'21'2 Tliiriij-Second Annual Meeting 



bottom feeder. He inhabits deep and cold waters. It is only 

 by bearing these facts in mind that the fish eultnrist can hope to 

 achieve any measure of success. I have always been an ardent 

 advocate of feeding fry frequently and slowly, and only so much 

 at a time as they would eat while in suspension, allowing non-i 

 to fall to the bottom and foul the trough. We fed golden trout 

 fry on that theory for two years and if one judged by their ap- 

 pearance, theory was the only thing we did feed them on. It 

 Avas not a success. The first crop did not begin to thrive until 

 almost one year old. The next lot was distributed as fry. We 

 began feeding the past season's crop on theory again, and with 

 the usual result. Then we discarded theory and used liver alone, 

 with gTatifying success. These fry are peculiar acting little fel- 

 lows. Toward the latter stages of the absorption period they be- 

 come congregated at the upper end, heads up stream, laying so 

 close together as to hide the bottom of the trough, and as still as 

 though glued to it. Day after day passes with scarcely a move- 

 ment or change on their part, except that their slender form 

 grows thinner and thinner. Frequent light feedings attract but 

 little attention, the particles being carried rapidly over the com- 

 pact fish mass by the current without inducing a rise. Seem- 

 ingly they have neither desire for food, nor ambition to live. 

 The body fades to a mere line. In the subdued light of the 

 hatching trough they appear all heads and eyes, presenting a de- 

 cidedly uncanny appearance, to say the least. I can assure you 

 we didn't enjoy the sensation caused by the sight of those fish 

 fading away day by day and week by week ; but what could we do 

 about it? All other fry took their food readily and easily when 

 the proper time came. Others had found this same difficulty. 

 It was very evident that the fault was with the fish. Dead fish 

 tell no tales; that is, unless you have a bacteriologist in your 

 commission. 



But, as I remarked before, we dropped the theorv, counted 

 out a trough for rearing purposes and began feeding liver thickly 

 at the head of the trough, allowing it to fall to the bottom. We 

 soon found that before the time for the next feed they had picked 

 up a considerable amount of this food. Continuing this prac- 

 tice we soon had tlie fish in a thriving condition, fully equal to 



