920 



THE AMERICAN FARMER 



was invented. Another seemingly trivial but extremely important discovery was the applica 

 tion of coal tar as a coating to wood work and all articles that come in contact with the eggs, 

 and on which fungus could do harm by growing. The last was the invention of the Holton 

 hatching box for hatching white fish, but which is a valuable convenience in managing the 

 eggs of all the salmon and trout. These discoveries have reduced the labor and expense of 

 fish culture immensely, and Have added in an equal degree to efficiency and certainty of 

 success. 



Trout Ponds, Location, etc. It is very easy, with good spring water, to raise a 

 few trout anywhere in temperate latitudes. But to raise a large number requires care in the 

 selection of a location. Plenty of pure spring water is the first and most essential requisite. 

 The spring, or one of the springs, if there are several, should have a fall of two or three feet, 

 and a fall of five to ten feet of the whole volume of water is decidedly advantageous. If 

 the supply of water is very large, it diminishes the necessity of a fall. The water from a 

 spring remains (near its source) at nearly the same temperature during the whole year, and is 

 the best for trout raising. The water from a brook which does not rise higher than sixty- 



POND AND FISH-WAY. 



five degrees in summer maybe used to supply ponds for adult trout; but spring water is not 

 absolutely necessary for hatching purposes. It is not a good plan to dam up a stream which 

 varies in volume, and so make ponds. There should be enough level land by the side of 

 sflch a stream to make ponds supplied by the stream; and it is best to have a stream much 

 greater in volume than is necessary for the ponds, so that there will always be a good supply 

 of water, and there will be no trouble with the surplus water after a freshet. A good 

 knowledge of the whole system of Trout Culture is essential in choosing the very best loca 

 tion. It is desirable to have your ponds near your house, or have a man in charge living at 

 the ponds. Of course your trout may never be molested, but &quot;an ounce of prevention is 

 worth a pound of cure.&quot; 



Laying Out Ponds. A series of ponds, in all of which the same water is used, is 

 generally considered the best plan for several reasons. It economizes the water and space, 



