124 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 



55.— €AR1» APPEAR FERRVAKY 7, TAKE THE HOOK, AlVD ARE 



EX€EI.1LEI^T EATIIVO. 



JBy B. D. PAI.MER. 



Beiug under the impression that, in this latitude, carp spent the en- 

 tire winter in the nuid in a state of torj)or, I was greatly surprised by 

 seeing one spring out of the water in my pond last Thursdaj^, February 

 7, witliin thirty-six hours of the disappearance of the ice which had 

 covered the pond for six weeks preceding, I tried my hook and line 

 and caught live. Every day since, they have come to the surface for 

 bread, although one day the mercury was as low as 38°. To-day they 

 took the hook as freely as in summer ; and I caught 30 — ranging from 

 5 to 13 inches in length. Nearly all were scale-carp. They were par- 

 ticularly good, being firm and delicate; much better than those caught 

 in the summer. This size are much better as pan-fish than the very 

 large fish. 



Sandy Speing, Md., February 13, 1884. 



56 COMISION I>E PISCICUI^TURA DE EA REPUBIiICA MEXICANA. 



By AI.FKED V. LA MOTTE, 



[Comisioiicaclo General.] 



With regard to the foundation of the Mexican Fish Commission, I 

 would state that last year the Government of Mexico opened communi- 

 cation with me relative to the feasibility of restocking its waters with 

 good fish. This culminated in my going to Mexico and making an ex- 

 amination of the principal waters of the central portion of the republic 

 in connection with other investigations which they wished made. On 

 the receipt and acceptance of the reports, the Government tendered to 

 me the honor of commissioner of fisheries for the republic, which I ac- 

 cepted. 1 proceeded to locate a national hatchery at the springs of 

 Chimealapan, in the State of Mexico, and carp breeding ponds in the 

 park of Chapultepec, as I believe this latter fish will thrive well in 

 most of the small lakes. On my return to Mexico, a Board of State 

 Commissioners will be appointed for each State, and will proceed as 

 rapidly as circumstances will permit toward stocking the rivers and 

 inland waters. After completing my inspection of the rivers and lakes 

 this year, I can form a more correct idea of my future movements, but 

 so far as my present knowledge goes, I can see uo reason why fish 

 should not abound in the waters of IMexico. 



Glen Ellen, Cal., A2)ril 8, 1884. 



