The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-09-06
Artificial Propagation and Artificial
Streams Exemplifed.
AN ACCOUNT OF STREAMS NEAR BY.
The Artificial and Natural Propagation of
Trout on Long Island.
S1,l75,OOO INVESTED IN THE BUSINESS.

era years been the envy Of gentlemen trout ancicrs,
both here and abroad who have gathered the island
during the trouting for pleasurabe study Of
the art by which, with indomtablc perseverance and
the expenditure of enormous sum OF money
acknowledged success has been reached
Few even among those who arc familiar with the
extent of the of Seth in his effort to add
permanently to the supply of salmon, bass, shad and
other desirable table sh the rivers of several States
Of the Union have adequate idea OF the late very
hrgc increase in the number OF artificial ponds and
streams constructed for the propagation growth and
preservation OF trout. Nor there many who have
knowledge concerning the really enormous OF
money which has been and still is expended in the
Itructon and care of such streams by gentlemen who
have come TO look upon them necessary the
pete QUILTING OF their out-of town estates And So
100, of tho number OF spcckcd produced in tho
almost immediate neighborhood Of this city by not only
The artificial process in breeding but also by the natural
process in artificial beds. In close proximity TO this
sity-on the western half of Long Island-the present
valuation of the trout streams, which have been
Itructed and improved within the past few years.
vxcEEDs ONE MILLION HUNDRED SEVENTY
THOUSAND DOLLARS.
OF the extent condition. cost and other pecularites
Of these artificial and their stocks
is the object OF this sketch to treat Tho various in
formation given will be found peculiarly interesting to
the general reader and Of great value to gentlemen who
desire information for tho purpose OF improving their
own estates Many leading bankers, merchants and
other gentlemen of this city have already added trout
to the attractions of their country homes and
among them Mr. William H. Furman, of Maspeth has
long been recognized as the leader the still
what novel work. Among the Belmonts, Phelps,
Lchnclds and others who have given serious attention
TO the subject, his unique little stream rates model
Of IL than to the others
NORTH ISLAND
At Maspcth Mr. William H. Furman has in his
and care of trout, which is known among gentle
fishermen throughout the United States, the New
Dominion and Europe As an angler, architect of ponds
and grower OF trout Mr. Furman has for years ranked
rs the most expert and untirng of all who have the
time and means necessary to successful experimenting
In the construction Of ponds and Matching and growing
of trout Before the artificial production of trout had
reached to probable success the construction OF
artificial streams for them had been entered upon he
had become famous for skill in casting fly at almost all
the we'll known streams in the country. Angling was
his OF relaxation from study in youth from
business when grown to mans estate, and now, long
since retired from business cares with ample means
his mansion his lodge his barns and portion of his
Of enthusiast in the work of constructing deliberately
wrought ponds and filing them with beautiful speci-
Of spccSled trout be taken from
Any natural stream known to gentlemen
yportsmcn here. 1t when many years had
paused In him decrease Of desire for travelling the
wds for additional natural streams while leaving with
him all Of his youthful desire to cast fly, that he
10 serious consideration of tho possibility of
utructng pond on his grounds, and stocking It
de htrc aooft raIIa.
shcd methods by which FISH had been artically pro-
duced and reared Soon afterward, and within
easy stones throw Of his residence. he
determined upon the construction OF a pond; and
snguary enough tho ground selected extensive
salt marsh which was believed to derive It's sadness
from the teaching OF the tide water. His old time friends
and advisers, who, too had weakness for casting
The fly, grew grave when he talked OF his scheme
them, and regretted that brain clear his had
been should have become added through Matching i'm
possible schemes for the production growth and pres
ervaton Of trout They knew and they believed that
be knew, that Of all known fish there is not
4 single variety to which clear, cold spring
water is so entirely a necessity as II is to brook
Of but actually progrc ssng with the preliminary prep
arations to the construction of stream for them in
'soggy, salt marsh"
soon thereafter he engaged workmen and with them
commenced digging and dredging, his relatives and
friends looking meanwhile in sadness, until he had
reached depth of about four feet, in width of about
Twelve feet and length OF some eight yards When
be had progressed thus far they astonshcd by the
discovery that along the entire length of the excavation
far the dredging had been completed, there
we're, bubblng up, springs Of water clear, cold fresh
and pure az crystal Placing the end of stick on ono
Bprng anywhere the bottom they found that there
sure to be others rising vigorously within from
eight to fifteen inches Of it, and when the water was
tested IL found 10 be equal in purity and GOODNESS
with the water OF any spring they knew Of They felt
sure, however, that whom tho work was completed IL
would be found that the teaching of the water from the
bay would prove sufficient to spoil the water of the
springs for tho growth Of trout and in that belief they
continued until the stream had been completed and
trout were living in it. and, at least, seeming TO thrive.
however,
qurng SKILL perseverance and length of days, for its
architect had studied its requirements long and care
fully and he had resolved that the work should be
done thoroughly every inch OF the way. Ii is the mani
odd peculiar work of such ponds and streams which
stonishcs the visitor who calls when it Is sufficiently
exposed for him to be able To view il for its many dis
nctve features and the elaboration Of all OF them
10 those who not familiar with the needs of in
artificial streams to be merely fanciul expenditure of
labor and money.
The ground plan of this stream is in the form Of one
half OF capital letter $ the receiving and dschargng
ends being about 800 feet apart The first of the two
branches of the stream which is fed from the springs
1t the bottom as noted above is called the East Brook
md Is 500 feet long; and the second South Brook Is
,bout 800 feet the pond and all being about 200 feet
n length The width at the bottom is about nine feet
md the depth Of the about fifteen inches leaving
IN additional rise OF ground for banks. The stream,
hus formed, is divided INTO what is called the spawning
race, the feeding ground for the young and similar
ground for trout of larger growth.
There is secret concerning the formation of tho
spawning bed which is constructed that perfect
curity is offered TO the eggs from the time they are dc
posted by the fish until they are Matched When the
young appear they arc protected from the Older ones
screened gates and their place of location Is known
the nursery The bottom of this, and, in fact, all
portions OF tho stream Is covered with an ngcniously
constructed network OF wood and pebbles 80 laid
along the ground and noorngs as TO secure perfect
drainage. The sides built Of stone and cement or
Of wood rs may seem best and the whole is so GOV.
rcd with network OF wood that, while the rays Of
The sun arc dcbarrcd there remains free passage for
currents OF air by which the water may be suhccnty
well oxygcnizcd
When completed, and when the bottom is covered
WIN 'ront 50 ibcraly that there seems to be layer OF
ng IN the light as they rise IN the surface the sight Is
one OF rare interest To any visitor whether fisherman
or not On this specimen stream the owner docs not
place any money value ms IL is not for salc but those
Nho are FAMILIAR with the Of construction aud OF
The many improvements which have been made almost
every year have no hesitation In declaring that
moderate estimate of the value OF the time and skill Of
INC owner and other workmcn employed on H. and Of
he material used ~ It's construction and Improvement
md its stock, would place the Of It, since the be-
ginning Of the work ut not far from 500 900 He has
within the past few years added largely to his cxpend
on this little stream; and yet In spite of all his
l..- I..t. ami. .Iaf