STOCKING 391 



and to the three piles — one at the centre and two at 

 the ends — and the work is complete. 



To give shade to the fish, nail some half-saplings 

 into frames to lie across the stew, fasten galvanized- 

 wire netting to them with small staples, and cover 

 them with old sacks, or sedge tied on like thatch. 

 Any rough carpenter can do the work, and the cost is 

 quite trifling. 



The feeding question is a very serious one, and the 



one fault to avoid is that of 



The feeding question. giving the fish in a stew too 



liberal a diet. One hears of 

 two-year-olds weighing 1^ to 2 lb., and three-year-olds 

 of 3 lb., and even greater weight, which are turned 

 out at or about the commencement of the fishing 

 season. As will be shown later on, these are over- 

 grown, unhealthy stock, and in every way undesirable 

 additions to the trout in the river. 



There are many forms of food suited for the 

 purpose, the best of which perhaps is bullocks' lights 

 thoroughly boiled and passed through a small inexpen- 

 sive mincing-machine. Unfortunately, it is often 

 difficult, if not impossible, to get a regular supply of 

 lights in country places, but boiled horseflesh can 

 generally be obtained, and minced in the same way is 

 a very good substitute. The food, whether lights or 

 horseflesh, must be quite fresh — tainted meat is objec- 

 tionable and not good for the fish in the stew. An 

 occasional change of diet is desirable, and in my 

 experience it is wise to mix with the minced horseflesh 



