SPAWNING OF BLACK BASS 47 



a length of one and a half to two inches at the 

 end of thirty-five days. It is doubtful whether 

 they could be retained much longer without a 

 heavy loss through cannibalism, since up to 

 this point it has taken continuous labour and the 

 utmost vigilance to rear a satisfactory num- 

 ber. 



Cultivating the Large-mouthed Bass. — For 

 large-mouthed bass the principal require- 

 ments are a large pond, similar to that already 

 described, and the same water, with the shelf 

 well covered with chara moss or coarse grass. 

 The largemouth will clear up spots in this 

 moss or grass, deposit the eggs thereon and 

 hatch them. No artificial nests are necessary. 

 The natural nests may be surrounded by cribs 

 in the same way as for the small-mouthed bass, 

 and at the proper time the young may be re- 

 moved to the fry-ponds. 



The large-mouthed bass are much slower in 

 turning a dark colour than the smallmouths. 

 During the fry stage, they are not quite as can- 

 nibalistic, although after they are placed in the 

 fry-pond, and begin to feed freely, there is 



