How to obtain it. 237 



vigorously ; and, this being the case, the screen at the outlet end j 

 of the box may be carefully drawn, so as to allow them to escape { 

 at will. This should be done very gently, and quite unknown to j 

 the fish. The best time to do it is just at the commencement of 

 a feed, when their attention is attracted by the food which is being 

 given to them, and the feeding should go on just as usual. When 

 it is over the fish will fall back a little, and some of them, without 

 knowing it, pass out of the box. There is not the least fear now, 

 and instead of gravitating to the bottom of the pond, and lying 

 there in a half-terrified state, there is a delighted feeling of 

 curiosity and pleasure at being free and in such a spacious apart- 

 ment The current of the inflowing stream is felt, and the little 

 trout, for such he now truly is, works his way up to the head of the 

 pond, on the way snapping up a specimen of Cyclops quadricornis, 

 which he finds delicious, and he soon takes up his position 

 looking for more. This goes on until fish by fish the box is 

 vacated, and when all have left it may be carefully removed. 

 This should be done without disturbing the fish, and it may be 

 desirable to slaken the ropes a little and float it down the pond 

 before removing it. 



It often happens that a few fish take up their position in the 

 box and will not come out of it. Should such be the case, they 

 may be ejected gently by turning it over on its side before 

 removing it. They are fish that will very soon take care of them- 

 selves when in the pond, and no anxiety need be felt on their 

 account. After the fry are out of the boxes the feeding should 

 go on carefully, and special watchfulness should be exercised at 

 first until they ^re all thoroughly on the feed, and in skilful hands 

 this is not long. 



Having got the fish into good feeding order, the great object 

 jto be desired is to keep them in position, and not to allow them 

 !to scatter over the ponds. Great care is necessary just at this 

 crisis and for some time afterwards, that the fish are not disturbed. 



A very little thing will sometimes suffice to throw them off 

 the feed at this time. A heron flying over, or some visitors 

 appearing suddenly amongst the ponds, a thunderstorm or a 

 sudden spate, will often effectually prevent fry from feeding for 

 awhile. 



