( HAI-. ni.J PRACTICAL NATURE OF THE ART. 95 



French fish-culture is the essentially practical nature of all 

 the experiments which have been entered upon. There has 

 been no toying in France with this revived art of fish-breeding. 

 The moment it was ascertained that Kemy's discoveries in 

 artificial spawning were capable of being carried out on the 

 largest possible scale, that scale was at once resolved upon, 

 and the government of the country became responsible for its 

 success, which was immediate and substantial. The discoverer 

 of the art was handsomely rewarded ; and the great building 

 at Huningue, used as a place for the reception and distribution 

 of fish-eggs, testifies to the anxiety of France to make piscicul- 

 ture one of the most practical industries of the present day. 

 Unceasing efforts are still being made by the government to 

 extend the art, so that every acre of water in that country may 

 be as industriously turned to profit as the acres of land are. 

 Why should not an acre of water become as productive as an 

 acre of land ? We have an immensity of water space that is 

 comparatively useless. The area occupied by the water of 

 our lakes and rivers may be estimated from the Thames, which 

 occupies a space of five thousand square miles. The French 

 people are now beginning thoroughly to appreciate the value of 

 their lakes and rivers. Think of the fish-ponds of Doombes 

 being of the extent of thirty thousand acres ! No wonder that 

 in France pisciculture has become a government question, and 

 been taken under the protecting wing of the state. 



The different kinds of water in France are carefully 

 considered, and only fish suitable for them placed therein. 

 In marshy places eels alone are deposited, whilst in bright 

 and rapid waters trout and other suitable fish are now to be 

 found in great plenty. Attention is at present being turned to 

 sea-fish, and the latest " idea " that has been promulgated in 

 connection with the cultivation of sea-animals is turtle-culture. 

 The artificial multiplication of turtle, on the plan of securing 

 the eggs and protecting the young till they are able to be left 



