State. The sportsmen, through wider and more active organization, must take up independent lines of conservation work if the desired results are to be obtained. It is not sufficient that the sportsmen's associations content themselves with the j stock raised by the Division. The Division is mere distribution of the j now supplied with the man-power and equipment necessary to do this distribution work, which will release the sportsmen's organizations to in independent, worth-while conservation projects. To aid in engage | bringing this situation about the Director submitted proposals of projects which the local clubs and the county leagues might well undertake as their contributions to the wild life conservation program of the State. The following matters of county-wide scope were suggested to the County Leagues:

1. To watch the game situation so as to furnish accurate information in case scarcity of grouse or quail should raise the question of suspending or modifying the open seasons, or bag limits, under the new law authorizing such action by the Director. 2. To cooperate with land owners and fruit growers in a survey of the deer in the four western counties, so as to give definite facts | in case the Director is requested to declare a second week of deer hunting. 3. To confer with county commissioners with a view to bringing about a better enforcement of the dog laws, so that the trained hunting dogs may be absolved from the blame for the damage done by self-hunting, homeless dogs. 4. To secure from riparian land owners along feeder streams which it is desired to close for the conservation of small trout, their consent for the Director to take this action under the new law. 5. Work out a plan to annually close one-third of the ponds in each county to winter fishing for a two-year period, thus leaving one- third of the ponds open at all times. 6. To interest Congressmen in securing as much of the output of the Federal hatcheries as possible, to supplement the State- raised fish. 7. By cooperation with their respective county Farm Bureaus to bring about closer contact between the sportsmen and the land owners. 8. To plan the purchase of fish and game in quantities, so that better prices can be secured than individual clubs could buy it, for their special stocking programs. 9. To make exhibits at county fairs, which limited appropriations prevents the Division from doing. 10. To appoint sub-committees within the County Leagues for the purpose of rectifying a condition of which non-members sportsmen complain, namely, that the clubs devote their attention to one or two classes of sport and neglect other branches.

The following suggestions were made to the local club 1. Organize and advertise a definite program as a means for increasing membership; elect officials and delegates of ability having leisure to serve, and support them to the limit. Have periods in club meetings for reports by members on important conservation matters assigned them for study, followed by general discussion, thus educat- ing the whole membership in conservation problems. : ;

P.D. 25 11 2. A program of education of —Sportsmen, to necessity of courtesy to land owners, and of following the ethics of hunting and fishing rather than pursuit of bag limits only; General public, to their ownership of the wild life resources and their obligation to bear the cost of its protection by assuming the expense, in whole or in part, of maintaining the law-enforcement organization of the Division; and Children—the men and women of tomorrow—to conservation problems. 3. A program to convince the land owners that they may safely remove their posters and allow sportsmen to hunt and fish on their property. This can be best accomplished by an example of the con- duct of the sportsmen in open lands, and by a committee of the club organized to repair damages by thoughtless hunters and fishermen. 4. Winter feeding of wild stock, including not only distribution of grain in severe weather but planting (with permission of land owners) small patches of grain to stand through the winter for bird feed and shelter. 5. Program to provide that rights of way be laid out for access to great ponds in the respective districts not now open to public fishing; consideration of a program to annually close one-third of the ponds in the county each year to winter fishing for a two-year period prevention of pollution, and removal of obstructions and debris. 6. Systematic study of methods of keeping vermin in reasonable control. 7. Inducing water boards to allow the Division to transfer fish from their reservoirs to open waters; and authorities in charge of closed public lands to allow the trapping and redistribution of surplus game, and to practice vermin control. 8. Unceasing work to prevent forest fires; cooperation with fire enforcement officials; and reforestation work. 9. Support of the State wardens in law enforcement work and prompt reports of the names of all violators; assist the Division in securing honest reports of game killed by giving publicity to the importance of these reports; and advise legislators of club wishes in regard to legislation. 10. Supplement State activity by raising fish and game for liberation.

Undoubtedly many organizations went forward with plans along the lines suggested, but up to the present time the Division has received no definite report of their progress.

Education and Publicity In addition to the publicity work carried on by the Supervisor of Per- mits and Claims, the Division maintains a monthly press service to the newspapers of the State. Each month, except in summer, some phase of the Division's activities is selected on the basis of the timeliness of the subject, and a statement is prepared in newspaper form and sent to every paper in the State. The majority accept and print these releases verbatim, and through the kindly cooperation of the press the people of the State have had a better opportunity to visualize the functions of the Division and to learn how its work affects them, directly or indi- rectly, in some phase of their individual interests. The value of these monthly releases has been also attested by requests from newspapers outside of the State, that they be supplied with the material which is sent to the domestic papers. The articles this year eovered the following subjects Work of the State Supervisor of Marine Fisheries. Public Fishing and Hunting Grounds. Work of the State Inspector of Fish. —

12 P.D. 25 New Policy in the distribution of fish and game raised at the State hatcheries. Trout season, and the distribution of food and game fish to public waters. Statistics of game and fur taken by licensed hunters and trappers. A new method of testing lobsters apparently dead. New laws and amendments enacted by this year's legislature. Seasons and regulations for the hunting season about to open. Summary of the year's fish and game distribution.

The radio has come to be a factor in the Division's publicity work, and several broadcasts have been made over local stations. At the request of the Massachusetts Industrial Commission the Director spoke on its series of broadcasts over Station WNAC in Boston, addressing the radio audience on the Recreational Advantages of Massachusetts. Through the courtesy of the management of Station WAAB he gave other broadcasts, notably "Arbor Day" (which included preservation of the Common- wealth's forests and its song and insectivorous birds), and "The Lure of Autumn Days in Massachusetts Fields and Woodlands."

Acknowledgements Gifts, and balances of previous ones, are reported Sutton State Fish Hatchery Fund (formerly Merrill Pond System Fund) The $129.25 brought over from last year, and a donation this year of $50 from the Nipmuc Rod and Gun Club, were used (with other funds) to purchase land held under lease from Grace E. Sullivan. A donation of $25 from the Asneconic Pond Association was used in reconstruction of trout pools.

Montague State Fish Hatchery Fund The $49.50 brought over from last year was used to construct dams. A donation of $100 from the Dighton Fish and Game Club was used for labor on a new pond.

Sunderland State Fish Hatchery Fund (formerly Amherst Fish Hatchery Fund) The $307.25 brought over from last year was used (with other funds) to purchase land from Fish Culturist in charge, Louis Horst.

Other Gifts Acknowledgment is made of the gift of 5,000 eight-inch trout from the Tehanto Club of Pocasset. A gift of $25 from the Massachusetts Fish and Game Association for repair of roads in the Boxford Sanctuary, is on hand at the close of the year. Interest accumulated on the Trust Fund over a period of years, amount- ing to $159.18, was spent at the Sutton State Fish Hatchery for general improvements about the ponds.

ENFORCEMENT OF LAWS The personnel of the law enforcement branch of the Division has un- dergone little in the way of change during the year. Warden Daniel C. Durrum resigned as of January 15 and Warden Leon E. Myatt was transferred from the Taunton district to fill the vacancy. On April 1 Cyril W. Hanley of Newburyport was appointed and assigned to the Taunton district. P.D. 25 13 Fish and Game Warden Supervisor Forrest S. Clark was relieved from active charge of field work and assigned to have oversight of the fish hatcheries and game farms and the distribution of stock. He retains, however, his rank in the law enforcement service, at times will perform active duty with the warden force, and will retain his headquarters at Holden. Warden Lloyd M. Walker of Maynard succeeded him in the supervision of the field force, with headquarters at Shrewsbury. Warden Peter P. Monahan of Westfield retired on October 8 by reason of disability brought about through an accident on May 20, after twenty- one years of active service. Mr James E. Noble of Westfield fills the vacancy provisionally. The district court work for the year was as follows: number of cases prosecuted, 1,348; district court convictions, 1,261 (of which 377 were filed and 17 appealed to the Superior Court; discharged, 87; fines imposed in district courts, $13,642. In addition to the penalty imposed by the court, the sporting or trapping license of the person convicted becomes void, and no license can be legally secured until after one year from the date of conviction. Economic conditions continue to be a factor in the disposition of cases, resulting in many cases being placed on file due to the inability of the defendants to raise money to pay the fines. Never- theless, a number of outstanding cases resulted in the payment of substantial fines. During the past year the carcasses of deer which came into the Divis- ion's possession (either by accidental or illegal killing) were disposed of through the local welfare boards, which supplied the wardens with lists of needy families. The venison was distributed in amounts varying with the size of the families. In this way 110 families have been furnished with meat—often the first meat of any description they had in many days. The work in general followed along as in other years, with certain classes of violations resulting in more severe penalization than the or- dinary violation. There were 35 cases of aliens found with firearms in their possession, resulting in fines totalling $860. One important bird netting case in North Adams cost three defendants $120 each. Illegal deer hunting came in for a fair share of outstanding work on the part of the wardens, resulting in fines of from fifty to one hundred dollars. The total fines for this class of violation were $950. The case testing the constitutionality of the so-called humane trapping act, which it was not possible to record completely in last year's report, has been brought to a conclusion. The Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of this law, with the result that the defendant was fined fifty dollars upon one complaint. The work of the deputy wardens (greatly reduced in number) has shown a marked improvement, with the result that they have made a record for this branch of the service. It had been evident for some time that the work of the deputy warden (unpaid) branch of the service left much to be desired, and at the annual warden meeting a new policy was inaugurated to make this service comparable with that of the regular wardens. Heretofore deputy wardens had been appointed with little thought concerning their adaptability for the work or their knowledge of the respon- sibilities involved. They, through no fault of their own, knew nothing of the duties of an officer nor of the rights of the public, consequently in- cidents have occurred that reflected on the warden service as a whole. It was decided that the deputy wardens be required to measure up to the standards of the regular force as to entrance age, height and weight, and, further, to pass an examination composed of questions dealing directly with the fish and game laws, or related matters. When the appoint- ments were renewed at the beginning of the year, all men who could not devote time to this work were dropped, together with others who for one reason or another did not observe the rules of the service. This reduced 14 P.D. 25

the deputy warden force to about one hundred men who, over a period of i

time, had given satisfaction, and gave each district warden a smaller i number of men. With this greatly reduced force, sufficient time was found to train them for the work. It has also given the Division a closer connection with its unpaid force, and to some extent does away with the unsatisfactory condition of a force of men working without any guidance or visible leadership. Still further benefits are expected to become apparent as times goes on, for from such a force of men, educated and trained within the Division for law enforcement and conservation work, should come men fitted to qualify in civil service examination for appointment to the paid force. If such ready trained men were on the eligible list, prepared to step into vacancies, it would do away with the present slow and costly training of men who enter on the work with no previous experience. It is the desire of the Division to go still further into this matter, which seems important enough to warrant close attention to this branch of the law enforcement agency. The time is past when the public should be at the mercy of inexperienced officers in this or in any other line of law enforcement. The public is entitled to and deserves the utmost in service and efficiency from the men of this Division, whether they be regular or deputy wardens. Conserva- tion problems do not, as a rule, come within the experience of the average person and the majority are untrained along these lines. Consequently, if this Division is to keep abreast of the demands made upon it, then some such policy as the foregoing must be adopted in the future.

New Legislation Following are listed the laws relating to fish and game, enacted during the legislative session of 1932. Some of the changes should work for the betterment of general law enforcement. Chapter 28—provides for an open season on quail in Norfolk County and gives protection to quail throughout the year in Berkshire and Franklin counties. Chapter 52—provides for the issuance of permits by the Director to authorize certain persons to kill grouse doing damage to orchards, between December first and April fifteenth following. Chapter 60—authorizes the Director, after a public hearing and with the approval of the Governor and Council, to suspend or modify the open season or bag limits on ruffed grouse and quail. Chapter 77—authorizes the Director, with the approval of the Com- missioner of Public Health, to salvage certain fish in the Wachusett Re- servoir for stocking purposes. Chapter 78—authorizes the Director, with the approval of the riparian owners or the owners of fishing rights, to establish restricted areas in any unnavigable brook or stream suitable for breeding fish, and make rules and regulations governing these streams. Chapter 81—removes restrictions so that hunting dogs may be trained at all seasons of the year, provided a permit is obtained from the Director so to do during the close season on the particular game in connection with which the trial is held. Chapter 82—places beaver under protection, with heavy penalties for its pursuit. Chapter 180—makes corrections in the general statutes, two of which relate to fish and game, namely—Section 8, which brings the metropolitan district into the area on which fire wardens and fish and game officials are empowered to enforce the forest fire laws ; and Section 26, which re- quires persons trapping animals damaging their property, to observe the provisions of the trapping law even in the formerly exempted area within fifty feet of their dwellings. Chapter 264—changes the open season on deer from two weeks in the P.D. 25 15 four western counties and one week in the remainder of the State, to a one-week open season throughout the State (except that Nantucket County is the Director to declare an addi- remains closed) ; and authority given tional week of open season in Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden and Hamp- shire counties as conditions warrant. Chapter 272—abolishes the present system of a straight sporting license and provides for the issuance of separate hunting or fishing, as well as sporting licenses, effective January 1, 1933.

Recommendations for New Legislation No recommendations are made for changes in the game and inland fish laws. BIOLOGICAL SECTION On January 5 Mr. Standish Deake of Cambridge was permanently appointed Junior Fish and Game Biologist to the Division. The work of the year consisted of the handling of general biological and distribution problems and the details and correspondence related thereto, field problems, and the stocking of the inland waters and covers. The establishment of a biological laboratory at 20 Somerset St., Boston was completed late in November. The usual routine examination of fish, birds and quadrupeds sent to the Division were made by Dr. David L. Belding of the Boston University School of Medicine, Dr. E. E. Tyzzer and Dr. Hans Theiler of the Har- vard Medical School. This opportunity is taken to thank these men for their valued assistance. During the early months of the year a survey of white hare cover was completed, which will serve as a basis for the proper distribution of hares. Considerable service was given to the clubs operating rearing pools, such as investigating the causes of losses and recommending the treatment of ponds where trouble had been experienced. The biologist conducted a series of conferences with the county leagues at which the distribution of stock for the following year was discussed, and the covers and waters to be stocked recorded. Much work was done at the State hatcheries in the sterilization of pools and buildings against a recurrence of furunculosis. For this work a special apparatus was devised for the use of chlorine gas applied under pressure which caused the mud and stone work to be effectively reached by the disinfecting agent. The effectiveness of this work may be judged by the fact that not a single outbreak was experienced in any of the pools of the hatcheries formerly infected. The eradication of this disease represents the saving of considerable money and fish which otherwise would have been lost. For the first time in the United States a technique for the disinfection of fish eggs was experimentally developed, and successfully applied to all brook trout eggs purchased, to prevent infection with furunculosis. De- tailed description of the experiment carried out, and the method which was developed, will be found in the Appendix. Stream Survey—Pursuant to the intention expressed in the last report, a survey of the trout streams of the State has been started and is well under way. Data of a biological and practical nature have been acquired, supplementing records already on hand, with a view toward organizing a biologically correct stocking policy and the establishment of public fishing grounds. This data consists of a complete report not only on the main stream but on each tributary as well, and includes information as to its desirability as trout water, and the species of trout, or other fish, best adapted to it. Consideration was given to all known factors which influence the stream in question as a favorable trout habitat. Such work is of a pioneering character, and it is expected that it will result in the conservation of the product of the hatcheries and also improve fishing 16 P.D. 25 conditions. In this survey the following streams have been examined and the data concerning them recorded: Westfield River, Squannacook River, Shawsheen River, Konkapot River, North River, Jones River, and Ne- masket River. A reconnaisance was also made of certain streams to locate possibilities for the establishment of public fishing grounds,—seven such examina- tions being made in Norfolk County, thirteen in Bristol County, and nine- teen in Berkshire County. Of these thirty-nine streams plus the seven in the regular stream survey, only six were found suitable and selected for public fishing grounds. (This subject is discussed fully under "Public Fishing and Hunting Grounds").

SUPERVISOR OF FISH AND GAME PERMITS AND CLAIMS To the Supervisor's duties have been added the oversight of Penikese Island Sanctuary, and of the newly established public fishing grounds. Attention to the latter comprised the outstanding feature of the year's work. As there is a special section of the annual report devoted to reservations, a full discussion of the foregoing part of his work will be found under that heading.

Deer Damage Claims The appropriation for payment of deer damage claims this year was cut to $5,700 against $6,000 last year. The total payments for 106 claims amounted to $5,578.80. ($5,416.13 for claims and $162.67 for supplies). The experiments with tar paper as a means of preventing deer from browsing orchards, commenced last year, gave good results in small, sheltered orchards. In the large orchard, however, there was difficulty in keeping the paper from blowing away as the orchard was located on a hillside open to heavy gales. Experiments here will be continued. Under Section 108, Chapter 131, General Laws, there were 37 deer shot while damaging crops.

