PROCESSES IN TROUT BREEDING. 



CHAPTER I. 



TAKING THE EGGS* 



Introduction. 



WE now turn from the construction of the works 

 required by the processes of trout breeding to 

 the processes themselves. The first in order of these 

 is, taking spawn. This is a department of the trout- 

 breeder's work which it is very important to under- 

 stand thoroughly, for it depends on his success here 

 whether he secures most of the increase of his breed- 

 ing stock, or whether he loses most of it, A careless 

 and unskilful person will not save over twenty per 

 cent. A careful and skilful operator will not lose five 

 per cent. The reader can see for himself what a vast 

 .difference this makes, when hundreds of thousands, or 

 even millions, are the numbers dealt with. 



This branch of the work is no child's play. It 

 constitutes an art by itself, and requires, for its 

 success, knowledge, proficiency, and skill. Do not 

 neglect to give this department careful study. 



* For description of eggs, see p. io6. For number of eggs, 

 see pp. 267, 268. For spawning season of different fish, see 

 pp. 270, 271. 



4* 



