The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-07-23

number will give considerably more
spawn when the fish are stripped in
the early fall
These breeders are confined in the
large springfield pond. They take kind
ly to the prescribed diet of chopped
meat and liver and are plump anR fat
and active in spite of the fact that their
beauty has been dulled by virtue Of the
diet. The fish are fed regularly at 8
O'Clock in the morning and at o'clock
in the evening and to the visitor this
is perhaps the most interesting of the
many entertaining things to be seen
during call at Mr. MerrilPs domain.
When the food is thrown on the water
the thousands of trout are apparently
ready and watching, and scarcely does
the meat strike the water when the
surface Is alive with hundreds of
crowding, busting, hungry trout. They
leap, sometimes entirely out of water
in a way that reminds the veteran of
the break of a salmon when he takes
the fly deftly and carefully cast over
some shady pool. The sight of thou
sands of speckled beauties jumping and
splashing Is well nigh to make the fish
erman long for try with rod and reel
in the forbidden paradise and to make
his recent catch of a dozen four-ounce
fish seem scarcely, for a moment at
least, worth the all-day tramp along
some wooded stream.
In smaller pond are two thousand
two-year-old brook trout active and
alert. The pond is fed from cool, nat
ural, bubbling springs and the young
steers thrive surprisingly we'll During
the past year, but two trout have been
removed dead from the small pond In
innumerable smaller ponds are other
thousands of fry, lingering and year
ling trout and salmon, confusing to the
visitors, but known as children are
known to parents by Mr.. Merrill
Confined in huge tubs, through which
runs stream of sparkling spring
water, are the 5000 land-locked salmon
which are being reared for Lake Quin-
slgamond and which will, if predic-
tlons of the best judges and the ack-
nowledged authorities are to be be-
lieved. make of the Worcester lake the
finest salmon water in the country
south of Maine. These fish are now
about two inches in length, They are
active, healthy and sound. The first in
stallment of the fish will be liberated
In the lake some time this fall. and the
balance, perhaps one-half, will be win
tered and freed in the spring. They are
extremely active and even at their
present size are we'll able to protect
hANiiSSi NSo d5dlHsl the TdpdclOuS pick
eier and his lightning dart. There Isl
no flsh that swims that for alertness
and suddenness of turning, can ap-
proach the salmon, and when once thew
arc well started in the lake. even
though it be pickerel infested, il is be-
lleved that they will be well able Ia
take the best Of good care of them
selves.
In other tubs are 10000 yeArling brool,
trout that are also intended FOR the
lake. They are about the size OF ne
salmon and just as active. In another
large tank are confined 10 900 brown
trout of the English variety. and these
TOO, are to come to the Worcester lake
They Will be liberated this fail or navt
spring They have been carefully mn
tured and are now from four to six
inches in length, far and away bevond,
the dangerous stage, and when they are
put into the local water will be strong
ana grown beyond all possibility Of
Danger from their natural enemies
They are little known in this countrv
out where propagated have been found
70 take kindly 10 conditions such as ex-
ISL IN Quinsiganond and are magnin-
cent IN game qualities. A quota of these
iiish VIII be retained at the hatchery a.
breeders, It being the intention 10 con-
tinue the rearing Of the fish for some
years. ''iS
In addition to these, there are AZ tho
hatchery $50 rainbow trout, imported
from California. They are now q years
olu, ana VIII be put into the lake this
dHll II the present Intention holds
Anese nsh' although somewhat dulled