83 



bursting oospore. Thinks that the conditions favorable to the impregnation CKA IGE ND 



and ripening of the sopore of the S. ferax, must be present in all cases where 



the fungus assumes an epidemic form. Has found that a very small quantity 



of bay salt (56 lbs. to 650,000 gals.) sufficient to stop any new cases of fungus. 



Found in all cases where the discoloured spot existed between the pectoral fins 



the fish died sometimes before the fungus appeared. Found if only slight 



fungus existed, as occasionally occurred in spring, the fish generally recovered. 



Found few hen fish with fungus, and these possibly injured on the spawning 



bed. Thinks the fungus itself sufficient to cause death in summer and 



autumn, the higher temperature being more favourable to its rapid develop- 



meufc, but considers the fish disease as above described during winter and 



spring is a nursery for the summer crop of S. ferax. Has about 12,000 Loch- 



leven trout weighing 20,000 dbs. in three ponds, each 300 feet long, 45 feet 



wide, and of a depth varying from 6 to 13 feet. 



George Hotel, Girvan, Tuesday, April 20tli, 1880. 



Present : 

 Spencer Walpole and Archibald Young, Esquires. 



James Buchanan. — Has been tacksman of fishings on the sea coast at 

 Mellin, and in the river at Girvan Mains for 16 years. Holds the former from 

 the Crown, and the latter under Mr. F. Kennedy. The fishery has fallen off 

 considerably, some seasons more than others, but the decrease has been progres- 

 sive. Protection, however, recently has increased the stock of fish, but before 

 this there was a considerable decrease. 



The rivers are now overstocked, the Girvan especially. Thinks so because 

 there are many more fish than in other years. Saw fish breeding after 9th Sep- 

 tember. There were plenty of fish to stock the river before then. 



The rivers are getting later. The instinct of the fish teaches them to be 

 later. 



The nature of freshets in the river has altered. Formerly there was no fresh 

 for 24 hours after rain, now the freshets come down at once in a flood and fall 

 off in 24 hours. The drainage of land has altered the character of the river. 



The fish are later also in growing to maturity. The roe and milt are not 

 ripe so soon as they used to be. The fish and the river are both later ; there 

 has been a gradual change. 



Has seen no disease in the Girvan, but expected to do so because the river 

 was overstocked. On his own premises small fish confined in a small quantity 

 of water have got spotted. Gold fish maybe experimented with. They mil 

 get spotted. 



Drainage has caused the pools to become so soon empty that the fish get 

 overcrowded and blood poisoning ensues. 



Resides at Kilmarnock. Heard of the disease first from his men in January 

 1 880. The first fish was a clean salmon, unspawned. It was a fish that had 

 not spawned this year, but it was ready to spawn. It was found near here. It 

 was dead and had come down the river in a flood. His factor called atten- 

 tion to it. Cannot say if the disease has been confined to clean fish. His men 

 will say. 



Has observed the disease in small fish in cisterns. Has seen spots and 

 fungus growing and thought it was due to blood poisoning. The water would 

 get contaminated, and in passing through the gills would cause blood poisoning. 

 The same thing occurs in a river. In a pool capable of holding only five or 

 six couple of fish a second run of fish come and they get ill. 



Has had experience on the Irvine. Knows the Tay. The water supply is 

 very much better in the Tay than here. There were more fish killed in the 

 sea when he first knew the Girvan than now, and a better supply of water. 

 Now the drains cause the river to fil 1 up rapidly and to fall rapidly. The 

 disease may have been in the river before he heard of it. The river would have 



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