How to obtain it. 237 
vigorously ; and, this being the case, the screen at the outlet end 
of the box may be carefully drawn, so as to allow them to escape 
at will. This should be done very gently, and quite unknown to 
the fish. The best time to do it is just at the commencement of 
a feed, when their attention is attracted by the food which is being 
given to them, and the feeding should go on just as usual. When 
it is over the fish will fall back a little, and some of them, without 
knowing it, pass out of the box. There is not the least fear now, 
and instead of gravitating to the bottom of the pond, and lying 
there in a half-terrified state, there is a delighted feeling of 
curiosity and pleasure at being free and in such a spacious apart- 
ment. The current of the inflowing stream is felt, and the little 
trout, for such he now truly is, works his way up to the head of the 
pond, on the way snapping up a specimen of Cyclops guadricornis, 
which he finds delicious, and he soon takes up his position 
looking for more. This goes on until fish by fish the box is 
vacated, and when all have left it may be carefully removed. 
This should be done without disturbing the fish, and it may be 
desirable to slacken the ropes a little and float it down the pond 
before removing it. 
It often happens that a few fish take up their position in the 
box and will not come out of it. Should such be the case, they 
may be ejected gently by turning it over on its side before 
removing it. They are fish that will very soon take care of them- 
selves when in the pond, and no anxiety need be felt on their 
account. After the fry are out of the boxes the feeding should 
go on carefully, and special watchfulness should be exercised at 
first until they are all thoroughly on the feed, and in skilful hands 
this is not long. 
Having got the fish into good feeding order, the great object 
to be desired is to keep them in position, and not to allow them 
to scatter over the ponds. Great care is necessary just at this 
crisis and for some time afterwards, that the fish are not disturbed. 
A very little thing will sometimes suffice to throw them off 
the feed at this time. A heron flying over, or some visitors 
appearing suddenly amongst the ponds, a thunderstorm or a 
sudden spate, will often effectually prevent fry from feeding for 
awhile. 
