442 SALMON AND TROV1. 
SA4ZMON AND TROUT CULTURE 
THE attention of Pisciculturists is at present almost wholly 
devoted to the propagation of the salmonide, and justly so, 
as this family of fresh-water fish is not only by far the most 
valuable in the market, but is, par excellence, the greatest 
favourite among sportsmen in all countries where it exists. 
It has unfortunately the peculiarity of yielding fewer eggs 
than any other fresh-water fish, and consequently with the 
increasing demand artificial breeding has become a neces- 
sity, unless the race is to be allowed to dwindle, if not die 
out. 
The following table of the number of eggs produced by 
several of the most familiar fresh-water fish is instructive : 
Salmonide . . . about 1,000 to the pound 
Pike. . . 5 10,000 ay 
Perch . id é 5 40,000 # 
Roach , . ‘ ‘ 3» 640,000 % 
It is with salmonidz that the most excellent results have 
been attained by artificial breeding: yet it appears that in 
America, notwithstanding the enormous numbers of Salmo 
Salar ‘(Salmon proper) that have been hatched and turned 
into the rivers of late years, expectations have not been real- 
ised in many instances. In the case of the migratory species 
we have to contend with ocean depths and innumerable 
enemies beyond our reach, which may possibly account for 
