BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 231 



stocked with carp of difiereiit ages. They are connected with shiices 

 by which tliey can be dried, and fish maybe easily taken or transferred, 

 as reqnired. At the tap of the bell, the Jinny hoarders dart forward to the 

 refectory with a sound like a distant icaterfall, and a ripple on the sur- 

 face of the water like that produced by a heavy driving rain. iScraps 

 of bread and vegetables are then devoured, while the water is flecked 

 with gold and silver from the sides and bellies of the feeding fish. 

 "Do the young fish in the adjoining pond also answer to the bell?" 

 we asked of the caretaker. " Oh. no," he replied, " It takes about six 

 mouths' training to educate them up to that ijoiut ; but when they have 

 learned the lesson they never refuse to put in an -appearance at meal- 

 time." Of all sizes there are at present about half a million carp, with 

 facilities for increasing the number, as the demand for stocking rivers 

 and private ponds increases. Of all fish, it is the best adapted to our 

 climate, both for successful culture and large profit. Its growth is rapid, 

 the fish reaching about 20 pounds in two years ; its fecundity is pro- 

 digious, more than 700,000 eggs having been found in a breeding fish 

 of moderate size. It does best in still water, is sun-proof, subject to no 

 diseases, and can be fattened like a pig on the refuse of the vegetable 

 garden, for which its teeth are adapted, being large, flat, and situated 

 on the pharynx very far back in the mouth. The quality of its flesh 

 depends ujiou the character of its food. Carp in running streams or in 

 ponds where limited to mud or rank weeds for subsistence, are no bet- 

 ter tli an the saltwater mullet; but it has been demonstrated by jjis- 

 ciculturists that ichen properly fed they are little if any inferior to sal- 

 mon. 



Of the importance of this fish as a factor in the future food supply of 

 Texas, too much cannot be said ; and yet it would seem sufficient merely 

 to state that in a pond only a few square rods in area the former can 

 raise, without expense, more than sufficient carp to supply his family 

 the year round. Indeed, we trust the day is not far off" when the carp 

 pond, shaded with big trees and willows, and decorated with rose-bushes 

 and flowers, will be the possession of every farmer who aspires to thrift, 

 taste, and good living. 



Pisciculture is nothing new. The art of breeding and fattening fish 

 was known to the ancient Romans, and Latin authors tell us all about 

 the fanciful flavors imparted to fishes especially fed for the tables of 

 the wealthy. The Romans borrowed the art from the Chinese, who 

 packed the fish ova in eggs and had them hatched by hens. 



Commercial fish-culture is at present largely carried on by the 

 French, where the market is largely supplied from private ijonds, and 

 is an important — generally the most important — source of profit to the 

 owners. 



Austin, Tex., May 1, 1884. 



