4 LEAFLET 120, U. S. DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE 
Effective work in warding off the depredations of fish-eating 
birds demands early rising. To catch some of the culprits in the act 
one must be on the scene at break of day. If such patrolling is done 
by hired employes, probably more than one shift will be required, 
with pay at a higher rate for overtime work at unusual heurs. The 
patrolling may be necessary either throughout the warmer months 
or over a shorter period if fish are kept in the pond only part of the 
season. If guarding is necessary every day for 5 months it is obvious 
that a considerable bill for services will be incurred. A gun and 
ammunition will have to be provided as well as an outfit of traps and 
supports for them. 
B40865 
FIGURE 2.—Supports for short-span wires. 
g, and trapping will cost will vary 
with the locality, and persons faced with the necessity of guarding 
fishponds are in the best position to estimate the expense. It seems 
quite probable, however, that in general the annual cost for guarding 
would be more than the amount needed to screen and wire a small 
pond so as to make it safe from bird depredations for a period of 
years. Year after year additional ponds could be wired, and in time 
the whole number protected, so that the owner would have no further 
worry about predators and no expense except for the upkeep of 
equipment. If made of heavily galvanized material both fences and 
wiring should last for many years. 
Edward R. Hewitt, who has had long experience in the rearing of 
trout and in the control of their natural enemies, has come to the 
conclusion that— 
Just what patrolling, shooting 
The only sure way to raise trout successfully is to do it in tanks completely 
screened from vermin. When the trout are 9 or 10 inches long they ean be 
raised in ponds, if they get reasonable protection from birds and other 
