Chapter XXIV. 

 PROFITABLENESS OF GOLDFISH PONDS. 



The question will naturally arise in the mind of the reader, should 

 he have any desire to engage in the culture of the goldfish, "Will it 

 pay?" " Are the profits accruing sufficient remuneration for the time 

 and labor expended, to say nothing of the capital invested ? " To 

 these questions the best answer is the book upon which the author 

 has expended so much time, for he is certain that the proper cultiva- 

 tion of the goldfish will pay, though there are some considerations, 

 the absence or presence of which somewhat determine the result. 

 If looked at from a business point of view solely, it wholly depends 

 upon the local demand for them, though more especially upon 

 the class of customers one is expected to supply. In some places 

 the finer qualities and varieties pay best, as the demand for them 

 comes from a source that is both discriminating and critical, at the 

 same time willing to pay for the very finest that can be had. Such a 

 market is usually found in the larger cities where the wealthy classes 

 generally reside, and it is from among them that the culturist may 

 expect to find a ready and remunerative run of custom. In other 

 places the demand is for quantity not so much care being taken 

 whether the varieties are the best or not; for instance, a gentleman 

 wishes to stock a lake upon his premises or in his garden with orna- 

 mental fish, he does not care especially to invest his money in a few 

 choice varieties, but would rather have a greater number of a less 



