How to obtain it. 281 
during the past few years, is somewhat uncertain in its results. 
There is no need for this state of things whatever, and it is ex- 
ceedingly trying to a fish culturist who is deeply interested in the 
work, to look on year after year and see the meagre results that 
are accruing to salmon-cultural operations. I have had some con- 
siderable experience in the collection of spawning fish and of 
ova in years gone by, and my opinion of the method usually 
adopted, of trying to net the ripe fish out of the rivers, is that it is 
most unbusiness-like. I have often been unable to get a ripe 
fish, and have spent days by the river-side, with men, and nets, 
and boats, etc., trying in vain, although catching plenty that were 
not ripe. I have pointed out the proper course, and the only one 
that is really workable, but the excuse usually is that it would be 
too costly. 
It is the ordinary plan that is too costly. So costly is it, 
indeed, that for seven years or more I have not put a net into 
the water to catch a salmon. The remedy is to impound the fish, 
and when that is properly done, and the rest not left undone, then 
I venture to say that salmon culture will yield its fruit. 
The expense is very much less than is incurred by the present 
system. The real difficulty is that some outlay is required before 
the work can be commenced, and it seems to be the fear of this 
that prevents it going on. Now, I may as well say at the outset 
that our salmon rivers are not to be put into the condition that 
so many people desire without a reasonable outlay of capital 
upon them. Without that it would be just as hopeless to attempt 
any improvement as it would be to attempt to put into order a 
piece of cultivated land which had been allowed to run waste, or, 
it might be, a piece that had never been cultivated at all. 
The impounding of fish cannot be done by anybody. I 
believe it has been tried in some instances and found to fail. 
Nothing is more likely. The ordinary water bailiff probably 
knows as much about impounding salmon as he knows about 
harpooning a whale. Even experts have yet a great deal to learn 
about this, as about many other things, but that is no reason why 
important work should be left undone. That salmon can be 
impounded, and impounded successfully, I know from my own 
experience, for I have tried a good many experiments with the 
