SALMON AND TROUT CULTURE. 449 



was in depending on rivers for the stock of ova. Some of the 

 best parts of the Test, Itchin, Wey and Kennett were at my 

 disposal ; but seasons vary in our fickle climate, and I have 

 found more than once that the fish had already spawned, 

 and gone down to the deeper water, or that they would 

 not be ready for a week or more. This meant, perhaps, no 

 eggs at all from that river, or another journey. Then, if a 

 second attempt was made, heavy rain has often done mischief, 

 and nets would not work the river. Trout will sometimes 

 defy the best net in the world, as, in close proximity to the 

 spawning ground there is frequently 'a sweet little hiding 

 place,' seven to ten feet deep, running far under the bank, and 

 full of stumps and roots, into which the fish instantly fly ; get 

 them out if you can ! The execution of the strategical move- 

 ment is doubtless sagacious as well as instinctive on the part of 

 the fish, but it shows a disinclination to a closer acquaintance 

 which is not satisfactory to the would-be operator, who returns 

 home egg-less, and not unfrequently wet to the skin. 



My plan has been to secure, by lease or purchase, ponds 

 already in existence, and to construct others, where I may with 

 certainty rely on finding breeding fish when they are wanted. 

 If a few of the female fish are not ripe on the first visit, they 

 are removed to a smaller pond for a few days : by these means 

 I get all the eggs which my fish produce. The ponds are 

 netted, and when necessary drawn off. If care is taken no fish 

 need be lost or killed by running ponds off, and it is a good 

 plan to draw the water off occasionally, in order to get rid of 

 any loose mud which may have accumulated. ' A 'goodly 

 sprinkle ' of eggs has been obtained from the before-mentioned 

 rivers almost every season, and the quality of Test, Itchin, 

 Wey, and Kennett trout is so well known that it is needless to 

 say anything here in their praise. 



I believe, however, that the future quality of the fish de- 

 pends rather on the food they get, than on the water from 

 which their parents come. The character of a trout alters 

 very much under changed conditions. Still it is advisable 



