58 MAKING A FISHERY. 



The desire of the millers to work longer hours, 

 and secure some little extra profit out of the 

 demand for flour from the new wheat just 

 harvested, would impel them to clamour for a 

 better supply of water. The pressure brought 

 to bear simultaneously from these two quarters 

 would of itself induce the fisherman to try and 

 assist them ; that is, provided he desired, as he 

 should, to be on friendly terms with his neigh- 

 bours. It is, however, no less important for the 

 future sport of the angler than for the pocket 

 of the miller and the peace of mind of the 

 farmer, that the weeds should be cut at this 

 time of the year. 



Notably it is required for three reasons. 

 Firstly, because, if left to rot in the river, the 

 decomposed vegetable matter will increase the 

 quantity of foul mud which has always a 

 tendency to accumulate in the stiller and 

 deeper reaches. Secondly, because the gravel 

 on the shallows, whether of the main stream, 

 tributaries, or even carriers, can scarcely be too 

 bare or too clean and sharp for the ova when 

 deposited by the gravid female to hatch out 

 successfully ; in fact, the presence of an undue 

 proportion of weed on a natural spawning bed 

 will often prevent the fish from spawning on it 

 at all. Thirdly, because, however closely the 

 river may have been netted in the spring, and 



