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The disease affects the trout and minnows, so he hears from his man as MELS9SE. 

 regards minnows. Has heard of Mr. Stirling's experiment with minnows, 

 which ate the fungus. 



The disease may possibly but not probably have been carried by birds from 

 water to water. Has heard that this disease appears in North America, where 

 there is a vast amount of fish, in miraculous numbers, but where there are no 

 men and no pollutions. 



It looks as if the quantity of fish may conduce to the disease. One or two 

 sickly fish among the crowds collecting at the caulds would cause the disease 

 It is impossible to ease the fish down. They are packed close to each other. 

 Cannot say that the preservation of kelts is undesirable, but kelts after a 

 certain date should be caught. Old kelts cannot live, a,nd are a mischief. A 

 few kelts are taken now and then by anglers. Spoon bait and phantom 

 minnows are allowed to be used. The catching and returning of kelts cannot do 

 them any good, as a wound might be inflicted which would be dangerous. 

 Thinks the kelts should be allowed to be taken after a certain date. 



In favourable years all the kelts get out to sea. With a long dry season 

 they collect together after spawning and die. Cannot suggest the date after 

 which kelts should be killed by anglers. Would not bind himself to a date, 

 but perhaps the end of April or beginning of May would do. 



Would suggest the destruction of all diseased fish at once by properly 

 accredited persons, whether they are slightly affected or severely affected. To 

 kill the healthy fish would be undesirable and impossible. Many, but not all, 

 of the diseased fish could be caught by persons accustomed to watching the 

 fish. They should be destroyed the moment they are observed to have the 

 slightest trace of disease. Only persons authorised by the Tweed Commis- 

 sioners should be enabled to do this, and the Commissioners should authorise 

 anybody they wished. The Tweed Commissioners would have power, he 

 thinks, to do this under their Act. It would be for the benefit of the river. 

 They have a discretionary power for purposes of science. Does not think it 

 likely anyone would take legal exception to this, but it is perhaps an obstacle. 

 Has no other recommendation to make. Thinks the disease is not -attributable 

 to agriculture and pollution, because there are cases of disease where there is no 

 pollution, &c. 



The Tweed valley is drained by tile drains, not surface drainage. Sheep 

 washing would occur at a time when the disease is not visible. 



The fact that there are rivers without disease and with pollution is against 

 the theory that pollution is the cause. 



There is overcrowding above the weirs at Melrose. There is no pass. The 

 fish will not go down without a rise of water. Coining up to spawn the fish 

 collect to a certain extent below the caulds, but generally get over. 

 Cannot say if the fry are affected. 

 Cannot say if kelts eat fry. 



It would be possible to treat fish slightly affected with salt, but there are not 

 enough bailiffs to do this practically. The fish are cured by getting to the sea. 

 There are a few grayling in the Teviot. Only heard of one ever caught in 

 the Tweed. There are no chub. Cannot say as to eels. There are only bull- 

 trout, salmon, and yellow trout. Does not see so many bull-trout as formerly. 

 They chiefly go up the Whitadder. 



The temperature of the water would be very low during snow-broth. 

 There is no way to separate the fish. The rocks prevent the nets sweeping 

 the pool below the weirs. 



Thinks the unspent baggifcs caught in the spring must have been kept off 

 the beds by the state of the water. It would not be possible to make an 

 artificial spate from a reservoir. It has been tried on the Ayr. 

 The lowering of tone in the fish would predispose to disease. 

 Similar conditions to those suggested exist in northern rivers, where there is 

 no disease ; but the fish there are a hardier race. In the Dee the fish rise 

 when it is full of snow water. Here they will not rise with snow in the water. 

 The race of fish in the Tweed is different from the northern fish. A Ness fish 

 may be known from any other fish by its shape. Fish from one river may be 

 affected by disease, and fish from another river not. 



The run of fish depends on the state of the river. They may run at any 

 time according to the condition of the water. 



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