FOR PLEASURE AND PROFIT. 71 



water may be utilised if it is first run in the open for some con- 

 siderable distance, and preferably through watercress beds. 

 Mr. Wilson, of Rigmaden Fishery, can vouch for the great 

 value of running the supply to rearing ponds through other 

 ponds or parts of the stream planted with watercress. On bis 

 farm he has established a system of alternating watercress 

 ponds with ponds containing fish, and to this he attributes 



WATER SUPPLY AT HOWIETOUN, BELOW. 



correctly, I believe the splendid condition of his stock of 

 rainbow and other trout. 



Of equal importance to a copious and pure supply of water is 

 its proper aeration. The late Sir James Maitland realised 

 this when he utilised the Loch Coulter Burn for the supply to 

 his famous fishery at Howietoun. I give two illustrations of 

 this supply, one above and one below the bridge at Milnehome 

 hatching-house, in order that you may see what a perfectly 

 aerated supply should be like ; and the nearer your supply 

 reaches this perfection the more successful will be your opera- 

 tions. But it does not fall to the lot of all of us to have such 

 a perfect supply; therefore, we must content ourselves with 



