SALMON ANGLING IN IBELAND. 97 



is it certain that even the water in question can give no more ? If 

 to this be added the consideration that salmon constitutes only one 

 crop, and that these water farms are capable of producing two crops 

 at the same time, may we not say of our thesis, Q.E.D. ? The 

 question of the age of the smolt, and the time of the return of the 

 grilse, are matters in no way affecting the success of the fish farmer. 

 The one icill go down, and the other will come up, in his season ; 

 vet that the adolescent salmon returns to the rivers after an 

 uncertain period, ranging from five or six weeks to three months 

 is, I believe, indisputable. 



In "mine own" especial water, about the last week in May, small 

 grilselets (from one pound to twice that weight) appear. These 

 gi-adually grow larger, till about the 10th or 12th of June they begin 

 to be stopped by -'the breast" of the cutts. Previously they were 

 able to slip through the opposing bars. Does not this seem to 

 favour the idea of a rapid but continuous growth ? The average 

 weight of grilse may be taken at from 5-|-lb. to 61b. ; had they been 

 roaming the seas for fifteen months, would it not be reasonable to 

 suppose they would have attained a more uniform size in fact, have 

 reached their majority ? We certainly see some men of six feet, 

 whilst others are only five feet seven inches ; but, taken as a whole, 

 men are pretty uniform in height, and all the inferior animals 

 race, food and temperature, being taken into account are likewise 

 unifonn ; but why one young gentleman salmon should be five or six 

 times as big as another of the same age, I cannot understand. The 

 lifference may be accounted for if we suppose growth to be at the 

 rate, let us say, of one pound per week, and the difference of time 

 between the capture in the same ratio but hardly if we accept the 

 ** two years theoiy." 



This paper is so thin that anything heavy would make a hole in 

 it. Philosophy must be written not on straw, but extra fool. Should 

 any reader, however, desire wisdom, let him read the second chapter 

 of Mr. Russell's admirable book, where he will find wit and wisdom, 

 kindness and good temper happily blended into a very pleasant 

 mixture. If there is a dash of the lemon, there is plenty of sugar- 



H 



