The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1872-09-19
Trout Raising on Long Island, N. Y.

Trout Raising on Long Island, N. Y.
A paper that is giving attention to fish
raising thus describes an establishment for
the purpose on Long Island
When the multitude discourses on the
various theories and methods of stocking
our rivers, ponds, brooks and streams
with desirable table-ish, they DISPLAY on
ly meagre knowledge OF the vast progress
which has been made already in that re-
gard and when gentlemen hold converse
in relation to the construction Of artificial
ponds and brooks, and the natural and
artificial methods of breeding and grow
ING trout for rccreative amusement and
the delectation OF IN educated palate, few
of them are aware that on either side of
Long Island alone there are now nearly
sixty ponds, brooks and streams. care
fully, and some of them very elegantly
constructed. which Mt their estimated val
uation cost S9s9,0D0, but which could not
be purchased from their owners to-day for
very much more than 81 ,000,0OO.
In the present article, which will be de-
voted to an account of the trout interest
on Long Island alone, and to brief de-
scription OF the various methods By which
trout streams are constructed and the trout
they contain Matched and reared the
present feature OF chief interest among all
the trout fanciers, namely, the difference
between propagation by artificial means
and by the natural course in the artlicially
constructed streams, will be described
and the results obtained by either will be
noted. on the authority of those who are
heartily engaged in the various methods
now observed.
The universally recognized chief Of the
''natural growers is Mr.. VIM. II. Fur
man, of Maspeth, where he has very rc-
markable artificial stream. The stream
has been constructed in the marsh near
the head waters Of the eastcrlv branch ct
Newtown Creek, and is within easy reach
from New York. He commenced bis
work, as IN Interesting pastime, about
nine Years ago, in about five acres Of the
marsh. He says he wa9 laughed at by
nearly all his friends, who when he spoke
OF constructing 4 trout-stream in that
marsh, 50 near to salt water, and Of OBJ
tanning the pure spring water necessary
to the successful growth OF trout, were
accustomed to consider him "stark mad, 8
and us requiring friendly care. At this
time it must be remembered, even the
construction, successfully, Of ;lu artificial
pond for trout was remarkably rare. He
had time, means, devotion TO and per
severance in his work. however, and at
length the bed OF the stream in the marsh
was shown clean, pebbcd and in all re-
spcctS desirable, and instead of the salt
water which his .jocular friends were sure
would leach from the ti1e-washcd river to
his creek, there were visible, at distances
averaging about eighteen inches from
each other, delightfully."- bubbling springs
OF as pure. cold water us d thirsty man
could desire.
Thus was commcnced what has since be-
come famous as "Shanty Creek" in the
form OF one-haif OF II capital letter 5 the
receiving and dlScharging ends Of which
are 800 feet apart. The first of the two
branches Of the creek, which are fed by the
springs developed in digging to form the
bed is known as the East Brook. and is
$50 feet long; and the second, or South
Brook, is about 800 feet in lengtl-thc
pond being, in all, about 1920 feet The
width of these at the bottom is nine teet
inches. This stream thus formed is diyid-
ed into what is known rs the "patentcd
spawning race" the feeding ground for
the young, and a similar ground for the
Older trout OF a larger growth. There is
Il secret as to the formation Of the spawn
ing ground, or shanty which is 50 con
structed as to give perfect security to the
eggs from the time they are deposited by
the fish until they are hatched; and when
the young appear they are protected from
the others in the portion of the stream al
lotted to them by fine screen gates. and
their locality is known as the nursery
Of the method on which the creek bed is
formed, the sides lined. and the creek
shaded. it is only necessary 50 state, in
so brief a notice rs this shall be, that the
bottom is carefully graveled, pebbled,
and otherwise covered the sides con
structed of stone, cement, and wood. as
Judgment dictates, and the shade cover
ING so constructed as that while the suns
rays are dcbarred, there shall still remain
proper openings through which the cur
rents OF air may freely pass, and the wa
ter be as thoroughly oXygenized from it
as if there were no sunshade there. An
examination of this artificial creek, so far
as the minutiH of its formation can be seen.
while the stream is flowing and filled with
variegated, speckled trout, is certainly of
rare interest to even a novice in Artificial
trout ponds; and if its gentlemanly con-
structor and owner have time and molina
ton to explain its mysteries, the Oldest
trout tancer may find world of delight
fnl information. The cost of the worl,
has not been at all carefully estimated nor
has the ingenious proprietor ever placed
any money-estlmate upon the value OF
his own time, and yet, when the various
demonstrations, and the Introduction OF
new features suggested by experience, are
weighed against the acknowledged cost
OF other brooks, there can be very little
doubt that in valuable time, money for as
sistants and material, fully $50, 900 have
been expended upon this small artificial
stream, which is even now UNDERGOING
extensive changes, which render it not If
all so attractive sight as when visited by
the writer three years ago. AS an exam
pie of perseverance, study, ingenuity and
liberal expenditure Of means without
thought OF personal pecuniary gain, Mr..
Furnam. in the estimation OF his fellow
trout-fanciers, out-ranks all other erthu-
siasts in the production of food for an
artistically thrown CITY,"
Atpresent, through desire to have room
for further Improvements in the forma-
ton of the Matching ground, nursery and
stream, the number of trout now in the
stream is comparatively small, though
the bottom is still darkened by their forms.
When previously visited, however, the
stream was SO crammed with them that,