CHAPTER SIXTEEN 





Wholesale Breeding of Goldfish 





&* 



(9 



The principles of breeding and rearing goldfish are of course standard, 

 but their application in producing huge quantities for the popular market 

 is very different from the methods of the individual fancier who gives 

 studious and loving care to each of his pets. 



It is therefore with some hesitation that we advise inquirers to 

 embark in goldfish farming, for, properly conducted, it is a real business 

 requiring special training and the application of sound business principles. 

 If one has these qualifications, a capacity for seasonal hard work, a well- 

 selected site, and lastly a faculty for prompt and clear correspondence, 

 there is no reason why a very fair living cannot be made in this industry. 

 At the present time there are about 20 to 25 million goldfish being pro- 

 duced annually in the United States by about 400 fish farmers. About 

 18 of the millions are reared by perhaps half a dozen large, well-con- 

 ducted farms. The balance are from dirt-farmers who merely stock a 

 few ponds, let the fish grow if they will and usually sell their product 

 to the larger producers because they themselves have no marketing 

 facilities nor talents. Whether the demand will increase is anybody's 

 guess. Many dyed-in-the-wool goldfish fanciers have been converted 

 to tropicals and the general public is becoming aware of them. It seems 

 unlikely that they will make any early inroads on the commercial gold- 

 fish, especially in the cheaper grades. 



As we all take it for granted that we have good business judgment 

 and executive capacity, let us pass those considerations and concern our- 

 selves with the immediate, practical problems of those who are, or wish 

 to be, goldfish farmers. The cardinal points are climate, soil, water 

 supply, ground levels, shipping connections and room for expansion. We 

 shall take them up in order. 



Climate. Most of the large, successful farms are in a climatic 

 region either near or equivalent to the "Mason and Dixon Line"— Mary- 

 land, Ohio, Indiana are the big producers, but distinct success is being 

 had in other states— northern New Jersey— even New York State and 



