120 T]nrfi/-Firsf AniuKil Meeting 



the ^^^'iter is convinced that tlicso theories can be a])plie(l in the 

 pond cnltnre of trout and that they will mean something when 

 so applied. They will mean that the trout in our ponds will be 

 more vigorous and healthy: that they will be larger; that they 

 will produce more spawn ; that a larger per cent of the spawn 

 will hatch; that a larger per cent of the fry will live; that the 

 output of the hatcheries will l)e increased; that more trout will 

 be ])lanted in our piil)lic streams; and that larger and handsomer 

 trout and more of them will l)e taken from those streams with 

 greater delight and satisfaction to the fisherman. 



The system of breeding which I have sl'.'etched here would en- 

 tail l)ut little extra expense or troul)le on the trout culturist. The 

 only additional apparatus needed in the usual outfit for taking 

 s]iawn at a hatchery would be an extra tank to hold a few of the 

 finest specimens found in the ponds. 



The usual procedure in taking spawn at a trout hatchery is to 

 confine the fish to a spawning pen or raceway and with a dip net 

 transfer a few at a time to a tub containing some water, from 

 whence they are handled by the spawn takers. The extra tank 

 mentioned should be located near by and supplied with water, 

 and whenever the spawn takers find a nice specimen of either sex, 

 strong in size, color and markings, such specimen should be 

 transferred to the tank mentioned. After the regular stock of 

 1)reeding trout has Ijeen handled over, the eggs may be taken 

 from the fisli in the tank and fertilized by the best males saved 

 for tlie ])m'pose; and the eggs thus obtained should be given a 

 se])ai'ate ])laci' in the hatchery. The fry from these eggs should 

 !)(' kept separate and finally transferred to tlie hatchery ponds to 

 t'onn a part of the hatchery breeding stock. Xo other fry should 

 he saved for breeding purposes. 



W'licn i1 is thought desirable to introduce new Mood, this 

 should he doiu' \)\ olitaining a numl)er of mature specimens of 

 good size, color, etc., to be used in connection with the selected 

 breeders from the home stock rather than Ijy purchasing a large 

 quantity of fry or eggs bred in the iisual way. 



The mature fish selected for tlie introduction of new blood 

 may or may not be wild fish. If the progeny is to be planted in 

 wild, unprotected streams, wild lish would be preferable for this 



