REARING PONDS AND STREAMS. 67 



never would be done at all under other circumstances. 

 If things are worked, as far as possible, automatically, 

 and a good method established in doing them, then 

 trouble is minimized to the last degree, and all go 

 about their day's work in a cheerful ready manner. 

 If any accident should happen and in spite of all 

 prevision such things will occur then the hands will 

 be better able to meet whatever may suddenly 

 supervene. 



A short step-ladder, such as is used for a bathing 

 place, will be found useful for entering and leaving 

 ponds without injuring the banks, should they be 

 perpendicular. 



For cleaning the numerous screens and gratings, 

 more especially of a tender nature, such as perforated 

 zinc, Horsey's patent bass brooms will be found the 

 best ; they can be got through any ironmonger, or 

 dealer in turnery goods, and will be found useful not 

 only at the ponds, but for sweeping out the fish- house. 

 A mop and an india-rubber " squeeze " are about all 

 else that is wanted in this department, except an 

 ordinary scrubbing brush. 



In places where mussels and clams are to be had 

 cheaply, and girls can be hired to open them, they 

 form a good change of food, but these places are rare. 

 Horseflesh, if easily procurable, is also a desirable 

 item of menu for the older fishes ; or, on a " juicy " 

 summer's night one may take a lantern and tread 

 softly on the lawn, and, with a bag slung on the 

 shoulder, pull out lob-worms, and feed them to the 

 fishes. In fact, hardly anything will give offence in 

 the way of food. To make good growth there must 

 be lots of food, and that varied as much as possible. 



