254 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 



from the river to fish-pools or ponds which are about 20 feet square and 

 are fed by tidal creeks from the river, flood-tide water being preferred. 



After about six days the eggs have germinated into small fish. Dur- 

 ing this hatching process a covering of tree branches is put over the 

 pond, about 4 feet above the water, to screen the pond from excessive 

 light and heat and from the influences of capricious weather. When the 

 fish are about 1 inch long they are sold to stock fish-ponds in various 

 localities where fishermen are raising fish for markets. 



Now comes the filthy process of feeding fish which prevails in South- 

 ern China. The fish ponds are located at every city and village on 

 tidal rivers, streams, and creeks, and at the corner of each of these fish 

 ponds is an accumulation of human excrement, which (after undergoing 

 water-rinsing twice to extract urinal properties) is mixed with finely- 

 cut young grass and fed to the fish. On this food and the tidal water 

 they thrive and have no other nutriment. 



The climatic conditions of a locality for fish-culture are worthy of con- 

 sideration. The temperature of this portion of Southern China ranges 

 during the year from 3S° to 98° Fahrenheit in the shade, there being only 

 a few days, perhaps a week, of these extremes. The temperature during 

 the spring months of April and May ranges from 70° to 90°, the aver- 

 age being from 80° to 85°. Ice seldom forms. Once perhaps in half a 

 dozen years frost makes a morning appearance, but quickly vanishes. 



If further investigations of carp culture or fish-culture in Southern 

 China are desired I can cause a thorough examination of this subject, 

 but it is impossible to obtain more definite information without employ- 

 ing good men to go and visit the fish-hatchery district, and even then 

 every statement has to be tested by facts from various sources. 



It is possible that in the archives of the French legation, at Peking, 

 there may be the results of a very thorough investigation into the in- 

 dustries of China by a corps of experts, who were attached to that le- 

 gation when France was represented in China by a minister named 

 Le Grene, about 1844. Among those experts who were employed in 

 that work were gentlemen who were known to be very competent in 

 (heir respective departments. Possibly fish-culture received due atten- 

 tion, as did silk and other branches of industry. 



United States Consulate, 



Canton, Quang-Tung, December 2G, 1884. 



67.— NOTES ON THE HABITS OF THE GOLDEN IDE (IDl'S AUKATITS). 



By RUD. IIESSEL.. 



The golden ide (Idas auratus) likes a cool, clear water. Notwith- 

 standing, it can be kept in ponds where the water reaches a higher 

 temperature-- from 70° to 80°. In clear, cool water, such as spring 

 water, they will obtain a more brilliant color than in muddy water. 