Exhibits and Lectures About the usual number of evening talks were given during the winter before church clubs, schools, women's clubs, Kiwanis, Rotary and Lions Clubs. The two regular exhibits were put on, at the Sportsman's Show in Boston and the Eastern States Exposition in Springfield.

Permits The sorts of permits which are issued have increased until there are now twenty-one. This year all requests for permits to make private collections of birds have been disapproved, and the permits now in force are being reviewed with the object of cancelling inactive ones. Bird banding permits requested through the U. S. Bureau of Biological Survey have been granted for non-game birds; but requests for permits to band migratory game birds (principally ducks and geese) have been consistently turned down, both because of the opportunities that would be afforded for improper use, and because hunters, particularly gunning stand owners, would be led to believe that banders have special privileges, which they would likewise seek. A few requests for the establishment of private fishing ponds were granted when it was found that the applicants had full control of the waters in question.

WILD BIRDS AND ANIMALS Statistics of Game and Fur-bearing Animals taken

There were 96,513 reports of the game and fur taken during the cal- endar year 1931 filed by p * asers of 1932 sporting and trapping licenses. —

P.D. 25 17 These reports show that of the license holders of 1931, 41,871 took no

game or fur (presumably fishermen) ; 33,214 took game; and 3,778 took fur. 17,650 persons who bought licenses in 1932 held none in 1931. Tab- ulated, the reports show the amount of game and fur taken to have been

Gallinules 236 Rails .... 507 Wilson snipe (Jack snipe) 1,614 Fresh-water coots (mud hens) 1,577 Ducks (including skunk head, butter bill and white winged scoters, commonly known as "coots") 46,260 Geese 3,534 Brant 986 Woodcock 22,311 Quail 12,303 Ruffed grouse 42,499 Pheasants 29,204 Deer (837 bucks; 756 does) 1,593

Cotton-tail rabbits . 177,073 White hares 20,548 Gray squirrels 63,573

Total head of game taken 423,818

Muskrat ...... 24,794 Mink ...... 581 Skunk 5,810 Red Fox 3,676 Gray fox ..... 503 Raccoon ...... 2,461 Weasel ...... 841 Otter 54 Canada lynx (loup cervier; Lynx canadensis canadensis 5 Bob cat (wild cat or bay lynx; lynx rufus rufus; not to include wild hunting house cats) 115

Total pieces of fur taken 38,840

Water Fowl.—The wide-spread dissatisfaction with the Federal regulations for the hunting of migratory water fowl during 1931, received the attention of the Division with the result that through cooperation with the other New England states, more satisfactory regulations were obtained this year. Early in the year the Secretary of Agriculture announced a reorganization of the Advisory Board to the Bureau of Biological Survey, and under the new plan the New England states were entitled to one representative. Through the medium of the New England Fish and Game Commissioners' Association Commissioner George J. Stobie of Maine was unanimously recommended to the Secretary of Agriculture for appointment as the New England representative on the Advisory Board, and Commissioner Stobie was subsequently appointed. A further development in the water fowl situation took place when the Special Senate Committee on Wild Life Conservation held public hearings in Washington from April 4 to 6, at which time the Director appeared as a representative of Massachusetts and the other New England States, and presented the following brief.

"Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen of the Committee: "I appear before you today in a dual capacity,—as State Director of Fisheries and Game, acting officially for the Commonwealth of 18 P.D. 25 Massachusetts, and as Secretary of the New England Fish and Game Commissioners' Association, and appearing by its direction. The Association held a meeting at the Executive Offices of the State Board of Fisheries and Game at Hartford, Connecticut on March 26 last and discussed at considerable length the migratory bird situation in New England. It was the consensus of opinion, among the commissioners, that the past regulations of the Bureau of Biological Survey have been unsatisfactory to the sportsmen of New England and have subjected them to unfair discrimination and unnecessary restriction. States' Rights. We feel that more satisfactory results and better cooperation from the public can be obtained if the Congress will return to the respective states the right to regulate the times and methods of taking migratory birds within the limits set by the Fed- eral Government as to the length of open season; the period of the year during which an open season can be declared; and, the bag limits. New England is primarily a flight area, and its problems must be handled, if they are to be handled satisfactorily, on the basis of local conditions. State discretion, we feel, can be granted without doing injustice to any part of the country. Supply of Birds. Our surveys show that there has been a normal supply of our migratory water fowl with the possible exception of those species which are known to breed in the western Canadian prov- inces. Our supply of native black ducks has been above normal. In Massachusetts, for example, we have received wide-spread complaints of great damage caused by an over-abundance of eider ducks and other diving ducks upon our shellfish areas. We have been con- fronted with complaints of substantial damage to winter grains on farm lands adjacent to the shore where hundreds of geese have en- tered and completely destroyed the grain. Rest Days. The majority of the commissioners are opposed to specific rest days each week during the gunning season. They feel that such a plan might increase the number of birds killed in New England, and that it is not true conservation. The owners of private gunning preserves have followed the rest-day principle for years and have found from a practical standpoint, that it results in better shooting and larger kills on the days when shooting is permitted within their respective areas. Bag Limits. The Association voted, as an evidence of good faith, to accept, if necessary, a reduction in bag limits on ducks and believes the sportsmen would be agreeable to a limit of ten ducks per day if a reasonable open season and rational regulations can be secured. When such bag limits are established, it does not seem reasonable or fair that there should be imposed upon us a repetition of the ten-live-goose-decoy regulation of 1931 which is unenforceable and which leads to a general disrespect of other worthwhile and necessary regulations. Shooting Hours. Suggestions were made, at the meeting to which I have previously referred, of further restriction of the shooting hours during each day of the shooting season, but it was unanimously voted to recommend an adherence to the present shooting day from one half hour before sunrise to sunset. Length of Season. It was unanimously voted that our present observations and reports indicate justification for a 60-day open season as the absolute minimum for 1932, but reserving our rights to request a 90-day season if later observations and reports seem to warrant such a request. Finances. The commissioners are aware of the necessity of a sound financial program which will assist the Federal Government in restoring breeding areas and in giving the waterfowl better protection during their migrations and their stay within the United P.D. 25 19 States. Although no formal vote was taken on the proposed shell tax, many individual opinions were expressed in opposition to the principle. Some believe it to be unwarranted interference by the Federal Government with the domestic affairs of the respective states. Any sound financial program which will provide the necessary funds for the Bureau of Biological Survey to proceed with the restoration of breeding areas and the protection of the migratory water-fowl, will receive our hearty support. But there is a wide-spread feeling that the shell-tax proposal is not the solution to the present financial problems. Cooperation of the States. Every state in New England stands ready to extend to the Federal Government all possible assistance in the protection of the migratory birds. For example, in Massachusetts we have secured the appointment of every state warden as a deputy federal warden, and after considerable difficulty we have secured from the Legislature a reciprocal statute which automatically gives each Federal regulation the force of state law, regardless of- how often they are changed within the course of the year. Federal enforcement officers are practically unknown in Massachusetts and the Fed- eral courts are relieved almost entirely of migratory bird cases. Massachusetts has enacted a stringent law requiring the registra- tion of every permanent shooting blind or stand in the state. It provides that the Director of Fisheries and Game may absolutely close such a stand for a period of one year if, after a hearing, he has reason to believe that any violation of the migratory bird law has been committed by any person within the limits of the premises, regardless of whether or not a conviction has been secured in the state or federal court. These are examples of what the states are doing to* enforce the migratory bird laws and what states can do if given the opportunity. We will continue to give this cooperation in Massachusetts and New England, but we object to unjust and unnecessary restrictions upon the gunning of migratory waterfowl when our observations show a normal supply, if not an increase. Conclusion. We want the sovereignty of the respective states recognized and respected in the administration of migratory bird conservation and the right to handle our domestic problems, subject to the general prescription of major policies by federal authority. Con- stitutionally, all powers and rights not expressly granted to the Fed- eral Government are reserved to the respective states, and to the people. Conservationally, so to speak, it would appear that the in- herent rights of the states and the people are recognized in abridge- ment rather than in observance. To avoid repetition I have omitted the several matters covered by the other witnesses from Massachusetts. However, I have noted their manuscripts with approval and in their conclusions I heartily concur."

When the Advisory Board later organized at Washington, Commissioner Stobie, with the assistance of representatives from other sections of the country, was able to secure a modification of the 1931 regulations, with the result that Massachusetts was granted a two-month open season from October 16 to December 15, both inclusive, and the heretofore arbi- trary regulation concerning the number of live goose decoys to be used for gunning purposes was entirely removed. These two major changes, together with others of minor importance, met with the wide-spread approval of the water fowl gunners of the State, and the sportsmen were exceedingly grateful for the efforts which Commissioner Stobie made in their behalf in connection with obtaining these modifications. The data collected concerning the gunning stands showed the number of stands licensed to be 311; number of reports received, 270; ducks shot, 18,728; geese shot, 5,987; live duck decoys used, 4,613; wooden duck de- —

20 P.D. 25 coys used, 5,889; live goose decoys used, 5,802; wooden goose decoys used, 5,458. In comparing the above figures with those of last year it should be borne in mind that the season last year covered one month against approximately three months in past years. Pheasants.—A continued demand for an open season on hen pheasants resulted in a request by the Director to the Council of Sportsmen's Clubs of Massachusetts for a recommendation in regard to this matter, and at the meeting held in Greenfield on May 8 the Council recommended that the season remain closed on the female birds. The dissatisfaction continued to such an extent that the Director delayed the promulgation of regulations pending the meeting of the above Council on October 2. At that time the Council somewhat reversed its previous position and recommended an open season on hen pheasants in all the mainland counties except the four western counties, and the Director immediately issued regulations in accordance with the recommendation of the Council. Later, on request of the sportsmen of Hampden County, the regulations were amended to allow the shooting of hen pheasants in that county. Deer.—Under the terms of Chapter 264, Acts of 1932 the open season on deer was modified to the extent that the two-week open season in the four western counties was eliminated, and a straight one-week season established throughout the entire State, with the exception of Dukes County. By the terms of this statute the Director was given discretionary power to declare an additional open season of one week in the four western counties if, in his opinion, the situation warranted such action. An investigation disclosed that the land owners and the sportsmen of these counties were apparently satisfied with the statutory season of one week, and for that reason the Director did not exercise his discretionary powers in regard to declaring an additional open season. The total of deer killed in open season was (for the open season in December of 1931) 1,593 (837 bucks and 756 does), divided among the counties as follows: Barnstable, 154; Berkshire, 372; Bristol, 27; Dukes, none; Essex, 9; Franklin, 302; Hampden, 251; Hampshire, 121; Middle- sex, 33; Norfolk, 7; Plymouth, 70; Worcester, 201; locality not reported, 46. Data on damage by deer is treated in the section covering the work of the Supervisor of Fish and Game Permits and Claims. Wild Cat Bounties.—The record of bounties paid in 1931 on wild cats, inadvertently omitted from the report for that year, is given: Bounties of $10 each were paid by county treasurers (under Section 133, Chapter 131, General Laws) on 97 wild cats (the bay lynx and the Canada lynx) for which reimbursement was made by the Treasurer of the Common- wealth. During the present year bounties were thus paid on 102 wild cats.

Reservations Martha's Vineyard Reservation Evidence appearing that the one surviving heath hen had lived through the winter, Dr. Alfred O. Gross of Bowdoin College, Brunswick, Me., was engaged to make the annual spring check-up. His report follows: "The following report of the heath hen situation for the year 1931-32 is made under the auspices of the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Game. I made my annual visit to Martha's Vineyard Island March 28 to April 2 in company with three students of ornithology from Bow- doin College. In spite of our best efforts and the excellent co-operation of the state department, as well as that of many volunteer observers sta- tioned in various parts of the heath hen range, we failed to see the heath hen this year. On April 1, 1931, the last heath hen was trapped on the James Green farm and marked with two metal bands. An aluminum band number 407,- 880 was placed on the left leg, and a copper band, number A-634,024, P.D. 25 21 was fastened to the right tarsus. The bird returned to the vicinity of our blind on the following day apparently none the worse for its experience and continued to visit the traditional "booming or courting" field at regular intervals until May 9, 1931. The bird failed to make its appearance during the remainder of the year. On February 9, 1932, the bird unexpect- edly and dramatically appeared at the Green farm after an interval of nine months, to announce to the world that it was still alive. Thereafter it was seen at regular intervals until March 11, 1932, but according to James Green the bird seldom came to the exposed center of the field as it did in the past years and consistently kept itself close to the dense scrub- oak cover. Perhaps a harrowing experience with some predatory hawk or mammal has made this wary creature even more cautious. Mr. Green, owner of the farm, who keeps a constant watch for the famous bird, has not seen him since March 11, Thomas A. Dexter of Edgartown claims to have seen the bird when he passed the Green farm on the morning of April 6, but this report has not been substantiated by a subsequent record. This "last bird" has been alone since December 8, 1928, and is at least nine years old as there have been no young heath hen since the summer of 1924. The history of the heath hen and the various factors involved in its decline have been fully considered in previous reports, but it will be of interest to those who have not followed the status of this species to re- view the numbers of birds as recorded in the annual official census reports. The birds were at their height in 1916 as far as their recent history on Martha's Vineyard is concerned. In the early spring of that year over 800 birds were counted and an estimate as high as 2,000 was made by the warden in charge. The following table reveals the rapid decline of the heath hen from 1916 to the present time:

Year Number of Birds 1916 800 1920 314 1921 117 1922 75 1923 28 1924 17 (Including 3 females. This is the last year when broods of young were observed and reported) 1927 Spring 13 (Including 2 females) Autumn 7 (All males) 1928 Spring 3 males Autumn 2 males December 8 1 male 1929 Lone male studied and photographed during April. Seen on the Green farm until May 11. Appeared again in October and was seen throughout the winter. 1930 Bird again observed and photographed during April and reported on the Green farm until the middle of May and again during the autumn and winter months. 1931 April 1 trapped and banded. Seen at the Green farm until May 9. 1932 February 9. Seen regularly until March 11. April 6 reported as seen on the Green farm. After that date not seen up to the time of this report June 1, 1932.

Proposed Introduction of Prairie Chickens As in former years, earnest requests have come from organizations as well as from individual sportsmen and bird lovers to introduce the prairie chicken, a western sub-species, to mate with the closely related heath hen, for practical or purely sentimental reasons. Interest in this experiment was revived on February 23, 1932 when Mr. W. F. Grimmer of the Wis- consin Conservation Department offered to furnish the live prairie chick- —

22 P.D. 25 ens and to pay all expenses of transportation to Massachusetts. Mr. Lloyd Taylor and other interested persons of New York generously offered to provide additional funds as might be needed to carry out the experiment. The Martha's Vineyard Rod and Gun Club voted to favor the introduction and the Vineyard Gazette, the local paper of the Island took a decisive stand for the project. In view of the local as well as national interest in the experiment the offers made by the State of Wisconsin and the New York gentlemen were again submitted to the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Game. After a thorough consideration of the matter the State Department of Conservation refused to issue a permit for the introduction of the birds. Mr. Raymond J. Kenney, Director of the Divis- ion of Fisheries and Game issued the following statement, The Commissioner of Conservation and the Director of the Divis- ion of Fisheries and Game have given very careful consideration to the matter of the liberation of western prairie chickens on Martha's Vineyard. They consulted leading ornithologists and sportsmen in Massachusetts and obtained the sentiment of representative citizens of Martha's Vineyard, and majority opinion opposed the experiment. A final decision not to import prairie chickens was made on the basis of the foregoing.'

In connection with the suggested introductions of the prairie chickens the following statement was made in the heath hen report for 1931. 'In the past many attempts were made to introduce the prairie chicken, the close relative of the heath hen, to Pennsylvania and the plains of New Jersey, Long Island, and Massachusetts, including Martha's Vineyard. Although these introductions were made in large numbers and with great care, every one of them resulted in failure. Likewise introductions of the heath hen when these birds were abundant on Martha's Vineyard, made to Long Island and the mainland of Massachusetts, never proved a success. All attempts to rear the birds in captivity failed. It is apparent that pinnated grouse (heath hen and prairie chicken) do not lend themselves to such methods of conservation and are very sensitive to any change in their environment. They are not adaptable and are totally unlike the hardy pheasant, which can be readily transplanted from one part of the country to another. But grant that an introduction of prairie chickens to Martha's Vineyard might be successful, there would be only the re- motest chance that the last heath hen would mate successfully with the prairie chickens. One reason of the failure of the heath hen to raise young since 1924, when there were still a number of females present with the males, was the fact that excessive interbreeding had brought about declining sexual vigor and sterility.'

