OUR RIVER HARVESTS. 285 



haunt, and only changing its residence when it has out- 

 grown its home or can oust a weaker fish from some 

 comfortable nook. 



The trout loves to lie under the shelter of large 

 stones, and if a good artificial place of refuge can be 

 made, the best fish are sure to come and take possession 

 of it. Perhaps the very best substance for this purpose 

 is the semi-vitrified brick which is found in kilns after 

 the burning, and which goes by the name of brick-burrs. 

 This substance is in rather large masses, very irregular, 

 and not only affords a home which no sensible trout 

 will despise, but is an effectual barrier to the use of the 

 net, serving the same purpose in the river as ' bushing ' 

 in the open fields. 



Feeding the trout is also useful, for it teaches the 

 fish to remain near the same spot, and has a marvellous 

 effect towards increasing its growth. Scarcely any 

 creature, and certainly no fish, repays care and good 

 feeding better than the trout, two pounds having been 

 added to the weight of a fish during a single summer. 

 When the trout attains a moderate size it will eat all 

 kinds of animal substance, though it has a predilection 

 for the great dew-worms that are found at night on the 

 grass or gravel walks. 



These great, fat, and wary creatures can be caught 

 plentifully by searching for them'at night by the aid of 

 a bull's-eye lantern ; only the step of the hunter must 

 be very quiet, as they are apt to slip back into their 

 holes if alarmed. Should they not come readily to the 



