554 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



spawning-fish, by way of precaution, on account of previous high water, 

 a number of large pike and perch were found, and carefully removed ; 

 but in the operation they lost their spawn. The pond was therefore al- 

 lowed to remain dry for eight days. This, however, was not sufficient, 

 since, instead of the expected carp, six bucketfuls of pike and perch, as 

 long as a hand, were obtained, and the workmen repeated the old ab- 

 surdity, that in some years carp spawn pike. Predacious fish make 

 their appearance of themselves where carp are bred. They seek the 

 ponds from the nearest streams during high water. The writer had the 

 opportunity, during the past spring, of witnessing the persistent efforts 

 of a pike, of four pounds in weight, in attempting to reach a carp in a 

 ditch so shallow that he was easily killed with a cane. But pike and 

 perch are not alone to be feared on account of their ravages ; the green 

 edible frog is also suspected of consuming the spawn. Large bastard- 

 carp are also supposed to injure the eggs by their attempts to fertilize 

 them, thus rendering them unproductive. The writer, however, doubts 

 this, as he has obtained pure carp-eggs among bastard-carp. In order 

 to produce valuable carp-eggs, the milters and spawners should be large 

 and healthy, rather more of the former than of the latter, and, above all, 

 they should receive gentle treatment in the spring, and neither be 

 squeezed nor struck. The pond should be preserved absolutely free from 

 predacious fish, and should have gently-sloping, sunny, grass-covered 

 banks ; it is even more beautiful if the grass grows down into the pond. 

 Ducks and geese, like all water-fowl, are injurious. The water must be 

 pure and not too cold, (spring,) nor in any degree fouled, since the form- 

 ation of mold may injure the whole lot of spawn. Only the strictest at- 

 tention in this particular can insure success, for one instance of neg- 

 lect generally injures the whole yield. 



At the end of October, or the beginning of November,. the ponds are 

 drawn off and the eggs, fry, and spawning- fish are removed to their 

 winter-quarters from all that are not kept up during the winter. From 

 this time to spring carp eat exceedingly little, and can be kept, 

 if necessary, in very small inclosures, which are not liable to freeze, 

 or which are fed by water continually splattering into them. In East 

 Prussia preservation for the winter presents great difficulties, and 

 is attended too frequently with decided losses. If the pond is large 

 enough, and is supplied by a never-failing source of water, no air-holes 

 should be cut in the ice ; but if once made, they must be kept open 

 throughout the winter. The appearance of carp at these holes is always 

 a suspicious circumstance, as healthy fish are seldom seen at them. 

 Turbid snow-water, dammed back, also often destroys the whole winter- 

 stock in a short time. Where fish are crowded together light feeding, 

 of soaked peas and chopped bread, is advisable ; care, however, is neces- 

 sary with all easily putrescible matter, as animal offal, &c. Much has 

 been said in regard to the good or bad character of ponds, with refer- 

 ence to the flavor of the fish. This may, however, be regarded as a mat- 



