110 THE SCOTTISH ANGLER. 



some old writers, Izaak Walton among the rest, assert, 

 strangely enough, that this fish is the produce of the 

 pickerel weed a belief grounded upon the fact, that 

 the pike often attaches its spawn to this plant, which, 

 being transferred in a state of impregnation to an un- 

 stocked pond, of course the infant fish are brought out. 



The pike pond, if for breeding and fattening to some 

 extent, ought to be large, covering from eight to twenty 

 acres ; its mean depth, six or seven feet. One end, 

 however, should be much shallower, and sown with 

 bulrushes, or other water-plants. Previous to stock- 

 ing it with this fish, a sub-stock of perch or trout 

 should by all means be introduced, otherwise, with- 

 out a great supply of such sustenance, pike will not 

 only become thin and ill-tasted, but quarrel and devour 

 each other. Nay, we would recommend that both of 

 these sorts offish be, if possible, made subservient for 

 their use ; although, of course, as we shall shortly dis- 

 cover, it is in vain to attempt raising a proper propor- 

 tion of trout without the aid of a stream, directed 

 through the pond. To facilitate, however, a steady 

 supply of perch, small tanks should be constructed along- 

 side of the leading preserve, with connecting sluices 

 and flood-gates, so as to expel, when necessary, a shoal 

 of live food. 



Pike, for stocking, should be caught with a drag-net 

 of one size, and below two pounds weight. Although 

 termed solitary fish, they are not so, but swim in small 

 companies. No less than sixty-seven have been taken 

 at one haul from the river Tay, near Almond mouth. 



When stocking your pond, do not overdo it, by 

 putting in more pike than is absolutely necessary : of 

 fish under two pounds weight and above one, eight for 

 the acre of water is quite sufficient. When construct- 

 ing your preserves, include as many natural springs as 



