CONCLUDING CHAPTER. 249 



mate branch on which to base permanent returns, be- 

 cause the sale of spawn is limited to establishments that 

 ^ - are just commencing operations. This trade is a large 

 one now, because so many establishments are starting ; 

 but these will soon furnish their own spawn and be- 

 come sellers instead of buyers, and when the prospec- 

 tive fish-breeding operations of the country are all 

 under way there will be a great supply of eggs with a 

 very disproportionate demand. Indeed, the prospect 

 is that the spawn trade will not be a permanent one of 

 any great value, and therefore cannot be regarded, in 

 its present state at least, as a legitimate ground for 

 basing permanent expectations. 



It is not so, however, with the trade in young fry 

 and yearlings for stocking other waters. It is a uni- 

 versal custom now with owners of small gardens to 

 buy their young cabbages and tomatoes, and other 

 vegetables, of the large producers, because it is 

 cheaper than to start them themselves. Farmers also 

 buy their pigs, instead of breeding them, from the same 

 cause. Now it is only reasonable to expect the same 

 rule to prevail in fish raising, as it certainly does at 

 present. Many persons who have ponds and streams, 

 and want to keep them stocked, will prefer, and will 

 find it cheaper, to buy their young stock every year 

 than to work all winter at hatching the eggs. The 

 trade in young stock, therefore, looks as if it would be 

 permanent, and appears to be a legitimate source from 

 which to expect an income in trout-raising. 



This forms at present a very considerable item in 

 the business. Young fry are in great demand in New 

 11* 



