TROUT BREEDING. 85 



more than a pound. As a fish increases in size, its pro- 

 pensity for further growth also increases. A young salmon 

 at a year, or sometimes even at two years old, does not 

 weigh three ounces ; it goes to sea and frequently returns 

 in six weeks, or at least the following summer, a fish from 

 three to eight pounds. The abundant and nutritious food 

 obtained at sea causes this wonderful growth ; if it is pre- 

 vented from going to sea, it does not grow to more than 

 twelve inches, or three-quarters of a pound, in a year from 

 the time it weighs three ounces. ' Thus an abundance of 

 food causes a rapid growth. \\ 



The enemies of larger trout in stock ponds, are fish- 

 hawks and night-herons. Water-frogs, snakes, and ducks, 

 may also be destructive to the fry when first turned out of 

 the nursery. In a confined space, the water-snake first 

 muddies the water, and then finds its victim. A duck also 

 has the same cunning. A frog, in solemn silence, waits for 

 their approach to shallow water amongst grass or weeds, 

 and pounces upon them. The little king-fisher may also 

 capture some. But the foe which it is the most difficult 

 to protect the fish from, is the species of heron alluded to. 

 Though not numerous, these wading birds, when they have 

 found a feeding place so well stocked, may come for many 

 successive evenings, and prey upon the trout. Other ene- 

 mies are more easily provided against. Ii 



Hwningue. — The following description of this celebrated 

 establishment, where fish culture, it might be said, was 

 inaugurated, is from Bertram's " Harvest of the Seas." 



" The series of buildings erected at Huningue, aie 



