48 TROUT CULTURE. 



The above sketches represent a box in section and 

 plan, six feet long, with one division, which is not quite 

 in the centre, as the side next the in-fall will hold more 

 fry than the other, as the water is all fresh. Rubber 

 hose should be attached to the end of the tap to 

 exclude air. This may seem absurd, but it will be 

 found of great value in practice, for too much oxygen 

 is almost as bad for the young fishes as too little. 

 When there is a division in the box the back water 

 board, if used, should be so placed that the hand can 

 be passed freely under the zinc to clear away excrement 

 and dirt, or it will ferment and breed a pestilence 

 amongst the fry below. 



Mr. Silk places his boxes on a very gentle slope, but 

 we cannot see any object in so doing ; so we advise 

 that the box be set horizontally on tressels or other 

 suitable supports. Water should be run into the box 

 some days before it is used, to season it, and also to 

 cure any "weeps" or leaks from "shakes" in the 

 wood or other causes. 



When thus ready for use, and the fry are fit to turn 

 into the feeding box, if hatched on perforated zinc 

 trays, all that has to be done is to take the trays, if 

 short ones, and invert over the box and wash any 

 adhering fry off the zinc with a hand-bowl or syringe ; 

 if long trays are used, they are tilted end up in a pail 

 of water and the fry washed down into it. The pail is 

 then similarly emptied into the box, the lids put on, 

 and the fry should be left to settle down comfortably 

 in their new quarters. Gentleness, combined with 

 quickness and care, are required in the operation. 



When the fry show by their actions that they are 

 ready for food ? the next thing is to cater for them. 



