270 MR. A. H. REID 



mistake to have both in the same water. Their habits, 

 nature and temperament are so divergant that they shonld 

 not be in contact. The Brown trout should be preferred 

 for rivers that have their sources in mountains that are 

 snowclad in winter; such rivers have as a rule speedy 

 water, on account of the greater fall in their beds, and 

 the water is naturally cooler on account of the altitude 

 of the head waters above sea level. In other words, rivers 

 whose sources are a great distance from the sea are better 

 suited to Browns than Rainbows. The latter can with- 

 stand temperatures better than the former and are there-* 

 fore more suitable for rivers of short length, with little 

 fall and consequently much sluggish water, though of 

 course they would thrive in the Brown ti^out water. In- 

 discriminate stocking must depreciate the whole breed 

 and it is far better to ascertain the most suitable variety 

 for any given water and stick to that, doing all that is 

 possible to improve that particular l)reed and to remove 

 all chance of contact with others. There can be no 

 doubt that success or failure depends upon the con- 

 dition of the water and the presence of plenteous and 

 suitable food. The matter of food can be easily deter- 

 mined, both as regards the quantity available and the 

 quality, by a frequent examination of the contents of the 

 stomachs of the fish month by month, week by week and 

 day by day if possible. The favourite food will soon be 

 discovered, also if it is plentiful at every or any particular 

 season. If at any time there is a shortage, it can be dealt 

 Avitli by cultivation, at the right season, of the proper 

 animal or plant life. Regarding the existence of large 

 predatory fish, the only remedy is their prompt removal. 

 The Rainbow becomes cannibalistic much sooner than the 

 Brown trout, i>robably as 3 years is to 5, and it is not 

 diflficult to ascertain their existence if they are seen in 

 the water and not seen to rise. Rainl)ows are so vo- 

 racious tliat tliey quickly consume all available food in one 

 section of a river and then move on to another, giving the 



