72 Modern Fishculture in Fresh and Salt Water. 



had less than a mile to go from the hatchery and 

 brought the eggs back with them each morning. 



The following is my estimate of the yield of eggs of 

 trout of different sizes : 



Age. Weight. Eggs. 



1% years. 3 to 5 oz. 50 to 160 



2% years. 14 oz. to Ui Ibs. 700 to 1,000 



3% years. 2 to 3 Ibs. 1,200 to 2,000 



Not known 3y 2 to 5 Ibs. 2,000 to 4,000 



These were pond-fed trout and the ages were re- 

 corded from March i of each year. Thus : A trout of 

 March i, 1890, would be i year and 8 months old in 

 November, 1891 ; by some the fish would be classed as 

 two-year-olds and by others yearlings. With me they 

 were "yearlings" until actually two years old. I have 

 had much larger trout at the ages given above, but 

 have given a fair average weight. 



PACKING EGGS FOR SHIPMENT. 



No eggs should be p;icked for shipment until the 

 eyes are plainly visible, and, in fact, the older the bet- 

 ter, if possible. The embryo before the eye stage is 

 reached is very delicate and easily killed by a jar of 

 any kind ; even a shaking of the hatching trough may 

 injure, if not kill it. But after the eyes can be seen 

 the embryo begins to get strong and will bear rougher 

 treatment. 



For transporting freshly taken eggs from the streams 

 to the hatchery my men used tin water pails and 

 brought them in water, if they came down the mill- 

 ponds in a boat, but if they came from a stream down 



