On Stocking. 21 



The preceding table at once forms the basis for 

 an estimate of the cost of the production of trout 

 eggs. The cost of the alternate stocking of pond 

 No. 9 is 125 for 5000 two-year-olds, and 55 for 

 5500 selected yearlings, or 180 spread over 

 three years (say 1894-5-6), making 60 per 

 annum. The labour required would be at least 

 two skilled men at 60; making 120 per 

 annum, and about forty weeks of two women at 

 10s. per week, opening shell-fish to feed the trout, 

 for unless the trout are properly fed they do not 

 yield good ova that is, 80 weeks at 10s., equal 

 to 40, making the whole labour bill 160 per 

 annum. The food bill for this number of trout of 

 the ages noted in the table would not be less than 

 40 tons of clams, their present cost at Howietoun 

 including carriage is just under 5 per ton. Thus 

 the food would average 200 per annum. The 

 water supply for these four ponds should not be 

 less than 2,000,000 gallons, and should average 

 about 3,000,000 gallons per diem. It is difficult 

 to place a value on this item, as so much depends 

 on the first cost of the reservoir and inlet works. 

 But taking this at one-tenth of a penny per 

 thousand 3,000,000 gallons represents 456, 5s. 

 per annum and the water supply which, for this 

 purpose, it must be a. supply of pure -water must 

 always form one of the largest items of cost in the 

 production of Ova. 



