FISHERIES, GAME AND FORESTS. 1 37 



for artificial hatching is usually taken in January, February and March and the average 

 yield from a female is about 900. At Hiiningen, in Alsace, the spawning season 

 extends from March to May and of late years it has begun as early as February. In 

 Thuringen it has run from April to July. In France spawning occurs in April. 



In his report of the work of the Caledonia hatchery in 1894, Monroe A. Green 

 states that there are 34,000 rainbow trout eggs in a gallon, while the brown trout number 

 38,000, the brook trout 56,000 and the lake trout 22,100. The rainbow seems to 

 migrate and will not remain in streams where planted if it can readily find an outlet. 



According to Livingston Stone, males are mature at two years old and females at 

 three years. The rate of growth under favorable conditions and the effects of a change 

 of environment are well shown in the following account of his experience with the 

 rainbow at Neosho, Missouri, by Mr. William F. Page : "At the close of the first 

 year's work I was ordered to reserve 1,000 yearlings to constitute a future brood stock. 

 On December 15 th, 1891, when these fish were barely two years old, they commenced 

 to produce eggs. We spawned 207 females giving an average of 542 eggs per fish. 

 Only 33 per cent, were impregnated. The following season, as three year olds, the 

 same fish gave 936 eggs per female — 718 females, 84^ per cent, impregnation. 



" I found, under peculiar conditions or circumstances, a rainbow trout which I 

 know is barely two years old. It was 163^2 inches long, 4 inches deep, 2 lbs. weight, 

 and in excellent condition ; the ovaries weighed 16 ounces and counted out 1,920 eggs." 



Qualities. — The rainbow is a good table fish, although held in variable estimation 

 in different localities. In most places it is considered fully equal to the common 

 brook trout of the East. On the McCloud river, Cal., from whence the original stock 

 of eggs for Eastern distribution was obtained, it is regarded as superior to the quinnat 

 salmon. 



Monroe A. Green considers it a good fish if eaten soon after being taken from the 

 water. 



In the Eleventh Report of the Michigan Fish Commission, 1895, P a g e 7» occurs 

 the following statement : " As a game fish the rainbow trout has no superior among 

 the salmonidse found in our waters, and in edible qualities it is equal to any of 

 its congeners." 



In Europe it has been found suitable for pond culture because it grows rapidlv and 

 is less affected by warm water than the native European trout. 



In 1879 the Trocadero Aquarium, of Paris, received from the United States Fish 

 Commission, at the request of the National Society of Acclimatization, eggs of three 

 species of salmonidae which were successfully cultivated in America. Dr. Jousset de 

 Bellesme devoted himself to the rearing of the fish and their introduction into the 

 waters of France. 



