CARP, DACE AND MINNOW. 



415 



and arrange the distance between the float and the shot, so that the latter 

 may exactly rest on the bottom, weighing down the point of the float to 

 about ' half-cock,' and letting the gut below the shot and the bait lie en 

 ground. Fix the rod in the bank and keep perfectly quiet. When a bite 

 is perceived, do not strike until the float begins to move away. 



" It constantly happens, however, that the Carp will not be taken either 

 by this or any other mode of fishing with which I am acquainted ; but if 

 he is to be caught at all it is thus. 



"The baits are, worms (first), gentles, greaves, grains and various sorts 

 of pastes, of which latter, however, I believe, the plain white bread crumb 

 paste is the best, as well as the most easily made. Prof. Owen, who had 

 a good deal of Carp fishing experience in Virginia water, gave me the 

 results of his practice which concur in a great measure Avith my own, 

 except that he fished with his bait paste made of soft herring roe worked 

 up with bread crumbs and avooI, a favorable substitute sometimes for the 

 brandling." 



In Germany the Carp season is in July, August and September. The 

 angler usually prepares for his sport by " ground-baiting " with a thou- 

 sand or more angle-worms, twenty-four hours before he expects to fish, and 

 while fishing he throws worms into the water. He uses Nottingham 

 tackle, and baits his hook with the tail of an angle worm, or with grains 

 of barley or wheat, a maggot or a wasp-larva, or with balls of dough. The 

 bait rests on the ground, and the fish is allowed to rise tOAvard the surface 

 before striking. The young Carp of two pounds or less bite the best. 



THE KIXG I AKi- ui: MIRROR CARP. 



The natural result of so many centuries of pond culture has been the 

 difi'erentiation of varieties as well marked as those among poultry or 

 domestic animals. The most important of these for the fish culturist are 



