544 REPORT OB' THE COMMISSIONER OF FISHERIES. 



species that promises so great a return in limited waters. It has the pre-eminent 

 advantage over such fish as the black bass, trout, grayling, &c, that it is a vegetable 

 feeder, and, although not disdaining animal matters, can thrive very well upon 

 aquatic vegetation alone. On this account it can be kept in tanks, small ponds, &c, 

 and a very much larger weight obtained, without expense, than in the case of the 

 other kinds indicated. 



It is on tins account that its culture has been continued for centuries. It is also a 

 mistake to compare the flesh with that of the ordinary Cyprinidse of the United 

 States, such as suckers, chubs, and the like, the flesh of the genuine carp (Oyprinw 

 carpio) being firm, flaky, and in some varieties almost equal to the European trout. 



It was not the intention of the Fish Commission to introduce the 

 carp into waters that were already stocked with good native species, 

 nor was it claimed that the carp was superior to the majority of our 

 indigenous food fish. But it was believed that it could be successfully 

 raised in many sections of our country not favorable to the growth of 

 better fish. In this connection Professor Baird remarks in a subse- 

 quent report (U. S. Fish Commission Report, 1879, p. *41): 



There are several species of American Catostomidie which might in all probability 

 answer in some measure, if not fully, in place of the carp. Among them are espe- 

 cially the buffalo fish, a large sucker, the flesh of which is much esteemed. As, 

 however, some special varieties of carp have been developed and had their instinct 

 of domestication established, while experiments on our indigenous species are scarcely 

 yet tried, there is no reason why time should be lost with the less proved species. 



In another place (U. S. Fish Commission Report 1873-4 and 1874-5, 

 p. xxxvi) he enumerates the good qualities of the carp which made it a 

 desirable species for cultural purposes in the United States. These 

 are given as follows: 



1. Fecundity and adaptability to the processes of artificial propagation. 



2. Living largely on a vegetable diet. 



3. Hardiness in all stages of growth. 



4. Adaptability to conditions unfavorable to any equally palatable American fish 

 and to very varied climates. 



5. Rapid growth. 



6. Harmlessness in its relation to other fishes. 



7. Ability to populate waters to their greatest extent. 



8. Good table qualities. 



Nearly all, if not all, of our American food fishes are carnivorous, 

 preying for the most part upon smaller fish of all kinds. The increase 

 of these forms is therefore necessarily limited, especially in small 

 bodies of water, where it is difficult to keep them supplied with food. 

 The large-mouthed black bass (Micropterus salmoides), which has been 

 extensively used for stocking rivers and lakes throughout the country, 

 is a good example. But where strictly a food fish was required, it 

 seemed that one at least in large part a vegetable feeder possessed far 

 greater advantages, and, as stated above, no native fish answered these 

 requirements so well as the carp. 



In the winter of 1876-77, Mr. Rudolph Hessel, in the interests of 

 the Fish Commission, as an initial experiment shipped carp from 



