CHAPTEE IX 



TAKING AND FEBTILISING TBOUT 

 EGGS 



As, according to an old saw, "all roads lead 

 to Borne," so in trout-culture all efforts are di- 

 rected towards taking, fertilising, and hatching 

 trout eggs. The fish begin to ripen in au- 

 tumn, sometimes as early as the first of Oc- 

 tober, but often not until well in November, 

 depending on water temperature and condi- 

 tions. Weeks beforehand, both males and fe- 

 males show signs of restlessness. The under 

 jaw of the male lengthens and becomes almost 

 a hook at the tip, and he exhibits signs of pug- 

 nacity, which become more pronounced day by 

 day. Fights of great ferocity are frequent, and 

 fatal wounds are given and received, for the 

 hook at the extremity of the lower jaw, has be- 

 come an ugly weapon of offence. All battles 

 are for the possession of females, and it some- 

 times happens that the latter, getting in the 



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