388 WHERE TO PLACE HATCHING APPARATUS. 



means; a most instructive and useful occupation, to the 

 study of whicli I have given much time and attention 

 since 1862. 



Throughout the country there are streams as well as 

 lakes and ponds suited for trout which are now trout- 

 less. Trout are becoming so important, not only as 

 food, but also for trout fishing, that wherever it is 

 possible, I earnestly recommend that they should be 

 bred artificially, and the waters thereby stocked. 



The process of breeding artificially is so very in- 

 expensive and so easily carried out, that with ordinary 

 care it will probably turn out a success in most cases. 



In the first place, then, it is perfectly useless to 

 waste time and money in attempting to hatch fish in 

 boxes out of doors by the side of rivulets, &c., it must 

 be done in-doors, or in a sheltered, easily accessible 

 house or shed of some kind. 



As regards water supply, there is hardly any house 

 in the country, or even in town, that has not a cistern 

 from which a sufficient supply of water cannot be 

 obtained, say from the beginning of December to the 

 end of March. Connected with stable yards, green- 

 houses, or other out-door buildings, there is generally 

 water laid on for household purposes, and a tap in 

 existence all ready to be utilized. The quantity of 

 water required to hatch fish is about as much as would 

 fill a half-inch pipe. It must be arranged to run day 

 and night.'''' 



The next thing to be considered is the boxes ; these 

 can be made either of wood or slate. The proper 

 dimensions are three feet (inside) long, seven inches 



* In case sufficient water cannot be spared from the house 

 cistern, rig up an iron cistern or ordinary water-butt, to keep up 

 the supply. 



