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of the above types could be reared in such quantities as to form 

 a good and economical source of nutriment for fish. These 

 lower types undoubtedly require certain conditions for their 

 healthy existence, and what I propose is this : Trenches, or 

 basins, should be dug in close apposition with the ponds, and, 

 if necessary, communicating with them. These basins to be 

 supplied with spring water by means of a pipe connected with 

 the main spring. One should be devoted to Shell culture, 

 another to Insect culture, and a third to Crustacea, and so on. 



These various foods could be transferred by means of a fine 

 net, or better still, by a running stream of water communicating 

 with the fish pond, or means could be established whereby these 

 forms could creep from the basin into the pond. By this method 

 the fish-culturist would know exactly how much food the fish 

 were getting, and he would also be able to arrive at some 

 estimation as to the comparative nutritiousness of the various 

 forms of natural food. Suitable conditions could be produced 

 whereby insects about to deposit their eggs might be attracted, 

 and soon the basins would swarm with larvae, which form an 

 excellent food, especially for young fish. As in human economy 

 the food of the child requires to be different from that of the 

 adult ; so in like manner does the food of the young fish require 

 to be different from that of the adult fish. 



One word more, and that is regarding the frog. Should it 

 be admitted into the arena of fish-culture ? I think so. The 

 damage it does to small fry can be kept within limits. A small 

 pond could be constructed with an arrangement to prevent its 

 escape, and in this pond the cultivation of the tadpole could be 

 prosecuted, and for a time an abundant supply of stronger food 

 would be afforded, for the large fish. Should the above experi- 

 ments be tried and meet with success, they will establish the 

 economic value of natural food as opposed to the artificial sys- 

 tem of feeding ; increase the number of fish culturists, and, in 

 addition, afford a means of studying the life history of these 

 lower forms, in connection with which are many points of great 

 scientific interest requiring elucidation. 



South Bend, Nebraska. 



