272 OUT OF DOORS. 



Many persons, even those who have taken a personal 

 interest in the advancement of this new science, have 

 an idea that the object of a pisciculturist is similar to 

 that of a game preserver, namely, to furnish anglers 

 with sport in rivers whence the fish had been driven, or 

 in which they had never taken up their abode. It will, 

 however, be shown, in the course of the following 

 pages, that the question is one of national importance, 

 involving tho supply of food to the masses, and not in- 

 tended only to furnish amusement to the few. 



The first point in the rearing of fish is evidently to 

 shield the eggs and fry from all their preliminary 

 danger, and to keep them in some place of safety until 

 they are strong enough to take care of themselves. 

 The only method of accomplishing this purpose is 

 evidently that the place where the little creatures pass 

 through their first stages of development shall be 

 either wholly separated from the river, or so carefully 

 fenced off by close wires, that the predatory fish 

 and other foes shall not be able to gain admission. 



Several modes of isolation have been invented and 

 worked with success; and the public are already 

 familiar with the names of Stormontfield and other 

 places where the breeding of fish has been tried. It is 

 not needful, however, to go so far from home for such 

 experiments, as an establishment which has lately been 

 mentioned in many of the daily papers is in full 

 operation near the banks of the Thames, under the 

 superintendence of S. Ponder, Esq., of Hampton, who 



