THE FOOD OF DOMESTICATED TROUT. 91 



For another thing, the trout do not grow so quickly, 

 and again, they are not accustomed to the natural food on 

 which they will have to live when they are liberated. The 

 best food for trout, as long as a plentiful supply is available, 

 is, undoubtedly, water insect life in its varying stages. 

 The next best food is small fish, such as minnows, 

 gudgeon, etc., although trout, when fed on this latter class 

 of food, frequently develop cannibalistic tendencies, while 

 probably the food least beneficial, in an all round sense, is 

 the artificial food on which such hand-fed trout have to 

 depend. 



Again, the loss of the plentiful and strong and naturally 

 running waters creates a less developed, less powerful, and 

 less healthy fish. 



Taking the stock fish of the ordinary trout breeding 

 establishment, the length of time which it takes them to 

 recover from their breeding operations is the greater, owing 

 to this artificial and restricted flow of water. 



Fungus is not so easily shaken off, neither are the 

 wounds and abrasions of this breeding time so quickly healed. 

 It may be accepted as a fact that trout should have plenty 

 of water, plenty of space, and plenty of food, and the more 

 natural the conditions of these three factors the better the 

 results in trout breeding. 



To those, therefore, who may be inclined to devote their 

 attention to trout breeding, I would strongly recommend the 

 adoption of breeding pounds situated, when possible and where 



