THE GOLDFISH AND ITS CULTURE. 75 



ventilated apartment, must be emptied frequently and a new supply 

 of fresh water put into it. 



Some people object very strenuously to the formation of algse 

 upon the glass sides, and on that account clean the vessel very 

 deligently, removing every particle they can find. Others again 

 change the water because it does not form, their taste preferring the 

 fish in all the natural surroundings of a rural locality. 



The former carefully wipes each pebble till it shines, and would 

 polish the fish too if it were possible, while the latter will walk for 

 miles to some creek in order to procure some moss-covered rocks; 

 so divergent are tastes in this matter. 



One must be able to exercise his own judgment as to the best 

 time and when, for the changing of the water in the aquarium, 

 as it may sometimes be better to leave it undisturbed foi* some 

 length of time, and at others to change it several times. 



The best means to clean the glass sides from the adhering algae, 

 when an aquarium is emptied, is by the use of a rough sponge or 

 rag dipped in whiting ; this will remove every speck without scratch- 

 ing the glass. 



The best side of a room for the aquarium is that having a window, 

 near which it is to be placed, as the light can be increased or 

 reduced by opening and closing the shutters. 



In the winter this position is the best, for the constant ventilation 

 that goes on in the immediate vicinity of the window protects the 

 water from the injurious effects of coal and tobacco smoke, and the 

 poisonous fumes from the gas-burner ; in the summer, in close hot 

 weather, before a thunder storm, it can be easily and effectually 

 aerated. 



There remains yet one point : "Should the sun shine upon the 

 aquarium?" This too is a matter of taste, though we would 

 recommend a middle course, that is, let the fish have the sun part of 



