i 'hut. xxv. Legislation for Fry . ."..".."> 



difficulty, much valuable informatioii might probably be obtained 



IVoiu thrin. It is not likely to be found in books, for they are not 

 the class of difficulties to attract the attention of a European or 

 American. Personal enquiry on the spot, by one interested in the 

 subject, is what Would seem to be required. Such an one can 

 probably be found among the regiments or residents there 

 stationed. 



Legislation for Fry. 



42. But private interests are concerned in the rice-fields, and 

 the question arises, how they will be affected \ The agricul- 

 turists will doubtless be much discontented it' they are prevented 

 from enjoying the juicy morsels which they have been accustomed 

 to obtain with such ease, and they will certainly think it very hard 

 that they should not be allowed to eat even the little bits of fish in 

 their own fields. But will they be right in thinking themselves 



ieved ? It would seem that they will have very little, if any, 

 more right to complain than has the English miller. They are 

 like each other in diverting the rivers for their own benefit, and 

 of each of them the request made would be the same, namely, that 

 they should do it without injury to the fisheries. The Indian 

 farmer may, like the English miller, claim that he has a prescrip- 

 tive right to the water, and that it is no part of his business to 

 protect the fry. It has, nevertheless, been decided against the 

 English millers, equally with the companies or persons in charge 

 of artificial channels for navigation, or for supplying towns with 

 water, that they shall put gratings so as to prevent the passage of 

 salmon fry to their destruction, and that, tailing to do so, " they 

 " shall incur a penalty not exceeding 51. for every day " of delay 

 and " a penalty not exceeding 1/. for every day " during which 

 they may tail to maintain them when erected. Would it be un- 

 just in the public interests to make the same demand of the Indian 

 agriculturist? 



43. But the Indian farmer cuts off the whole stream, and leaves 

 no downward passage at all, except through his own fields. The 



option, therefore might be given him, "either 



Para. 33. 



•' you must leave a fair passage in the river for 



- tin' fry and put a grating before your own artificial channel, or if 



THE HOD IN 1NIHA. 2 A L' 



