442 SALMON AND TROUT, 



SAL AWN AND TROUT CULTURE 



The attention of Pisciculturists is at present almost wholly 

 devoted to the propagation of the salmonidae, and justly so, 

 as this family of fresh-water fish is not only by far the most 

 valuable in the market, but is, par excelletice, the greatest 

 favourite among sportsmen in all countries where it exists. 

 It has unfortunately the peculiarity of yielding fewer eggs 

 than any other fresh-water fish, and consequently with the 

 increasing demand artificial breeding has become a neces- 

 sity, unless the race is to be allowed to dwindle, if not die 

 out. 



The following table of the number of eggs produced by 

 several of the most familiar fresh-water fish is instructive : 



Salmonidae . . . about i,ooo to the pound 

 Pike ..... „ 10,000 „ 



Perch .... „ 40,000 „ 



Roach .... „ 640,000 „ 



It is with salmonidns that the most excellent results have 

 been attained by artificial breeding : yet it appears that in 

 America, notwithstanding the enormous numbers of Salmo 

 Salar (Salmon proper) that have been hatched and turned 

 into the rivers of late years, expectations have not been real- 

 ised in many instances. In the case of the migratory species 

 we have to contend with ocean depths and innumerable 

 enemies beyond our reach, which may possibly account for 



