242 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 



questions have been asked over and over again. As they cover con- 

 siderable of the practical information required, it is hoped that the an- 

 swers here given will be valuable. Fuller information upon many of 

 the points may be obtained from published documents of the Commis- 

 sion. I am indebted to Col. M. McDonald for assistance in preparing 

 some of the answers. 



The questions and replies are classified under sixteen heads, so that 

 one can easily find any information he is seeking. 



I. — GENERAL INQUIRIES. 



1. Is carp a pond fish ? — A. Yes; pre-eminently so. It is especially 

 adapted to small bodies of still water, and the water need not be free 

 from mud and sediment. 



2. Is carp a game fish ? — A. Not properly so, though some corre- 

 spondents report that they consider it to have game qualities. 



3. What time of year do carp appear after hibernation ! — A. As soon 

 as the spring fairly sets in, which differs much in the different parts of 

 the United States. It is probable the carp will not hibernate at all in 

 Southern Texas. 



4. Can small carp be wintered in a cellar? — A. Yes, if provided with 

 proper food, change of waiter, &c. 



5. Will young fry swim on top of water? — A. ]So. What is some- 

 times mistaken for young carp is the top minnow (Zygonectes). 



6. Do carp live a long time out of water? — A. They are quite hardy, 

 and can be kept alive out of water, if in moss, twenty-four hours. 



7. What work is authority on carp culture ? — A. The Fish Commission 

 publishes such articles and translations of German papers as are of 

 general interest. 



II. — VARIETIES OF CARP. 



8. Are scale and leather carp different varieties ? — A. Yes. 



9. Do carp have scales all over ? — A. Scale carp do, and leather carp 

 do not. 



10. What is the best breed of carp? — A. Scale carp are the most pro- 

 lific, the leather carp grow the fastest, and the mirror is intermediate 

 between them. 



III. — CARP AS A FOOD-FISH. 



11. What kind of a food-fish is carp? — A. Equal or superior to cat- 

 fish, suckers, perch, and all our common native varieties. Many cor- 

 respondents declare them equal to trout, bass, and shad, but this is not 

 claimed for them by the Fish Commission. 



12. At what age are carp suitable for table use? — A. When small the 

 bones are troublesome, but the flavor is the same. When they weigh 4 

 pounds or more the bones can be easily removed. 



