36 Trout Culture. 



have more cocks than hens, others the reverse, or 

 even all hens and no cocks. As one cock will, if 

 " full," suffice to impregnate two, or even three, 

 hens, it is advisable if possible to reserve a 

 cock in case of being short of milt on a future 

 occasion. 



Having mentioned all this, we will suppose 

 that proper arrangements have been made, and 

 that the actual process of spawning is being 

 carried out. The spawning tin or pan is either 

 laid on the ground or on a box, tilted a little to 

 one end by a stone or stick, quite dry. A hen 

 fish is taken out of the tub and allowed to kick 

 about for a few seconds [to render it less difficult 

 to hold, and induce it to yield its eggs more 

 freely. The spawner then, with a piece of flan- 

 nel, holds the he.ad of the fish carefully, but 

 firmly, in his left hand, and his assistant keeps 

 it extended by grasping it just above the tail, 

 but below the vent, a piece of flannel being 

 used to secure a firm grasp. The fish is held 



