CHAPTER XII. 
REARING THE FRY. 
Commencing to feed—Training—The right kind of food—Time for turning 
out—£ntomostraca—Grated liver—Mode of feeding—Feeding machines—Shrimp 
paste—Chopping machine— Transfer to rearing ponds— The old plan—The new plan 
—Floating boxes—Ponds to be kept quiet—Cutting the grass—Pond bottoms tobe kept 
clean—Earth in ponds—Scum on the water—Fungus—Salt—Thinning out the fish. 
Ve have now reached a very important point in the course 
of fish-cultural work—the time at which the little fish begin 
to take food. When they have nearly absorbed the sac, and for 
that reason have “unpacked” and scattered themselves over the 
boxes, they may be allowed a little light. A very good way of 
supplying this want is by making one set of lids do for two boxes, 
that is to say only half covering them. At the Solway Fishery the 
boxes are arranged in couples, side by side, and the lid is placed 
so as to half cover each of them. The lower half of the box, 
which was left uncovered during the “‘alevin” stage, is now half 
covered, like the rest. 
A short while before the complete absorption of the umbilical 
sac a few of the fish will be seen to rise from the bottom of the 
hatching or rearing boxes, and for the first time take up their 
position, as if they had an object in view. They have their heads 
to the stream, and appear more like fish. If some particles of 
chopped egg, or indeed of almost any kind, be allowed to float 
down with the current, they will turn aside to seize them as they 
pass. Soon the number of fish acting thus will be largely in- 
creased, and from this time forward they require regular feeding 
and attention. There has been a good deal of controversy as to 
the best time at which to commence feeding young trout, some 
persons holding that there is no need for it until the umbilical sac 
