Simple Hatchery for Trout 



in small-meshcd nets. Those from which the ova 

 or milt run easily (ripe fish) are placed in a can of 

 water, and the unripe remainder returned or left 

 in store, or afloat, to mature. From the males a 

 milky liquid will flow at almost the slightest 

 handling, while from the females a touch 

 will cause the appearance of 

 a few eggs the size of small 

 peas. To spawn the female, 

 hold her tail in your left 

 hand, head in the right hand, 

 raise the head and hold the 

 vent of the fish over an agate- 

 lined dish. If only 

 ■^t'hfoia^ one or two small 

 fish are to be 

 spawned, bend the tail back 

 a little, causing the skin 

 on the belly to tighten, and the eggs will flow 

 out. If the eggs do not flow freely, or any are 

 left, pass the right hand downward over the 

 belly, using little pressure until past the vitals. 

 Next, quickly take a male fish, hold the abdomen 

 against the eggs and gently press with the thumb 

 and forefinger above, and just behind, the pec- 

 toral fins. Have a towel in front of 

 you during these operations and lay 

 the fish on it, when not handling them, and if you 

 cannot both hold and spawn the fish yourself, let 

 an assistant hold the fish for you, and, in any case, 

 wear a woollen or cloth glove on the left hand. 

 To return to the eggs; after the ova are milted, 

 303 



Position of the hands in 



stripping a female 



trout. 



The Milt 



