FOE PLEASURE AND PROFIT. 135 



CHAPTER XII. 

 INCUBATION AND HATCHING. 



The incubation of fish-eggs calls for constant care and atten- 

 tion on the part of the fish-culturist. To the novice the sea- 

 son of incubation is ai time of wondering expectation; to 

 the expert it has been for all time, and remains, the most 

 fascinating and one of the most critical stages of his year's 

 work. Yet, if constant care and attention be exercised, the 

 process is simple, and the consequent results of ai mo it sat;s- 

 factory nature. 



The first thing to be done is to transfer the ova from the 

 vessel in which it has been thoroughly rinsed after separa- 

 tion has taken place to the hatching trays, and this is done 

 in the following manner : Ascertain that the temperature of 

 the water in the vessel containing the ova is similar to that 

 in the hatching boxes. If there should be any difference, ad- 

 just it by allowing the water from the hatching box to slowly 

 fiow into the vessel until any difference in temperature no 

 longer exists. The water is drawn from the hatching box for 

 this purpose most conveniently by means of a syphon formed 

 by a length of ordinary Jin. indiarubber tubing. You will 

 find plenty of other use for this rubber syphon, and others of 

 various sizes, as the work proceeds; therefore, have a few at 

 hand, and make sure they are perfectly clean before attempt- 

 ing to use them at any time. When the temperature of the 

 water in the hatching box is the same as that in the vessel 

 containing the ova the e^gs may be transferred to the box 

 after the following manner ; Adjust the water in the box so 



