DEPOPULATION OF TROUT-STREAMS. 115 



yearlings in boxes, or "nurseries." It is pleasant 

 then to watch the progress they make, to see 

 how tame they become, and the manner in which 

 they rush out and wait about at feeding time. 

 Every angler has watched how the smaller wild 

 trout act in early summer, when the myriads of 

 black gnats revolve just over the water. In the 

 nurseries the little fish act in precisely the same 

 way, jump and throw themselves out of the water, 

 and gambol in the most frolicsome fashion. 



It is almost useless to turn down small fish in 

 large sheets of water where great numbers of 

 predatory fishes, such as pike, already exist. 

 This applies with greater force where there are 

 few shallow-water conditions, which means that 

 small fish have absolutely no means of escape. 

 Probably the most effectual method of stocking 

 such water deep fresh-water lakes, reservoirs, etc. 

 is by two-year-old trout, or even older. Fish at 

 this age have attained to six or eight inches, and, 

 if turned out in early spring, often make upwards 

 of half a pound by the end of the ensuing summer. 

 These two-year-olds can be purchased at ^25 

 a thousand, whilst yearlings may be bought 

 at less than half that price ; and in either case, 

 with skilful care, there is little risk in transit. 

 Of course, larger fish than these can be obtained 

 for money trout from two to five pounds in 



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