182 AMERICAN FISH CULTURE. 



with, trout, because the former were larger fish. The con- 

 sequence of course is, that the valuable and more beauti- 

 ful trout are exterminated by these fresh-water sharks in a 

 few years. 



The quality of the water should also be considered, cold 

 or warm, clear or muddy, swift or sluggish ; and such fish 

 introduced as are natural to the stream or pond. 



As it is inferred that naturalized fish will propagate 

 naturally, it is necessary that suitable spawning-beds 

 should be accessible to them in their new home. A cool, 

 well-shaded lakelet, which it is intended to stock with trout, 

 should have spring brooks or rapid streams entering ; these 

 should be provided with an abundance of gravel in gentle 

 and shallow currents. For fish of the carp and perch 

 families, aquatic weeds and grass or brush should be fur- 

 nished, on which these fishes deposit their spawn ; which is 

 agglutinated together, and adhere to aquatic plants or 

 stones by means of the viscid matter which surrounds 

 the eggs. Bundles of faggots tied irregularly may even be 

 placed in parts of a pond where they are likely to spawn 

 for their accommodation. The impregnated ova could be 

 collected, if desired, as it is in China, and transported 

 adhering to the twigs, in water, or stripped off, if done 

 gently, and sent away in small vessels. 



The naturalization of species belonging to the perch 

 family is, or should be, a matter of importance to the peo- 

 ple of the Western States. Many an insignificant stream 

 which now affords a home only for small worthless species 

 might be dammed and stocked with bass obtained from 