The atrophied sex organs of several males examined in 1925 gives strength to the view that our last heath hen is sterile. Furthermore ornithologists are not interested in a hybrid and the introduction of prairie chickens, a sub-species so similar in appearance to the heath hen, would becloud and obscure the final chapter of the heath hen. The widespread publicity that has been given to the last bird of its race is in itself evidence of the interest that the public has maintained for the vanishing heath hen on Martha's Vineyard Island. In the compli- cated and perplexing problems of conservation with which so many persons are concerned there is destined to be diverse and discordant opinions and the case of the heath hen has not been an exception. The Massachu- setts Department of Conservation fully realizes that it has in the heath hen a responsibility and a trust that is not limited to the State but which is national in scope. In dealing with this problem the department has not followed its own inclinations, but at present as in the past, it has sought the advice of the leading sportsmen, ornithologists and conservationists P.D. 25 23 and has closely adhered to what appeared to be the best policy for the majority concerned." # Since the visit of Dr. Gross the heath hen was seen one morning between July 15 and 20, by Edward T. Vincent of Edgartown. He started the bird on the road between West Tisbury and Edgartown, about two miles east of James Green's farm where the bird is usually seen. It flew from the side of the road, not 25 feet from him, scaled into the scrub oak, and lighted. Though somewhat ragged looking, it flew strong. The Division has maintained a keen interest in the welfare of the last heath hen, and unless there is definite and authentic evidence that the bird has died during the winter months, Dr. Gross will be engaged to make a further survey next spring.

Penikese Island Sanctuary, Henry S. Turner, Caretaker

This is the only reservation which has a permanent caretaker, and it is under the general oversight of the Supervisor of Fish and Game Permits and Claims. The caretaker's bungalow received repairs and improvements to make living conditions comfortable. Likewise necessary repairs were made to the wharf, a new Palmer Ford engine was installed in the boat Cora, and a rowing dory has replaced the old skiff. The tern colony arrived about ten days later than usual, and at once commenced egg-laying. The heavy rains at the end of June and on July 4 may have interfered with breeding, for in the middle of July it was found that the nests were abandoned and but few of the young could be located. As on other sections of the coast, eel grass, which is usually very plentiful, was entirely missing and the schools of sand eels and small fish (on which the gulls feed) were not abundant and did not appear much at the surface. Probably other factors could account in part for the poor breeding season. It is reported that much the same conditions prevailed on the other tern breeding areas. A large number of herring gulls bred at the east end of the peninsula. This colony is increasing, and apparently did well this season. The rabbit colony has increased well, and 446 were released on the mainland. The clover planted last year, which was thought not to have germinated, came this spring in great abundance, making excellent food for the rabbits. The effort over several years to establish bobwhite quail appears to be unsuccessful. Some of the first lots released that were not wing-clipped undoubtedly flew away from the island, while those that were clipped have gradually disappeared. Following the usual custom, members of the Federation of the Bird Clubs of New England, Inc., assisted by Supervisor Bourne and Care- taker Turner, banded about 500 of the small terns, and a number of adults were trapped and banded. In the fall also some of the ducks which light on the island were banded for the U. S. Biological Survey. A few satisfactory returns of past bandings were received, the most distant being a duck banded December 21, 1929 and shot June 20 of this year some twenty-five miles north of Hopedale, Labrador. A continual warfare is kept up against vermin of all kinds. Field mice, with which the island is overrun, appeared in large numbers this year. The same was true of garter snakes, of which about a thousand were killed in the early summer. These snakes were found to have eaten eggs and young terns. The trees set to give bird food and shelter have not survived, except that a few shoots appeared from the roots this year. The fresh water ponds were very low through the summer, and at times water had to be pumped from one of the nearby wells into the duck yard. The wooden markers in the cemetery of the former leper colony hav- 24 P.D. 25 ing decayed, they were replaced with small cast iron markers, numbered and initialed the same as the boards. A pfan of the area has been made so that the markers could be properly replaced if disturbed, and a list of the names of the persons buried here, obtained from the town clerk of Gosnold, will be kept on file. Constant police service is maintained to keep undesirable persons off the island. Other Sanctuaries

There is little to report concerning the various small areas which are sanctuaries for wild life, but on which no active work is carried on. The Isaac Sprague Bird Sanctuary—Carr Island.—This sanctuary has been much improved by removal of the last of the buildings, i. e the dwelling house and the boat house. The foundations and the well are the principal works of man to show what once was here. The forty shrubs bearing small fruits, that were set last year have nearly all grown. Rabbits have increased, and more small birds are seen nesting about the island than formerly. A general increase in wild life has been noted each year. Boxford Sanctuary.—The work of past year in poisoning gypsy moths has been followed up by further cruising for egg clusters. This will be necessary, for though the spraying was done thoroughly, moths from adjoining woodlots work in. A short path has been opened from the Clara Neil Brown tablet down the hill to the lower road, designated as the Fern Path as the hillside is covered with many varieties of ferns and brakes. Maiden hair ferns are in good numbers, and an abundance of the dagger ferns may be seen all the year round. One of the roads in the northerly section has been trimmed, and the Bald Hill Road has been filled and evened, so that both are now passable for forest fire apparatus. Watatic Mountain Wild Life Reservation, Ashby and Ashburn- ham; Minns Wild Life Sanctuary, Princeton; and Edward Howe Forbush Wild Life Reservation, Hancock.—A small amount of trim- ming of brush at the boundaries has been the extent of the work at these reservations, making them easier of access in case of forest fires and for patrol of the boundaries by wardens during the hunting season. Huebner Wild Life Sanctuary.—The thirty-eight acre tract of land given the Commonwealth in 1930 by the New England Power Company near the Ayer State Game Farm, was not given detailed notice in last year's report. This fine area was fully posted this year, and a strand of telephone wire has been run completely around the boundaries. Consider- able work is necessary to clear the land of tree tops and slash left on it by the private party who before it was given to the State held a right to cut out the white pines. This constitutes a serious fire menace, and also obstructs the new growth which is rapidly coming in.

Public Fishing and Hunting Grounds A permanent Field Agent was appointed upon the establishment of an eligible list, —Mr. Arnold E. Howard of Lowell, who established his headquarters at Russell. Mr. Howard continued the work of acquiring leases of land along the Westfield River for public fishing grounds, started last year. When the work had been completed there were fifty-four miles of land, covered by one hundred and ten leases, which run from April 1, 1932, to April 1, 1937. The opening of the trout season on April 15 marked the opening of the first public fishing ground in the State when the sixty-four mile strip of public fishing ground on the three branches of the Westfield River was formally thrown open to the fishermen. Unsatisfactory weather conditions at the opening of the season limited the number of fishermen who P.D. 25 25 appeared on the river, but as the season progressed the number gradually increased. Special warden patrol was maintained on this stream during practically the entire trout fishing season. The fishermen readily approved the plan and the way in which the stream was conspicuously posted for their convenience, and satisfaction was expressed by the owners of the leased lands with the manner in which the fishermen observed the regulations in regard to its use. In the middle of July a second Field Agent, Mr. Edwin P. Simpson of Billerica, was appointed temporarily for the remainder of the year, in order that the work could be pushed in two parts of the State at one time. In order to locate possibilities for other public fishing grounds, the Di- vision's biologists had been making a reconnaisance in the northeastern and southeastern parts of the State, covering thirty-nine streams (in addition to certain streams of which they were making an exhaustive survey and study as part of their biological work). Most of this large number of streams proved unsuitable, but the Squannacook River in Townsend, the Shingle Island River in Dartmouth, the Copicut River in Dartmouth and Fall River, and the Farmington River in Sandisfield, Otis and Tolland (together with its tributaries, the Buck and the Clam Rivers), were selected as meeting the requirements. The Squannacook River, with several tributary brooks maintaining an all-year round flow, appeared to be the best stream, and the work of obtaining agreements to lease was commenced on August 1 by Field Agent Simpson. The plan received the approval of the Townsend National Bank and the Fessenden Companies, Inc. of Townsend, who own large distances along the stream. The owners have been willing to give parking places; and the rights of way to the river through the properties were acquired without difficulty where needed. Two owners who had previously posted their lands against hunting and fishing, adopted the Division's plan as a better method of control and leased their distances along the stream. To date in the distance between Townsend Harbor and Ash Swamp where the Squannacook River makes up, a distance of seventeen miles has been leased out of a possible twenty. The unleased parcels are mostly house lots, several owners being located too far away to contact personally. The leases run from April 1, 1933 to April 1, 1938. The leased grounds will be opened to the fishermen at the beginning of the trout season next spring, and they will be posted and controlled in a manner similar to that prevailing on the Westfield River system. While the foregoing work was being done on the Squannacook River, Field Agent Howard had commenced, the first of August, securing agreements to lease lands upon the Konkapot River in Monterey and New Marl- borough upon the recommendation of the Council of Sportsmen's Clubs of Massachusetts, and with assurance that the land owners were willing to open their lands to the public. Contrary to expectations, however, the land owners did not take kindly to the State's program, and after working six weeks in this territory it was decided to abandon this stream for the present. In contrast to the Westfield River System, which had but a very small percentage of posted territory, the Konkapot River was found to have nearly fifty percent of its length posted against hunting and fishing. The Southern Berkshire Land Owners' Association, which con- trols the entire upper end of this stream, went on record, at its annual meeting on October 3, not to lease to the State. Twenty agreements to lease, representing about three miles of the river, were acquired during the time spent there. Following this Field Agent Howard spent considerable time in complet- ing some of the detailed work on the Westfield River leases, after which he turned his attention to the Farmington River. Here much more friend- ly feeling was noted on the part of the land owners, as contrasted with that on the Konkapot River, and agreements covering over two miles of the river have already been signed up. 26 P.D. 25 About November 1 Field Agent Simpson commenced getting agreements on the Copicut and Shingle Island Rivers in Dartmouth and Fall River. At the close of the year he was making satisfactory progress. In order to place the public fishing grounds work on an efficient basis, the supervision of the leasing work, together with the maintenance of the leased property after the leases have been excuted, has been placed in the hands of the Supervisor of Permits and Claims, who is responsible for the erection and maintenance of suitable posters for the mutual benefit of the land owners and the sportsmen. While considerable study has been given to the question of establishing public hunting grounds, no definite policy has yet been established and no work done along those lines.

INLAND FISHERIES Ponds

No rights of way to any of the great ponds were established this year. Although a petition was filed (under chapter 453, Acts of 1923) for laying out such a right of way to Lake Marguerite or Simon's Pond in Sand- isfield, and reported on in House 1220 by the Department of Public Works, it did not receive favorable action.

Great Ponds Stocked and Closed

Within the period of this report (Dec. 1, 1931 to Nov. 30, 1932) the following-named ponds were stocked under S. 40, C. 131, G.L. and regulations applied by the Director closing the ponds to fishing for the periods listed below, with a penalty of twenty dollars for each violation of the regulations. This list does not include ponds on which similar regulations have been applied in past years, and which are still in effect.

Regulations are effective for Body of Water Town the following periods, both dates inclusive.

Watson's Pond ...... Taunton Jan. 6, 1932 to May 29, 1932 Nov. 1, 1932 to May 29, 1933 Nov. 1, 1933 to May 29, 1934

Sabbatia Lake (also called Scaddings or Scuddings Taunton Jan. 7, 1932 to May 29, 1932 Pond) Nov. 1, 1932 to May 29, 1933 Nov. 1, 1933 to May 29, 1934

Mirimichi Lake (also called Shepards Pond) Foxboro and Nov. 1, 1932 to May 29, 1933 Plainville Nov. 1, 1933 to May 29, 1934 Nov. 1, 1934 to May 29, 1935

Mary's Pond (also called Cary's Pond) Rochester and Nov. 1, 1932 to May 29, 1933 Marion Nov. 1, 1933 to May 29, 1934 Nov. 1, 1934 to May 29, 1935

Snow's Pond ...... Rochester Nov. 1, 1932 to May 29, 1933 Nov. 1, 1933 to May 29, 1934 Nov. 1, 1934 to May 29, 1935

Snippatuit Pond ...... Rochester Nov. 1, 1932 to May 29, 1933 Nov. 1, 1933 to May 29, 1934 Nov. 1, 1934 to May 29, 1935

Monponsett Lakes, East and West Halifax and Nov. 1, 1932 to May 29, 1933 Hanson Nov. 1, 1933 to May 29, 1934 Nov. 1, 1934 to May 29, 1935 P.D. 25 27 Breeding Areas in Ponds and Streams No breeding areas in great ponds were closed during the year. Such regulations are still in effect on Lake George in Wales (until Dec. 1, 1932) and on Bare Hill Pond, Harvard (until Dec. 1, 1932) and on Bare Hill Pond, Harvard (until Dec. 1, 1933). Under the provisions of Chapter 78, Acts of 1932, the Director was given authority to close feeder or tributary streams to all fishing where- ever, in his opinion, such action would improve the fishing conditions, provided the consent of the riparian land owners could be obtained. The pressure of other work made it necessary for the Director to refer this matter to the County Leagues, with a suggestion that an effort be made to secure the necessary consents from the riparian land owners along the tributary streams to the principal trout brooks in each county. Appar- ently no action was taken by the county leagues in connection with this important conservation measure. But as soon as time will permit, the Division will proceed under the terms of this statute as such a program has potential means of greatly improving the trout fishing conditions. It is selfevident that trout streams of the State cannot indefinitely maintain trout fishing if the entire area is open to the fishermen, and the ju- dicious use of the authority granted by this statute should show a marked improvement in trout fishing as its provisions are brought into operation on various trout streams. PROPAGATION OF FISH AND GAME Fish Hatcheries and Game Farms—General At the beginning of the year several parcels of land were held under lease at the various fish hatcheries, and as a part of the general development program it was decided that all of the land necessary at this time should be purchased in order that a definite program could be laid out.

The following purchases were made : for the Sutton Ponds, at the Sut- ton State Fish Hatchery, 12 acres from Grace E. Sullivan, 8 acres from George T. Young, 25.97 acres from David Welch et als, 34.4 acres from George H. Thompson, and 5.86 acres from Fred L. Batcheller; for the Sunderland State Fish Hatchery, 2.34 acres from Louis Horst, Fish Cul- turist in charge. The foregoing represents all the land necessary for the propagation work. An effort was made to purchase a parcel of land from the town of Sut- ton in connection with the development of the Sutton Ponds but as satisfactory arrangements could not be made with the town officials and the land was not absolutely necessary for the fish cultural work of the station, the option was relinquished and the use of the land discontinued at the end of the fiscal year. Options on three parcels of land at the Mont- ague State Fish Hatchery, which were held by Mr. Ralph Bitzer, the Fish Culturist in charge, were also given up because they are not necessary for the final development of the station. To prevent confusion in the minds of the public an official designation was adopted for each fish hatchery and game farm, and an ornamental sign bearing the name of the station has been placed at the entrance to each plant. In the future these fish hatcheries and game farms will be designated as follows:

Ayer State Game Farm Montague State Fish Hatchery Marshfield State Game Farm Palmer State Fish Hatchery Sandwich State Game Farm Sandwich State Fish Hatchery Wilbraham State Game Farm Sunderland State Fish Hatchery East Sandwich State Fish Hatchery Sutton State Fish Hatchery

The station formerly known as the Amherst Fish Hatchery is now known as the Sunderland State Fish Hatchery, for the reason that the land at the station is located entirely within the town of Sunderland. RD 25 28 - From the foregoing it will be observed that many of the stations heretofore designated as fish rearing stations have become full-fledged hatcheries. It is the purpose of this Divisi n to establish each fish hatchery as an independent producing unit, similar to the game farms, which is contrasted with the previous policy of hatching the fish at three of the stations and then transferring the fry to the fish rearing stations. This plan will place each fish hatchery on an independent basis, and eventually the cost of pro- make it possible to definitely and accurately determine ducing fish at each station. This was not entirely possible under the past system of interchanging stock from one station to the other. The hatchery buildings at the Sutton State Fish Hatchery and the East Sand- wich State Fish Hatchery were put in condition again, and will operate in the future in the hatching of the fish necessary for the maintenance of the plant. In addition to the new construction work enumerated under the various stations, the usual amount of repair and replacement work was carried on to maintain the plants on an efficient operating basis. Although this work was extensive and represented the expenditure of a considerable amount of money for all of the stations, yet it consisted entirely of small projects, the enumeration of which is eliminated in keeping with the necessity of the condensation of this report. The areas at the hatcheries which required reforestation and on which such work has been carried on for some years, have practically all been taken care of, and it is expected that the reforestation program at all of the stations will be completed in another year. A definite daily wage scale and uniform working hours were established for the labor service at the game farms and fish hatcheries as contrasted with the past policy of hourly, weekly and monthly rates at the various stations. The rent allowances formerly given to fish culturists and game culturists who do not live in State-owned houses was discontinued and the salaries of the culturists affected were adjusted to place them on an equal basis with culturists living on State-owned property. This readjustment not only placed all of the culturists on an equal basis but effected a considerable saving of money to the Division. All of the employees who are not entitled to living quarters as a part of their wages, but who live in State-owned houses, are required to pay a monthly rental commensur- ate with the type of building occupied, and this rule has added somewhat to the revenue of the Division. All of the fish culturists and game culturists were appointed as fish and game wardens, thus giving them full authority to enforce the fish and game laws not only on the areas under their immediate charge, but any- where throughout the State where they may witness violations of the law, particularly while they are engaged in planting fish or game. The vacation allowances of the culturists were adjusted to place them on the same basis as the warden force, and under the new ruling the culturists are granted two weeks vacation during the summer months, and two weeks during the winter months. This eliminates the handicap previously placed upon the work when some of the culturists took four weeks vacation during the summer months. To effect further economies a survey of the telephone service was made at all of the hatcheries and unnecessary extension sets or special equipment were eliminated. A similar survey is being made of the electric light and power service, and while this is not completed the possibilities of savings along this line have become apparent.

