PACKING THE TROUT OVA. 



43 



crushed ice may be easily supplied as described. A cleverly de- 

 signed drain is fitted in the bottom of the box to carry off the 

 melted ice. In one of these boxes ova can be safely transported 

 during a period of sixty days. 



The manufacture of squares of felted moss for many years 

 presented a formidable difficulty ; it was only in 1883 that the 

 process was perfected. The moss (sphagnum) is gathered on the 

 moor early in winter and kept in a cool outhouse. Before it is used 

 for felting it is carefully picked, and all dead pieces removed. A 

 quantity is then placed in a common wooden wash-tub, across 

 which the moss-felting machine stands. This machine is merely a 

 board with many holes cut through it, connected with slight grooves 



FIB. 18 scale - 



FIG. 19 scale 



to drain the water away as quickly as possible (Figs. 18, 19). 

 At one end of the board a lever is placed, carrying a cross-piece, 

 which, when lowered, rests on the centre of the perforated portion. 

 An empty travelling tray is next floated in the tub, and the quan- 

 tity of moss proportioned to the thickness of pad desired thoroughly 

 mixed in the tray, which is then placed on the board over the 

 perforations, and pressed under a board, the edges of which have 

 been bevelled off to the depth of a quarter of an inch, which is 



