FISH-BREEDING, 



469 



Trout may be procured by observing them in the brook 

 when preparing to spawn ; they should be taken in nets, and 

 removed as carefully as possible. A less number of males 

 than females are required, as the milt of one male will fecun- 

 date the eggs from three or four females. Care should be 

 taken in selecting fish that are well advanced. The mere 

 pressure in handling will cause the roe or milt to start, if 

 sufficiently mature ; if it is not, the fish may be placed in a 

 tank conveniently near, supplied with running water, and 

 examined daily until the proper time arrives. 



The vessel for the reception of the spawn may be of earth- 

 enware, wood, glass, or tinned iron, and should have a flat 

 bottom as wide as its top. After having washed it clean, it 

 should have one or two pints of clear water poured in. The 

 next process is 



To Express the Spawn.— The female fish is taken by the 

 head and throat with the left hand, while the right hand, its 



