(954 5) 
lefs apt to grow up to a due greatnefs, than others that have been 
better defcended of a cultivated ftock: and on the other fide, 
it is no lefs poflible, that by coming into good quarters, fifh 
may improve and mend; fo that a gentleman is to expec the 
goodnefs of his fith from the cleannefs of his waters, and the 
plenty of their feed, and not from any choice of his ftock or 
breed; and Ict him get them where he may, if well ordered, | 
“he may affure himfelf they fhall anfwer his expectations. 
It is a common obfervation, that fome waters will, and 
others will not breed. It is my experience, that moft waters, 
the firft year after having lain dry a fummer, do breed, and 
that numeroully, efpecially carps, which I have known increafe 
to fuch an incredible fry, that I have been troubled how to 
difpofe them, fo as to have them again after three or four 
years, when they became good {tock for great waters. Eels 
and perch are of yery good ufe to keep down the breed of 
fith; for they prey much upon the fpawn and fry of bred fith, 
and will probably deftroy the fuperfluity of them. 
The quality of breeding is {carce to be found out by any 
certain fymptom; for fome very promifing ponds do not prove 
afeful that way. The beft indication I know of a breeding 
pond, is, when there is good ftore of rufh and grazing about 
it, and gravelly fhoals, fuch as horfe-ponds ufually have. 
When a water takes thus to breeding, with a few milters and 
{pawners, two or three of each, you may ftock a country. 
As for pike, perch, tench, roach, &c. they are obferved to 
breed in almoft any waters, and very numeroufly; only eels 
mever breed in perfec {landing waters, and withont fprings; 
and 
