DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES,

46
Musquodoboit River, all the parent fish required might be secured there, it was decided
to concentrate all efforts upon that point and thus avoid the expense and anxiety
attending operations conducted at different points remote from each other. A dam
which crosses this river at its mouth presents an insurmountable barrier to the entrance
of fish. This is removed by a pass around the end of the dam formed by blasting
out the adjacent rock. Up this pass salmon readily go when sufficient water is
found in the river.
Having obtained the privilege of using for this season, a very suitable race-way
in which to retain the salmon until ready for manipulation, a trap was constructed
in this pass and it was confidently expected to secure a full supply of fish there in a
few days, unfortunately, though, through the unwarranted interference of one of the
wardens of the river, a gate which had been temporarily placed at the head of this
pass to keep the fish, was removed by that officer and large numbers of salmon
passed up, and the looked for supply of salmon, escaped. However, as soon as possible,
the work was renewed and in the course of a few weeks, the men succeeded in
capturing 112 salmon. This number not being sufficient for the wants of the hatchery,
more men were set to work on the West River in Pictou County, from which stream
were taken 63 salmon. A further number of 10 salmon, were taken 'from the
£hezzetcook River, a stream about 7 miles distant from the Musquodoboit. The
total catch was as follows :
Males. Females. Ova obtained.
Musquodoboit River. 47 64 700,000
West River. 29 34 350,000
Chezzetcook River.. 4 6 50,000
Total .,.. 80 104 1,100,000
Making a total of 184 salmon, 104 of these were females and from which 1,100,
4)00 ova were obtained. These were safely deposited in the hatchery troughs of
this establishment, and are now in a good and healthy condition, and promise a
£ucoessful hatching.
An effort is being made to find some suitable place for the capture of a fall
supply of parent salmon, where they can be taken during the early summer season.
By the coiistruction of a reservoir into which the tidal waters would be admitted at
every flood tide, there would be no difficulty in retaining the fish until the spawning
season arrives. By this plan, the uncertainty, which exists under the present system,
owing to heavy freshets preventing the setting of nets in the fall, and at times the
low stage of water rendering it impossible for the salmon to enter the river, will be
obviated, The proposed plan has been in operation for some years in connection
with the hatcheries of the Province of Quebec and has been proved to be very satisfactory.
It possesses many advantages over that now in use here, and will materi
ally add to the results of the work by producing an earlier run of fish than can be
expected from those hatched heretofore in this Institution, which were the product
of the late, or fall run of salmon. A. general idea of this proposed plan was laid
before the Department in a preiou report, and as soon as a suitable locality is found
for applying it, details will be given.
There is sufficient room in the hatchery for a large number of salmon-trout and
white.fish ova, and it is expected that the usual quota will be obtained this winter
from the Newcastle Hatchery in Ontario. I have recently found a locality from
which I can obtain large number of sea-trout ova in the spawning months and with
your permission, 1 hope to secure a good supply for next season's operations.
A. B. W1LMOT,
O7cer in charge of Bedford Hatchery.