72 BEARING YEARLING AND TWO-YEAR-OLD TROUT. 



quantity the better, as, should there be sufficient to give a shred 

 to each fish, it would be quietly consumed ; while, if the quantity 



FIG. 23- scale 



is very small, prompted by jealousy, the fry will quarrel, and create 

 a very considerable commotion, thus attracting many others. The 

 process is then repeated, and if care is used never to wash out too 

 much at a time, in about seven minutes all the fry within a 

 distance of 1 5 feet, if the water be clear, are attracted. The long 

 handled spoon can then be strongly shaken in the water, and 

 the fish fed. The attendant then divides the distance between 

 the centre of the pond and the inlet, and repeats the process. 

 Lastly, he chooses a spot half-way between the centre of the pond 

 and the outlet, giving a little food to those still collected round 

 the centre in passing, and acts as before, the great object to 

 achieve being to collect the bulk of the fish in the centre of the 

 pond, where the water is deepest and the fish have most time to 

 seize the particles as they descend. Girls make far better fish- 

 feeders than men, as they are not so apt to hurry over the work. 

 With fry at this stage starvation is the principal source of loss, 

 and, if fed without collection, many would be missed. They so soon 

 become weak without food, and lose energy, it becomes almost 

 impossible to induce them to collect, while, if sufficient food is 

 spread broadcast over the pond to ensure every fish having a 

 bite, the bottom and sides get so fouled with the surplus food 

 decomposing that fungus will in all probability attack the fry. 

 Decomposing animal matter forms a favourable nidus for the 

 saprolegniece. 



After a pond has been fed in this way for a fortnight, the fish 

 collect very rapidly, and five minutes suffices for feeding each 

 pond. Sixteen ponds can then be fed by one attendant eight 



