The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1875-10-18
Artificial Trout Culture.

In the United States much attention
is being paid to trout culture, and many
private ponds have been or are now be-
ing built. Au exchange gives some in
teresting stories Of trout rnising. 1t
says: During spawning season trout
find the sandy and gravely bottom, the
conditions most favorable to their pur-
pose. Digging with their noses pits in
the sand six or seven incl& deep, and
three or fonr feet in diameter, the trout
places in the center Of these excavations
a line Of stones Of various sizes, accord
ing to the size OF the fish. In this work
number OF trout cooperate, and, when
the bed is thus prepared, the eggs are
deposited by the females in successive
lines, and after impregnation the whole
mass is covered up by the parents, the
noses, fins, and tails being freely used in
tile operation. While this work is pro-
crossing there arc generally number OF
small, feathered spectators, called water
ousels. in the vicinity, deeply interested
in the operation. These visit the beds
when the fish leave, and, disappearing
beneath the surface, pick up such in
sects Ms would otherwise feed upon the
ovn.
In the course of month the eggs are
Matched, aud these eggs are wonderful
things in their why. Semi.transparont,
and varying in size from the head Of
large pin to tho Dimensions OF large
pea, they have n peculiarly horny and
elastic shell, so that, if struck ngainst
any hard substance, they will rebound
thrcrefrom with the elasticity of minis-
turo ball Of India rubber. Subject to
the action Of the water, and to abrasion
among the gravel and sand, these little
eggs arc protected by tho peculiar
properties OF the delicate looking case in
which they are inclosed.
4 few days before the imprisoned en-.
bryo is ready to emerge from his prison,
two little black spccks arc observed
within tho shell. These arc the eyes,
and a glance through microscope re-
veals movement OF the body and n
wagging OF the tail, oil Of which are
doubtless the preliminary efforts which
are to result in the final dclivemnce.
When he has Mt last emerged there is
little sac attached 10 his abdomen, and
this constitutes his sole nourishment as
he lies on the bottom, unable, so long rs
this appendago remains, to rise to the
surface. The umbilical sac disappears
in four weeks, and then, for the first
time, tho fry employs his means Of loco
motion to good purpose. The little
fins and tails arc set ut work, and carry
him from place to place in quest OF mi
malcules and such infinitesimal game.
To enable him to grow apacc, lie must
have plenty OF tho right kind Of food,
md clear spring water having tempera-
tire of from forty to forty.iive degrees.
Bullock's livers cut fine and grated, otTal,
or the flesh OF almost my animal subject
to the same process, viii suit his taste.
He is not fastidious, and, when he has
attaineda weight Of twoor three pounds,
lie enjoys such dainty morsels MS frog
or n mouse. He is, in fact, keen.
sighted hunterof mice and other "small
DEER" and will lie in wait under the
pads OF waterlilies or the shelving banks,
or behind n log or stone, as eager after
his prey as Grimalkin himself-ready to
pounce upon the haplcss victim tho mo-
ment he shall be within reach.