PEOPAGATION OF FISH. 245 
The foregoing is all that it is necessary to do to raise 
fish in abundance ; the main point is their protection, and 
this is effected by not allowing them to enter the open 
water till their second or even third season. Nothing is 
more entertaining than to feed the full-grown fish, and 
enjoy their breaking at sticks and weeds in their eager- 
ness and confusion ; this they will often do one after ano- 
ther for twenty times. Their slow motions till they per- 
ceive the prey, and then the ferocity of their rushes, 
assimilates them to the dreaded salt water shark. With 
watchful eye they move cautiously about, but woe to 
the fly or minnow that touches the surface ! A dozen 
rush at it and fling themselves into the air, turn- 
ing suddenly on their sides by a flap of their tails, and 
disappear as instantly, one of them with the victim in 
his mouth. 
The natural method of propagating fish, though abun- 
dantly successful, and so simple that there is no skill 
required to perform it, cannot be expected to equal the 
results effected by artificial fecundation. The latter, 
however, requires considerable care, and although a total 
failure is almost an impossibility, neglect will result in 
great loss. Each trout should produce several hun- 
dred young, and if a business is intended to be made of 
it, the artificial method must be pursued. 
Tlie first consideration, therefore, is to obtain a male 
and female fish, fully prepared to spawn. This is deter- 
mined by the ease with which the eggs and milt can be 
pressed from them ; for if it requires more than the light- 
est pressure, the spawn will not be mature, and the 
parent's life may be destroyed if the operation is per- 
