FEEDING FISHES. 9 



tlie grains after brewing, while sweet and fresh, 

 are very proper ; but one bushel of malt, not 

 brewed, will go as far as two of grains ; chip- 

 pings of bread, and orts of a table, steeped in 

 tap-droppings of strong beer, or ale, are excellent 

 food for carp. Of tiicse the quantity of two 

 quarts to thirty carps is sufficient; and so fed 

 morning and evening, is better than once a day 

 only. 



There is a sort of food for fishes, that may be 

 called accidental, and is no less improving than 

 the best that can be provided; and this is when 

 the pools happen to receive the waste of commons 

 where sheep have pasture; the water is enriched 

 by the soil, and will feed a much greater number 

 of carp than it otherwise would do ; and further, 

 the dung that falls from cattle standing in the 

 w^ater in hot weather, is also a very great nou- 

 rishment to fish. 



The best food to raise pikes to an extraordinary 

 size or fatness, is eels : and without them is not 

 to be done, but in a long time. Setting these 

 aside, small perches are the best meat. Breams 

 put into a pike pond, breed exceedingly, and are 

 fit to maintain pikes ; who will take care they do 

 not increase over much. The numerous fry of 

 roaches, and other small fish ,which come from 

 the greater pools into the pike quarters, will like- 

 wise be good diet for them. Pikes in all streams, 

 and carp in all hungry springing waters, being fed 

 at certain times, will come up, and take their 

 meat almost from your hand. 



The best feeding-place is towards the mouth of 

 the pond, at the depth of about half a yard ; for 

 by that means the deep will be kept clean and 

 neat; the meat thrown into the water, without 

 other trouble, will be picked up by the fishes, and 



