Prior to 1885 experiments had been conducted at various points looking to the artificial propagation of the lobster.  The only practical attempts of this nature previous to those made by the Fish Commission were by means of “parking,” that is, holding in large naturally inclosed basins lobsters that had been injured, soft-shelled ones, and those below marketable size.  Occasionally females with spawn were placed in the same inclosures.  One of these parks was established in Massachusetts in 1872, but was afterwards abandoned; another was established on the coast of Maine about 1875.  It was soon demonstrated, however, that the results from inclosures of this character, so far as the rearing of the lobsters from the young were concerned, would not be sufficient to materially affect the general supply.  The completion 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 during the months of April, May, June, and to about the middle of July, depending upon the supply to be had.  During the season of 1899 a small steam smack was chartered for collecting the lobsters, starting from Gloucester, where the hatching of Maine lobster eggs is now carried on, and running to Eastport, returning over the same route.  The Fish Commission schooner Grampus was also used in this work.  The lobsters are purchased from fishermen, who receive the market price for ordinary lobsters, and as they are not allowed to sell these lobsters legally for consumption the sale to the Commission materially increases their financial returns.