PONDS. 21 



possibly get away from you, or even permanently out of 

 your sight ; consequently, your ponds should be built 

 small. 



5. Have a fall, and as much of one as you can, 

 at the head of each pond ; this is not essential, but 

 very desirable, as then the water comes full of air and 

 life directly on your fish, which is worth a great deal. 

 You can keep more fish in the pond by it, they will 

 be healthier, and will grow better. 



6. I think it is a good plan to locate your ponds far 

 enough from the fountain-head of the stream for the 

 water, by running through the air and sunlight, to have 

 changed its character from cold barren spring-water 

 to warmer and more nutritious brook-water. It will 

 soon acquire this brook character, especially if it is 

 spread out over considerable surface. Indeed, a pond 

 having a large surface exposed to the sun, built directly 

 over the spring, answers very well ; but trout will not 

 grow fast or fatten easily in a deep, small spring-hole 

 or spring-water pond, not much exposed to the sun. 

 Do not infer from this that trout need to be in the 

 sun ; it is not the trout, but the water that the trout 

 live in, that requires the sunlight. Brook-water which 

 has a good deal of sunlight in it is better for ponds than 

 spring-water with none. Trees are to some extent ob- 

 jectionable, when their leaves make trouble by clogging 

 up the screens, but they are very desirable for shade. 



7. If your dwelling-house for yourself or keeper is 

 built, then try to locate your ponds as near to the house 

 as possible, within sight at least. If your house is not 

 built, then build it very near your ponds. 



