38 THE GOLDFISH AND ITS CULTURE. 



This box, the bottom of which is formed by the floor of the pond, 

 is to be. covered with a well-fitting frame, mounted upon hinges and 

 also covered with galvanized iron-wire netting of one mesh to the 

 inch. This wire screen serves to prevent the approach of numerous 

 enemies that would otherwise greatly interfere with the spawners, if 

 not destroy them altogether. By following the above given direc- 

 tions for the construction of the frame the greatest economy possible 

 can be had, for the lumber in the board as obtained from the dealers, 

 measures twelve (12) and sixteen (16) feet in length, so that the 

 measurements, eight by four feet, can always be had without unnec- 

 essary waste of lumber. Besides this, the wire netting is obtained in 

 any length, and also four (4) feet in width, so that here too is a 

 saving of material, and consequently of expense. 



Inside of this frame, or box, as it may be called when placed 

 into position, another frame upon which wire netting is stretched, is 

 to be sunk. The size of the mesh is to be such as is best adapted to 

 the size of the fish that are to be placed in the pond. It is very easy 

 to see that this false bottom subserves a very useful purpose, and 

 often saves time that at the moment is otherwise valuable. When, 

 for one reason or another, it is desirable to remove the fish, the only 

 requirement is simply to raise the frame to get it into shallow 

 water, when the whole contents of the pond can be examined at 

 ease. 



A spawning-pond, such as the one described, can be, and with 

 propriety too, constructed separately and wholly isolated. But if it 

 is made a division of the rearing-pond, a good advantage is secured, 

 namely, the stream of water that passes through it will carry into the 

 rearing-pond such of the young fish as were hatched from undiscov- 

 ered eggs. They will thus escape being devoured by the parent, and 

 besides will get into the place intended for them, and where the 

 chances for their growing up are vastly in their favor. 



