WH OLESALE BREEDING 223 



Tables with oilcloth tops, ruled in inch squares, are a help in this 

 work. Commons are deposited on the table, and with the aid of the 

 squares it is possible for unskilled labor to grade for size. When fancy 

 fins are to be considered the fish must be in the water. Besides, fancy 

 fish are more likely to be injured by being dumped on a table. The 

 Japanese gentlemen in figure 208c are sorting fancy fish in the usual 

 way from pans. Sorting is not done once in a season, but several times. 



Varieties to Breed. Experience seems to force the general con- 

 clusion that the common goldfish is the most paying breed for the begin- 

 ner or for those who have not a good equipment. Fantails, Telescopes 

 and Lionheads are easy victims to the enemies which abound everywhere, 

 while their degeneracy from apparently good stock is very discouraging. 

 Besides they are more difficult to transport. To say that fancy fish can- 

 not be profitably raised on a wholesale scale would be contrary to the 

 facts, but it is an undertaking only for those who are experienced and 

 who are prepared to give close and constant supervision, and have ample 

 and expensive equipments. Comets, while able to swim rapidly and look 

 out for themselves, are apt to be slow in turning color. 



Selecting Breeders. In commons the point of importance is early 

 turning. Each season those which first turn red should be set aside, and 

 from the strongest of these select the breeders for next year. Fantail 

 brood fish should always have fully divided tails. Those with joined 

 tails are already reverting to the original type. Also select deep colors. 

 The tendency for colors, especially in the transparent specimens, is to 

 turn lighter. These are less salable. 



In this connection we draw attention to the Japanese screens in 

 figure 208c. Calico fish are stored here in the fall after sorting and while 

 waiting to be shipped. The muddy pond water protected their colors, 

 but when in concrete tanks the delicate blue colors need protection from 

 fierce sun rays. The screens accomplish this very well, and also keep 

 out fishing birds. 



Diseases, Parasites, etc. The goldfish farmer has to contend with 

 more fish ailments than does the small breeder. Natural conditions favor 

 more parasites and enemies, while life under the ice for several months 

 leaves the fish weakened and susceptible, so that mortality in the early 

 spring is very high at some farms. 



The treatment of disease is another of the points which is outstand- 

 ingly different on the farm from the conservatory. Quantity and speed 

 must be ever remembered on the farm. 



Instead of the mild salt water treatment for fungus which we else- 

 where recommend, and which we believe to be the best, goldfish farmers 

 usually gather a net of fish and dip them for about half a minute in a 