East Sandwich State Fish Hatchery—Alfred C. Fish, Assistant Fish Culturist in Charge New Construction.—The hatchery building was reconstructed and put into use, as this station is being transformed from a rearing station to an independent unit. Brook Trout.—The year opened with 47,508 fingerling brook trout on P.D. 25 29 hand, 2,508 of which were lost and 45,000 reclassified as yearlings. Of these 10,710 were lost or unaccounted for, 33,580 distributed to public waters, and 710 distributed for display purposes. There was evidence of furunculosis in some of the pools, and after the fish were distributed the pools were carefully sterilized with chlorine. No trace of the disease has appeared among this year's hatch. For the work of the year, 70,272 brook trout fry were received from the Sandwich State Fish Hatchery, 1,125 of which were lost and 69,147 reclassified as fingerlings. Of these 19,060 were lost or unaccounted for, 22,612 (4,062 2-4 inch and 18,550 5-6 inch) distributed to open waters, and 27,475 are on hand November 30. Chinook Salmon.—For the work of the season, 50,000 Chinook salmon eggs were received in exchange for brook trout eggs purchased and sent to the California Fish and Game Commission. 3,220 were lost and 46,780 fry hatched, of which 3,305 were lost and 43,475 fingerlings were distributed to open waters.

Montague State Fish Hatcher Iph Bitzer, Fish Culturist in Charge New Construction.—In addition to the general repair and replacement work on the dams and pools, a large pond was constructed at the lower end of the hatchery property. This will be used for holding the brook trout maintained as brood stock. This completes the development work at this station, as all of the land now owned by the Commonwealth has been fully developed, and future operations will be the maintenance and operation of the plant as now constructed. New Equipment.—The oxygen tank which had been used by Salvage Unit No. 1 was transferred to this station when new salvage equipment replaced it. Brook Trout.—Of the 317 adult brook trout on hand at the beginning of the year, 55 were lost, 112 distributed for display, and 150 remain on hand November 30.

The year opened with 121,440 fingerlings on hand ( a recount added 20,840 to the previous inventory of 106,600). All were reclassified as yearlings, and of these 21,300 were distributed to club rearing pools, 95,140 to open waters, 800 were lost and 4,200 retained as the nucleus of a brood stock and from which eggs were stripped in the fall of 1932. Late in December of 1931, 440,000 eggs from three-year-old fish were purchased, and to these were added in February 25,000 eggs from two- year-old fish, also purchased. Of the 465,000 eggs handled, 19,117 were lost and 445,883 hatched, of which 90,076 were lost, 140,545 transferred to the Sunderland State Fish Hatchery, and 215, 262 reclassified as fingerlings. Of these 6,012 were lost, 164,250 (63,300 2-4 inch and 100,950 4-6 inch) distributed to open waters, and 45,000 remain on hand Novem- ber 30. Rainbow Trout.—A brood stock of rainbow trout is maintained at this station. The year opened with 944 adults on hand, to which were added 1,600 yearlings reclassified as adults. Of these 2,544 adult fish, 6 were distributed for display, 128 lost, and 2,410 are on hand November 30. Of the 5,100 yearlings on hand December 1, 1,600 (reared from eggs collected at this station) were added to the adults, 2,795 distributed to open waters, and 705 lost. The year opened with 50,650 fingerlings on hand (a recount added 2,650 to the previous inventory) of which 13,500 were distributed to open waters, and 37,150 reclassified as yearlings. Of these 800 were transferred in June to the Sutton State Fish Hatchery and 36,350 distributed to open waters. For the work of the season 50,000 eggs were received on December 3, 1931 from the U. S. Bureau of Fisheries station at White Sulphur Springs, West Va. in exchange for which we purchased and shipped to their Nashua, N. H. station 50,000 brook trout eggs. From the middle of January to the middle of February, 65,000 eggs were collected from the 30 P.D. 25 brood stocks at this station and about the middle of April, 5,000 more were taken from the station stock making a total of 120,000 rainbow trout eggs handled. Of the eggs received and collected, 29,500 were lost and 90,500 hatched, of which 10,000 were lost and 80,500 reclassified as fingerlings. Of these 3,500 were lost, 10,000 transferred to the Sutton State Fish Hatchery in November, 75 distributed for display, 16,200 distributed to open waters, and 50,725 are on hand November 30.

Palmer State Fish Hatchery—William F. Monroe, Fish Culturist in Charge Brook Trout.—The year opened with 71,998 fingerling brook trout on hand, all of which were reclassified as yearlings. 32,773 were lost, 500 transferred to the Sandwich State Fish Hatchery as control fish in the sterilization work at that station, 33,425 were distributed to public waters, and 5,300 distributed to club rearing pools. From the supply pond 16 adult brook trout were collected and distributed to open waters. For the work of the season 215,000 eggs from three-year-old fish were purchased, of which 9,158 were lost and 205,842 hatched. Of the fry hatched, 20,644 were lost, 82,000 transferred to the Sutton State Fish Hatchery, and 103,198 reared and reclassified as fingerlings. Of these 32,098 were lost or unaccounted for, 65,900 (15,500 1-inch and 50,400 4-6 inches) distributed to public waters, and 5,200 are on hand Novem- ber 30. Small-mouth Black Bass.—The season started with 251 adult brood fish on hand, to which were added early in May, 181 brood stock fish taken in a salvage job. Of these 6 were distributed for display purposes, 126 were lost, and 300 are on hand November 30. From the bass ponds there were collected and distributed to open waters 175,000 fry and 35,900 fingerlings. In addition, 75 fingerlings were distributed for display. The fingerling production fell somewhat short of other years. This was partly due to the fact that seven adult large mouth black bass which had been held in the stock ponds for exhibition purposes, spawned, and the resulting fry passed through the screens into two of the rearing ponds used for small mouth bass. The large mouth black bass so outgrew the small mouth bass, that when the pond was drawn off it was found they had eaten a great number of the small mouth bass fingerlings. The large mouth bass fingerlings were distributed in October. Many of these fish, hatched in May, had reached six inches in length. All large mouth black bass have been removed from the ponds to avoid a repetition of this experience. The natural food supply in the bass ponds was increased by planting aquatic plants in those ponds which were barren, and every effort is being bent to further increase the natural food supply by fertilizing the ponds. From a pond in the eastern part of the State 15,000 mummychugs were collected and used for bass food. Pickerel, Blue Gills, Horned Pout, Large Mouth Bass.—To the horned pout on hand at the beginning of the year were added 30 adults from a salvage job. From the supply ponds were collected and distributed the following: 355 pickerel, 223 blue gills, and 1,822 horned pout. From the bass ponds there were also collected and distributed 1,660 large mouth black bass.

Sandwich State Fish Hatchery—Irving E. Leivis, Fish Culturist in Charge

Brook Trout.—The year opened with 90,868 fingerlings on hand, all of which were reclassified as yearlings. Of these 13,638 were lost, and 77,230 distributed to open waters. From the Palmer State Fish Hatchery 500 yearlings were received to be used as control fish in the sterilization work at this hatchery. Of these P.D. 25 31 54 were lost and 446 are on hand November 30 as the nucleus of a brood stock, from which eggs were stripped this fall. About the middle of December, 1931, there were purchased 445,000 brook trout eggs from three-year old fish, and to these were added on February first, 75,000 brook trout eggs from two-year-old fish, also purchased, making a total of 520,000 eggs handled at this station. Of these 14,760 were lost and 505,240 hatched. 70,272 were transferred to the East Sandwich State Fish Hatchery, 73,500 were lost, and 361,468 were reclassified as fingerlings. There were 198,268 fingerlings lost, 31,400 (4-6 in.) distributed to public waters, and 131,800 are on hand November 30. Sunderland State Fish Hatchery,—Louis Horst, Fish Culturist in Charge New Construction.—Further development was carried on in the so- called Graves tract, and as a result a large pond and five pools were constructed for the propagation of brown trout. While considerable development work still remains to be done at this station, the additions of this year will increase the output of brown trout by several thousand. The combined garage and storage building constructed last year was completed and a modern meat room installed, with a new motor and large meat grinder capable of handling the feed for the increased production. A new shipping stand was built in the rear of the new building. The combination of this work made it possible to remove the old garage, meat house and shipping stand, all of which had become obsolete and marred the appearance of the hatchery grounds. New Equipment.—A new oxygen tank for distribution work was purchased and put into service at the beginning of the fall distribution work. Brook Trout.—No brood stock of brook trout had been held over at this station. Of the 82,000 fingerling brook trout on hand at the beginning of the year, 2,000 were lost as fingerlings and 8,000 reclassified as yearlings. Of these 3,930 were lost, 65,970 distributed to open waters, and 10,100 distributed to club rearing pools. During March and April 140,545 brook trout fry were received from the Montague State Fish Hatchery. They were a vigorous lot and after a loss of 2,545 as fry made splendid growth during the summer. 138,000 were reared and reclassified as fingerlings. Of the fingerlings, 75 were distributed for display purposes, 100,850 (4-6 inch) to open waters, 11,925 were lost and 25,150 are on hand No- vember 30. Brown Trout.—A brood stock of brown trout is maintained at this station, and all eggs collected, as well as the eggs received from other sources, are hatched here. The year opened with 529 adult brown trout on hand, 30 of which have been distributed for display purposes, and 499 are on hand November 30. The year opened with 62,495 fingerlings on hand (a recount added 7,495 to the previous inventory), 30 classified as fingerlings were distributed for display purposes early in the year, and the balance of 62,465 reclassified as yearlings. Of these 8,000 were turned over to the Sutton State Fish Hatchery for brood stock, 15 distributed for display, 52,650 to open waters, 1,500 to club rearing pools; and 300 are on hand Novem- ber 30. During November, 1931 there had been 352,000 eggs stripped from the station's brood stock. These eggs developed white spot disease and 50% of losses in eggs and fry can be attributed to this cause. The remaining fry made a surprisingly good growth, attributed mostly to feeding with with dried salmon eggs, used for the first time in brown trout feeding at this station. In addition 100,000 brown trout eggs were received from the U. S. Bureau of Fisheries station at Bozeman, Mont, in exchange for brook trout eggs purchased and sent to their Nashua, N. H. station, 32 P.D. 25 making 452,000 eggs handled of which 324,000 hatched. The new ponds built in the Hubbard tract for rearing brown trout proved to be very satisfactory, the fish making an exceptionally good growth. Of the fry hatched, 800 were distributed for study purposes, 160,300 lost and 162,900 reclassified as fingerlings. Of these 75 were distributed for display purposes, 57,825 lost and 105,000 are on hand November 30.

Sutton State Fish Hatchery,—Arthur Merrill, Fish Culturist in Charge New Construction.—At the fish hatchery the series of pools below the road were reconstructed and repaired and brought back into use after a lapse of several years. These were used for rearing brown and rainbow trout. The hatchery building was reconstructed and put into use as part of the plan to make the plant an independent unit. Brook Trout.—No brood stock of brook trout had been retained at this station. The year opened with 36,000 fingerling brook trout on hand, all of which were reclassified as yearlings. Of these, 2,191 were lost, 52 distributed for study, and 33,757 to open waters. For the work of the year 82,000 brook trout fry were received from the Palmer State Fish Hatchery, of which 22,000 were lost and 60,000 reared and reclassified as fingerlings. Of these 8,000 were lost, and 52,000 are on hand November 30. The growth of the fingerling stock was not as good as in previous years when the pools were stocked with fry that began feeding three months earlier. Growth appeared to be checked during the latter part of the summer when there was an abnormally low flow of water, but was accelerated when the heavy rains increased the flow. The shrinkage of fish in numbers due to predatory vermin was as usual, but less than might be expected as the measures taken against this vermin were more than usually effective. In selecting the brown and rainbow trout for distribution 300 adult brook trout were sorted out and from which eggs were stripped in the fall. They are on hand November 30. Brown Trout.—The year opened with 10,000 brown trout fingerlings on hand, and these were later all reclassified as yearlings. They were carried through the summer on an exceptionally small flow of water and made satisfactory growth, with normal losses and no trace of disease. An additional lot of 8,000 yearlings was received in June from the Sunder- land State Fish Hatchery. Of these 18,000 fish, 3,690 were lost, 10 distributed for study, and 14,300 to open waters. Rainbow Trout.—As an experiment, 800 rainbow trout yearlings were transferred to this station from the Montague State Fish Hatchery in June. 280 were lost, 10 distributed for study, and 510 held until October when they were distributed. This lot of fish was carried through the summer in the same section of the hatchery as the brown trout on an exceptionally small flow of water, and made very satisfactory growth. A lot of 10,000 rainbow trout fingerlings was transferred from the Monta- gue State Fish Hatchery in November, 1,100 of which were lost and 8,900 are on hand November 30. Sutton Ponds.—These ponds are considered a part of the Sutton State Fish Hatchery. Hereafter what have been known as the Stockwell Pond Unit, the Welsh-Sullivan Unit and the Sutton-Thompson Unit will be treated under the head of Sutton Ponds. The outstanding development upon this area was the construction of a large fish trap and holding pockets for use in the distribution of the pond fish propagated on this area. It had been the past policy to carry on at the Sutton Fish Hatchery the sorting and distribution of the product of the pond system, but an independent shipping stand was built at the pond system and all fish are now shipped directly from the ponds, eliminating the re-handling of the fish and the time and expense of trucking them to the hatchery. With P.D. 25 33 the relinquishment of the options on land not necessary for the development of the pond system, this area has been brought to a point of comple- tion for all practical purposes, and while a small amount of additional work must be done next year it will be in the nature of minor changes in the present system, rather than extension or development. When the ponds were drawn down to make distribution of the crop of fish produced in 1931, they were restocked with a view to securing, in 1932, as large a proportion of yearlings as possible. To this end large numbers of fingerling horned pout and perch, and as many crappie as it was possible to sort out, were returned to the ponds. No restocking was made with blue gills as it is the plan to abandon the distribution of blue gills as rapidly as the brood stock can be eliminated from the pond system. As usual the channels were cleaned down as thoroughly as could be done to eliminate the common sunfish, and shiners except where the latter were needed for fish food. During 1932 the production of yearling fish was large in all ponds, reaching, for the system as a whole, the highest number for any year. Horned pout fingerling production was normal in all ponds, and exceptionally high in the Sutton-Thompson Ponds, which had been stocked mainly with that species. Perch bred heavily in all ponds where the old stock had been returned, and the 1932 production was a record one. Crappie in 1932, as was the case the year before, had a non-breeding year, and the number produced was very small. Pickerel production was fair in all ponds, but much better, in proportion to the breeding stock, in other ponds than the Welsh pond. The latter had been stocked largely with pickerel, but with only as many fingerlings of other species as it was estimated were necessary for pickerel food. When the Welsh Pond was drawn down the stock of mixed fish found in it was excessively large in proportion to the number which had been put back, showing that there had been a large drift from the other ponds. On this account the Arnold Pond has been selected to carry the heaviest stock of pickerel for the 1933 crop, as this pond can receive no drift from other ponds. No blue gills had been returned to the ponds in 1931, as previously stated, and the stock taken out in 1932 was the product of stock that had remained in the channels of the various ponds. Breeding and restocking could be done to much better advantage if all undesirable fish could be exterminated. Then production could be limited to the species intended for cultivation. This would obviate the necessity of the most troublesome job in drawing the ponds, that is, driving the channels to remove the undesirables. The three species that should be eliminated, shiners, common sunfish, and blue gills, do not serve any useful purpose in the production of any other fish, as is shown by the production of pickerel in the Sutton Pond, where none of these fish existed. The Sutton Pond had been used for horned pout breeding only, all other fish having been eliminated by treatment. When it was drawn, pickerel were found in considerable numbers, which may be explained as a prob- able overflow from an adjacent pond, probably during the high water of spring, as the larger number were fingerlings. Not more than 15 to 20 were of breeding size. The production from these breeders was near two thous- and, possibly an increase of 100%. This output is of great interest as indicating the conditions favorable for pickerel breeding. The pond contained horned pout in great numbers, but no other fish that pickerel or- dinarily feed on, and the fingerlings must of necessity have fed wholly on insect food. When the pond was drawn into the lower Sutton Pond, the water was clouded with swimming insects, showing a food supply for a great number of fish, and this food the horned pout evidently did not eat. It appears from this output, and the average large size of the fingerlings (well above 7 inches), that fish food is not necessary for pickerel, : RD 25 34 - production was so much smaller and since in all other ponds the pickerel evident that the food fish in proportion to the breeding stock, it is very young pickerel, than good put in for pickerel do more harm in destroying

i as a pickerel food supply. . the Thompson pond As a further test 75 breeding pickerel were put in which remains to where the only other stock is horned pout, the results of be seen ponds: The following stock from outside sources was planted in the to 12 inch) ; from Little and Salt Ponds, Falmouth, 52 yellow perch (10 from Lynde Brook Reservoir, Leicester, 71 yellow perch (10 to 13 m.). pools and Distributions from the ponds to open waters, club rearing pond for display and study for the period of this report totalled 741,888 gills; horned pout; fish, divided as follows: 118,376 blue 309,462 83,499 11 497 pickerel; 279,014 yellow perch; 23,539 crappie. In addition, and food forms were distributed to open waters, for exhibit and study, to the Palmer State Fish Hatchery.

