TROUT 



not ensure such a certainty of change of water 

 throughout the pond. It is not, however, al- 

 ways possible to obtain such a difference in level 

 between the supply and waste. In such cases 

 the ponds should be made shallower near the 

 outlet. 



A popular idea seems to be that a gravel 

 bottom is necessary for the well-being of trout ; 

 this is quite a mistake. Personally, I believe 

 that a good earth bottom is best in a rearing 

 pond, and even in a pond lined with concrete I 

 should always put a layer of mould, preferably 

 turf mould, at the bottom. "With the use of 

 this mould during the subsequent operations in 

 rearing trout I shall deal later on. 



The size of the ponds, of course, depends upon 

 the number of trout to be reared. It is better to 

 have several medium sized ponds than one large 

 one, as then accident or disease occurring in a 

 pond will only affect a portion of the stock 

 of fish. Mr. J. J. Armistead in An Angler's 

 Paradise, and How to Obtain It, says : " A pond 

 sixty feet long, four feet wide, and about three 

 feet deep, will hold ten or fifteen thousand fry 

 at first, and give them plenty of room to grow, 

 but by the end of July the number should be 

 23 



