374 



MISCELLANEOUS. 



commended, by dams in the stream it- 

 self. They should be made at one side 

 of the stream, taking all the water if re- 

 quired, but leaving the bed of the stream 

 itself as a convenient waste-gate in case 

 of overflow. One dam across the stream 

 will turn the water into the ponds, and 

 the flow can be made even. 



The distance of a spring from a market 

 makes but little difference in these days 

 of railroads and refrigerator-cars. But 

 the amount of water and shape of land 

 make much difference. It is also well to 

 own the spring itself, if possible, in order 

 to prevent disputes with other owners, 

 ■and to have the water always pure. 



Ponds for fattening purposes are now 

 generally made small — say about twelve 

 feet wide by twenty-four feet long, either 

 in the shape of a square or of an oval. 

 It is a matter of fact that trout will "find 

 more natural food in a large pond than 

 in a small pond. A large pond has also 

 several other advantages over a small 

 pond. For instance, it is more economi- 

 cal to build one large pond than two 

 small ones, and it is less trouble to take 

 care of one race-way and one set of 

 screens than of two. But the fatal de- 

 fect in large ponds is that the fish can- 

 not be equally fed. The larger and more 

 voracious will follow the feeder as he 

 moves around the ponds, and drive away 

 the smaller and weaker fish. But in a 

 small pond the food can be thrown all 

 over the surface at once, and all the 

 fish have an equal chance. 



The materials of which ponds should 

 be constructed vary with the nature of 

 the soil. In heavy clay ground embank- 

 ments alone are necessary. But in fact 

 so much trouble has been caused by 

 muskrats perforating embankments and 

 liberating the water, that we are tempted 

 to say that embankments alone should 

 never be used. In most soil either stone 

 or wood should be used in construction. 

 If stone is used it should by all means be 

 cemented and the bottom of the pond 

 finished in grout, or large flat stones, 

 with the interstices filled with cement. 

 In order to clean out the lime, water 

 should be run through the pond some 

 weeks before putting in fish. The. ce- 

 ment and stone will crack and in time 

 become defaced at the water-line. This 

 may be remedied by a facing of board 



along the surface-line. We have lately 

 constructed very good and cheap ponds 

 of rough hemlock boards (our cheapest 

 lumber), and find that they answer ex- 

 ceedingly well. Thirty feet long, four 

 feet wide, and six inches of water will do 

 very well for race-ways to small ponds. 



The supply of water necessary to raise 

 trout for market purposes (making it a 

 business) should not be less than thirty or 

 forty inches, and would be better if larger. 

 Adults should be fed regularly once each 

 day. The only rule to be given as to 

 quantity is to feed them till they will eat 

 no more. It is economy to cut the feed 

 finely and feed slowly, as most of that 

 which is not eaten at once will be wasted. 

 A little water should be mixed with the 

 meat, and wetting the knife or cleaver 

 often makes easier chopping, and causes 

 the food to spread evenly when thrown 

 into the pond. Cut the toughest food 

 for the largest fish. Keep your pans, 

 chopping-block, and meat-house clean, 

 and feed your meat before it spoils. It 

 is good economy, before commencing to 

 build ponds, to take the advice of some 

 experienced man, and also to read all ob- 

 tainaole works on the subject. On the 

 main points there will be found very little 

 difference of opinion, and on those com- 

 paratively unimportant everybody's ex- 

 perience will help you to form a sound 

 judgment. 



A few hints to those raising trout on a 

 small scale, that is, not making it an ex- 

 clusive business : There are many per- 

 sons who have trout streams, either 

 wholly or in part on their farms, which 

 streams bring them in no revenue, ex- 

 cept an occasional day's amusement. 

 Let us suppose such a stream to be 

 stocked annually with five thousand trout- 

 fry, at an expense of $100. In about 

 three years the stream will be in full 

 bearing. Let us look at the returns. At 

 the lowest estimate three hundred pounds 

 of trout, worth one dollar per pound at 

 present prices, may be taken from the 

 stream annually. Then, too, there is al- 

 ways a demand for fishing privileges, and 

 in most places such a stream could be let 

 to sportsmen at a profitable advance on 

 the cost ot stocking. Besides, if a place 

 is to be sold, a well-stocked trout-stream 

 on the premises will add several dollars 

 per acre to the value of the ground. 



