1 6 DOMESTICATED TROUT. 



sure that there will not be trouble in the course of 

 the winter from a stoppage of water, an overflow, 

 sediment, or injury to the water above. At any rate, 

 with a brook, your risk, on account of these dangers, 

 is vastly increased. But with a spring there is an even 

 flow, a steady temperature, very little danger of stop- 

 page of the water or injury to it, and the whole thing 

 is compact and well in hand. 



These considerations will, in the long run, give the 

 spring-water for hatching purposes a very decided ad- 

 vantage over brook-water. 



Brook-water, again, is best to raise trout in. Spring- 

 water, just emerging from the darkness of the interior 

 of the earth, is cold, wholly free from animal and vege- 

 table life, and deficient in that peculiar vitality which 

 its flow through the open air and sunshine imparts to it. 

 Trout will not grow fast, will remain small, and will 

 develop small ova, in such water. 



Brook- water, on the contrary, possessing the qualities 

 which spring-water lacks, is much more nutritious, if I 

 may use the word, will grow trout rapidly, will give 

 them a good size, and will develop large eggs in the 

 fish. For these reasons it is, if safe, better than spring- 

 water for raising trout. 



It should be mentioned here, however, that cold wa- 

 ter makes a hardier and firmer-fleshed fish, and is less 

 favorable to disease. It is consequently better, some- 

 times, when there is any tendency to disease, to keep 

 the very young fry in the spring-water until they have 

 acquired some firmness of bone and flesh. 



The best water advantages of all are perhaps found 



