30 PRACTICAL TROUT CULTURE. 



CHAPTER III. 



PLANNING AND CONSTRUCTION OF PONDS. 



THE site being procured, the next step is the 

 planning of the ponds, a matter of no small 

 trouble and care. One wrong step at the com- 

 mencement may entail constant perplexity and 

 even disaster. It is easy for an expert to plan 

 and construct, but for a tyro it is a matter of no 

 small difficulty, and the few dollars paid at the 

 outset to a competent piscicultural engineer may 

 save in the end thousands. The plan must, of 

 course, vary with the nature of the ground ; in 

 fact it would scarcely be possible to construct two 

 in different locations precisely alike, but the fol- 

 lowing directions are applicable to all cases. 



Three ponds at least are always required con- 

 nected by race-ways never less than fifteen feet in 

 length. In these race-ways the spawning races 

 are to be placed ; or if the spawn is to be taken 

 by hand they must be prepared so as to entice the 

 iishes into them when ready to give up their eggs. 

 Unless the water supply is very scant, the full 

 current must not be allowed to pass through the 



