GROWTH OF TROUT — FOOD. 47 



is the same in the Trout taken from the artificial pond as 

 in that taken from the stream — varying no more and no 

 less. 



A word may be said here about the distinctive marks of 

 Trout. We consider that the differences which are found 

 are caused by food, climate and water. The fringe marks 

 or bars found on the young irout soon disappear. In adult 

 Trout the markings vary considerably. Some will be more 

 highly-colored on the belly than others, and on some the 

 spots will be brighter. Some look dull and dark ; others 

 light-colored and brilliant. I have myself caught the sil- 

 ver or Schoodic Trout, as it is called, in the Caledonia 

 creek. This Trout is commonly supposed to be cunfined 

 to one locality — the Sclioodic Lake — and is also called the 

 land locked Salmon. We have still in our ponds a number 

 of the same species, caught from our creek. Trout can be 

 bred to any color by feeding and the use of proper ponds, 

 and we believe that in the future they will be bred to color, 

 shape, flavor, etc., with as much nicety and certainty as a 

 cattle-fancier breeds his animals. 



The color of a Trout is sometimes a matter ol optical 

 deception. Old fishermen aftirm, we think truly, that a 

 Trout is always the color of the bottom over which it lies ; 

 and that in passing from one color of bottom to another, it 

 will change its color in a minute. The Trout in deep and 

 shaded pools are notoriously deeper in color, or rather 

 darker than those in shallow, bright waters; and they not 

 only look darker while they are in the water, but stay 

 darker when they are removed. The Trout-raiser must 

 make his ponds accordingly : shallow and exposed if he 

 wishes light-colored Trout ; deep and shaded if he wishes 

 a darker color. 



Food. — The question of food for Trout has not yet been 

 entirely solved. By this we mean that it is not yet settled 



