TROUT BKEBDING. 77 



resort must be had to the net, or the uncertain hook and 

 line in taking them. Besides, if such ponds are overstocked 

 there is a lack of food. In such as I have recommended, 

 it is provided for them. In the former they are at pasture, 

 in the latter, stall fed, under control, and ready for market 

 when wanted. 



Fish Culture a branch of Farming. — In the beginning 

 of this chapter I have alluded to the facilities which most 

 farmers have for hatching trout spawn. Taking them as 

 a class, they are far more favorably situated and circum- 

 stanced for the whole routine of breeding and growing trout 

 than persons of any other occupation. As regards the first 

 requisite, most of them have springs of more or less volume 

 and of the proper temperature on their premises, and gener- 

 ally near their dwellings. Labor with them is cheap, and 

 much can be done at different seasons of the year without 

 interfering with their ordinary farm work, or hiring extra 

 help. The employment of horses, carts, wagons, and men, 

 which they keep of necessity, would, therefore, cause no 

 expenditure, and fill up their leisure time. The little 

 mechanism necessary, could be done by any one of them hav- 

 ing an eye for a straight line, and an aptness with square, 

 mallet, chisel, saw, hammer, and jack-plane. The only out- 

 lay would be for lumber, and trout or spawn to commence 

 with. Four men, with a span of horses, a plough, road- 

 scraper, shovels, and hoes, would excavate and construct 

 ponds of the size I have described, if the ground is not over 

 stony, in less than ten days. If the farmer has no mechani- 

 cal skill, a country carpenter, with the assistance of two 

 7* 



