PONDS AT STONEHAVEN. 143 



lochs are connected with Loch Corrib, which abounds 

 with salmon a natural barrier of rocks preventing the 

 ascent of the fish. This barrier Mr Ashworth is about 

 to remove, as not a single fish has been > observed to 

 pass up. We have no doubt, however, but that the 

 smolts reared in the upper tributaries will seek their 

 way back to their native stream, and in a few years 

 stock these lochs and rivers with this fine fish. Whether 

 this gigantic experiment succeeds or proves a failure, 

 Mr Ashworth deserves the thanks of the country for his 

 labours." 



We hope that more Scottish proprietors may be in- 

 duced to follow his enterprising example; and as Dr 

 Esdaile's recommendation induced the fishing proprie- 

 tors of the Tay to engage in pisciculture, we trust our 

 suggestion may have like effect in introducing it on the 

 North and South Esk in Forfarshire. On the banks of 

 both of these streams salmon might be reared much 

 more profitably than at Stormontfield. The smolts leav- 

 ing the rearing-pond there have to pass through more 

 than 20 miles of the river before reaching the sea; and 

 during this perilous descent their numbers must be 

 frightfully diminished. But on the banks of these For- 

 farshire rivers, localities for salmon-rearing may be found 

 so near the sea that in an hour or two after their release 

 from the rearing-ponds the smolts may arrive at their 

 feeding-ground in the ocean. 



We are persuaded that in many localities it is practi- 

 cable to raise salmon from the ova to the grilse state 

 while the fish are in confinement. This is to be effected 

 by having two ponds in proximity to each other, the 

 one being fresh and the other salt water. Mr Brown 

 refers to two such ponds erected at great expense at 

 Stonehaven on the water of Cowie, belonging to the 

 heirs of the late Alexander Baird, Esq. These ponds 

 were originally intended for the purpose of hatching 

 and rearing salmon from the ova up to maturity ; but so 

 carelessly were they managed that the result was a 



