230 DOMESTICATED TROUT. 



enclose the pond on all sides and on the top so tightly 

 that a mink cannot get in ; then you are safe. 



There is no way to manage the snakes but to kill 

 them ; but they are not so very destructive to large 

 trout ; and, if you keep off all other enemies, I do not 

 think you will suffer much from snakes. 



POACHERS. 



I know the prevailing opinion is now that there is 

 not much danger from poachers. I wish to lift up my 

 voice against this delusion. Your trout in an exposed 

 pond are just about as safe as your money would be 

 in it ; indeed, in some respects, not so safe, for there 

 are people who will steal trout who would not steal 

 money. Yet persons will lock up their money in vaults 

 in banks, and then not feel safe, and will leave a hun- 

 dred or a thousand dollars' worth of trout in an un- 

 protected pond and think there is not much risk. It 

 is a great mistake. I would throw every barrier I 

 possibly could between my trout and trout-thieves, and 

 would make my ponds just as secure from poacher 

 raids as the value of their contents will warrant ' 



Poachers are of three classes. First, the regular 

 thief. He steals the trout the same as he steals his 

 firewood and poultry, because he prefers to get his 

 living that way. He comes regularly, but, with a 

 thief's caution, by the least suspected path, and usually 

 takes just enough each time not to have them missed. 

 A year's steady work at it, however, will leave its 

 marks on your trout stock, you may depend. Possibly 

 the role will be changed some time, and all your trout 



