THE FISHERIES. 91 



little rivers Vartry and Rathnew discharge them- 

 selves. We shall endeavour, in relation to these 

 two rivers, to exemplify the process we propose, for 

 breeding fish by artificial means ; not doubting that 

 numerous other locahties equally suitable, will be 

 found in various other counties in Ireland, where 

 this process, if found desirable, might be carried 

 out. These two rivers, the Vartry and Rathnew, 

 are both excellent spawning rivers, abounding in 

 beds suitable for the deposition of the spawn, sup- 

 plied with the pure mountain stream, and resorted 

 to annually by their own native salmon ; but, un- 

 fortunately, it is only a lucky pair or two, in any 

 season, that are allowed to spawn in these rivers ; 

 for, no sooner do the male and female salmon make 

 their appearance on the spawning-beds in the com- 

 mencement of autumn, than they are recklessly 

 speared in large numbers. We say, then, take a 

 couple of miles, or less, respectively, of each of 

 these secluded, Avell-sheltered, and easily protected 

 rivers, and restrict the salmon to that range ; pro- 

 tect that limited distance thoroughly, night and day ; 

 provide against the disturbance of the beds by floods, 

 and against the deposition of mud from the same 

 cause ; provide also, by a shglit regulation process, 

 against the falHng off of the water below a certain 

 level, merely to ensure that no part of the spawn- 

 ing-beds shall be left dry. Make all these provi- 

 sions, simple and feasible as they are, and in four 

 months those rivers, by the natural process alone. 