Work of the Salvage Units Two new two-ton Dodge trucks were purchased for the salvage units, the replacing the White and Reo trucks which had become worn out in distribution service Both units were equipped with oxygen tanks for the transferred to of fish, and the tank formerly used by Unit No. 1 was the Montague State Fish Hatchery for use in the distribution of fish from that station. No new methods were tried in catching the fish, the portable fyke traps with D-shaped hoops and long leaders being wholly used. Much scouting be- was done in search of a supply of white perch, but this species has come rather scarce in the coastal ponds during the past few years. Mill Pond, Yarmouth, Kelly's Pond, Dennis, and Follins Pond, Dennis and Yarmouth, were prospected in search of white perch in quantities, but without success. Salvage operations were started early in April at Oyster Pond, Falmouth, to secure the spring supply of white perch to be used in stocking inland ponds. The weather conditions in April were adverse to successful operations, being unseasonably cold with heavy wind the white about all that month on the coast. Oyster Pond did not produce perch in the desired numbers, and after nine days the operations were transferred to Little Pond, Falmouth. This pond also did not produce the white perch, and again the work was transferred, this time to Salt Pond, Falmouth, where better success was met. The complete schedule of salvage jobs by both units for securing both white perch and pond fish, follows

Salvage Unit No. 1 —William H. Seaman, Fish Culturist in Charge Oyster Pond, Falmouth, April 12 to 18. 40,840 yellow perch, 4,760 white perch, planted in open waters. Total—45,600. Little and Salt Ponds, Falmouth, April 19 to 30. 195 horned pout, 10,- 725 yellow perch, 14,200 white perch, planted in open waters. In addition 340 white perch were sent to the U. S. Bureau of Fisheries Station at Woods Hole for experimental purposes, and 52 yellow perch were sent to the Sutton Ponds for breeding purposes. Total—25,512. Great Pond, Weymouth, May 6 to 14. 1,375 horned pout, 50 pickerel, 3,650 yellow perch, 8,700 white perch, 410 small mouth black bass, planted in open waters. In addition 24 horned pout were sent to Harvard Uni- versity for research and 35 horned pout, 1 pickerel, 50 yellow perch, 50 white perch, 6 small mouth black bass to the South Boston Aquarium for exhibition purposes. Total—14,351. Johnson's Pond, Boxford and Groveland, May 17 to 21. 680 horned pout, 152 pickerel, 3,050 yellow perch, 2,850 white perch, 29 large mouth black bass, planted in open waters. Total—6,761. —

35 P.D. 25 Wenham Pond, Wenham and Beverly, May 23 to 31. 285 horned pout, black 170 pickerel, 190 yellow perch, 5,730 white perch, 115 small mouth bass, planted in open waters. Total—6,490. Butler Ames Pond, Tewksbury and Andover, June 6 to 14. 8,900 blue waters. Total— gills, 17,650 crappie, 350 horned pout, planted in open 26 900 crappie, horned pout, E Hales Brook, Chelmsford, June 9. 600 1,800 1 200 yellow perch, planted in open waters. Total—3,600. Suntaug Lake, Lynnfield and Peabody, June 15 to 21. 600 crappie, 15 horned pout, 40 pickerel, 200 yellow perch, 300 small mouth black bass, planted in open waters. In addition 25 crappie, 6 pickerel, 4 small mouth black bass, 3 crap and 15 sunfish were sent to the South Boston Aquar- ium for exhibition purposes. Total—1,208. Long Pond, Falmouth, June 24 to July 2. 420 yellow perch, 2,230 small mouth black bass, planted in open waters. Total—2,650. Buckmaster Pond, Westwood, July 6 to 11. 4 pickerel, 200 yellow perch, 50 small mouth black bass, planted in open waters. In addition 551 horned pout were planted in Hersey Pond, Foxborough, and 16 small mouth black bass in Hemingway Pond, Milton for breeding purposes. Total— 821. Silver Lake, Halifax, July 14 to 16. No results.

Salvage Unit No. 2—Elmer A. Macker, Fish Culturist in Charge Birch Pond, Lynn and Saugus, April 11 to 21. 58 pickerel, 386 yellow perch, 56 small mouth black bass, planted in open waters. Total—500. Walden Pond, Lynn and Saugus, April 22 to 26. No results. Lynde Reservoir, Leicester, April 29 to May 11. 910 horned pout, 154 pickerel, 1,230 yellow perch, 160 small mouth black bass, planted in open waters. In addition 71 yellow perch were sent to the Sutton Ponds and 181 small mouth black bass and 30 horned pout were sent to the Palmer State Fish Hatchery for breeding purposes. Total—2,736. Cedar Meadow Pond, Leicester, May 13 to 24. 6,175 horned pout, 75 pickerel, 15,165 yellow perch, 18,275 white perch, planted in open waters. Total—39,690. No Town Reservoir, Fitchburg and Leominster, and Simond s Pond, Fitchburg, May 27 to June 10. 6,495 horned pout, 20 pickerel, 9,100 yellow perch, planted in open waters. Total—15,615. Phillipston Reservoir, Phillipston, June 13 to 20. 200 horned pout, planted in open waters. Total—200. Basin No. 2, Deerfield River, Conway, June 22 to 25. No results. Beaman Reservoir, North Adams, June 23. No results. Echo Lake, Hopkinton, July 1 to 11. 1,008 yellow perch, planted in open waters. Total—1,008. Ashby Reservoir, Ashby and Ashburnham, July 16 to 23. 40 horned pout, 29 pickerel, 1,125 yellow perch, planted in open waters. Total—1,194.

Miscellaneous Salvage

Several smaller lots of miscellaneous fish were salvaged by the wardens and the fish planted in local ponds: From a pond in the eastern part of the State 15,000 mummychugs were collected and taken to Palmer State Fish Hatchery for bass food. From Millvale Reservoir, Haverhill—2 pickerel; 23,300 yellow perch. Total—23,302. From Hersey Pond, Foxboro—76 pickerel, 600 suckers, 750 sunfish. Total—1,426. From Henry's Pond, Taunton—520 horned pout, 45 sunfish. Total—565. The salvage operations resulted in the collection of 218,716 fish (194,- 818 by the salvage units and 23,898 from the miscellaneous jobs by wardens) as well as 16,413 food forms collected by the salvage units and wardens. 36 P.D. 25 Of the 218,716 fish salvaged, 217,274 were distributed to open waters, 123 to the Sutton Ponds for breeders, 211 to the Palmer State Fish Hatchery for breeders, 201 for exhibition and study, 340 to the U. S. e Bureau of Fisheries, and 567 to ponds for breeding purposes. There are benefits arising from this branch of the work other than the restocking of depleted ponds, in that the removal of a portion of the fish of an over-stocked pond leaves more feed for the remaining fish, thus promoting growth. This is borne out by the fact that in 1931 there were 46,000 very small fish taken from a certain pond. The following year only 40,000 were taken from the same pond, but these fish averaged at least two inches longer, and it took nine more truckloads to dispose of the 40,000 larger fish than for the 46,000 smaller. Likewise 5V2 to 6 inch white perch, undersized on account of insuffi- cient feed, transplanted in 1931 to a pond where feed was plentiful, measured from 11 to 13 inches when taken this fall.

Ayer State Game Farm—Edward E. Backus, Game Bird Culturist in Charge New Equipment.—The Buffalo electric incubator was exchanged for an up-to-date model of the same make, and an additional new No. 7 Buffalo was purchased; a Centaur tractor was added to the equipment; and an electric pumping system with a 550 gallon storage tank was installed. Pheasant Breeding.—The year opened with 778 pheasants on hand (204 of the old brood stock and 574 of the 1931-hatched birds) to which were added late in December four hen pheasants seized by a warden when found in illegal possession. Losses of 32 birds reduced this number to 750 at the beginning of the laying season, and in March 81 cocks and 648 hens were mated in the proportion of eight hens to each cock. The birds had been carried wing- clipped in the open pens during the winter. At this time the stubs of the clipped feathers were removed and when the surplus birds reached a full- winged condition they were distributed for liberation. The first eggs were collected on April first, and production rapidly increased until by the end of the month the daily collections exceeded 400. The first eggs were set in incubators on April 17, and the first distribution to applicants was made on April 27. A total of 25,313 eggs were collected, of which 1,270 were sent to the Marshfield State Game Farm, 10,175 distributed to applicants, 6,194 discarded (many of which were sent to a state institution for food purposes) and 7,674 set in incubators. Of the eggs set, 3,725 proved to be infertile, contained dead embryos or otherwise failed to hatch, and 3,949 hatched. Of these 1,722 were lost and 2,227 were reared. 1,551 were liberated in covers, 570 turned over to sportsmen's club for wintering, and 106 are on hand November 30. The only change in feeding methods worthy of note was the substitu- tion of Larro Turkey and Game Bird Starter for the Chapin Start-all Kernels for the first ten days after hatching, after which the Chapin Kernels became, as formerly, the entire ration. Increasing the ventilation facilities in several of the incubators resulted in greatly improved hatches and a notable decrease in the number of crippled chicks produced, such cripples being less than 1^% of the chicks hatched. No disease of a contagious or infectious nature was experienced during the year, but gape worms appeared for the first time in the history of the farm and occasioned heavy losses before the trouble could be controlled. In past year a stock of several hundred pheasants has been carried at this station for the production of eggs to be distributed to sportsmen's clubs and interested individuals, but a change in policy was effected P.D. 25 37 this year whereby this work will be discontinued. Therefore, the brood stock heretofore maintained for this purpose was distributed at the end of the laying season, and in future this station will be maintained solely for producing birds. Of the 750 adults on hand at the beginning of the laying season, 513 were distributed to open covers, 21 were lost, and 216 remain on hand November 30. Quail Breeding.—The year opened with 308 adult quail on hand (60 of the old brook stock and 248 1931-hatched birds). During the winter and early spring 43 were lost, the majority through injuries received in fighting as the breeding season approached, 165 were distributed for liberation in covers, 20 were distributed for breeding purposes and 80 (40 pairs) retained for brood stock. Early in the season, one cock was accidentally killed and was replaced by a cock from the Sandwich State Game Farm. The breeders were transferred to the laying pens early in April and the first eggs were observed in the nests on April 23, were collected on April 25, and the last on September 19. A total of 1,988 eggs were collected, 47 of which were discarded, and 1,941 set in incubators. 611 proved infertile, contained dead embryos, or otherwise failed to hatch, and 1,330 hatched. To these have been added 60 1932-hatched birds from the Wilbraham State Game Farm. Of these 1,390 birds, 352 were lost and 1,038 reared, of which 550 have been released in covers, and 488 are on hand November 30. Of the 81 broodstock birds on hand at the beginning of the laying season, 24 (including the cock mentioned above) were lost, 34 distributed, and 23 remain on hand November 30.

Marshjield State Game Farm—L. B. Sherman, Game Bird Culturist in Charge New Construction.—A combination workshop, storage building and incubator cellar was constructed at this station. The old barn was de- molished. The construction of this building established this plant as an independent unit, as heretofore the incubator cellar was rented from Mr. L. B. Sherman, the Game Culturist in charge. All of the work will in future be conducted on the property of the Commonwealth. The quail equipment at this station was increased by the construction of 52 single or 26 double intermediate brooders, built by Game Bird Cul- turist Sherman. These are used for holding the birds after they are taken from the Coleman brooders, and before they are placed in the ground pens preparatory to shipping. New Equipment.—A new No. 7 Buffalo electric incubator was bought. Pheasant Breeding.—The year opened with 400 pheasants on hand (241 of the old brood stock plus 159 1931-hatched birds), which wintered well after being transferred to covered yards from open yards where they had been disturbed by vermin. To these were added 25 hen pheasants purchased in February. Prior to the beginning of the laying season, 29 birds were lost, leaving 396 on hand. The first egg was picked up on March 30, and the last on July 21. A total of 12,044 eggs was collected. 2,950 eggs were transferred to this station from Ayer and Wilbraham, making a total of 14,994 eggs handled at this station. Of these 191 were discarded, and 14,803 set in incubators. Of the eggs set, 9,341 proved to be infertile, contained dead germ, or otherwise failed to hatch, and 5 462 hatched. To these were added 13 seized by a warden when found in illegal possession. Of these 5,475 birds 1,300 were lost, 3,110 were liberated in covers, 815 turned over to clubs for wintering, and 250 are on hand November 30. Of the 396 adults on hand at the beginning of the laying season 57 were lost, 149 distributed to covers, and 190 remain on hand Novem- ber 30. 38 P.D. 25 Quail Breeding.—The year opened with 593 quail on hand (58 of the] old brood stock plus 535 1931-hatched birds). Three pairs were exchanged; in the late spring with the Rhode Island Commission. Up to the beginning of the laying season, 79 birds were lost, 428 liber-; ated in covers and 86 were on hand. (80 of these were for brood stock andj 6 were wing-clipped and could not be distributed). About the middle of April several nests and eggs were observed but none picked up until May 4. The last eggs were picked up during the week' ending August 13. The fertility of the eggs was not as good as duringf the past two years. A total of 3,164 eggs was collected, to which were added 21 brought to! the station by wardens. The 3,185 eggs were set, of which 1,525 proved] infertile, contained dead germ, or otherwise failed to hatch and 1,660] hatched. To the 1,660 chicks hatched were added 8 hatched from eggs set under quail, and 3 brought to the farm by a warden, making 1,671 young birds! handled. Of these 890 were lost, 720 distributed to covers, and 61 remaini on hand November 30. Of the 86 adults on hand at the beginning of the laying season 29 were! lost and 57 remain on hand November 30.

