HATCHING-HOUSES AND APPAKATUS. m 51 



into the filtering-box at the extreme end of the 

 building, from whence it is carried to the supply 

 trough which runs parallel with the sides of the 

 building. The troughs are supplied by stop-cocks 

 of pewter. These we have found preferable to 

 brass, as they are cheaper, cleaner, and not liable 

 to get out of order. Instead of splashing on the 

 floor, the water from the lowest trays is received 

 into a funnel and passes by a pipe, inclined 

 at an acute angle, to the out-of-the-way gutters, 

 immediately beneath the supply troughs. The 

 amount of water is regulated by a stop-cock at 

 the entrance of the main supply pipe. For this 

 purpose a molasses faucet answers every purpose ; 

 a slight leakage being of no importance. In the 

 center of the building are a pair of old gravel 

 troughs, elevated breast-high ; these are used only 

 for keeping the young fry for some time after 

 hatching, and are called the nursery troughs. 

 They are of little use, except in large establish- 

 ments, and will be again mentioned when we arrive 

 at the alevin or babyhood stage of the young 

 trout. The floor of the hatching-house is a matter 

 of some importance, dry feet are a luxury which 

 we fully appreciate, and india-rubber boots an 

 abomination. A dry floor of a hatching-house, 

 be it of wood, earth, asphalt, or cement, is almost 

 an impossibility. The best arrangement that can 



