TROUT PONDS 95 



Unless the supply of water is to all intents 

 and purposes unlimited, the water should never 

 be "split," or divided into more series of ponds 

 than can possibly be avoided. If with a limited 

 supply splitting is unavoidable it is important 

 that the water be reunited into a single series 

 of ponds in the shortest distance, even though 

 splitting again be required, because any ap- 

 preciable diminution of the volume of flow is 

 likely to cause a rise in temperature and con- 

 sequent loss in the "life" of the water. 



Shape and Size. — The shape of ponds should 

 be such that the current may flow through in 

 such a manner as to leave the least amount of 

 dead water ; and also it is desirable to adopt a 

 shape which will permit of easy netting, A 

 rectangular pond, whether square or oblong, is 

 not the best, therefore, for fulfilment of both re- 

 quirements, yet it is the one most easily and 

 cheaply built ; the ground space is best utilised ; 

 and this is unquestionably the best form when 

 a "nest," or series, of ponds is to be built at the 

 same time or in the near future. Oblong ponds 

 with rounded ends are even better. 



Ponds constructed in nests or groups and fed 



