How to obtain it. 281 



during the past few years, is somewhat uncertain in its results. 

 There is no need for this state of things whatever, and it is 

 exceedingly trying to a fish culturist who is deeply interested in 

 the work, to look on year after year and see the meagre results 

 that are accruing to salmon-cultural operations. I have had some 

 considerable experience in the collection of spawning fish and of 

 ova in years gone by, and my opinion of the method usually 

 adopted, of trying to net the ripe fish out of the rivers, is that it is 

 most unbusiness-like. I have often been unable to get a ripe fish, 

 and have spent days by the river-side, with men, and nets, and 

 boats, etc., trying in vain, although catching plenty that were not 

 ripe. I have pointed out the proper course, and the only one 

 that is really workable, but the excuse usually is that it would be 

 too costly. 



It is the ordinary plan that is too costly. So costly is it, 

 indeed, that for seven years or more I have not put a net into the 

 water to catch a salmon. The remedy is to impound the fish, and 

 when that is properly done, and the rest not left undone, then I 

 venture to say that salmon culture will yield its fruit. 



The expense is very muc'h less than is incurred by the present 

 system. The real difficulty is that some outlay is required before 

 the work can be commenced, and it seems to be the fear of this 

 that prevents it going on. Now, I may as well say at the outset 

 that our salmon rivers are not to be put into the condition that so 

 many people desire without a reasonable outlay of capital upon 

 them. Without that it would be just as hopeless to attempt any 

 improvement as it would be to attempt to put into order a piece 

 of cultivated land which had been allowed to run waste, or, it 

 might be, a piece that had never been cultivated at all. 



The impounding of fish cannot be done by anybody. I 

 believe it has been tried in some instances and found to fail. 

 Nothing is more likely. The ordinary water bailiff probably 

 knows as much about impounding salmon as he knows about 

 harpooning a whale. Even experts have yet a great deal to learn 

 about this, as about many other things, but that is no reason why 

 important work should be left undone. That salmon can be 

 impounded, and impounded successfully, I know from my own 

 experience, for I have tried a good many experiments with the 



