346 TROUT CULTURE. 



at this stage to test the most forward lot daily. Gnats, 

 together with small blood worms, should be supplied 

 them for five or six weeks or so, and finely-chopped 

 or minced liver may be substituted by way of change : 

 three meals are ample during this period. Plenty 

 of room is requisite for the well-being of trout fry, 

 therefore a month or thereabouts after hatching, 

 part of the young fish should be removed to cisterns 

 or large tanks, through which runs briskly a constant 

 supply of water, the outlets being properly capped 

 by perforated zinc to prevent their exit. When a 

 suitable rivulet is available, and the natural aquatic 

 and aerial enemies of the young fry are comparatively 

 scarce, the best course to pursue is to confine the 

 whole brood in a part of the stream by the aid of 

 wire or zinc screens at given points. They should 

 have plenty of shelter, as a resort ; indeed we have 

 always found it -best to cover quite half of the water 

 with boards, which enables them to shelter from the 

 hot rays of the sun. All obnoxious weeds should 

 be removed before the introduction of the fry. If a 

 few falls can be easily made they will have an 

 advantageous influence. It is generally the wisest 

 policy to keep up the fry until April or March follow- 

 ing the spring in which they are hatched ; but this 

 is simply a precaution. They should be fed well once 

 or twice a day as long as they are confined. Some 

 take out the larger fry periodically, and turn them 

 adrift where required. This however, is a matter quite 

 at the rearer's discretion ; his object is attained as 

 soon as the trout can feed eagerly. As grayling 



