How to obtain it. 59 
is‘ desirable to run a good stream through a pond. I have seen 
many worked most successfully where only a very small water 
supply was available. These are cases of necessity, however, and 
although in many of them good results may be obtained, yet it is 
only by judicious working that they are brought about. By 
limiting the quantity of fish, paying special attention to the 
existing conditions, and regulating the work, much may often be 
successfully done. 
There are cases in which fish ponds have been made on cold 
barren streams, that have received their filling from torrents of 
snow water or cold winter rains, and even before the workmen 
have been off the scene a quantity of yearlings or two-year-olds 
have been hurriedly introduced to “‘save a season.” Sometimes 
these fish, if not too numerous, have done very well for a while, 
but it has been more by accident than otherwise. J have known 
cases in which they have done badly, and it is not at all surprising 
that it should be so. It matters not where the fish come from or 
how good they may be, the result will be the same. Anyone who 
understands the keeping of an aquarium will readily see wherein 
the mistake lies. Before turning fish into a pond we should know 
that there is food upon which they can not only live, but thrive ; 
but in many cases which have come under my notice little 
attention has been paid to this important matter. The water has 
been stocked regardless of surrounding circumstances, and con- 
sequently expectations have not always been realised. Although 
grave errors have been committed in the past, I would not for a 
moment blame anyone. Even fish culturists have been years 
finding out all these things, and there is yet very much to learn. 
But we are now fairly on the right path, and mysteries are being 
rapidly unravelled. 
We are now possessed of sufficient information to enable us 
to handle the water in a practical manner, as the agriculturist does 
his land. As there are many varieties of soils, and as these 
require different courses of treatment, so there are different classes 
of water, each requiring its own peculiar management to make it 
capable of producing a crop. As a rule, however, the cultivation 
of ponds and lakes is a much easier matter than the cultivation of 
a tract of land. Where the water supply is small it is very 
