TRANSPORTATION OF CARP FROM GERMANY. GG9 



in the cabin. These changes for the better were accomplished through 

 the kind and timely assistance of Captain Froboes, the first officer, who 

 took a great interest in the matter. 



May 1.— Put ice in ; water constantly 5° (41° Fahr.) ; three fishes died. 



May 2. — Put ice in; water constantly 5° (41° Fahr.) ; one fish' died. 



May 3. — Put ice in ; water constantly 5° (41° Fahr.) ; five fish died. 



(Several times each day air was pumped in.) 



May 4. — Put ice in; fresh water ; water from G° (41° Fahr.) to 6° (41.8° 

 Fahr.) ; three fish died. 



May 5. — Put ice in ; fresh water ; water 5° (41° Fahr.) to 51° (41.9° 

 Fahr.) ; five fish died. 



May 6. — Put ice in ; fresh water; water 5£° (41.9° Fahr.) to 6° (42.8° 

 Fahr.) ; two fish died. 



(Air pump was used every day.) 



As we approached the coast the weather became warmer, and I put 

 in more ice than we had been accustomed to use during the past five 

 days ; we also replenished the barrels with fresh water. 



We arrived about 7 o'clock p. m. at the pier in Hoboken, where Mr. 

 Fred. Mather, who had been commissioned by Prof. Spencer F. Baird, 

 was awaiting me to take charge of the fish on their journey to Wash- 

 ington. Our aggregate loss was 77 dead fish, leaving 23, which com- 

 prised our live stock, which may be considered, however, as a satisfac- 

 tory result. The uncleanliness of the one barrel above mentioned was 

 the cause of the unusual mortality during my trip. 



My experience on this trip teaches me that it is easy and practicable, 

 with the assistance ofalceeper, to bring over living carp from Germany. 

 The transportation, however, should take place during the colder 

 months — from November to March. During these months there is an 

 abundance of room on the steamers, and the fish can be placed in a 

 cool room down in the dark, where the sea air, and particularly the damp 

 air from the banks and during foggy weather, cannot have a disastrous 

 effect upon them. I do not think the sea air good for so purely a fresh- 

 water fish as the carp, as it is too much charged with salt ; the salt 

 forms a sort of incrustation, during foggy weather, on the beard and 

 woolen clothing when exposed on deck for any length of time. Fresh 

 water should be used in order to counteract the evil influences of sea air. 

 Fresh water and ice should be at hand in large quantities. If I could 

 have obtained a sufficient quantity of fresh water, which would have 

 enabled me to fill up the barrels daily, I am positive the death rate 

 among the fish under my charge would have been correspondingly light. 

 Ice is also absolutely necessary to keep the temperature below 6 degrees 

 Eeaum. (45° Fahr.). Pumping air is also very good, as it carries the air 

 below the surface and produces a circulation at the bottom of the barrels. 

 Whenever the fish (on this trip) were suffering for want of air, and gasp- 

 ing, I immediately employed the air-pump, and the fish would go quietly 

 to the bottom of the barrels, which, in my opinion, is a favorable sign. 



