108 PRACTICAL TROUT CULTURE. 



healthy, yet in the morning the dividing screens 

 between the compartments are found clogged with 

 the dead and dying. Unless the cause of this can 

 be immediately traced, at once remove the fry to 

 the pond, and then investigate the matter at your 

 leisure, and guard against a similar misfortune (if 

 discovered) in future. Better a crop of stunted 

 fishes than no crop. There are many as yet un- 

 known causes which result in the death of young 

 fishes ; and the fish culturist, after years of experi- 

 ence, may find himself at his wit' s end to explain the 

 cause of a sudden mortality. We have all much 

 to learn. The science (for science it is), is yet but 

 in its infancy ; and he who declares that he knows 

 all about fishes and fish culture must be classed 

 with him who boasts that he can by his nostrums 

 cure all ills that flesh is heir to. The good of self, 

 and not of the fish-raising community, is too much 

 sought. Already is the progress of fish culture 

 impeded by the registration of a number of pat- 

 ents, many of which are of a most ridiculous char- 

 acter. Give and take should be our motto ; and 

 were the example of Mr. Ainsworth * followed by 

 all, our progress toward perfection would be much 

 more rapid. We have ourselves made more than 

 one invention upon which a patent might have 



* Vifo bis letter, page 19. 



