How to obtain it. 125 



Suitable water is such an important factor in the successful 

 working of a hatchery, that too much caution can hardly be used 

 in the selection of the site for the building. Some very clear and 

 good-looking waters are not good, and it really becomes the work 

 of an expert to decide what is suitable and what is not. I have 

 seen excellent work done in a hatchery where only river water has 

 been used, and I have seen spring water that to look at appeared 

 perfection itself, yet did not do its work at all satisfactorily. Some 

 spring waters contain too much iron, lime, or other deleterious 

 ingredient, and hence the great care that is required in the 

 selection of a suitable supply. 



Therefore, where the incubation and hatching of ova is to be 

 carried on on an extensive scale, it is better to consult an expert. 



Where limited operations only are intended, test the water 

 by keeping some trout in it, and, if possible, hatch a few ova, and 

 rear the fry for a season by way of experiment. 



Have the water analysed. 



Having selected a suitable spring, the next consideration is 

 the construction of a hatchery. I have seen several sets of 

 hatching apparatus worked out in the open air. The objections 

 are that such hatcheries are exposed to the action of frost, which 

 in very severe weather is likely to cause damage, and they are 

 liable to be tampered with by man or beast, which should not be 

 the case. I once had a spring which threw a copious supply of 

 excellent water, never below 38 Fahrenheit. Such water would 

 answer well for an outdoor apparatus, as it could easily be made 

 to pass through a series of hatching boxes before being reduced 

 to the freezing point. But most water would be likely to give 

 trouble at times. Therefore, if it be practicable, place the 

 hatching apparatus inside a frostproof building. In our climate 

 an ordinary stone and lime wall is sufficiently frostproof for the 

 purpose ; an ordinary slated roof is not. Thatch will do, but it 

 has the objection that it needs constant repair and harbours 

 vermin. Underground hatcheries, when the situation will permit 

 their construction, are excellent. But an ordinary stone-built and 

 slated building will be found in practice to answer all requirements 

 if felt be laid under the slates. The temperature inside it may be 

 kept at any desired point by means of hot water pipes, which 



