How to obtain it. 61 



is too cold or barren, and will not grow trout at all, whereas, the 

 same water supplying a second pond will do very well for the 

 purpose. The fact is, that it simply requires a little cultivation to 

 render it fit for use. After being exposed to the air and the rays 

 of the sun in the spring pond, which contains also some vegetable 

 life, it becomes changed in its nature, and in passing out of this 

 pond and along a raceway, even though the latter be only a few 

 yards in length, it becomes still further changed. This applies 

 more or less to a great many springs. The water often becomes 

 so rapidly changed that trout will thrive even in a spring pond. 



I have had cases in which they have done well in ponds that 

 had neither visible inlet nor overflow. Being fed by springs the 

 water would rise to a certain level, when, owing to the nature of 

 the soil, the absorption was so great that it could rise no higher. 

 There was, in fact, a stream flowing through the pond, and a pond 

 of this nature may be an excellent place for trout. 



Water readily takes up oxygen, and the more rapidly this 

 combination is brought about the sooner does it become suitable 

 for maintaining them. Whilst receiving a supply of oxygen it 

 also precipitates substances held in solution, and thus it will be 

 seen that the water flowing out of a pond may essentially differ 

 from the water flowing into it, if it be from springs. Plants give 

 off oxygen, and, as a rule, in other ways tend to render it more 

 suitable for fish. It is a well-known fact that even impure water' 

 as in the case of a stream, becomes purified as it pursues its) 

 course. Exposure to the air and the absorbing power of the 

 earth and other causes are at work to bring about this change. 



I Where the water supply is obtained from springs, therefore, it is 

 desirable to pass it through a preparatory pond if practicable, and 

 it is important that this pond should contain vegetation of a 

 proper kind, as the plants not only give off oxygen but produce 

 favourable conditions for a crop of natural fish food. So much, 

 then, for ponds with a limited water supply. 



Where a good supply is at hand I would say secure it by all 

 means. A stream that will fill a twelve-inch pipe will keep a I 

 good series of trout ponds going. If double the supply can be | 

 obtained at times so much the better. Although it is not only 

 desirable, but necessary, in the case of a successful trout pond, .to 



