38 FISH CULTURE 



so as to provide more or less seclusion. From my 

 observation and experience, I should prefer, where 

 conditions permitted, to build no nests, but prepare 

 for the spawning season by arranging the pond as 

 follows: I should construct the edges or shores of 

 the pond in irregular shape, allowing a point to pro- 

 ject here and there, creating small bays, somewhat 

 like one or two of the ponds at the Drayton Plains 

 Hatchery, Michigan. Then instead of using the arti- 

 ficial or box-nest, I should simply provide a sunshade, 

 set upon props or sticks, leaving all sides free and 

 open to the unrestricted movements of the fish. In 

 a pond of large area, I am satisfied that this is ample 

 shelter. It is only needed to protect the fish, while 

 hovering over the nest, from the direct rays of the 

 sun. The size and area of the pond would furnish 

 the same seclusion that is given in a pond of smaller 

 size by the box or Lydell nest." 



Bass-fry and their Care. — ^When the young 

 small-mouthed bass issue from the eggs they 

 are exceedingly small and almost transparent; 

 but in from 24 to 48 hours, depending on the 

 temperature of the water, they change to dark 

 brown and then to black, and resemble a newly 

 hatched tadpole. There is no such quick 

 change of colour with the large-mouthed bass, 

 in which the early stages of development of the 



