GROWING THE LARGE TROUT. 21 / 



movements of a mud-turtle and a Scotch terrier after 

 rats. On mild days in winter when the sun warms the 

 water, or after a warm rain, they will wake up from 

 their lethargy and eat as they do in summer. These 

 are the times when they will indulge their cannibal 

 instincts if they are not fed, and you should be prompt 

 on such days to anticipate their unusual appetite with 

 proper food. 



Trout feed differently at different times in the day. 

 In the winter the favorable time is the warmest part 

 of the day. In summer they take their food best 

 about sundown ; they are very lively then both in the 

 spring and summer, and will leap out of the water and 

 lash the surface with their tails in a way that is very 

 exhilarating to see. 



When the keeper approaches to feed them, they will 

 come towards him, or will collect in their accustomed 

 place of eating, if they have not been disturbed ; but 

 if they have been molested they will fly about in all 

 directions, stir up the gravel, reject their food, and act 

 as if they were crazy. This is a bad sign, and when 

 you see it you may know that it means that they have 

 been molested and frightened during the night, prob- 

 ably by minks, herons, or men. 



Once a day is sufficiently often to feed the large 

 trout. They will keep fat and grow rapidly on one 

 feed a day ; but I think they would grow somewhat 

 better if fed oftener and less at a time. There is not 

 much danger of their eating too much. Feed till they 

 decline the food, then stop. They will sometimes take 

 too large pieces, and so choke themselves to death, 

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