Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1873-08-12
A Trout Preserve.
Messrs. Crockett & Holmes' Fish Breed
Ing Works nt Norway.

ing works mt Norway.
We have before alluded to the fish
breeding establishment Of MeSsrs. Crock.
cit IL Holmes near Norway Village.
Their place is a mile and half below the
village. on small brook fed by springs,
and is remarkable for the uniformity of
the temperature OF the water. The cold
est day in winter the stream does not fall
below 4S degrees. and such days As we
have experienced lately will not carry il
above j3 deg. Not particle of ice
formed in the tanks during the last winter,
which afforded rs good n test as could be
required. The requisites for successful
fish culture are thorough practical un'
derStanding of the habits OF the fish, n
great deal Of patience and skill together
with an enthusiastic love for the pursuit.
This gained there is needed full supply
of pure spring water.
First dam was built which gives
head of some tour feet ol water. This
is provided with a waste way that car
rics of all surplus water, and secures the
tanks against all danger from overflow.
From this pond sluice way is cut, look,
ing like asommon open pen stock to a
mill. In this they have secured the last
springs crop.
The water appears literally black with
the little Try only three months old. and
only lately let out of the Matching troughs.
AT the head OF the sluice are laid boards
so the little fellows can find protection
from the hot sun when they desire shelter.
This they are sure TO seek whenever it is
hot. They are here led three times day
with finely grated liver. At the lower
end Of this tank the water flows through
u screen and falls in smooth sheet into
a second and similar bank in which are
luXurialing the one year old trouts.
Last year being the first Matching the
brood brought out is not very large.
There are in this lot about four to five
thousand. They have attained growth
ol five inches in length and average
three to louI ounces in weight Still be-
low is similar tank opening into
wider one. over which small house is
built. Here ate some thousands OF the
fish first gathered. and now from two to
four years old These will weigh from
two to three pounds 1t j; a beautiful
sight to open the large doors in the roof
OF this house and look down into the
clear water. deBsely crowded with the
beautiful fish. so tame rs not to start at
even strange face. Their fins move
iu-t enough TO keep pace with the gentle
current. keeping the most oil the fish in
a stationary position, though few are
swimming about. This conteniment is
the result OF regular and full feeding.
A fourth tank cantains llty larger
trout. together with three land locked
salmon from Sebago lakes. These are
all males. One of them has attained a
weight Of nine pounds. The other two,
though they have been in the ponds \
' ear, have refused 10 take food till re-
Gently. They begin to eat little and
the proprietors hope that their racer
shape may soon change to the fat sleek
look of the father of the flock.
The Feeding.
As we have stated, the small fly are
fed three times day. The larger ones
receive their rations at morning and
night All are fed with liver. The little
ones can only manage the fine particles
grated, while the big ones have it cut
up, with chopping knife. When in
proper condition it is thrown in with n
small shovel. We have seen nothing
that will give an idea of the seethng,
struggling, leaping, splashing mass,
that meets each allowance as il strikes
the water. 4 hundred trouts arc out of
the water at once, and rs some oi the
particles work down, platoon after pla.
toon rush in ill every atom is swallow.
ed This is repeated, the fish having
grace to retire when satisfied so that the
weaker ones can receive their share.
When hunse is satisfied they will take no
notice OF the food, so that the wants of
the brood can be exactly provided for.
They will take food readily from the
hand, and do not object 10 showing the
quality of their teeth on finger if Offer
cd them.
These tanks are all situated one below
the other, so that thin sheet ol water
flows into one from the other. becoming
thoroughly aerated and purified in the
flow. This could be continued to an in-
definite extent, SO that a small stream
will sustain vast quantity Of fish.
The instinct of the trout to reach the
highest point for breeding, shows when
the eggs are ripe. Both male and female
then put on most gorgeous coloring and
crowd to the upper and narrow portion
of the tank, which is eighteen inches
wide. When this is observed, net is
laid down filling the whole. The trout
gather over it, and by lifting the net they
are easily taken out into tubs. Then
comes the process termed taking the
eggs.
A famale is held firmly in the hands,
and passing the hand gently back. The
eggs are pressed out into tin pan. A