WILL IT PAY ? 79 



yers, or pisciculturists. Tiie question of profit depends much 

 upon the cheapness of food, and here is another point where 

 farmers have the advantage in this business, as they have 

 the bulk of the food ready to their hands, and fattening 

 Trout will pay better than fattening pigs. 



If much competition arises, even tlien it will be the 

 same as in any other business. He, who by economy in 

 practice and the use of improved methods, can sell his fish 

 the cheapest, will make the money. If the time should 

 come in the future, when, on account of competition, but 

 little money can be made at the business, then competition 

 will naturally be reduced, and the price will rise to a pay- 

 ing figure. People will not raise Trout for sale, unless 

 they can make money by it, and so long as there is any de- 

 mand for Trout, somebody will have the chance. 



Advice to those Starting in the Business for Profit. 

 — Remember that it will be two years before you can hope 

 to sell any fish for table use ; so do not enter into it 

 unless you have some means of sup])ort for that time. The 

 persons who have the most natural advantages for this 

 business are those farmers, who have springs or cold streams 

 on their farm — now almost useless — but which may be 

 turned to advantage in raising fish. They, depending on 

 their farm meanwhile for support, can yet give time and 

 attention to the experiment, and engage in it altogether if 

 it succeeds, or abandon it, without serious loss, if they fail. 

 It is peculiarly adapted to them, also, because it demands 

 most attention in the winter, when they have least to 

 do on the farm. Meanwhile, until fish-farming becomes 

 rather less of an experiment, and more of an exact science, 

 it would be well for impecunious young men, seeking for- 

 tunes, to leave the business to capitalists and corporations. 

 To those who wish to raise fish for their own table use, or to 

 afford sport in angling, to themselves and friends, we would 



