of the new marine laboratory and hatchery at Woods Hole in 1885,
with its complete system of salt-water circulation, permitted the
commencement of experiments in artificial hatching on a large
scale which had not been practicable theretofore, although small
quantities of lobster eggs, as well as those of other crustaceans,
had been successfully hatched. In 1886 the experiments had
progressed so successfully that several million eggs were
collected and hatched at Woods Hole, the fry being deposited in
Vineyard Sound and adjacent waters. From 1887 to 1890, inclusive,
the number of eggs collected was 17,821,000.


During the above years the average production of fry was about 54
per cent. By the use of more improved apparatus the average was
brought up to 90 per cent in 1897, when the collections amounted
to 150,000,000 eggs, of which 135,000,000 were hatched. As the
commissioner of sea and shore fisheries of Maine objected to the
taking of female lobsters in that State and the planting of part, at
least, of the resulting fry in other waters, an arrangement was made
in 1898 by which all female lobsters and the fry hatched out from the
eggs secured from these would be returned to the State waters. Under
this arrangement 2,365 "berried" lobsters were bought from the Maine
fishermen by the U. S. Fish Commission. From these 25,207,000 eggs
were taken and 22,875,000 fry were hatched. Of these, 21,500,000 were
deposited in Maine waters at various points. In 1899, 36,925,000 fry
were planted in Maine waters by the Commission. In order that the
female lobsters may be secured the authorities of Maine permit the
fishermen to catch and sell "berried" lobsters to the Commission.

The collection of eggs in Maine is usually made by the Commission