BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 243 



13. What season of the year are carp fit for the table ? — A. From 

 October to May. During and for several months after spawning the 

 flesh is soft. No fish is in good condition to eat for some time after its 

 spawning timet 



14. Do carp have many bones? — A. What fish does not"? The flesh 

 flakes oft", however, very nicely from large carp. 



IV. — PONDS AND TANKS. 



15. How large a pond is necessary for carp ? — A. Larger the better, 

 but a small one of a few yards square will answer for a few fish. 



1G. How should one prepare a carp pond ? — A. This is answered at 

 length in articles on the subject published by the Fish Commission. 



17. Is it absolutely necessary to be able to drain ponds to the bot- 

 tom ? — A. No, but very desirable so as to remove other fish, enemies of 

 carp, &c. 



18. What kind of soil is best adapted for carp ? — A. Loamy or muddy 

 soil. The carp roots about in it for grubs, worms, larvae, &c. 



19. Is it best to make the border of the pond sloping or vertical? — 

 A. It is easiest to let it slope, and there is usually no particular advan- 

 tage in making it vertical. 



20. What is the best way to construct a dam? — A. See plans and de- 

 scriptions published by the Fish Commission. 



21. W T hat is the best material for constructing a dam?— A. Stone and 

 earth. 



22. What is the best plan of an escape way? — A. See plans of ponds 

 by Fish Commission. t 



23. How should one prevent fish escaping from the pond? — A. Make 

 the dam secure, and put wire cloth over the outlet. 



24. Will carp leave a pond when it overflows? — A. Not if the super- 

 fluous water is colder than the bottom water, as is often the case in 

 floods. 



25. How should one prevent carp leaving pond at overflow? — A. Ar- 

 range wire sieves for the overflow to pass through. Avoid overflow 

 if possible by regulating the amount of water flowing in by means of a 

 waste weir. 



26. Will carp do well in ditches of cranberry bogs ?— A. Yes ; if free 

 from other fish, turtles, snakes, &c. 



27. Will carp live in ornamental fish tank? — A. Yes. 



V. — WATER FOR CARP. 



28. What kind of water is adapted to carp ? — A. Warm water. They 

 grow very slowly in cold water. 



29. Will carp live in shallow water ? — A. Yes ; even if so sharlow that 

 their backs sometimes protrude from the water, but there should be 

 one deep spot for them to go to in winter. 



