Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1883-02-03
NORTHERN TRIBUNE.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 8. 1883.
FISH HATCHERY.

An Important Enterprsse Recently
Started-Brook Trout Hatching ON
an Extensive scale "A Description
Of the Hatchery.
But few of our citizens are aware Of
very important enterprise that has been
successfully started in this vicinity.
Some time since the TRIBUNE stated that
VIM. Elliott had secured, by purchase of
land, the control Of the trout streams
entering the bay below Duncan City and
intended starting brook trout hatchery.
Last summer and fall he carried out the
idea and has started what he proposes
making the largest trout hatchery in the
united States. The building is 20x55
feet, and is provided with Bonds patent
spawning apparatus, the only one of the
kind in the U. s., and the work of hatch
ing is in charge of Mr.. Bond, the invent
or. The hatchery Is supplied with pure
water from a spring that comes out OF
the bank at the head of the rayine. BY
driving piles and filling in, sufficient
head was secured to give the water the
fall required. At one end of the build
ing is the spawning tank, about 12x14
feet in size. This is divided off into nu-
merOus divisions by boards II or IA inch
es wide, set upon their edges, leaving a
width of 18 inches in each division. The
water enters the spawning tank at one
corner, runs through the first division,
where, through hole, 1t passes into the
second division, and thus through each
division, entering at alternate ends,
thus forming current of fresh water
through the tank. The bottom Of this
tank is covered with gravel and b0wlders
for a spawning ground. Running across
the tank, resting on the boards, is a
ridge pole, from which roof runs about
half way 10 the ends of the tank, COM
pletely covering the spawning ground.
| The spawn being impregnated naturally,
it il confidently expected that the young
| fish will prove stronger and more thrifty
| than where they are impregnated arti-
| ficiaiiy. From this tank the spawn Is
taken 10y means of an ingeniOusly con-
we'd suction pipe and then is placed in
tie nursing boxes. These are system
| Of Doxes arranged in two rows, one on
each side of IA supply trough, which sup
| plies them with water. These boxes are
lS 10y 20 inches, in the center of each a
| circilaf hole Is cut out aud false bot
tom put on. leaving depression OF an
inch in the bottom. Around this de-
preston Is placed wire screen to pre-
vent the spawn and small fry from run
ming off with the water. The water en-
ters these boxes from chutes which run
between each, conveying the water from
the supply trough. The water enters at
diagOnally opposite corners and passes
out through a hole in the center of the
false bottom; by this means a circular
current is formed. By letting on a larger
quantity of water aud increasing the
size of the outlet in the false bottom a
sufficient agitation of the water is pro-
dnced to carry off any sediment that may
collect and settle In these nursing boxes,
thus, keeping them perfectly clean, which
is considered essential to the successful
Matching and raising of trout. Mr.. Eli
oft already has about 10000 trout sue
cessful!y hatched and about 25O0O yet to
hatch. Last fall he had 125 trout for
providing spawn, but was unfortunate
in having Is of the largest ones stolen,
leaving him only 50, and this caused
him to purchase 10000 spawn outside.
In two years, it is claimed, the young
trout grow to weigh half pOund,sO that
in year from the coming summer he
expects to have trout large enough for
use. and intends fitting up his grounds
with artificial ponds, with good plank
sidewalks leading to and around each
and then allow parties to fish, charging
80 much per pound for all caught. Mr.
Elliott has erected quite commOdiOus
and convenient residence on his proper
ty. He controls three streams, and he Is
talking some of stocking one of these
with grayling. The spring supplying
the hatchery is located at the head of 8
ravine, the banks of which are 80 feet
high.
In addition to his fish Matching enter
prise. Mr.. Elliott intends going largely
into the cultivation of cranberries, ant
has about 30 acres OF bottom cleared fol
this purpose. The two enterprises can
not fail to attract attention to this see
tion, and we are confident will prove
profitable to the proprietor.
| m tarv NOtice-