SALMON AND TROUT CULTURE. 449 
was in depending on rivers for the stock of ova. Some of the 
best parts of the Test, Itchin, Wey and Kennett were at my 
disposal’; but seasons vary in our fickle climate, and I have 
found more than once that the fish had already spawned, 
and gone down to the deeper water, or that they would 
not be ready for a week or more. This meant, perhaps, no 
eggs at all from that river, or another journey. Then, if a 
second attempt was made, heavy rain has often done mischief, 
and nets would not work the river. Trout will sometimes 
defy the best net in the world, as, in close proximity to the 
spawning ground there is frequently ‘a sweet little hiding 
place,’ seven to ten feet deep, running far under the bank, and 
full of stumps and roots, into which the fish instantly fly ; get 
them out if you can! The execution of the strategical move- 
ment is doubtless sagacious as well as instinctive on the part of 
the fish, but it shows a disinclination to a closer acquaintance 
which is not satisfactory to the would-be operator, who returns 
home egg-less, and not unfrequently wet to the skin. 
My plan has been to secure, by lease or purchase, ponds 
already in existence, and to construct others, where I may with 
certainty rely on finding breeding fish when they are wanted, 
If a few of the female fish are not ripe on the first visit, they 
are removed to a smaller pond for a few days : by these means 
I get all the eggs which my fish produce. The ponds are 
netted, and when necessary drawn off. If care is taken no fish 
need be lost or killed by running ponds off, and it is a good 
plan to draw the water off occasionally, in order to get rid of 
any loose mud which may have accumulated. A ‘goodly 
sprinkle’ of eggs has been obtained from the before-mentioned 
rivers almost every season, and the quality of Test, Itchin, 
Wey, and Kennett trout is so well known that it is needless to 
say anything here in their praise. 
I believe, however, that the future quality of the fish de- 
pends rather on the food they get, than on the water from 
which their parents come. The character of a trout alters 
very much under changed conditions. Still it is advisable 
I GG 
