THF. AX(JLKK AND HTXTS^IAX 97 



place for the fish may be provided by varying the depth 

 of the conduit at frequent intervals, so that the current will 

 form eddies and ripples, and by covering the bottom to a 

 depth of several inches with sand and gravel. At the ap- 

 proach of the spawning season the fish will ascend this 

 passage and lay their eggs among the hollows formed, and, 

 as they prefer swift water for spawning, no harm will re- 

 sult if there is a current of 3 to 4 miles an hour. A race- 

 way so constructed will afford a better control of the fish 

 and prove very convenient as a storage place w T hen it is 

 necessary to handle them or to clean the pond. 



"Ponds arc usually drawn for the purpose of assorting 

 or reducing the stock, cleaning, removing objectionable 

 fishes, and for the elimination of surplus vegetation. They 

 should never be completely drained unless the fish can first 

 be transferred to some suitable reservoir where they will 

 have an abundant supply of good water. 



Construction of Pond: 



"The mode of procedure in building a trout pond will 

 vary with the physical characteristics of the site and the 

 amount of money to be expended in the project. A trout 

 pond should be rather broad and deep at one end, tapering 

 toward a long narrow neck at the supply, with the view 

 of providing for a decided current throughout a portion of 

 its extent. This form of construction will apply to the av- 

 erage pond made by placing a dam across a small ravine 

 or gully. Its size will of course, be governed in the major- 

 ity of instances by the contour of the site, its location with 

 reference to the source of water supply, and the amount of 

 water available. It should be no larger than will admit of 

 its complete control in drawing off the water and handling 

 the fish. The size under most conditions will probably In- 

 between 1 and 2 acres. On the other hand, it should not 

 be too small. A pond of less than an acre in area is apt to 

 become overstocked in a few years, especially where the 



