CHAPTER V. 
THE HATCHERY. 
Selection of the water—Its importance—Construction—Out-door hatchery—In- 
door hatchery—Frostproof building—Lighting—Filtration of water—Concrete 
floor—Drainage—The apparatus—How to construct—Carbonising—Trap boxes— 
Catchpool—No admittance—Beware of visitors—Early days of the Solway Fishery 
—Care required in a hatchery. 
OR the benefit of those who wish to do their own work from 
the commencement I will endeavour, in as few words as 
possible, to describe the various needs and processes of the 
practical fish culturist. The first thing essential is a hatchery of 
some kind. It may be large or small according to the amount 
of work required to be done, and may be fitted up in different 
ways, but although the details may vary, yet the principle of 
construction is the same, whether small or large. It must be 
near a good supply of pure water. I do not mean chemically 
pure, but naturally so—that is, it must not contain any excess of 
mineral matter of any kind, and it must be free from mud or 
sediment. The water which flows from a good clear spring and is 
wholesome to drink is usually good. But the best way of proving 
it is by means of the fish themselves. Do trout frequent it, and 
do they spawn in it freely? If they do, it is probably all right ; 
if they do not, then be careful, and should it seem clear, on 
examination, that they avoid it, then be very cautious in using such 
water. By all means have it analysed, and find out exactly what 
it contains, and what it does not, before commencing work. 
Brook water is the best for growing the fish, but spring water is 
usually acknowledged to be safer for hatching the ova, and chiefly 
for two reasons—regularity of temperature, and freedom from 
organic and mineral matter in the form of sediment. 