Sandwich State Game Farm—Harry A. Torrey, Game Bird Culturist in Charge New Construction.—In addition to an extensive program of repairs and replacements carried on at this farm, a concrete retaining wall was built around the service building on the quail area and the interior of the building completed. A water system operated by an electric pump; was installed on the pheasant area. This replaced the old method of draw- : ing water by hand for the care of the pheasants produced at the sta-i tion, resulting in a substantial saving in labor charges. New Equipment.—A second-hand No. 9 Mammoth Buckeye and a new No. 7 Buffalo electric incubator were added to the station equipment. Pheasant Breeding.—The year opened with 400 pheasants on hand (222 of the old brood stock and 178 of the 1931-hatched birds). Of these 5 were lost prior to the beginning of the laying season, leaving 395 (75 cocks and 320 hens) on hand. The first egg was picked up on March 30 ; the last on June 30. A total of 8,864 eggs were collected, all of which were set in incubators and of which 3,523 proved to be infertile, contained dead germ, or otherwise failed to hatch, and 5,341 hatched of which 794 were lost and 4,547 reared. Of the young birds reared, 3,834 were liberated in covers, 539 turned over to the sportsmen's clubs for wintering, and 174 are on hand Novem ber 30. Of the 395 adults on hand at the beginning of the laying season 164 were lost or unaccounted for, the majority by vermin, 121 were released in covers, and 110 are on hand November 30. Quail Breeding.—The year opened with 715 quail on hand, 38 of last year's brood stock plus 677 of the 1931-hatched birds. Prior to the laying season, 72 were lost mostly through fighting, and 559 released in covers, leaving 42 mated pairs. The first eggs were picked up during the week ending May 7; the last during the week ending September 17. A total of 3,499 eggs were col lected and set in incubators, 1,143 contained dead germ, were infertile, or otherwise failed to hatch and 2,356 hatched. Of the birds hatched, 254 were lost, and 2,102 were reared. 1,651 were distributed for libera tion and 451 remain on hand November 30. Of the 84 on hand at the beginning of the mating season, 1 cock was sent to the Ayer State Game Farm, 9 were lost, and 74 remain on hand November 30. 39 '.D. 25 Wood, Game Bird Wilbraham State Game Farm—Frederick W. Culturist in Charge Buffalo New Equipment.—The Petersime was exchanged for a No. 7 Buffalo purchased, so that the sta- lectrfc incubator, and an additional three up-to-date Buffalo electric incubators. 10on is now equipped with Vip old Fordson tractor was replaced. , on hand Pheasant BREEDING.-The year opened with 483 pheasants 1931-hatched birds), all of which the old brood stock and 220 263 of one of the laige Ire winged-clipped and carried through the winter in Pe g e P S winter reduced the brood stock to 450 (392 Los Ses o f l3 during the the last week in March the birds were ,ens Ind 58 cocks), and during seven hens to each cock. ransferred to the breeding cages and mated wintered by a sportsman were In April 20 wing-clipped cock pheasants to liberate. Two were lost and 18 recreived and held until in condition released. worms Thereafter the During May four of the hens died from gape and nine that showed symptoms of the dis- 31irds were watched carefully it was decided to release use were segregated. Because of the disease, the breeding season. all of the brood stock after rt/v „ rt„ , ,- ^ totalling 20,197 of which Eggs were collected from April 3 to July 16 , State Game Farm, 3,916 discarded 1,680 were shipped to the Marshfield an 1 6 S < U a infertile, contained dead germ Of tne°i4 60reggs set M19 proved to be hatched, of which 1,873 were lost or otherwise failed to hatch, and 8,182 an 6 9 e 5,123 were distributed for liberation Of th°e 6 309 young birds reared, 400 have been reserved for brood stock in covers, 786 for wintering, and the breeding season, 8 Of the 450 adults on hand at the beginning of covers. were lost and 442 released in . cocks purchased in For next year's brood stock there are on hand 65 400 hens of the 1932-hatch. ; November and r, , ,,,,., hand,A (49A a Quail Breeding.—The year opened with 661 adult birds on State Game Farm and 572 of the of last year's, 40 from the Marshfield through the winter 1931-hatched birds.) All of these birds were carried runs, which protect the birds ±rom in elevated cages with wire bottom ground. and contaminated m vermin, snow, floods, m prior to the laying Of the 572 1931-hatched birds, 501 were distributed added to the 89 brood season, 66 lost, and the 5 remaining birds were of the year. Of these 94 stock birds reported on hand at the beginning mated and placed in breed- birds, 6 were lost, 8 distributed, and 80 were in 1 on wooden Thfs year 20 pairs of quail were carried in elevated cages less mortality platforms, and 20 pairs in the ground cages. There was eggs were among the birds in the elevated cages, and from them 1,880 on the ground. In collected, against 1,366 eggs taken from the birds carried on platforms. view of this, next year all the breeding quail will be the last, on September 12, The first eggs were picked up on April 28; of which 801 proved to be in- a total of 3,246 eggs being collected and set, failed to hatch, and 2,445 fertile, contained dead germ or otherwise

in the brooders on May 21. The first hatch of the young quail was placed not enough brood- About the middle of July it was found that there were chicks being hatched and ers on hand to properly care for the number of number of birds carried m each it was necessary to almost double the during brooder. This crowding resulted in considerable cannibalism

1 lost, reared of which "(ff the 2,445 quail hatched, 835 were and 1,610 State Game 1,150 were released in covers, 60 were transferred to the Ayer Farm, and 400 remain on hand November 30. 40 P.D. 2! pairs of at beginning of the Of the 40 breeders on hand the breeding : season, 18 were lost and 62 remain on hand November 30.

FISH AND GAME DISTRIBUTION Early in the year a thorough study was undertaken of the system unde] which the stock produced at the game farms and fish hatcheries was being distributed. The existing practice was to allot the stock to th« local fish and game associations, representatives of which received anc planted it. This method, which involved dealing with more than 250 clubs required a large amount of overhead work in the central office which was both unnecessary and unsatisfactory, and much duplication in stocking occurred. But the most serious defect in the system lay in the allocation to some extent at least, on the basis of club membership, an indefensibk policy, for there is no direct connection between the biological conditions for providing hunting and fishing in a given community, and the number of sportsmen who see fit to join a club in that section. Therefore a plan! was adopted whereby the stock is allocated to the various counties in proportion to the amount of water and cover suitable to receive such stock, and the distribution is done, according to a definite restocking program, by the wardens of the Division, with the cooperation of a committee from the sportsmen's clubs in the respective communities where the planting takes place. To put the plan into effect, a conference was held in each county by the Supervisor of Distributions with representatives of the organized sportsmen of that county. At those meetings the waters and covers to be stocked during the entire year, were decided upon and the entire program was mapped out. Thereafter as stock became available for liberation it was distributed per plan. The system has worked satisfactorily, and, with minor changes shown by experience to be desirable, it will undoubtedly be permanently adopted. After conferring with the Council of Sportsmen's Clubs of Massachu- setts the Division also changed its policy of distributing brook trout in the early spring, just in advance of the trout season. The fish are now liberated in the late fall. This allows them to become better adapted to their surroundings before the opening of the fishing season; and, still more important, it makes it possible to rear an additional number of trout at each hatchery, with the same equipment. Brook Trout.—There were distributed from the State hatcheries and from fish purchased or received as a gift, 122,862 fish 1 to 4 in.; 564,815 fish 4 to 6 in. ; and 288,104 fish 6 inches and over. At the close of the year there are on hand at all the stations, 285,625 fingerlings, 4,646 yearlings, and 450 adults. Brown Trout.—From both the Sunderland and the Sutton State Fish Hatcheries, as well as from fish purchased, there were distributed 800 fry, 13,605 fish 3 to 6 in., and 57,205 fish 6 inches and over. At the close of the year there are on hand at the Sunderland State Fish Hatchery 106,000 fingerlings, 300 yearlings, and 499 adults. Rainbow Trout.—From both the Montague and the Sutton State Fish Hatcheries, as well as from fish purchased, there were distributed 29,775 fish 2 to 4 in.; 3,670 fish 4 to 6 in.; and 38,501 fish 6 inches and over. At the close of the year there are on hand at both hatcheries mentioned above, 59,628 fingerlings and 2,410 adults. Chinook Salmon.—In addition to the 43,475 fingerlings produced at the East Sandwich State Fish Hatchery, 4,800 were purchased and distributed during the year. Small-mouth Black Bass.—The entire production of bass at the Palmer State Fish Hatchery (with the exception of 75 fingerlings and 6 adults distributed for display) was planted in suitable waters. In addition 3,347 were collected in the salvage operations and all but 26 of these distributed for display, were planted in suitable waters. ?.D. 25 41 Muskallonge.—The New York Conservation Commission furnished 25,000 muskallonge fry which were planted in various locations on the Connecticut River upon arrival. Wall-eyed Pike.—The United States Bureau of Fisheries furnished 225,000 wall-eyed pike perch fry, which were planted in suitable waters upon arrival. Blue Gills, Crappie, Horned Pout, Pickerel, Yellow Perch, White Perch, Large-mouth Black Bass.—Pond fish of various species were (distributed to open waters, club rearing pools, and for display, study, and to the U. S. Bureau of Fisheries, as follows: From the Sutton Ponds, 118,376 blue gills, 309,462 horned pout, 23,539 crappie, 11,497 pickerel; 279,014 yellow perch. From the salvage units and miscellaneous salvage jobs, 8,900 blue gills, 18,875 crappie, 19,650 horned pout, 837 pickerel, 111,839 yellow perch, 54,905 white perch, 29 large-mouth black bass, in addition to the 3,347 small-mouth black bass already shown under another heading. From the Palmer State Fish Hatchery, 223 blue gills, 1,822 horned pout; 355 pickerel, 1,660 large-mouth black bass. From a sportsmen's club 1,981 pickerel were purchased and distributed. : : : : :

42 P.D. 25 f Fish Distribution for the Period December 1, 1931 to November 30, 1932 (This table does not show stock transferred from one station to another, eggs exchanged with the U. S. Bureau or other State Commissions, nor does it show additions to brood stocks.)

Product of State Not Hatchery Products Hatcheries (Seined, Purchased, Gift Etc.)

Distributed Distributed Grand Planted to clubs for Planted to clubs for Distributed total direct to rearing to Distributed direct to (rearing to for study, public larger size for study, public larger size exhibit, etc. waters before liber- exhibit, etc. waters before liberation ation

Brook Trout: 1-4 82,862 40,000 - 122.862 in. - 4-6 in. 380.010 33.700 605 150,500 564,815 6 inches and over 261,258 3,000 344 23,402 288,004

213,902 - - 975,681 Total Brook Trout . 724,130 36,700 949 Brown Trout Fry .... 800 - - 800 3-4 in. 105 105 4-6 in. 12,000 1,500 13,500 6 in. and over 54,950 55 2,200 57.205

Total Brown Trout: Fry .... 800 - - 800 Fish 3 in. and over 66,950 1,500 160 2.200 70,810 Rainbow Trout: 2-4 in. 29,700 - 75 ~ 29,775 4-6 in. 3,670 : 3,670 6 in. and over 35,985 16 2,500 38,501 - Total Rainbow Trout 69.355 - 91 2,500 - 71,946 Chinook Salmon 3-6 in. 43.475 _ - 4,800 - - 48,275 Small Mouth Black Bass Fry up to one in. 175.000 175,000 : 1 to 5 in. . 35,900 75 35,975 - 6 in. and over 131 6 137

12 in. and over . 6 3,190 20 3,216

Total Small Mouth Black

Bass : - Fry up to 1 in. . 175.000 - 175,000 1 in. and over 35,900 81 3.321 26 39.328

Large Mouth Black Bass : Under 6 in. 1,660 - - 1,660

Over 6 in. . : 5 = 5

Over 12 in. . 24 24

Total Large Mouth Black Bass 1,660 _ _ 29 _ _ 1,689 Blue Gills: Under 6 in. 117,898 175 6,750 - - 124,823

Over 6 in. . 510 : 16 2,150 2,676

Total Blue Gills 118,408 - 191 8,900 - - 127,499 Crappie Under 6 in. 22,686 - 30 7,680 - 30,396

Over 6 in. . 690 133 11,170 25 12,018

Total Crappie 23,376 - 163 18,850 - 25 42,414 Horned Pout Under 6 in. 253.270 1.000 25 960 - 255,255 Over 6 in. . 56,279 50 660 15,368 551 72,908 Over 12 in. 2,712 59 2,771

Total Horned Pout 309,549 1,050 685 19,040 - 610 330,934 Pickerel Under 6 in. 2,871 24 496 3.391 Over 6 in. . 8,635 75 247 1,561 - 10.518 Over 12 in. 754 7 1 761

Total " - Pickerel 11,506 75 271 2,811 7 11 14.670 :

43 P.D. 25 (Continued)

Product of State Not Hatchery Product Hatcheries (Seined, Purchased, Etc.)

Distributed Distributed Grand Planted to clubs for Planted to clubs for total Distributed Distributed direct to rearing to direct to rearing to for study, for study, public larger size public larger size exhibit, etc. exhibit, etc. waters before liber- waters before liberation ation ellow Perch 112 23,094 - 252,191 Under 6 in 222,985 ,000 632 85,375 50 135,342 Over 6 in. 48,535 750 3,320 3.320 Over 12 in.

111,789 - 50 390,853 7otal Yellow Perch 271,520 6.750 744

Vhite Perch : 14,595 340 14,935 Under 6 in. 39,920 _ 50 39,970 Over 6 in. . 54,515 - 390 54,905 fotal White Perch

^all-eyed Pike Perch - - 225.000 Fry 225,000 vluskallonge - - 25.000 Fry 25,000 rotal Trout and Pond Fish 250,000 425.800 . . 175,000 Fry . . 46,075 3,335 442,657 1,108 2,169,004 1 inch and over . 1,675,829

In addition the following were distributed during the period December 1, 1931 to November 30, 1932.

73 795 7,354 Junfish 1 _ — 3,000 Crawfish _ _ - 53,755 radpoles _ _ 3 Harp 3 - - 600 - - 600 suckers 1

Pheasants.—Instead of following the practice of other years of distributing most of the pheasants produced at the game farms to the local sportsman's clubs to care for during the winter, this year nearly all the pheasants produced were liberated at ten weeks of age in accordance with the new distribution policy. There were 10,175 eggs distributed to applicants of which 2,943 hatched. Of these 94 are being carried through the winter, and 981 were released under the supervision of our wardens in the covers decided upon at last spring's conferences. This makes a total of 1,075 birds produced in this branch of the work. There were 16,328 young and 1,225 adult pheasants distributed from the game farms either directly to covers or to the clubs for wintering. (See table). In addition 2,392 young and 221 adult pheasants purchased were released in covers. At the close of the year there are on hand at the four game farms, 930 1932-hatched birds and 581 adults. Quail.—There were 4,071 young quail and 1,715 adult quail distributed either to open covers or for breeding. (See table). At the close of the year there are on hand at the four game farms 1,400 1932-hatched quail and 216 adult quail. White Hares.—There were 4,142 live hares imported after the close of the Massachusetts' season and these were all released in open covers. Cottontail Rabbits.—Penikese Island supplied 446 live cottontails for restocking the mainland. In addition, 80 were trapped on closed areas, and 21 were purchased from an out-of-state trapper. These were also released in suitable covers. : :

44 P.D. 25 1932 Game Distribution for the Period December 1, 1931 to November 30, it show (This table does not show stock transferred from one game farm to another, nor does additions to brood stock.)

Product of Product of State Game Farms Not State Game Farms*

Wintered by Total clubs and Distributed Distribu- Liberated others for Distributed Liberated for Study, ted for direct to liberation for direct to exhibit, hatching covers in spring of breeding covers breeding, 1933 etc.

Pheasants - — - ~ Eggs .... 10.175 - 10,175 Young (reared by clubs others from the and - — - ~ 10,175 eggs reported 981 94 1,075 above as distributed for hatching _ 13,618 2,710 _ 2,392 - 18.720 Young - - - - Adult .... 1,225 221 1.446 Quail: _ 4,071 _ _ _ _ 4.071 Young - - - - Adult .... 1,695 20 1.715 Cottontail Rabbits - - - - Adult .... 446 101 547 White Hares: - - - - - Adult .... 4,142 4.142

* Purchased, gift, trapped, etc. MARINE FISHI:ries G ENERAL The work of the Division pertaining to the marine and coastal fisheries of the State is under the personal supervision of the State Inspector of Fish and the State Supervisor of Marine Fisheries, both of whom are statutory officials serving under the Director. The work of both of these units has been restricted, due to lack of funds and personnel. In the case of the State Inspector of Fish there are but four deputies to inspect all of the fish landed at the important ports of entry and to cover two thousand retail markets throughout the State. To properly handle this work, at least two more deputies should be appointed, one of whom would inspect the ports of entry in the southeastern part of the State and the other should assist in a more regular inspection of the retail markets. The outstanding need of the State Supervisor of Marine Fisheries is an additional warden force to assist in the patrol of the contaminated shellfish areas, particularly to supervise the digging of the shellfish in those areas in cases where they are to be taken to chlorination plants before being offered to the public for food. If the chlorination of shellfish from the contaminated areas is to continue, it is essential that the work be supervised by wardens who are employed and compensated by the Division. The cost of this service might be charged, through a permit system, to those who acquire the privilege of taking shellfish from the contaminated areas. At least one additional power boat is necessary to adequately enforce the laws on the coastal waters of the Commonwealth. Realizing that funds may not be available for enlarging any branch of the Division's activities at the present time, it is hoped that through a coordination of the efforts of the units engaged in marine fisheries work, the Division will be able to do better work in the interest of this particular industry during the coming years.

