An Angler's Paradise. 5 



square yards, or less than an acre. An acre of such water, then, 

 would produce at the same rate over ten thousand five hundred 

 pounds of trout in three or four years. Taking the value of this 

 at a shilling per pound the result is ^525. Experience teaches 

 us that the cost of producing and maintaining these fish could be 

 brought under ^325, which leaves a margin of ^200, or at the 

 rate of ^50 per annum per acre a very handsome profit indeed. 

 Of course there is risk, and results would vary, but against this 

 may be placed the fact that I have taken a decidedly low estimate. 

 I have indeed simply stated what has been done and not what 

 may be done. 



It is now more than a quarter of a century since I began my 

 fish-cultural operations, and during that time I have had, in 

 common with all fish culturists, many failures. I think I may 

 fairly say, however, that from every one of these I have learned 

 something, and often that something has been well worth the 

 cost that it has been to me, even though it involved the loss of a 

 considerable number of fish. Losses are always grievous at the 

 time they occur, but the knowledge which we now possess may 

 be said to have been largely gained, or to have grown, out of 

 these misfortunes. 



It is not to be expected that everyone who attempts to 

 manage a fish farm will carry his work to a successful issue; 

 indeed it is only in the hands of a skilful operator that such a 

 work can result in eventual success. Everyone who knows any- 

 thing of cattle or agriculture, is well aware that it requires a good 

 technical and practical education to make a farmer. So it is with 

 the breeding of fish, but it is as certain in its results when in 

 proper hands as the breeding of cattle, poultry, or anything else, 

 and quite as easily managed as it becomes understood. It how- 

 ever, requires, as I have said, a considerable amount of education, 

 and it cannot for one moment be expected that it can be carried 

 on at once in a successful manner by everyone who inclines to 

 take it up. Education must be had in one way or another. Either 

 beginners must pay for instruction at some well-conducted fish- 

 cultural establishment, or they must flounder in the mire for some 

 time, it may be a considerable time, and patiently bear many 

 losses, discomfitures, and failures, before they can hope to bring 



