256 THE ADIRONDACK. 



pile of buildings. The lake should be called 

 " Scaroon," from a French family that first gave it 

 the name — the rapid way of pronouncing it has 

 changed it into Schroon. The water is very pure and 

 cold, and salmon trout were once found in it in abun- 

 dance. Latterly, however, they have become more 

 scarce, so four years since some men living on its 

 banks got a few pickerel and put them in as a basis 

 of a new stock of fish. It was agreed on all hands 

 not to take any out for four years. The time being 

 expired this spring, they commenced spearing them, 

 and the quantities they have caught almost surpasses 

 belief. Hundreds of pounds have been taken, some of 

 the fish, weighing twelve and thirteen pounds. The 

 rapidity with which they bred is equalled only by the 

 ratio of increase in size, for a growth of four pounds 

 per annum in weight is almost incredible. It was 

 doubtless owing to the abundance and richness of the 

 food and the perfect adaptness of the water to their 

 wants and habits. Fish of all kinds are easily 

 affected by the place they are in, and the quantity and 

 kind of food with which they are supplied. A trout 

 kept in a well, though fed ever so bounteously will 

 scarcely gain a pound in three years, while I have 



