How to obtain it. 59 



is desirable to run a good stream through a pond. I have seen 

 many worked most successfully where only a very small water 

 supply was available. These are cases of necessity, however, and 

 although in many of them good results may be obtained, yet it is 

 only by judicious working that they are brought about. By 

 limiting the quantity of fish, paying special attention to the 

 existing conditions, and regulating the work, much may often be 

 successfully done. 



There are cases in which fish ponds have been made on cold 

 barren streams, that have received their filling from torrents of 

 snow water or cold winter rains, and even before the workmen 

 have been off the scene a quantity of yearlings or two-year-olds 

 have been hurriedly introduced to " save a season." Sometimes 

 these fish, if not too. numerous, have done very well for a while, 

 but it has been more by accident than otherwise. I have known 

 cases in which they have done badly, and it is not at all surprising 

 that it should be so. It matters not where the fish come from or 

 how good they may be, the result will be the same. Anyone who 

 understands the keeping of an aquarium will readily see wherein 

 the mistake lies. Before turning fish into a pond we should know 

 that there is food upon which they can not only live, but thrive ; 

 but in many cases which have come under my notice little 

 attention has been paid to this important matter. The water has 

 been stocked regardless of surrounding circumstances, and con- 

 sequently expectations have not always been realised. Although 

 grave errors have been committed in the past, I would not for a 

 moment blame anyone. Even fish culturists have been years 

 finding out all these things, and there is yet very much to learn. 

 But we are now fairly on the right path, and mysteries are being 

 rapidly unravelled. 



We are now possessed of sufficient information to enable us } 

 to handle the water in a practical manner, as the agriculturist does ! 

 his land. As there are many varieties of soils, and as these 

 require different courses of treatment, so there are different classes 

 of water, each requiring its own peculiar management to make it 

 capable of producing a crop. As a rule, however, the cultivation 

 of ponds and lakes is a much easier -matter than the cultivation of 

 a tract of land. Where the water supply is small it is very 



