110 PRACTICAL TROUT CULTURE. 



CHAPTER IX. 



FIRST TEAR. 



THE preparation of the pond for the reception of 

 the young fry should be completed during the 

 previous autumn. Our first spawn are always 

 taken about November 1st, hatching about De- 

 cember 10th ; the absorption of the sac is con- 

 cluded February 1st, and they are ready for the 

 pond April 1st. Our first pond is prepared for tlw 

 coming crop by removing that of the previous 

 year ; this is done by drawing down the water as 

 far as possible, mowing with a sharp scythe tho 

 water-plants, with which the bottom is thickly cov- 

 ered, and raking them out. It is stated by theo- 

 retical pisciculturists that on opening the gate and 

 removing the screen at the lower end of the pond, 

 the fishes will pass down into the next, but in 

 practice the reverse is the case ; the fishes from 

 the lower pond will ascend, but not a single one 

 will descend, the tendency of the fishes being up 

 stream instead of down stream. They must there- 

 fore be removed with a net ; and as many of the 

 fishes are very small, the best material for the 



