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AYE,. The disease has not, he thinks, heen seen above Loch Doon. Last year 



many dead fish, supposed to have been frozen up, were found in the upper 

 waters. The main breeding tributaries of the Doon are Carrick Lane and 

 "Whitespout Lane, and other lanes above Loch Doon. Fish were reported by 

 shepherds to be found frozen up till April. Thinks the fish could not get 

 away. These were not, he thinks, diseased fisb. 



Diseased fish were found near the sea. Does not know if any were seen in 

 the tideway. Thinks the fish got weak and floated down to sea. Does not 

 think the disease is in the sea. The disease is a river disease, and not a sea 

 disease. In July the water-bailiff was instructed to experiment by throwing 

 rock salt into a burn, but he could not obtain a diseased fish before the disease 

 disappeared. 



As to remedy, does not think anything can be done besides introducing rock 

 salt into the burns. This would not be practicable in large rivers, but the in- 

 troduction of rock salt might prevent the disease breaking out. The Doon 

 has only one tributary. 



The bailiff got 18 large diseased fish, and others were taken by other 

 people. 



Is in favour of burying dead fish. Would kill diseased fish if they were not 

 near the sea. If near the sea they should be taken to the sea. They should 

 be watched in the small burns. Would not approve of killing all kelts. Clean 

 fish are as liable to disease as kelts. 



The stay of the kelts in the river depends on the weather. This year the 

 kelts were detained till May and June, owing to the long frost. 



Does not think that after a certain date kelts should be considered as fit to 

 be kept. In April 1858 three anglers landed 2/ kelts in three pools. Does not 

 think kelts should be destroyed unless there is clear evidence that they are 

 injurious. 



Does not think the existence of a lake, or bog land, can prevent the disease. 

 The disease is a river and not a sea disease. 



Sea-trout were first affected. Carrick Lane falls into Loch Doon. 



The fungus disease was not seen in the Carrick Lane or in the Whitespout 

 Lane. The fish that were seen were on the edge of Loch Riecawr after the 

 disease had appeared. The disease was first seen in October or November 

 1878. The dead fish referred to were seen in April and May 18/9. 



Gratings have been placed at all mill leats, and fish cannot have been 

 wounded by mill-wheels. 



All the nets in the river are bag nets. If fish were caught and hung up in 

 the leaders, they would be killed outright. If kelts fighting were the cause of 

 the disease, it ought to have been prevalent before. But it is quite a new 

 thing. 



The pollutions are cured. The stones in the river which were discoloured 

 are now getting clean. When the pollutions were bad there was no disease, 

 and for several years the pollutions have not been at all bad. 



Robert Armour. — Has been river bailiff on the Doon for five years. First 

 observed the disease on 18th October last year. Never saw it before. It was 

 on some sea-trout. It was white fungus growing on the fins — all the fins — 

 and on the head. The fish were dead. This was about six miles from the 

 sea. Most of these fish were seen within two or three miles of the sea. 



Cut them open ; the intestines were in good condition. The flesh was not 

 firm. They appeared to have spawned. This was in October 1878. Never 

 saw anything before like it. The sores were quite distinct from sores caused 

 by fighting. The fins were being eaten away, and only the bones left. 



Sea-trout generally spawn about November. If the fish had spawned they 

 must have been early. Is not sure if they had spawned ; they had nothing in 

 them. The fish he found were males. Has seen fresh-run fish affected. 

 Saw nothing more till 12th April 1879, when he saw the same thing on some 

 spring salmon. 



Thinks the fungus grows on decayed flesh. Cannot say if it originates in 

 fresh water. Has got diseased salmon in tidal water. The first one he got 

 was taken there. It had come down the river. 



Overstocking does not exist in the Doon. 



Does not think pollution is the cause. 



