of; 



CHAPTER V. 



THE HATCHERY. 



Selection of the water Its importance Construction Out-door hatchery In- 

 door hatchery Frost-proof building Lighting Filtration of water Concrete 

 floor Drainage The apparatus How to construct Carbonizing Trap boxes 

 Catchpool No admittance Beware of visitors Early days of the Solway Fishery 

 Care required in a hatchery. 



ETOR the benefit of those who wish to do their own work from 

 the commencement I will endeavour, in as few words as 

 possible, to describe the various needs and processes of the 

 practical fish culturist. The first thing essential is a hatchery of 

 some kind. It may be large or small according to the amount 

 of work required to be done, and may be fitted up in different 

 ways, but although the details may vary, yet the principle of 

 construction is the same, whether small or large. It must be 

 near a good supply of pure water. I do not mean chemically 

 pure, but naturally so that is, it must not contain any excess of 

 mineral matter of any kind, and it must be free from mud or 

 sediment. The water which flows from a good clear spring and is 

 wholesome to drink is usually good. But the best way of proving f 

 it is by means of the fish themselves. Do trout frequent it, and ' 

 do they spawn in it freely ? If they do, it is probably all right ; 

 if they do not, then be careful, and should it seem clear, on 

 examination, that they avoid it, then be very cautious in using such 

 water. By all means have it analysed, and find out exactly what 

 it contains, and what it does not, before commencing work. 

 Brook water is the best for growing the fish, but spring water is 

 usually acknowledged to be safer for hatching the ova, and chiefly 

 for two reasons regularity of temperature, and freedom from 

 organic and mineral matter in the form of sediment. 



