TROUT 



An important matter to consider before turn- 

 ing the little fish out into the pond is, how the 

 ponds are to be protected so that their many 

 enemies may be kept away from the fry. King- 

 fishers, herons, and other creatures are very 

 partial to young trout and will cause enormous 

 destruction if not prevented. Kingfishers have, 

 in my experience, been the worst offenders. 

 Some years ago I was rearing some trout in a 

 part of the country where many of the inhabi- 

 tants bewailed the extermination of the king- 

 fisher. Before I began rearing trout I agreed 

 with these people, for a kingfisher flitting along 

 a stream looking like a little mass of jewels is a 

 pleasing sight, and one which I had never en- 

 joyed in that particular part of the country. 



"When the time came to set my little fish free 

 in the rearing ponds, as a matter of principle I 

 covered the ponds with herring-net, closely 

 pegged down on the banks so that I could not 

 even get my hand under the edge. I did not 

 think that there were any kingfishers or herons 

 about, and so was very surprised when one 

 morning, on going down to feed the fish, I found 

 a kingfisher under the net, flying up and down 

 the pond trying to get out. By carefully intro- 



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