ON SMALLER PONDS. 177 



to ten and twelve pounds' weight. They will do well 

 in a pond with carp and tench, particularly if there are 

 any deep holes in it, and they will afford variety for 

 the sportsman ; but they are of no great value for the 

 table, as I think, probably, split and dried like had- 

 docks is the best way of preparing them. They are 

 salted and eaten largely by the poor in Ireland. The 

 French have an old motto, to the effect that " he who 

 hath bream in his pond may bid his friends welcome." 

 There is no accounting for taste. 



Note. — All knowledge is progressive, and in a new science like 

 pisciculture new facts are elicited from week to week, and from 

 month to month ; and I may here, before closing the subject of 

 lakes and ponds, take occasion to state the results of two or three 

 experiments which have just come to light, tending to show that 

 young salmon can and will exist in lakes or ponds for years with- 

 out ever going to the sea. Some experiments show that they will 

 grow up to 31bs. and 41bs. weight, but that they do not get into 

 good condition, being white and flabby in flesh, and that they 

 usually die off when they reach that size. Other experiments 

 apparently show that they do not grow to so large a size, but keep 

 their condition much better than is above stated. Probably this 

 may turn out to be merely a matter of feeding. The fact, however, 

 that salmon-fry can exist for years without going to the sea, seems 

 to be tolerably certain, and is by no means a valueless one ; and 

 I have thought it desirable to mention it here, although it is some- 

 what out of place, rather than omit it altogether. 



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