sliould be in the liighest physical condition by having liad an abundance of fattening food for some 

 time before. By the use of a brush, glass rod, or stick, the acid is judiciously applied after the 

 skin has been wiped dry. In this way flowers, figures, letters, etc., aie produced; but the results are 

 not very pleasing to the esthetic taste, and the practice is quite uncommon and is not to be commended. 

 The methods herein described are such as are followed at Kori^ama and Tokyo and by the 

 principal culturists at those places ; and the information gi\-en is based on the personal observations 

 of the writer. Use has been made of additional material containetl in several excellent papers by 

 Japanese scholars. 



The Toiids and the IVater Supply 



In growing goldfish for profit it is necessary to have ample pond area. The extent of the 

 business will of course depend largely on the amount of water in which the fish may be grown; 

 and the season's success may often be affected by the number of available ponds into which young 

 and adult fish may. in emergencies, be transferred. 



There are two general classes of goldfish ponds, large or mud ponds and small or cement 

 ponds; to these, in the Koriyama district, are to be added special food ponds. 



The mud ponds are so called because they have a soft mud bottom, and are usually roily in 

 consequence. They are rectangular, and their size depends on local conditions, individual tastes, 

 number of fish to be held, and particular \ariety of fish to be cultivated. In Koriyama. one extensive 

 breeder has ponds as large as 50 by 100 feet, while other culturists prefer ponds of smaller and 

 more convenient size, say 18 by 50 to 60 feet. The depth of these ponds never exceeds 3 feet and 

 often is onlv 1.5 to 2 feet. This shallowness is an important feature, ensuring efficient oxygena- 

 tion and lighting, and would doubtless be carried still further if it did not expose the fish to injury 



49 



