The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1892-11-09

tain in all about / 900 trout OF various sizes,
from one pound down. This water, coming
as IL does from the earth at this point, con-
tains but little oxygen, large portion OF
which is now consumed by its inhabitants
before the water reaches the spout which
conveys 1t to the rearing ponds below. No
provision being made for the aeration of the
water before reaching the rearing ponds,
except by a fall of about eighteen inches,
enough oxygen is not retained or absorbed
for the support of so many fish at this point,
Consequently, the fish must breathe faster
than normal, and such breathing is the di.
rect cause of inflammation of the gills,
which, il allowed to continue, will become
very disastrous to all fish that are forced to
exist in water with an insufficient supply of
oxygen. This condition can be remedied by
increasing the volume of water Uhe better
way; or by making changes that will adj
init of better aeration OF water, either by q
system Of falls, or running some dis
lance upon the ground before entering the
rearing ponds.
We next examined the compartments for
adult trout, and found about 900 as clean
and healthy fish as one could wish to see,
contained in four small pens at the spring
which is enclosed in masonry and divided
by the wood partitions, before mentioned,
into four parts. Many of the trout contain
spawn, and under proper conditions for OBJ
tanning them would yield $4,000 eggs; but
under present arrangement no eggs can be
taken except from trout caught directly
from the pen, and it is next to impossible to
catch such trout as are wanted at the proper
time; besides constant disturbance is made
among those not wanted. This condition Of
affairs is unnatural, contrary to any reliable
authority upon the subject, and will prob
ably cause the loss of nine-tenths of the
product which might be secured by properly,
constructed raceways, in which the trout
ready to spawn might seek the natural soli-
sln raA NE E.lN ntv Ia uttI lea
The trouble must be remedied Immediately
If the product of eggs which the state hopes
to obtain this season is to be secured. Other
wise the trout which should yield the state
at least $4,000 eggs will probably not yield
more than 5000, with the utmost diligence
on the part of any one who tries to take
them from their present quarters. Very
few trout will seek the raceway that are not
nearly ready to spawn. By the natural in
stinct exhibited one may always tell when
they are ready, and net may be placed at
the lower end Of the raceway and take only
such trout as are wanted without disturb
ing any of the others.
At the Matching house we find model
hatchery indeed-neat and we'll kept, with
only one objection noted. The strips which
are fast to the bottom of the troughs for
holding up screens should be attached to the
lctSe as they now are, thereby saving much
time in keeping them clean, which time
could be devoted to other purposes
This may seem like letter of criticism,
but nothingof the kind is intended. The con-
ditions as they exist, are due, no doubt
to lack of experience on the part of the
management and will be gradually changed
as time develops facts heretofore unknown
to those in Charge and to that end the
above suggestions are made. That the best
results may be obtained, it should be the
duty of all citizens of this state who are in
terested in the stocking Of our waters by ar
tificial propagation to contribute any
knowledge they may possess, that it may be
analysed by the board of management, and
! if found to contain anything that will
tend to give better results should be
adopted, and thereby build up a state
industry of which we may justly feel proud
Such appropriation should be granted from
time to time as is required to maintain ONT
of the best fishing resorts in all New Eng
land, and to which fishermen will come
and in many ways indirectly, bring to oul
state larger income than can be derived
from any enterprise into which our people
can enter with so little outlay, and at tn,
same time furnish to our citizens a bounti
full supply of fish food which will be bette
appreciated and cost less per pound thai
any other variety of animal food we nov
have. VISITOR.