380 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 



ripe and they can be treated hy artificial impregnation. I doubt whether 

 the matter of furnishing hiding-places for the fish is particularly im- 

 portant. This, however, can be managed by bringing in floating sea- 

 weeds to form a surface over the water and serve to oxygenate it. 

 This floating green scum cannot in any way injure the water or fish. 



Washington, D. C, July 5 and 14, 1883. 



1S5.-METHOO OF CATCHENG CAKP TTITH A HOOK. 

 By PAUI. QIJATTJLEBAUM. 



[From a letter to Clias. W. Smiley.] 



I use a beardless hook for two reasons. It can be taken from the 

 mouth of a fish with greater ease and does less injury. I often catch 

 carp for visitors to examine, and then return them to their native ele- 

 ment. They may also be removed to other ponds in good condition. 

 For catching small fry I use no cork ; for large fish I prefer one, with 

 lead enough on the line to sink the hook a few inches in the water, but 

 they will take it at any de])th. Late in the afternoon or early in the 

 snorning is the best time of warm weather. When the sun is shining 

 brightly, and its rays strike deep down into the waters, the carp retires 

 i'rom his feeding-grounds and remains at rest until the shade of the 

 evening lures him from his quiet retreat. On warm cloudy days, when 

 trained to artificial feeding, the carp may be caught at any hour, but 

 less readily about noon. It is a waste of time to angle for them in cold 

 weather. It is well known that the carp declines all food in freezing 

 weather, and that the appetite varies with the temi)erature of the water 

 to a certain degree. In my ponds, near Leesville, I can catch either 

 kind of carp as above stated from April to December. I train them to 

 come to the surface of the water for food so as to enjoy rhe pleasure of 

 seeing them scramble for it. • The cheapest of light bread, made of mid- 

 lings or shorts, expressly for the fish, is what I use. The same answers 

 for baiting the hook, but a piece of waffle, cut the righl size for the fish 

 you desire to catch, is better, being tougher and not so easily taken from 

 the hook by the fish. I first collect the fish together by throwing in a 

 handful of small bits of bread — say one-half inch square — then I drop in 

 n^y hook, attached to a strong line at the end of a suitable cane, and in 

 less than a minute I am almost suie to bring a carp to grass. More time 

 is generally consumed in putting the bait on the hook and taking the 

 fish off of it than in luring him to take the bait. 



The your g fish hatched early last May are now 5 or G inches long. 



Leesville, S. C, July 30, 1884. 



