ARTIFICIAL FISH PONDS. 115 



could mention other instances of a like nature, con- 

 nected with the planting of natural hill tarns near Loch 

 Alsh in Ross-shire ; in which the original stock them- 

 selves, although mere burn trout, attained very consi- 

 derable dimensions, leaving behind them a numerous 

 but dwarf progeny. 



In our opinion, although not generally the practice, 

 part of the parent or stock breed ought to be carefully 

 preserved, in order to serve as a check upon the too 

 plentiful spawnings which are apt to occur, and to de- 

 vour, as their great size and appetites will enable them 

 to do, the superabundant fry. Nay, in some places 

 we would introduce a pike for this purpose, and believe 

 him to do more good than harm. 



On commencing this chapter we remarked how the 

 neighbourhood of trees was of advantage to fish ponds : 

 here, however, we do not wish to be misunderstood. 

 By the neighbourhood, we mean not the contiguity or 

 actual overshadowing of wood ; for nothing can be 

 more deleterious to dead waters than the autumnal ef- 

 fusion of some sorts of leaves ; also the barring of the 

 sun's heat is any thing but agreeable to fish, who love 

 to doze in the shallows, and nap luxuriously at noon- 

 day. Still we maintain that woods at a short distance 

 are favourable to the growth of trout, furnishing them 

 with many varieties of insects ; and even at the margin, 

 to a certain extent, willows and alders ought to be en- 

 couraged, for on them the most esteemed flies breed, 

 and under their roots the largest trout delight in lurk- 

 ing. 



Many, alongside of their main preserves, employ 

 smaller ones, in which trout can be fattened readily, 

 and made to grow to any size. These stews should 

 connect with the principal pond, and have moveable 

 gratings in front to keep in the fish. 



