268 MR. A. H. REID 



under certain conditions is likel}^ to appear upon fisji 

 that have been wounded. Those that migrate to the sea 

 or to brak estuaries soon free themselves from the malady^ 

 but those that are affected and remain should be de- 

 stroyed and their stagnant haunts converted into run- 

 ning water by the removal of all obstacles. In the case 

 of head waters that are deficient in food, a little pond 

 here and tliere with channels to connect them to the 

 stream would yield an enormous amount of fish food, 

 and if made near a homestead improve the landscape. 

 Then again water cress planted in the streams and fur- 

 rows would be of service to man as well as fish, but in 

 a compound scale to the former. I would impress upon 

 all interested perscms that by cultivating the growth of 

 a(iuatic plants in the upper waters the floods would keep 

 tlie lower portions going to a great extent, and by pro- 

 viding food for the fry in the upper waters they would 

 remain there, instead of dropping downstream in search 

 of food, to be snapped up by enemies and larger fish. 



The severe floods of 1917 wrecked the banks of the Hex, 

 Dwaars and Lowrens Rivers, carrying away all vegeta- 

 tion, roots and aquatic plants that provided insect and 

 otlier forms of natural food for the fish ; and the absence 

 of fly (m the rivers this year is evidence of the need for 

 inunediate action. The larvae of many insects exist 

 solely on the jilants and weeds that grow beside rivers, 

 and as Nature is not replacing those that were washed 

 away, it is the duty of those interested to expedite that 

 work. The author lias planted Willow Moss in the 

 upi)er waters of the Lowrens at Somerset West, and as a 

 stock is on hand at the Jonker's Hoek Hatchery, it is 

 hojied some will be distributed and aiTangements made 

 t(> get it j)lanted where it cannot be washed away by 

 the winter floods. 



The result of many autoi)sies covering many years en- 

 ables me to record the following as items of the menu ol 

 the trout, centipedes, flying ants, caterpillars, flies, beetles, 



