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the reeds and grass surrounding the ponds ; the fry and 

 spawners are separated after a time so that the young 

 ones may feed and grow undisturbed. Before the canal 

 closes in April a number of fry are also obtained from 

 the river, and the young fish from the Edurur swamp are 

 also brought in. Here they are kept until June- July 

 when, the canal being again open, the young fish 

 (fingerlings and upward) are removed in the live-cars to 

 various sections of the canal. This was done for the 

 first time in 19 12 but only about 40 miles were stocked 

 and that only partially, as the farm was not fairly at 

 work. 



7. Obviously recourse must be had to artificial feed- 

 ing except in the Edurur swamp where there is abund- 

 ance of space and natural food. In the farm proper 

 fish have to be fed, principally with cho^am grain, 

 boiled and mixed with soil into balls, which are 

 then broken up and distributed over the ponds. The 

 question of the nature and cost of food is being further 

 considered by Mr. Wilson. 



8. One pond was netted for my inspection and showed 

 a good head of fine fish [Cat/a Buchanani') ; a small one 

 had some vigorous mahseer [BaJ'biis Tor) of fair size. 



9. The work of stocking the canal and tanks has 

 hardly yet begun ; next season (from July onwards) this 

 work, will be much more advanced. But the farm proper 

 is organized and equipped for doing excellent work, 

 though additions and developments are still necessary. 



10. Mnrrcl fainn. — This branch of work is an excel- 

 lent illustration of the economic value of the practical 

 knowledge of an expert. In studying the fish most useful 

 for growth as human food Mr. Wilson was especially 

 led to consider the murrel [Opkiocepkahts punctattts and 

 srtiatus) found all over the Presidency, especially in the 

 irrigation tanks in which it is enabled to survive by its 

 habits of aestivating deep down in the mud when the 

 tanks dry up, and by its being an air breather. It is a 

 fish which nests an:! vigorously protects its young for 

 several months ; Mr. Wilson found that its eggs float and 

 can consequently be easily removed by dippers from the 

 nest and placed in protecting boxes where they hatch 

 out ; after they have absorbed their yolk-sac they are 

 let out from the boxes into the nursery pond where they 

 grow undisturbed, proceed thence to a growing pond, 



