< HAP. in.] SALMON MAY BE KEPT TILL EGGS ARE RIPE. 107 



about four feet square, which is likewise provided with a zinc 

 sluice (also perforated), to keep the fish from getting away till 

 the arranged time, thus affording proper facilities for the 

 marking and examination of departing broods. [See plan.] 

 The sluice being lifted, the current of water is sufficiently 

 strong to carry the fish down a gentle slope to the Tay, into 

 which they proceed in considerable quantities, day by day, 

 till all have departed ; the parrs, strange to say, evincing no 

 desire to remove, although, of course, being in the same 

 breeding-ponds, they have a good opportunity of reaching the 

 river. 



It was a great drawback in former years at Stormontfield, 

 during the hatching seasons, that many fish were caught with 

 their eggs not sufficiently matured, and which could not be 

 used in consequence. To remedy this, a plan has been adopted 

 of keeping all the salmon that are caught, if they be so nearly 

 ripe for spawning as to warrant their detention. These are 

 confined in the mill-race till they become thoroughly ready 

 for the manipulator, and are kept within bounds by strong- 

 iron gratings, placed about 100 yards from each other. These 

 gravid fish are taken out as they are required, or rather as 

 they ripen, by means of a small sweep-net, and it is note- 

 worthy that the animals, after being once or twice fished for, 

 become very cunning, and hide themselves in such bottom 

 holes as they can discover, in order that the net may pass 

 over them. I have no doubt that the Stormontfield mill-race 

 forms an excellent temporary feeding-place for these fish, as 

 its banks are well overhung with vegetation, and its waters are 

 clear as crystal, and of good flavour. It is a decided conveni- 

 ence to be able thus to store the egg-and-milt-producing fish 

 till they are wanted, and will render the annual filling of the 

 breeding-boxes a certainty, which, even under the old two- 

 year system, was not so, in consequence of floods on the river 

 Tay, and from many other causes besides. 



