170 MAKING A FISHERY. 



every precaution to prevent rough handling of 

 the trout during their transference from the 

 ponds or hatchery to the river or stew. 



The injured or weakly stock having thus been 

 eliminated, the remaining healthy yearlings in 

 the stew soon became accustomed to the visits 

 of the head keeper, and, at his appearance, 

 congregated in the deep water of the shed, 

 awaiting the meal of minced liver and lights. 

 In very few days they commenced feeding 

 freely, and, as a natural consequence, im- 

 proved in condition and growth. At first 151b. 

 per week was given ; but, seeing that every 

 particle of this was devoured, the weekly allow- 

 ance was successively increased to 3olb. in 

 June, and ultimately in September to 6olb., at 

 which maximum it remained. The fish would 

 probably have eaten more, but the resources of 

 the local butcher could not be relied upon for a 

 larger supply. 



The yearlings grew and improved in con- 

 dition until the middle of December, when 

 gradually they seemed to go off the feed, as 

 noticed in the account of the previous year. It 

 would be reasonable in respect to the adult fish 

 to impute this loss of appetite to their gravid 

 condition and the approach of the spawning 

 season. The instinct of the young fish — fore- 

 shadowing the habits of the mature parents — 



