PROPAGATION OF FISH. 237 



the larger he becomes the more he is able to seize and bear 

 away from his brethren. Hence, in the same hatching, 

 I have seen trout at one year of age, the largest of which 

 was six inches long and the smallest less than three. In 

 two years, with good feeding and a variety of food, such 

 as is always to be found in a newly-made pond, they will 

 grow to weigh three-quarters of a pound. In overstocked 

 streams, like our country brooks, where there is little on 

 which to feed, trout never attain any considerable size ; 

 the greater number will not exceed a few ounces, and a 

 pound fish is looked upon with awe. 



The migratory trout that go to the sea in Winter grow 

 much faster than those that remain in the fresh water, 

 and will frequently gain a pound in one season. With 

 this explanation, these differences of opinion are perfectly 

 reconcilable, one observef^having drawn his conclusions 

 from individuals luxuriating on the fat of the land, or 

 rather water, and another drawing his from some poor, 

 half starved specimens. Range of water is indispensable 

 to the attainment of great size ; there is no species but is 

 puny in confined limits a result that follows naturally 

 from the first statement ; in large streams and lakes 

 there is greater variety and abundance of food ; but they 

 will increase rapidly if well fed, no matter how restricted 

 their dwelling-place. Frequently a trout kept in a 

 spring will attain several pounds in weight in conse- 

 quence of being well served by the children of the house- 

 hold. A gourmand will find his advantage in having 

 them stall-fed, if possible, before being killed for the table. 



Three-year old trout spawn, and it is said that small 

 trout have smaller eggs than those of greater size and 



