28 THE GOLDFISH AND ITS CULTURE. 



A bit of forest in which grow a few chestnut-trees was, by the 

 then few village boys said to be " full of chestnuts," but now, when 

 the village has become a large town or city, the few chestnut-trees 

 are not looked upon with the same admiration because, though in 

 equally good condition, they do not furnish chestnuts enough to 

 go 'round. 



A piece of land of given size supplies in plenty, vegetables for 

 one family, but if the family increases in numbers, and additions 

 have to be made to the house at the expense of the piece of 

 land, it can no longer furnish the original quantity of food. New 

 land then is added to the field, or, if that is impossible, that remain- 

 ing is forced to increased production by the use of manures. 



Now then, why not apply to pisciculture the rules guiding agri- 

 culture, when viewed in this light ? The fish-consuming family has 

 inordinately increased, its dwelling is enlarged at the expense of the 

 fish-producing rivers which are now made to serve other purposes. 

 New additions are consequently necessary and possible by the 

 proper use of water-courses that are now going to waste. 



Pond-culture is not solely confined to the production of food-fish, 

 there being many large establishments devoted to the exclusive 

 culture of ornamental fish. 



The largest of these, are also in Europe, one in Oldenburgh cov- 

 ering twelve acres, yielding anually 300,000 goldfish, and affording 

 employment to many people. A still larger establishment is that in 

 Austria, belonging to Baron de Washington. 



There are besides many smaller establishments scattered about 

 all over Europe, and generally near the large cities, just as we find 

 florists in the immediate neighborhood of our own cities. 



