114 Fish and Game Warden. [Bull. No. 1. 



crustaceans and various forms of insect life, the growth of the 

 crappie is assured in proportion to the food supply. The food 

 supply for fishes will be further considered when we speak of 

 the plant life of the pond. 



Crappie will do well in almost any pond where there is a 

 supply of water from three to five feet in depth. There ought 

 to be some deep water in the pond to guarantee a place of 

 retreat for the fish in both hot and cold weather. A consider- 

 able quantity of shallow water from six inches to three feet 

 in depth can be utilized, as it is in the shallow water that the 

 vegetation produces most of the water animal life that the fish 

 depend upon. The crappie, especially the younger fish, that 

 have been examined at the Fish Hatchery, feed very exten- 

 sively upon such forms of life as naturally grow upon this 

 vegetation, including mollusks, crustaceans, insects and vari- 

 ous forms of larvae. 



When three years old, if properly fed, crappie are (when 

 dressed) as large as one's hand, and are ready for table use. 

 At two years old they are rather small, but if one will take the 

 trouble to dress them it will be found that when properly 

 cooked they are a sweet and delicate fish of fine flavor. 



We would advise the reading again of what is said in Part II 

 concerning the general life history of the crappie by those who 

 contemplate the rearing of these fishes. It is not possible to 

 give any "right way" of how to proceed in the raising and 

 management of these fish, or any other fish for that matter. 

 We give you the benefit of such knowledge and observations as 

 we have made on the life history of certain kinds of fish. This 

 we hope will guide and direct you in a certain measure when 

 you begin your work. No two ponds are alike, and no advice 

 that we might give would exactly fit the conditions that you 

 may have to contend with. By raising fish, and at the same 

 time being guided by the intelligent experience of others, you 

 will learn how to do it quicker than by any other method. We 

 only hope to help you by giving something of the natural his- 

 tory of the fish, and something of our own experience. 



THE SUNFISHES. 



Bulletin No. II contains a general account of the sunfishes 

 found in Kansas waters. 



Two varieties, the Green sunfish and the Bluegill sunfish, 

 are propagated at the Kansas Fish Hatchery. The common 

 Green sunfish (Lepomis cyanellus) is found in most of the 

 waters of the state. It is not a large fish. The full-grown 

 specimens do not attain a size greater than one's hand. How- 

 ever, these sunfishes are an important factor in Kansas waters. 

 They are very prolific and do especially well in the smaller 

 streams and ponds. They are a good pan fish, and their young 

 serve as food for other fishes. 



