An Angler's Paradise. 5 
square yards, or less than an acre. An acre of such water, then, 
would produce at the same rate over ten thousand five hundred 
pounds of trout in three or four years. Taking the value of this 
at a shilling per pound the result is £525. Experience teaches 
us that the cost of producing and maintaining these fish could be 
brought under 4,325, which leaves a margin of £200, or at the 
rate of “50 per annum per acre—a very handsome profit indeed. 
Of course there is risk, and results would vary, but against this 
may be placed the fact that I have taken a decidedly low estimate. 
I have indeed simply ciated what has been done and not what 
may be done. 
It is now more than a quarter of a century since I began my 
fish-cultural operations, and during that time I have had, in 
common with all fish culturists, many failures. I think I may 
fairly say, however, that from every one of these I have learned 
something, and often that something has been well worth the 
cost that it has been to me, even though it involved the loss of a 
considerable number of fish. Losses are always grievous at the 
time they occur, but the knowledge which we now possess may 
be said to have been largely gained, or to have grown, out of 
these misfortunes. 
It is not to be expected that everyone who attempts to 
manage a fish farm will carry his work to a successful issue ; 
indeed it is only in the hands of a skilful operator that such a 
work can result in eventual success. Everyone that knows any- 
thing of cattle or agriculture, is well aware that it requires a good 
technical and practical education to make a farmer. So it is with 
the breeding of fish, but it is as certain in its results when in 
proper hands as the breeding of cattle, poultry, or anything else, 
and quite as easily managed as it becomes understood. It, how- 
ever, requires, as I have said, a considerable amount of education, 
and it cannot for one moment be expected that it can be carried 
on at once in a successful manner by everyone who inclines to 
take itup. Education must be had in one way or another. Either 
beginners must pay for instruction at some well-conducted fish- 
cultural establishment, or they must flounder in the mire for some 
time, it may be a considerable time, and patiently bear many 
losses, discomfitures, and failures, before they can hope to bring 
