TROUT PONDS 95 



Unless the supply of water is to all intents 

 and purposes unlimited, the water should never 

 be " split," or divided into more series of ponds 

 than can possibly be avoided. If with a limited 

 supply splitting is unavoidable it is important 

 that the water be reunited into a single series 

 of ponds in the shortest distance, even though 

 splitting again be required, because any ap- 

 preciable diminution of the volume of flow is 

 likely to cause a rise in temperature and con- 

 sequent loss in the "life" of the water. 



Shape and Size. The shape of ponds should 

 be such that the current may flow through in 

 such a manner as to leave the least amount of 

 dead water ; and also it is desirable to adopt a 

 shape which will permit of easy netting. A 

 rectangular pond, whether square or oblong, is 

 not the best, therefore, for fulfilment of both re- 

 quirements, yet it is the one most easily and 

 cheaply built ; the ground space is best utilised ; 

 and this is unquestionably the best form when 

 a "nest," or series, of ponds is to be built at the 

 same time or in the near future. Oblong ponds 

 with rounded ends are even better. 



Ponds constructed in nests or groups and fed 



