PROPAGATION OF FISH. 245 



The foregoing is all tliat it is necessary to do to raise 

 fish in abundance ; the main point is their protection, and 

 this is effected 'by not allowing them to enter the open 

 water till their second or even third season. Nothing is 

 more entertaining than to feed the full-grown fish, and 

 enjoy their breaking at sticks and weeds in their eager- 

 ness and confusion ; this they will often do one after ano- 

 ther for twenty times. Their slow motions till they per- 

 ceive the prey, and then the ferocity of their rushes, 

 assimilates them to the dreaded salt water shark. With 

 watchful eye they move cautiously about, but woe to 

 the fly or minnow that touches the surface ! A dozen 

 rush at it and fling themselves into the air, turn- 

 ing suddenly on their sides by a flap of their tails, and 

 disappear as instantly, one of them with the victim in 

 his mouth. 



The natural method of propagating fish, though abun- 

 dantly successful, and so simple that there is no skill 

 required to perform it, cannot be expected to equal the 

 results effected by artificial fecundation. The latter, 

 however, requires considerable care, and although a total 

 failure is almost an impossibility, neglect will result in 

 great loss. Each trout should produce several hun- 

 dred young, and if a business is intended to be made of 

 it, the artificial method must be pursued. 



The first consideration, therefore, is to obtain a male 

 and female fish, fully prepared to spawn. This is deter- 

 mined by the ease with which the eggs and milt can be 

 pressed from them ; for if it requires more than the light- 

 est pressure, the spawn will not , be mature, and the 

 parent's life may be destroyed if the operation is per- 



