THE CARPS 



THE original homes of the carps (those 

 species not indigenous to American 

 waters) were in Persia, China, and the 

 far East, and a gradual introduction 

 into Europe occurred, commencing a. d. 1258, in 

 Germany and France, and into England in the 

 year that Columbus discovered America, 1492. 

 Despite the fact that all the resources of the 

 United States Fish Commission, reinforced by 

 the singular executive ability of Professor Baird, 

 who introduced the carp to America about twenty- 

 five years ago, this fish has never gained favor with 

 anglers, although lauded highly as a game fish by 

 English anglers. It is, however, a favorite table 

 fish among the Germans of New York City and 

 other places, and the market price exceeds that of 

 many acknowledged well-flavored indigenous fishes. 

 It must be remembered, however, that the foreign 

 method of cooking carp smothers the flavor of the 

 fish in a mass of condiments, and the tasteless bow- 

 fin or Johnny Grindle, under like condition, would 

 be acceptable to the ordinary palate. 

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