Trout Breeding. 121 



carting of sand and gravel cost the State much money, 

 but it is worth it. It is the most important hatchery 

 in the State of New York to-day. I established the 

 culture of smelts, lobsters and tomcods there, and it 

 Mr. Blackford had not been removed from the Com- 

 mission for political reasons I would have made a park 

 of the place and have gone on with experiments in 

 hatching oysters and clams. But a change of adminis- 

 tration led to my discharge, and to-day a great un- 

 sightly ice-house stands in the centre of what was to be 

 my "park/' and there is a stable where a "conserva- 

 tory" for water plants and the breeding of fresh water 

 crustaceans and insects was planned ; and my dream of 

 a trout park and all its adjuncts is over. Blessed be 

 the small-souled politicians, for they will never develop 

 into anything greater ! 



DRAINS. 



If the lay of the land permits it, there should be some 

 way of lowering the water in order to clean the pond. 

 If the pond is dug in the soil there should be a drain- 

 pipe put in, and this, if of wood, may be stopped by a 

 plug. But a plug is difficult to get out when the water 

 is several feet deep; a box on the inner end with a 

 sliding gate which can be lifted by a hook fitting into a 

 hole is better. Do not plug the lower end of the pipe 

 and leave the upper end open or you have a harbor for 

 eels, water-snakes, or at least a hiding place for a large 

 cannibal trout, for a trout of that kind prefers solitude. 

 If the drain is a square box-trunk it may be turned up 

 at a right-angle and' used as an overflow stand-pipe, if 

 the water is not required to be kept up for any reason. 



