BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 305 



Vol. 13 J^JJ^a©^ J^ashiH^ton, D. C. Oct. 1 8,1*83. 



S3.-NOTHS ON "» B1»B1, B dUAHTBS OF GERMAN CARP AND 



HINTS ABOUT COOKING THEM. 



By CHAS. W. SMILED 



The introduction of carp into the United States is of so recent date 

 that there has been, as yet, but little opportunity to grow them of suffi- 

 cient size to eat; or to get a full expression from our people of their 

 opinions of carp as food. The first distributions by the United States 

 Fish Commission were in 1879 and 1880. Many of those fish were put 

 into unsuitable places and perished. Many persons whose carp have 

 survived have prized them so highly that they have persistently refused 

 to allow any to be eaten. As, however, an occasional newspaper mut- 

 tering has come to hand, it has been thought best to get together at 

 once what information might be available. 



About the first of July, 1883, a circular was prepared containing fifteen 

 questions, covering the whole field of carp-culture. One of these ques 

 tions was as follows: "Have you eaten carp? How were they cooked 

 and what was the opinion of their edible qualities V> This circular was 

 sent out, July 20, 1883, by direction of Professor Baird, to all persons who 

 appeared from the records of the United States Fish Commission to 

 have received young carp in 1879 and in 1880. 



There have been received thus far over 600 replies, and from these 

 have been copied verbatim everything which correspondents have said 

 with reference to this subject. Over 350 had not yet tasted carp. 



Finding that there was an occasional remark of an uncompliment- 

 ary character, I inquired of Professor Baird with reference to publishing 

 any adverse statements. In reply, he said: "Certainly it is not our 

 policy to suppress honest criticism of the carp, and you are authorized 

 to collate the testimony and publish both sides. No fish is fit to be 



EATEN DURING AND IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE SPAWNING SEASON 



Unless criticisms have been made of the fish during the late fall or early 

 spring they do not affect the question." I have accordingly classified 

 and wil present herewith every scrap of testimony-good, bad, and in- 

 difterent-which has been received in reply to these circulars, together 

 with such incidental remarks as had previously reached the United 

 States Fish Commission. Of these latter, there are not over half a 

 dozen, and they are mostly indicated by an earlier date attached. 



I have spoken thus definitely concerning this material because when 

 treated with exact impartiality the opposition to the food qualities of 

 carp dwindles down into such utter insignificance that some one might 

 easily suspect me of culling the material. This point is especially to be 

 guarded, because it is so often considered praiseworthy to suppress 

 criticism which is prompted by ignorance of facts and which might un- 

 justly injure a good cause. And I am very sure that every unfavorable 

 Bull. U. S. F. C, 83 20 



