The water supply of goldfish establishments is generally far from profuse, and often of a 

 character that would seem to be questionable ; nevertheless it serves the purpose admirably. The 

 ponds are flooded with water from various sources, but only rarely are they supplied by gravity 

 from a running stream. Shallow wells provided with pumps or buckets may be found at nearly 

 every station; stream water when available is transferred by pump, treadmill, or buckets; ditches 

 are often drained into the ponds ; and rainwater is generally utilized. The ponds being quite sluggish 

 and subject to infrequent change or renewal, algae often grow rankly and give the water a distinct 

 greenish color. There are no rooted and surface flowering plants in the ponds, such being rigidly 

 excluded. In some instances the ponds receive the discharge of gutters of the town or city, such 

 water being considered desirable because it contains a large amount of organic matter whose decom- 

 position favors the ultimate growth of fish food. 



In order to guard against the development of poisonous gases and other deleterious substances, 

 and also to eliminate enemies that may have entered, the mud ponds are drawn down at least 

 twice a year (spring and late autumn), extraneous substances raked out. and the bottom exposed 

 to the air for 4 to 6 days. More frequent draining is desirable if practicable. 



51 



