156 



SEASON 1874-75. 



transporting live trout. In 1875 our work was to rear the fry, and 

 with a very humble spirit we approached it : from the hatching- 

 trough to the rearing-box, and from the rearing-box to the plank 

 pond, and from the plank pond to the 100-feet earth pond, and 

 in after years to larger and larger ponds. The plank pond was 

 built throughout of 2 -inch plank ; no nails were used except in 

 the bottom, and there only for convenience in construction. The 

 principle relied on was to treat the plank as if it had been slate. 

 It was seen that wood always decayed first at the nails, so the 



FIG. 117 scale -fa. 



sides were bolted together in this wise : if two planks (which is 

 usual) were required for a side, a groove was ploughed in each 

 plank, and a slip-feather inserted, well bedded in red-lead. The 

 upper end of the pond was formed in the same way as the sides, 



and the outlet end was made of one 

 plank , of the depth of the overflow, and 

 two short uprights to carry the top 

 bar mortised into it. The sides were 

 checked to receive the ends, and held 

 together temporarily. The pond was next inverted to receive the 

 bottom, the planks for which were all jointed and grooved for slip- 

 feathers. As each plank was fitted, a check was drawn and cut 

 out for the sides ; it was then cramped up with a powerful cramp, 

 and held in place by strong spikes. The pond was kept square by 

 angle-pieces, at least the first- made ponds were; those made 

 afterwards were, like everything else in the Fishery, made on a 

 template. After the bottom was fitted, a runner of oak was laid 

 along each side, and bored for the bolts; the bolt-holes were 



FIG. 118 scale 