State Inspector of Fish

Upon this office is placed the duty of seeing to it that only fish fit for food shall reach the fish-consuming public. It is a large proposition, and P.D. 25 45 one, the enforcement of which is limited only by the number of men used in the work and the amount of money placed at the disposal of the office for pursuing its endeavors. The work entails the inspection of all retail stores in this State, some two thousand in number, selling fish, either fresh or frozen, to the public. It also includes inspection of all wholesale concerns selling fish (includ-

ing, of course, the big fish marts at Boston and Gloucester) ; fish in public freezers; peddlers' carts; all fish foods of any kind arriving at Mass- achusetts ports from any foreign country (including the almost daily importations from Nova Scotia, the entire handling of the great lobster industry with headquarters at Boston and Gloucester, and the importations of fresh swordfish from Nova Scotia and frozen swordfish from Japan). These are the high points in the daily routine. One of the most important branches of the work is the inspection of retail stores throughout the whole State. This is considered important because it comes closer to the actual buyer and consumer of fish than any other branch. The work has been carefully done, the inspections have been more numerous than last year, the number of court cases resulting therefrom greater, and not one case was lost. Probably the most serious and intensive part of the work is the inspection of fish in bulk at the points of arrival, that is, the inspections at the wholesale fisheries concerns and the inspections aboard the vessels which bring in the fish, the idea being that the more fish unsuited for food that can be stopped at the source, the better it is for the public which buys at retail. This wholesale inspection includes not only the local wholesale dealers and the local vessels, but also the great influx of goods from Nova Scotia, and at times from other countries. One feature especially commands our attention, and that is the im- portation of swordfish. From Nova Scotia this year have come in larger quantities than ever before, shipments of these much desired fish. At least ten cargoes have arrived besides the usual shipments by steamer. As during last year, frozen swordfish were brought to the port of Boston by Japanese steamers direct from Japan via the Panama Canal, and landed next door to the Boston Fish Pier. There have been some six lots of these fish and their condition has been better than last year, the Japanese shippers evidently having learned the lesson that Massachusetts desires and will take only good fish. One section of the work which has grown to great prominence in the past two years is the inspection of lobsters. This work, which is the result of concerted action in April of 1931, has brought about a state of affairs that is giving to the public consumer of this most delicious food, a feeling that they are getting something that is "all right." The importations from Nova Scotia have been larger than ever before, and the Nova Scotian government has subsidized crafts to bring cargoes to Boston, which is the largest lobster center in the world. During the past year one of the great concerns has moved its base to Gloucester, thus broad- ening the inspection survey on these Crustacea. It might be added that Lynn now has two concerns, Beverly one and Salem one. It should be said here, speaking generally, that the office is receiving from the wholesale lobster dealers a cooperation without which the work of inspection would be doubly hard, and in a measure possibly unsatisfactory. The main problem in lobster inspection has been how best to determine how long a lobster remains fit for food. To ascertain this, the Division last year engaged the services of Dr. David L. Belding, who reported on June 1 of this year under the title, "A New Standard for the Inspection of Lobster Meat." Following this, Dr. Belding met with the Director, the Inspector of Fish, and his deputies, and demonstrated, by means of elec- trical apparatus, many of the points which he desired to bring out in his report to show that lobsters, while giving evidence of death, were really living. This was followed, on July 22, by a demonstration before lobster fishermen, lobster dealers, representatives of the Department of Con- :

46 P.D. 25 servation, the Boston City Board of Health, and others vitally interested in this report and its findings. At this meeting a divided sentiment developed concerning Dr. Belding's report. Since this meeting the Director, the Inspector of Fish and his deputies have carefully considered the adaptability of the points in the report to actual law enforcement, and while feeling that there is much to be said in favor of the report and the results that might be obtained from following some of its conclusions, they are of the opinion that more mature thought is necessary before the standards recommended by Dr. Belding can be adapted to practical fish inspection work. Another important part of the work of this office is inspection of fish for filleting purposes and the inspection of houses preparing fillets for the local and national trade. This is a work which calls for quick and careful judgment, and this year for the first time has been extended by giving daily inspections to all plants engaged in the process of filleting fish. While there is a desire evidenced by most of the concerns to put upon the market a flawless article, there have been occasions when some goods bought for or being prepared for filleting are not in accord with the fish inspection laws. These cases have been, as far as possible, met at the source and stopped, but this only accentuates the need of continued inspection in this line of work. The office this year has been enabled to give more attention than ever before to the lobster and fillet situation because of appointment of an additional inspector (Mr. William H. Brogan, whose provisional appointment of 1931 was made permanent July 11 of this year). He was immediately assigned to lobster and fillet work. Within the scope of its appropriation and the limitations of its force it is felt that the work of this office has been fairly done, but in all justice it should be said that in order that the great objective of the work may be attained, more money and more men are necessary. However, it is realized that conditions are such at the present time as to preclude any extension of money and men, and therefore no recommendations for such are made. The following brief paragraphs (which by no means cover all the work done), do include many high points and give indication of the major work of the office

Inspections in retail stores, 4,890. Inspections in wholesale stores, 33,255. Freezer inspections, 310. Inspection of peddlers' carts, 200 weekly. Inspections at Yarmouth, N. S., steamer, 118. Vessel inspections at Gloucester, 2,388. Total fish condemned at Gloucester, 183,410 pounds. Ground fish condemned at Boston Fish Pier from fishing vessels, 149,784 pounds. Condemned at Boston, graded as jellied, from consignments on Yar- mouth, N. S. steamer, 167 swordfish (which weighed 47,176 pounds). Graded at Boston Fish Pier from arriving vessels as No. 3 fish, 435,691 pounds, mostly haddock and codfish, which therefore did not reach the retail markets of the State for home consumption as fresh fish. Fish condemned at retail stores, 3,340 pounds. Condemned, landed at Boston from Canada by rail and steamer, 1,585 pounds salmon; 1,806 pounds smelts; 1,279 pounds scallops; 6,730 pounds mackerel; 31 pounds pickerel. Condemned, landed at Boston Fish Pier arriving by rail, 3,955 pounds miscellaneous fish. Condemned, graded as "jellied", landed at Boston Fish Pier, direct, 192 swordfish (which weighed 48,670 pounds). Inspected, arriving in Boston direct from Japan in Japanese steamers, P. D. 25 47 7 consignments of frozen swordfish, 283,966 pounds. Condemned, at landing and since from cold storage, from the above Japanese consignments, 121 swordfish (which weighed 34,388 pounds.) Total swordfish condemned, 480 fish (weighing 130,234 pounds). Inspections in wholesale lobster stores in Boston, Lynn, Beverly and Gloucester, 4,194. Inspections on subsidized Nova Scotian lobster boats arriving at Boston and Gloucester, 36; pounds condemned, 61,590. Lobsters condemned from Yarmouth, Nova Scotia steamer, 33,465 pounds, other Nova Scotian crafts, 98,081 pounds. Total Canadian lobsters condemned, 193,136 pounds. Total lobsters condemned from Massachusetts and other New Eng- land States, 28,767 pounds. Grand total of lobsters condemned, 221,903 pounds. Total fish condemned at Boston Fish Pier and at Boston from Canada by rail and steamers, 295,404 pounds. Total inspections, 45,398. Total fish condemned, 482,154 pounds. Total court cases, 26. Total convictions, 26.

State Supervisor of Marine Fisheries A general feeling of optimism pervails among the fishermen who are closest in touch with the marine fisheries, despite the fact that in the principal branch of the fisheries,—the vessel fishery—there was a decrease last year of more than five million pounds in the catch and more than three million dollars in the value of the output from the previous low record of 1931, and the further disheartening reports from all other fisheries, which brought the total estimated loss in value to more than four and one-half millions of dollars. Why this feeling persists is not so difficult to see. Accustomed to the fluctuations in the annual harvests of the sea the careful observer can easily discern the early currents of the returning tide of better times as reflected in the industry itself. The general depression has not been without its beneficial effects. Everywhere, in all branches of the fisheries, readjustments are being made or considered. Wasteful practices in catching, preparing for market, and even in the details of marketing itself, which in more prosperous times went unchallenged or were looked upon as necessary losses, are now being scrutinized with great care, and the reaction from the very fact of discussion is bound to bring about important changes which will be of great benefit to the fisheries when normal times return. For the present there need be no pessimism as to the abundance of fish in the sea. To be sure, the catch of large haddock has shrunk to about half that of 1930, but this is offset by the amount of scrod size, the number of which has more than trebled in the same period. The mackerel catch was increased by some six million pounds, and where a decrease of other fish has occurred, seasonal changes have been largely responsible. But this optimism should not prevent the curbing of wasteful practices. One particularly harmful practice which has been stopped in certain areas by legislative enactment is the use of beam and otter trawls in coastal waters. Whatever reasons there may be for obtaining fish in this manner from offshore fishing banks, they do not apply to the near shore areas. Disturbing the bottom along the shores destroys valuable feeding and spawning grounds. Millions of young fish too small for market are caught and killed in the drags. European countries have long ago realized the damage done to the inshore fisheries by this method of fishery, and have prohibited it. A good start has been made in prohibiting trawling along the North Shore. It is the Division's opinion that it should be prohibited in all waters within the jurisdiction of the State. Line trawling could —

48 P. D. 25 be substituted within this area and would result in a great saving of small fish and in providing employment for many more persons. Attention is directed to the following accomplishments of the marine section of the Division, detailed accounts of which will be found in the body of the report, namely, the large number of permits issued for the conservation of various shellfish ; the great quantities of starfish, totalling 43,126 bushels, which have been removed from upper Buzzards Bay; the cooperation with towns in planting and protecting seed shellfish; and the record of enforcement of the laws relating to marine fisheries.

Enforcement of Marine Fisheries Laws In addition to the nine regular coastal fish and game wardens and the two local inland wardens on the islands of Martha's Vineyard and Nan- tucket who also enforce the marine fisheries laws, sixty-two deputy wardens were appointed. These served without pay from the State and were assigned for special work, under the regular wardens, as follows, twenty-one to supervise the digging and transferring of clams from the contaminated area to the chlorinating plants; eighteen to assist in the enforcement of lobster laws; twenty-three for general purposes. Four deputy wardens were employed on salary for a short time to assist the regular wardens in certain districts where an additional man was required. A special appropriation made possible the purchase of a boat for en- forcing the marine fishery laws. The boat, renamed the "Wanderer," is a cabin cruiser type thirty-eight feet long, equipped with a two hundred horsepower Sterling Petrel motor, and capable of more than twenty knots. Since it was put in commission on August 1, over 200 boats have been inspected, some fifty cases have been brought into court, mainly for dragging in restricted areas, with fines totalling $660. Illustrating what such a boat can accomplish, on a few hours' run on two days late in Au- gust, 68 lobster fishermen were inspected on the fishing grounds (resulting in three court cases), a considerable area restricted from flounder dragging was patrolled, and more than one hundred miles were covered. The boat has covered all districts except Marthas Vineyard and Nantucket. Due to the long and peculiar shore line of the State, which is divided by Cape Cod, it is not an economical proposition to use one boat to work on both northern and southern shores. At least two boats are essential for adequate enforcement of laws and protection of our marine fisheries. The district court work for the year was as follows: number of cases prosecuted, 417; district court convictions, 392 (of which 72 were filed

and 20 appealed to the Superior Court) ; discharged, 25; fines imposed in district court, $4,536. The above cases may be grouped thus—taking shellfish from contaminated areas, 241, fines $2,860; possessing undersized shellfish, 29, fines $123; violation of lobster laws, 72, fines $768; violation of crab laws, 2, fines $10; violation of scallop laws, 19, fines $150; dragging in restricted areas, 31, fines $465; torching herring 10, fines $130; violation of alewife laws, 7, fines $10; taking shellfish from private grants, 4, no fines; ob- structing an officer, 2, fines $20. No changes in the marine fisheries laws are recommended, for the reason that the report of the unpaid special commission to revise the laws relative to marine fish and fisheries, including shellfish, is still pending in the Legislature.

Shore Fisheries From reports of the shore net and pound fishermen required by Sec- tion 148, Chapter 130 of the General Laws, were secured the following 1 data; number of men engaged, 256; number of boats, 105; value of boats, K $44,268; number of traps and weirs set, 204; value of traps and weirs, || $198,286; value of other shore and accessory property, $163,905; total value of equipment, $406,459; amount of fish caught, 16,676,781 pounds; value of fish, $276,280. P. D. 25 49 Permits (from town officials) were held for 341 pieces of apparatus classified as follows: —184 weirs, 119 fykes, 33 floating traps, 3 seines, and 2 clam traps. Except in certain spots, the catch of this branch of the fishery was a little better than the average for the past two or three years with prices very low. An unusually large amount of young fish was reported. Tons of scup, butterfish and porgies were released from the traps because of no demand. There were more mackerel, sea bass and squid. A considerable falling off in catch of eels and tautog was attributed to the scarcity of eelgrass which changed their places of schooling, rather than to a less quantity of the fish. Tinker mackerel were reported in almost unpreced- ented quantities off the Cape shore. The September gales, particularly on September 8 and 9, destroyed or damaged a large amount of equipment. There is a wide-spread belief that dragging should be stopped in all coastal waters. The fishermen are confident that with the return of normal times and prices this fishery will quickly be restored and feel that there is a greater need for extension of markets rather than for a greater abundance of fish.

Lobster Fishery In conformity with law, 9,664 egg bearing lobsters were purchased, at a cost of $5,992.60, punched, and liberated as nearly as possible in the localities where they were taken. The fishermen report that 23,045 additional egg lobsters were liberated by them without cost to the State. Sixty- seven permits were issued to open lobsters and sell the meat out of the shell. From international and interstate shipments 35,546 live short lobsters and 3,718 egg lobsters were seized and liberated in the waters of the State from Salisbury south to Buzzards Bay. The number of shorts seized was larger than last year by almost 14,000, and was the largest number, with one exception, ever seized in any one year. The number of egg lobsters seized was more than double the entire amount confiscated by the State since the practice began in 1915. Most of these egg lobsters were taken from shipments from New Bruns- wick, and were of large size. In the early fall a small number of egg lobsters bought from Massachu- setts fishermen were tagged and liberated at New Bedford and Woods Hole for the purpose of learning how long they would remain in the shore waters. To date a very few of these tags have been returned. Commenting on the season's catch of lobsters, certain points may be emphasized. First, the reports given in tabular form below are far from accurate. In the last two years a much larger number of these reports than ever before have been received, and the responses have been much more prompt. There is a hesitancy, however, among the fishermen in submitting figures for fear that these returns may either find their way into tax board records or would result in increasing competition. Efforts are being made to overcome this feeling, and assurances given the fishermen that these reports are strictly confidential and used only for statisti- cal purposes. A study of these reports and careful inquiry have, however, revealed ;he following features of the season. The catch of lobsters was consider- ably less than in 1931, particularly in the early part of the year. This lecrease in catch seems to have been a peculiarity of the season rather ;han an actual decrease in the abundance. Lobsters did not school in the lsual places nor in the same abundance, due probably to warm or moder- ate weather, plenty of natural food, and to a less extent lack of eelgrass md the quantities of dead eelgrass which disturbed the bottom condi- ;ions. Early in the fall, quantities of small lobsters seven to eight inches n length were observed along the southern shore of the State. Abundance 50 P- D. 25 of lobsters was also reported north of Cape Cod. Egg lobsters were not nearly as plentiful as usual. As pointed out in previous reports, the eggj lobsters must be more thoroughly and carefully protected if the lobster, industry is to be conserved to the fullest extent. Further tests of the tank system of keeping lobsters were made through the courtesy of one of the large cold storage companies in Boston, which furnished facilities for circulation and cooling of water. The large number of shorts and egg lobsters handled through this method and the extent to which they become revived by treatment was commented upon by commercial dealers who visited the plant. Through the interest created by the work and the encouragement and advice given, more than 100 tanks have been installed in Massachusetts by lobster handlers, and more are contemplated. The principal accomplishment of the experiments was to emphasize the beneficial effect of cooling the water to a tempera- ture between 48 deg. to 52 deg. and to indicate the minimum amount of water required. The cleanliness of the system and the facilities for ready inspection and observation of the condition of the lobsters at all times is a specially strong point for the method. Lobsters apparently thoroughly exhausted by long shipments under adverse and unnatural conditions have revived to almost unbelievable vigor in the comparatively short time of two or three hours. As little as four gallons of cooled water per minute have been repeatedly found sufficient for a tank 5 ft. x 10 ft. x 14 in. deep in comparison with 12 to 25 gallons per minute of uncooled water frequently used by commercial dealers in a similar sized tank. Various arrangements for circulating the water have been tried out, almost any one of which would be practicable if intelligently adjusted to suit the conditions of the individual plant. The experience gained by the Division is available to those interested. As required by Chapter 130, Section 106, General Laws, it is reported that 1,132 lobster licenses were issued during the fiscal year. Out of an active list of 1,108 lobstermen, 1,054 have reported on the season's catch as required by law. The following tabulation has been made from those reports, and covers the period from Oct. 1, 1931 to Oct. 1, 1932. P. D. 25 51

00 c- CM N iH*CO~

eg 00-* «C 00 CO oc- in 00 IC OJ CO lO IM CM rH

05 10 OHO) rH00 00 CO o o •* CT> C- CO c- oo CO 00 o»^ CO xoeo C5-* CO

*# * C- Tf * 05 IO C-> coco i-H CO CO CI C- CM "*

CO IO CO CO 00 I wot-c-coeo O T-l oft-"

oo cm eo ooo CO O 01 CM 00 E- COU3 CO CM CO CO CO E'- COCO in E-^t-*CM* en CO CO CO 00 CM C- OJ

