Connecticut western news., 1882-04-12
ON A FISH FARM.
The Study of the Habits and Propa.
 gation of the Trout.
From the New York Star.1

Fish culture is not, as is general y believed, of modern origin, for among the Chinese from the earliest times, spawn naturally fecundated has been an article of traffic, and even Roman epicures bred fish for their tables. Lueullus according to historians, had fish ponds at Tusculum, but the arti1- cial impregnation of fish eggs is of Q more modern date, the discovery being attributed to 8 French monk, Dom Pinchon, in the Fourteenth century. It was not, however, until 1758 that practical results followed, the art seem- ing to have slumbered for nearly four centuries. The first recorded expert ment in the artificial propagation of fish in the United States was made in South Carolina in 1904, but 1t was not until 1859 that the attention of pisciculturists was really turned to this art. Among the enthusiasts on this subject is H. D. MeGovern, of Brooklyn, who has ex- pended large amount of time and money in experimenting in the propa- gation of the finny tribe, particularly trout. Abont five years ago MT. McGovern found an excellent spring on some old land on Johnson avenue, between Vandervoort and Porter avenues, Brooklyn, and believing this to be suitable situation for @ fish. breeding establishment, he set to work, and in short time transformed DOT ton of the old swamp into piscicul- tural farm, constructing ten different ponds, all of which contribute to the desired end, and which cover surface equal to five acres. Mir. McGovern was found by Star reporter, busily engaged in looking after his fish. He promptly ceased work when informed of the reporters wish to inspect the ponds. In the centre of the grounds, immediately above one of the ponds, is a small one-story house, which is used as 8 watch-houses by the watchman, whose duty it is to patrol the grounds at night and prevent depredations. To the west of this house is the spring which supplies water for the ponds, which is inclosed by curb 10x1S. Above the spring is placed frame oi slab- work, on which rest quantity oi gravel and pebbles. This is used as a hatch1ng-bed. The pond above which the watch house is situated is used as an observation pond. By means of 6 small hole cut in the floor and a number of mirrors, MT. McGovern can watch the fish and observe their habits.
 "It is by this means that I learned 6 great deal of the habits of trout" saic MT. McGovern.
 "The spawning season commences in December. About the 1st of November trout commence to show signs of spawn ing, and we get them up to the spawn ing beds. I then take dish and, care fully lifting the female in net, press the spawn into the dish. Then take the male and obtain the melt in tho same manner, after which I let the disf stand for few moments and ther carefully empty it in the hatchine pond"
 "Why do you cover this pond witl pebbles; why not have smooth sur face ?" inquired the reporter.
 "Pebbles and gravel are necessities In order to break the egg In which thu fish is confined 1t is necessary for it t' rub against 8 coarse surface. Whel the fry first emerge they are very small and small sac is attached to each. Il is upon this that the fish lives for abou six weeks. By that time it is absorbed and it becomes necessary then to fee' the fish, who are then about one incl in length. The food I use is cured which I give until the young fish ar three months old. Then I commend to feed them on fish chopped up an' screened. As they increase in sig larger bits of fish are given"
 "What fish do you use to feed then with ?"
 ''Discolored goldfish, which I rais in separate pond" MT. McGoverl then pointed out Q small race which ex tended in the shape of an elongate letter U to pond on the south side C the watch house, at the junction ( which a fine screen is placed.
 "For the first year," said MT. Me Govern, "the young fry run in ths race," at the same time pointing t hundreds of young trout disporting the water. "Then for the next yes they remain in those ponds," he sait showing three adjacent ponds whic are connected by means of gate "Then," he continued, Cat two yeal old we place them in the large pond"
 "At what age does spawning con mence?"
 "At eighteen months; but the thre, year-old spawning fish is the best fully 25 per cent. better than the tw' year-olds. After the egg is taken ava the parent fish have nothing more do with the young."
 "What do you feed to the oarpP"
 "Stale bread, chopped cabbage ( rotten apples" By means of dite the water from the smaller ponds
 carried around the larger pond, al empties into Bushwick Greek. Goir
 to the large pond, MT. McGovern thre bit of goldfish in the water. It hs
 hardly touched the surface before
 large trout snatchsd it and disappear'
 with his booty. At the same time hu
 dreds, perhaps thousands, of the spec
 led beauties showed themselves al
 snapped at the bits of food thrown l them