34 AMERICAN CATFISHES. 



A letter dated February 11, 1908, from Washington, Ga., states: 



In answer to yours of February 2, I state that I am well pleased with the results 

 from planting catfish in Armstrong Pond or Lake. When conditions are favorable 

 we often catch a string of nice fish, a yard or more in length, in a short time. I do 

 not think the speckled cat can be excelled for eating unless by such fish as trout or 

 white perch. * * * I placed 40 or 50 in several small creeks near by and from 

 these streams we now catch, very often, a good supply of speckled catfish, the descend- 

 ants of the same fish your department sent me. They thrive well here and their 

 introduction is a blessing. 



A letter from Atlanta, Ga., dated February 1, 1908, tersely says 

 in part: 



Catfish did fine; largest weighed 2{ pounds; exceedingly prolific; satisfaction 

 perfect; March, 1907, lost dam on account of long continued rains. 



From Columbus, Ga., February 1, 1908: 



The speckled catfish were placed in my mill pond very successfully in 1903. I 

 watched them with a good deal of interest and had them taken care of. I did not 

 allow any fishing done in the place until last year, but found that it was almost 

 impossible to catch any of the fish although we could see a great many in the pond. 

 Unfortunately about thirty days ago a heavy rain broke my milldam, and I am very 

 much afraid that some of my fish got away; however, I hope not many. * * * 

 These fish were placed in a mill pond the water of which is furnished by a clear creek 

 stream. 



Regarding fish planted in his private pond a resident of Fort 

 Deposit, Ala., under date of February 4, 1908, writes: 



Replying to your circular letter of December 2, 1907, will say that the fish in my 

 pond have done well. They have increased in numbers and have grown considerably. 

 The pond is of clear pond water coming from wet-weather springs and seep from the 

 soil. 



A letter from Americus, Ga., received February 4, 1908, expresses 

 satisfaction with the fish sent, saying, in part : 



I consider the fish a success. They did well and increased very fast. 



From Lizella, Ga., in a letter dated February 5, 1908, regarding 

 ''spotted" catfish placed in a mill pond: 



As to the spotted catfish, they did fine. I think I have caught several of 3 pounds 

 weight each. 



The following letters relate to catfish planted thiring the fiscal year 

 of 1904. 



From Sunnyside, Ga., in a letter dated January 18, 1909: 



The speckled catfish that were planted in Malaires pond grew nicely until large 

 enough to bite a hook, then most of them were caught by negroes who fish the pond 

 incessantly with hooks. While of course there are, we suppose, a few left we do not 

 know how many. I have planted no other fish in this pond. I think that several 

 years previous to this plant some one else planted black bass and it is my opinion that 

 these bass destroyed a lot of these catfish. 



