THE NEW ART OF BREEDING FISH. 135 



single effort, but piecemeal, and at several intervals 

 of greater or less duration, according to the age and 

 size of the fish, and quantity of ova to be deposited. 

 A female salmon in its third year has a larger quan- 

 tity of ova to deposit than a female grilse, or young 

 salmon in its second year ; and it may be taken for 

 granted that the older and larger either fish, male or 

 female, is, the greater the quantity of ova to be de- 

 posited and of milt to be emitted. In consequence, 

 the time occupied in deposition chiefly depends upon 

 the size and fecundity of the female fish. The aver- 

 age time is from five to ten days. It would be more 

 correct to say the mean time lies betwixt." As soon 

 as salmon have spawned they are kelts and foul fish, 

 totally out of condition and unfit for human food. 

 They drop down into the pool next below the spawn- 

 ing bed, and there remain until they have somewhat 

 recovered from the exhausting process of procreation. 

 They then proceed slowly seawards, and by the time 

 they approach the mouths of rivers they become 

 "mended" kelts. In this state they eagerly take 

 the artificial fly and other baits, but though the an- 

 gler, fishing for fresh-run fish, cannot help capturing 

 them, none but the arrant poacher will keep them 

 in captivity. The true sportsman will take them 

 tenderly off his hook, replace them in the river, that 

 they may go to sea, and there grow and fatten, and 

 come back a clean, beautiful fish, in high condition. 

 I have now touched on the salient and important 

 points of the salmon's history and habits. There 



