52 AMERICAN FISH CULTURE. 



made, and her abdomen pressed on the gravel to help the 

 emission of the ova. When this is observed it is certain 

 that the trout have commenced spawning. The lower grating 

 or wire screen should then be slipped into its place at the 

 end of the raceway, and the box or trap which I have 

 already described should be covered with a platform made 

 for that purpose. The boards covering the raceway nearest 

 the trap should then be removed, when the fish will run 

 down and find cover under the platform; the upper screen 

 is then quietly slipped into its place and the fish enclosed. 

 On removing the platform the fish are dipped out with a 

 net made of gunny cloth or sea grass skirting, attached 

 to a square frame, which should be as wide as the trap ; it 

 should also be tied at the bottom so that the string can be 

 removed and the fish dropped into a tub of water. As the 

 fish are manipulated they are returned to the pond or placed 

 in another tub, which is to be emptied into the pond after 

 the spawn and milt are expressed. A milk pan of the 

 ordinary shape, holding about six quarts, and filled a fourth 

 or a third full of clear water, is also provided for the spawn 

 and milt. 



It is better that the water should be fecundated first, 

 so that the eggs may be brought into contact with the atoms 

 of milt as soon as they are expressed. The manipulation 

 should be quickly and carefully performed. Putting the 

 hand into the tub and approaching a male, close on him 

 gently and lift him out ; then grasping him with as little 

 violence as possible, with the right hand by the head and 

 shoulders, his head towards the wrist and the left hand 