OtCIOHlOO t-IOCO CM E-IO cm co en us en co

ss I.S :* * o

U U -S o fes = •; £ 3 cS 3 « 3 a SS q 3 O to i2 3 3 §*> £3 3 PQ 52 P. D- 25 Sea Crab Industry A general feeling of optimism prevails among the crab fishermen as to the future supply of this crustacean. A large majority reported that this past year crabs were found in the same abundance as in the past five years, and many believe that there was a distinct increase. Among the reasons given for this continued abundance, the one most usually mentioned was the practice of returning all female crabs to the water, since the market does not desire them. There appeared to have been an unusually large number of young crabs throughout most of the area, and although the pots are so constructed as to allow most of these to escape, as many as 300 small to 15 of market size were reported from one pot. During July and August in favorable localities about 75% of the catch of adult crabs were females in "sponge"— i. e. with eggs. The recommendation most universally advocated by the fishermen for further improvement of the industry was the establishment of a close season from December 1 to April 30. The aim of this plan is to give protection to the "soft" crabs and to permit them to "fill out" before they are caught. The principle of this recommendation is endorsed by the Supervisor. As in all other food products the price of crabs was distinctly lower. Sixty-five crab licenses were issued by the town clerks as compared with 54 last year. Reports from 43 licensees showed the following condition of the fishery: men, 43; number of boats, 40; value of boats, $15,100; number of pots, 1,915; value of pots, $5,006; total equipment value, $20,- 469; number of crabs taken, 4,197,750; value, $21,786. The output of crab meat in Massachusetts was approximately 125,000 lbs., with a market value of $93,750. The Mollusk Fisheries Starfish Extermination.—The general facts of the extensive damage done to shellfish by starfish, the tremendous amount of starfish in Buz- zards Bay, and the need of State aid to assist the towns in combating this menace to the shellfisheries, were outlined in last year's report. The legislature this year recognized the gravity of the situation by appropriating $15,000 for the extermination of starfish in the waters of Buzzards Bay, Vineyard Sound and Nantucket Sound. Under the provisions of the act (Chapter 244, Acts of 1932) the Division is authorized and directed to aid such towns in the infested areas as have appropriated one-quarter of the total cost, and the rules and regulations for conducting the work are to be determined by the Division. Immediately thereafter the Supervisor of Marine Fisheries called a conference of the selectmen of the towns principally affected and a plan of action was agreed upon. It was decided to arrange the expenditure so as to use virtually the entire appropriation in the purchase of starfish on a per-bushel basis, directly from the fishermen. After considering methods used elsewhere in such work, such as cotton tangles or "mops", use of copper sulphate, etc., it was decided the method best adapted to the conditions existing in Buzzards Bay was dredging with a light scallop dredge. This plan was particularly advisable since all fishermen were already equipped with this type of dredge. Furthermore by its use a minimum amount of damage would be done to the shellfish beds, as there was only a relatively small number of scallops or other shellfish remaining. Very rapid collection would also be made through this plan. In the collection and disposal of the starfish the procedure adopted has been to dump the contents of the dredges upon a culling board, pick the starfish as clean as possible from the debris and carefully throw back all seed scallops which may have been taken in the catch. The starfish are then piled up in the boat and at the end of the day's catch are taken to the designated landing place. By this time the starfish are tightly matted P. D. 25 53 together and the heap must be broken apart before the starfish can be shovelled into baskets for hoisting ashore. The measuring is done by the town officer selected for supervising the collections. A voucher is prepared, which is signed by the fisherman, who is also given a copy. The day's collection of starfish is either carted away and buried or taken by local farmers to spread on their fields as fertilizer. Bringing the starfish ashore is a very necessary part of the program of destroying them. The former practice of the fishermen in tearing them apart and then throwing the mutilated remains back into the water was not beneficial inasmuch as the starfish will quite rapidly restore the injured part by growing on new arms or "fingers" as they are often called. Keeping in close touch with the collections, the price per bushel was kept at a minimum. In the summer months when the starfish were off shore in the deeper waters the fishermen were paid 35c per bushel. Then, as the starfish moved into the nearer and shoaler areas in the fall and were therefore easier to obtain, the price was reduced to 25c per bushel, and later on to 15c which was the price prevailing at the close of this report in the areas most infested. The short period of collection has shown that the situation had not been exaggerated, for since July 7, when State collection began, up to Novem- ber 30, 43,126 bushels had been collected in the waters of four towns in upper Buzzards Bay by the State, in addition to 12,993 bushels collected through efforts of the local towns or a total of 56,119 bushels. This represents approximately 16,835,700 individual starfish. Two-thirds of this quantity were brought in by the fishermen in September and October. In Wareham, which is particularly infested, in one day (November 16) 1 31 boats collected 2,558 bushels (average 82 /2 bushels), and 9 secured more than 100 bushels for their day's catch. In other towns as many as 175 bushels were secured in one day by a single boat, and frequently 100 bushels was exceeded. The Division has taken cognizance of all the facts in the collection, its marine biologist, who has charge of the work, has studied them, and is of the opinion that, provided an additional appropriation can be obtained this coming year so as to bring the total amount near the original estimate of $25,000, the starfish will be reduced in this section to such an extent as to restore the shellfish industry there to its annual million dollar potential value. The benefit would, therefore, be many times the cost of suppression. Lasting results, however, are no more to be expected in this work than can it be hoped to permanently exterminate the weeds on our farms. Only persistent, continued efforts will avail. This the Division realized from the beginning, and consequently its first requirement made of the towns which desired State assistance in starfish control, was that they adopt a regulation compelling the fishermen to bring ashore all starfish taken, under penalty of having their shellfish permits revoked. The Division believes that these town regulations should be supplemented and supported by a State law. The work thus far has been carried on only in the towns of Mattapoisett, Marion, Wareham and Bourne. Quite recently, however, Edgartown and Nantucket have had their shellfish areas inspected by the Division, and without doubt other towns will also request State assistance. Certain other towns—such as Swansea—not coming within the scope of the law have a starfish problem which is greatly depleting their shellfish. Similar relief should be afforded these towns. It is much too early to judge the benefits which have resulted from the removal of so many millions of starfish in upper Buzzards Bay. Already, much to the surprise of the most optimistic, scattering beds of seed scallops are showing up in those areas from which the largest amounts of starfish have been removed. The fishermen are finding it a little more difficult to secure paying quantities of starfish, and the Division itself is shifting its tactics from quantity collection to collection designed more specifically to protect certain natural beds of seed scallops. 54 P. D. 25 To the close of the year State funds to the amount of $8,711.20 have been spent. The following table summarizes the collections by both towns and State.

Starfish Collections

Bushels Bushels Bought from State Appropriation Bushels bought bought TOWN from town from State appropria- July August September October November appropriations tions

— 757 345 3,984 Bourne 1,469 y2 y2 5,086 y2

Marion 2,075 1,989 589 320 3,863 5,094 11,855

— — 7,943 Mattapoisett 1.849 y2 2,071 3,810 2,062

Wareham 7,599 382 8 6,268 2,609 8,975 18,242

12,993. 2,371 597 9,416 10,627 20,115 y2 43,126 y2 56,119 y.

Shellfish Permits.—Permits to handle shellfish were issued to the number of 671, classified as follows: 426 to dig clams from the contaminated areas for the purification plants; 10 to transport shellfish from polluted to clean areas; 161 to take shellfish from contaminated areas for bait purposes; 72 to take shellfish less than 2 inches in length for trans- planting; 2 to take scallops from shallow to deeper water. The total amount of shellfish salvaged under these permits was—clams, 117,487 bu.; seed clams, 1,500 bu.; quahaugs, 1,468 bu.; seed quahaugs, 780 bu.; little necks, 6,400 bu.; scallops, 2,500 bu.; oysters, 1,100 bu. Total value, $202,078. Clam.—From the contaminated areas 38,580 bushels were sent to the chlorinating plants at Newburyport and Plymouth for purification. 426 men were engaged and 2,426,542 square feet were dug over. The plant at Newburyport operated for the entire year, and a total of 10,903 barrels were purified from contaminated areas in Salisbury, Newburyport, Newbury, Winthrop and Quincy. The Pioneer Fisheries Company of Plymouth operated over a period of 4y2 months and purified a total of 1,957 barrels from areas in Boston, Hull, Quincy and Plymouth. As a result of conferences by the Supervisor with selectmen and interested local citizens, various towns have taken renewed interest in their shellfish, and 1,500 bushels of seed clams were planted this year in certain depleted areas. A very good growth has been reported. In addition to encouraging the planting of clams, a survey is being made of the various areas for the purpose of listing the local shellfish problems so that they can be more successfully combated. Quahaugs.—Very good sets of quahaugs occurred generally all along the southern shore. The sets were particularly large in Barnstable, Fal- mouth, Mashpee, Yarmouth, Dennis, Brewster, Chatham, Orleans, East- ham, and Wellfleet. In addition to the natural set 780 bushels of seed was planted and 7,800 bushels of large quahaugs and little necks were transplanted from polluted to clean areas.

Fishways The chain of fishways in the Parker River functioned even better than last year. The obstructions in the twelve miles of this stream were successfully passed by many thousands of alewives and in the early fall quantities of young were observed making their way back to the sea. Next year will complete the three year cycle—from hatching to return of adult fish—and it is confidently expected that an extraordinary run of alewives will occur. Except for minor adjustments and repairs the fishway with- stood the unusual amount of high water which prevailed this year. P. D. 25 55 Other fishways were inspected by coastal wardens and minor repairs and adjustments were made which enabled a much larger number of alewives to ascend to headwaters. The balance of last year's small special appropriation for fishway improvement was used in the Taunton River system in clearing out obstructions and in repairing certain fishways which were not functioning properly. A particularly complete repair job was done at Middleborough. Due to unusual high water conditions repairs being made in the Lawrence fishway have been temporarily halted. The following fishways have been examined and found to be in need of repairs or alterations in design: Waukinco River fishway, Horseshoe Works fishway in Bridgewater, Bournedale fishway, and North Falmouth fishway. Bounty on Seals The following towns were reimbursed by the Commonwealth (through the county treasuries) for bounties of $2 each paid on 247 seals in accordance with Section 155, Chapter 130, General Laws: Cohasset, $4; Duxbury, $24; Eastham, $2; Dennis, $10; Essex, $28; Hingham, $20; Ipswich, $80; Kingston, $66; Lynn, $14; Newburyport, $2; Oak Bluffs, $2; Orleans, $2; Plymouth, $6; Provincetown, $4; Quincy, $12; Rock- port, $2; Rowley, $6; Sandwich, $6; Weymouth, $34; Yarmouth, $170; fees to town treasurers, $123.50. Total, $617.50.

Note of Appreciation

The Director asknowledges his indebtedness to the officials and employees of the Division for their earnest cooperation and faithful service during the past year. It was largely through the efforts of those who labored in the office and in the field that the accomplishments enumerated in this report were made possible, and the Director wishes to give the credit where it is due. Respectfully submitted, Raymond J. Kenney, Director, Division of Fisheries and Game.

APPENDIX A Practical Method for the Disinfection of Fish Ova Against Furunculosis

The following experiment was carried out during the fiscal year: Recognizing that fish ova represent a possible vehicle for the trans- mission of Furunculosis, it was deemed necessary to develop a practical technique for their disinfection to eliminate a very real source of rein- fection of trout hatcheries. While it is not thought that eggs, carrying external infection acquired either in passage through or from implements previously infected, will of themselves develop into infected fish, it is evident that bacteria from these eggs will be disseminated into the water of the hatchery and in this way, and through infected implements, may infect the entire hatchery. Experiments were made at three of the State Fish Hatcheries, namely, Sandwich, Palmer, and Montague, and the number of eggs hatched and fish reared will be found under each station in the Propagation Section of this report. For this work, Diamino-methyl-acridinium chloride (Acri- flavine neutral) was used and this was reported as a satisfactory chemical disinfectant for fish ova by Dr. Isobel Blake of the Fishery Board for Scotland (Fisheries, Scotland, Salmon Fish., 1930, No. II). 56 P. D. 25 Experimental At the laboratory solutions were made up in three dilutions—1:1000; 1 :1500; and 1 :2000. About 2,500 eggs were placed in each of four beakers and three lots were covered with the three dilutions of acriflavine; the fourth lot was covered with tap water to serve as a control. The eggs were immersed in the solution for twenty minutes and stirred gently with a feather. After this they were washed by decantation, packed in moss, and taken to the Sandwich State Fish Hatchery, where they were placed in four separate hatching troughs and the daily mortality recorded.

Mortality Solution Solution Solution Control 1:1000 1:1500 1:2000

1st day 40 47 35 38 2d day 104 126 129 98 3d day 38 42 45 44 4th day 17 14 29 14 5th day 15 20 30 20 6th day 15 21 30 15 7th day 15 17 26 17 8th day 20 15 28 19 9th day 14 17 18 14 10th day 12 19 14 15 11th day 10 14 15 11

300 352 399 305

This table seems to indicate that the use of acriflavine did not adversely affect the eggs. The greatest mortality spread was on the second day between the lot treated with a 1:2000 solution and the control lot, but inasmuch as this was the weakest solution it is felt that the differential was accidental. Also, since as good results were obtained from the weakest solution, is is felt that this concentration is recommended both by the dictates of economy and those of safety. Therefore the 1:2000 solution was adopted and applied at the hatcheries in three different ways: Sandwich State Fish Hatchery.—At this station the 520,000 eggs were first placed in a large tub where they were tempered and washed of ad- herent debris. A trough had previously been dammed off to accomodate two tiers of hatching trays. In this method the eggs were put directly on to the trays (22 ounces of eggs per tray) which they would ultimately occupy in the hatching troughs. The dammed off portion of the trough was then filled with a 1:2000 solution and the eggs immersed for twenty minutes. At the end of this time they were placed in the hatching troughs where the rapid stream of water would quickly dilute the acriflavine. The fluorescence in dilute solution could be detected for a number of days after. To speed up the process, this method was later modified by placing 44 ounces of eggs on each tray and later dividing each lot into two parts for the hatching troughs. This worked satisfactorily but was very time-consuming owing to the number of times each tray had to be handled, and it was necessary to keep all temperatures uniform. The mortality ran higher than in the following methods, due, apparently, to the increased handling. Palmer State Fish Hatchery.—At this hatchery 215,000 brook trout eggs were disinfected in a much shorter time by the following method: In a large tub which had previously been filled with a tempered 1:2000 solution of acriflavine, the eggs were placed and stirred gently with a feather. After this they were washed in the tub by decantation with P.D. 25 57 clean tempered water, and immediately after this they were placed on the hatching trays. This method was quicker than the method used at Sandwich but the washing was not as rapid. The greatest dangers lie in too long exposure of the eggs in the solution and in the possibility of smothering the eggs by too close packing in the tubs during the process. Montague State Fish Hatchery.—In an effort to overcome the disadvantages of the above methods, a new technique was developed at this hatchery and the 465,000 brook trout eggs at this station were treated as follows: A hatching trough was dammed at the intake to hold the equivalent of three tiers of hatching trays." The 1:2000 solution was made up in this section of the trough and the eggs were placed in it loose and allowed to remain for twenty minutes. During this period they were stirred peri- odically with a feather. Adjoining the section in which the eggs were to be disinfected another compartment of the same size was arranged by installing a screen and flashboard or a lower dam. This compartment was then filled with water to prevent too great a rush of water when the dividing dam was removed. When the twenty-minute disinfection period had elapsed one-half the dividing dam was removed and at the same time the water was turned into the section containing the eggs and simultaneously the upper part of the lower dam was removed so that the eggs were quickly drained without being subjected to any mechanical shock and were still kept wet. When nearly all of the solution was drained off the water was turned on full and the trough filled with the eggs in it. This draining had to be done quickly to prevent a concentrated film of solution from surrounding each egg. From this very dilute solution the eggs were placed on trays for hatching. Discussion The method employed at the Montague State Fish Hatchery seemed to do away with the disadvantages of the methods used at the other two stations without introducing further complications and has been adopted as a practical method for use at the State hatcheries. It is felt that this offers an inexpensive, quick, and safe method of pro- phylaxis against probably the greatest peril which confronts the fish culturist, and in conjunction with the prophylactic sterilization of pools this work will be carried out each year at our hatcheries. Acknowledgement

This Division wishes to express its appreciation to Dr. David L. Beld- ing of the Boston University School of Medicine for his kind and valuable assistance in this work. This method has been adopted as a practical one for use at the State's hatcheries and will be used each year in conjunction with the prophylactic sterilization of pools.