l66 MR. J. J. hill's RErORT OF 



familiar meadow patch skirting a farm near Hexham station 

 dehghted the ej'e with its fresh greenery of deep luscious grass, 

 starred with the brilliant yellows of the dandelions. 



On arrival at Barrasford, the party spent a pleasant hour 

 or two in a woody dingle on the banks of the Swin Burn, after 

 which they made their way down to the Fish Hatcheries, 

 where, by the kind invitation of Mr. C. C. Cadman, the 

 establishment for the rearing of trout was inspected. We were 

 fortunate in having Mr. Cadman himself as guide, and he 

 conducted us through every branch of the establishment, and 

 explained carefully every detail of the rearing and manage- 

 ment of the stock, from the egg to the mature fish. First the 

 eggs were viewed on their trays in the spring run water ; 

 later the frail young life was seen emerging from the egg; 

 then in the open garden ponds, graduated in accordance with 

 age, fish in thousands were disporting themselves, in all sizes 

 from the mere brown streak of early youth to the goodly fish 

 of several pounds, which in natural surroundings must be the 

 envy of every angler. Every stage was highly interesting, 

 the ponds containing the myriads of '"yearlings" particularly 

 so. Here the water seemed almost to vibrate with life, and 

 when food was tluown in, the surface simply "boiled" witii 

 the voracious youngsters scrambling for their food. 



After leaving Barrasford, the party crossed the Tyne by the 

 ferry, passing the imposing pile of Haughton Castle, and 

 made their way down the west side of the river to Chollerford. 

 The walk was a delightful one, though somewhat hurried, 

 and the only incident worthy of note was perhaps the finding 

 of a robin's nest with young, ingeniously concealed beneath an 

 old spade in a wayside wood. Here the young birds seemed 

 to be in happy security, safe from the eye of the ordinary 

 passer-by and well sheltered from possible storm. 



On reachnig Chollerford, tea was partaken of at the 

 "'George Hotel," where the events of the thiy were reviewed, 

 notes compared, and lists drawn up of the day's finds. Later, 

 a pleasant hour was spent in the evening's cool by the river, 

 while some of the more adventurous of the party pushed on 



