BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 251 



develop rapidly. The time of taking seed is in the months of May and 

 June, when the shores of the river for miles are besieged by fisher- 

 men. The water nearest the shores abounds in the hatching spawn, 

 and overhanging banks, quiet nooks, and still waters seem to be 

 favorite breeding places, where development is safe and rapid. I am 

 not certain whether the spawn is originally deposited in these spots, or 

 whether it is floated down from lakes Inning their outlet in the river. 

 Both theories are strenuously held by the natives, and with the prepon- 

 derance of opinion in favor of Toong-Ting Lake as the depository, where 

 the fish certainly abound. 



Transporting the seed. — The young fish once gathered in the 

 kongs are at once for sale to the inland breeders, who buy in quantities 

 varying according to demand. A few cash will purchase a bucket full 

 of the scarcely perceptible finny infants, and, swung to each end of a 

 coolie's yoke, is borne to the breeding pond in the interior. I learn of 

 such transportation for 300 miles inland from Hankow, and as long dis- 

 tances north, and south. The ponds in the rear of Shanghai are sup- 

 plied with seed-fish from this locality. Such facts indicate the vast 

 importance of artificial fish-culture in China, but I can learn of no 

 statistics bearing upon the topic, nor can I compass any means of se- 

 eming them." 



The varieties of fish thus cultured do not seem to be a matter of mo- 

 ment to the natives. They do not appear to discriminate between the 

 kinds of piscatorial denizens of the river, but literally " all is fish that 

 comes to their nets." Nor am I certain that the carp proper is one of 

 the breeds cultivated, as I do not know that fish, and have failed to 

 learn from extensive inquiry of its being found here. There is a fish 

 constantly in the market, however, which greatly resembles the descrip- 

 tions of the carp, and is analogous to it, if not the true carp. It is 

 reared in great abundance in the lakes, as before described, and exten- 

 sively used ; it is large enough to be taken after a period of seven 

 mont'hs from the spawn, but grows more than double that size and 

 weight by longer keeping. They are fed very little after once being 

 transferred to the lake. 



Other fish. — Several other varieties of fish are caught at the same- 

 time and reared in the like manner. Among them are the " mandarin 

 fish" and the "perch." The former is much more delicate as a table 

 fish, but much smaller than the supposed carp. 



It is sometimes asserted that the fish-culture is under government 

 control and regulation, but I do not find such to be an established fact. 

 I have inquired of fishermen, who know nothing of it ; and 1 apprehend 

 that the impression has grown up from the fact that fishermen have 

 used small flags indicating their special pursuit, and these have been 

 mistaken for government announcements. 



United States Consulate, 



Hankow, Hoo-Pe, January 3, 1885. 



